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Message: [QUOTE="cbf9703, post: 1511845, member: 14560"] I've put a couple hundred thousand on my 7.3 commuting around a metropolitan area and taking it on road trips with no issues. It tows the boat or camper and 4-8 people for vacations every year. It's comfortable and turns heads, but definitely not quiet like the new trucks. A few things to keep in mind with all excursions: they're heavy, stock suspension can leave something to be desired (especially when towing), and even the newest ones are 13+ years old so there are maintenance issues that have to be dealt with. There is a lot of good information out there about common issues with both the engine platforms and the trucks. If you are look at leaf sprung, consider a code swap or lift to help stiffen the suspension if you're looking to do much towing and add traction bars. Air bags can help with the squat if you're towing heavy. I have a 4" SD/ 6"EX lift and run 35s. I love mine and have taken it off-road getting back to hunting blinds and on some fire roads and the like, but I have dedicated off-road rigs that take most of the abuse. Plan that you'll be the heaviest and biggest/widest in most groups if you get stuck and know that it will sink when it's soft. 2007 won't help him... last year of the EX is 2005. :D I agree- either motor can last with proper maintenance, fixing known issues, and respecting the truck. Agree that the year - or rods- isn't going to make a huge difference here. OP- I would narrow it down by the trim level you're looking for and any other features- 4wd, etc and then look at condition and maintenance of the truck and the engine. Rocker panels are bad for rust and the seal on the back window can go and you'll get water leaking in the back hatch- if they've had a plastic mat back there you won't have the mold issues, but some guys let the carpet stay saturated. You can check with a hose and soak the back of the truck and see if water drips in from the top of the door following the body lines. If the front windshield has leaked you may have intermittent electrical issues- try flipping down the visors and opening the mirror to trigger the lights a few times and opening the glove box. Strange as it may sound, both of these can sometimes trigger the windows/radio/interior lights cutting out. It's more of an inconvenience than anything as they come back on, but it can help negotiate price. It dropped mine significantly when I bought it 7 years ago. Call me crazy, but my truck has almost 500k miles on it these days and I wouldn't trade it for one with 150k and questionable maintenance. I've learned to be cautious with one that has been sitting and is never driven. The low mileage is great (I saw one with 38k for the sale the other day), but once you get it out and start driving it you'll find which parts would have otherwise been replaced by now with proper maintenance or that time and lack of lubrication have not been kind to. Anything in this vintage will have plenty of things to do here and there if we want to keep it around and up to our standards. Keeps us from getting bored. ;) [/QUOTE]