Should I buy it?

[Ray,IN]

I sold my FIL's old MF 90 tricycle front with only ground speed PTO working, and poor rear tires. for $600 in 2006. The young man that bought it didn't know much about farm tractors, and I explained what didn't work and the expected expenses.

 

[Jim.ME]

That may all be true. However sellers rarely provide a worst case description of what they are selling. If the seller describes it as overheated I would believe that and price it as if it needs an engine overhaul due to scored pistons. Does the engine turn over or is it seized? As-is, IMHO only salvage value maybe $1,000 tops. Not repairing the temperature gauge is an indication there is much more deferred maintenance that was not done.

If you can overhaul a diesel engine yourself ( Perkins 302 diesel? ) allow $2,000 minimum in parts plus your labor. If you need to have a shop do the work add another $3,000 for their labor.

Check what the market value is for that tractor in running field ready condition, probably under $5,000.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2269&context=tractormuseumlit

You replied to me and I understand all that. Your reply is similar to what I told him in post #9, yesterday.

He apparently is going for it as he posted he bought it.