You're probably not going to like my opinion--but maybe you'll be relieved to hear it - especially given your reference to your budget. The D24 is just not such a great motor with which to get involved. I've worked for Peugeot and Mercedes - both builders of diesel motors. Each had their own sorts of problems (head gaskets on the Peugeots) but they were motors that you could expect the lower end to last many hundreds of thousands of miles. Not so the D24 -- the upper limit that I've seen is about 150K - then not enough compression to get them running. I used to think the problem was the drivers. Folks recruited from the ranks of Buick and Oldsmobile owners not used to the strict oil change maintenance that diesels require. But not all the owners can be neglectful - I've never seen a D24 with really high mileage, while it's common to see red blocks with all kinds of numbers--my 1980 245 B21F has over 300k - the body is shot--the motor still excellent. Find someone who is REALLY into diesels and get whatever you can for them. Just my 2 cents worth -- Dave