More than likely the owner is worse than stupid, he's
pulling the old bait-and-switch.

If the vehicle is priced the same as all the other 5.8Ls
then it's a bait-and-switch.  Run away, run away, you
might even be dealing with a stolen vehicle.

Before driving out to look at any used vehicle, get
the VIN from the owner over the phone, and run it
to see what the engine configuration is supposed to be,
then call the DMV and have them run the VIN to make
sure it's not stolen.  Naturally, if you happen to run
across a stolen vehicle, call the cops immediately
and give them all the information and let them deal
with it.

If you arrive to look at the used vehicle and the VIN does
not match what the owner told you, leave immediately
and call the cops.

If the title is lost, but the VIN is clean, it is possible to
buy the vehicle but it's usually a big big hassle to get
a title.  Unless the vehicle is under $500 it's not worth
dealing with it.  Any vehicle worth real money is worth
the seller's time to get the title - the likely reason the
seller can't get the title is that there's a lien on it or some
other nastyness the seller doesen't want you to know about.
There's been cases where the husband is screwing the
babysitter on the side, and goes off on a long business trip
and the wife has a divorce planned - and for revenge she
sells his vehicle sans title.  If the title has 2 names on it,
which most that belong to married couples do, then
make sure you talk to both parties on the title.

One more thing since your 16 years old - a 16 year old
cannot legally enter into a contract.  If a seller sells you
a vehicle, your parents can call the seller and tell the seller
that you had no legal ability to purchase a vehicle, and the
sale is nullified.  Smart sellers know this, and as a result
if you find a vehicle you want to buy, the seller isn't going
to let it go until someone 18 or older shows up and
signs a receipt.

Ted