[Planecrazy]

So here's my opinion (as somebody who's mulling over getting a pickup, too): If the old pickup has been sitting as long as it has, chances are it will need at least several thousand dollars worth of "general maintenance/upgrades" to make it safe for the purpose you're planning to use it for. It seems more logical to find a U-haul/rental company (or other company that uses pickups in their businesses) that is selling a "well used" pickup from their fleet for similar money.

The advantages are: It is an active runner, it has received all it's periodic maintenance on time as part of the fleet, it hasn't been sitting so long that the tires are out of date (regardless of tread) and the engine/tranny seals have dried out and will need replacement, it may already have upgraded brakes for the "severe duty" it was purchased for as a rental vehicle ... and so on.

Any premium you pay for a newer, "well used" fleet vehicle will likely wind up being less than you'll have to invest in the "farm find." It'll also probably get better mileage than the older truck you're looking at.

Good Luck!