There was something in the paper a while back about Mexico lfting its tax or ban on older pickup trucks. The writer speculated that the demand would drive up the prices. Don't really know the truth of the matter. Could be true for the SW states but not farther from the border.
Always a good idea to pay a mechanic to check it over before you firm the deal. $75 or so spent here could save you a bundle later. I was buying an old car as a second vehicle. Five minutes on the rack and the mechanic showed me about a thousand dollars worth of trouble.