My son has a 96 s10- 4 cyl / mt. It has some 75k miles on it. It seems to be bullet proof. Gets great mpg too.

I have an 02 s10 4cyl with auto with over 30k and never a problem.

Personally. I wouldnt hesitate if I knew the truck, but one never knows how any truck may have been kept in the past. There is always risk.

Good luck.