Best bet for a Pre DEF engine?

So I'm in the market for a used Day Cab tractor and at my price point, it looks like I'm going to be in the trucks that have an EGR/DEF. I was hoping to get something older than 2003 like a Cummins N14 but I'm not having any luck finding anything that isn't beat. Obviously tuning is an option in the future for the truck but I'm wondering what's going to be easiest to keep running reliably and cheapest to keep on the road. I know the newer DEF trucks have been much better than the EGR/DPF trucks, but they're just out of my price range. I've always been a Cummins guy but I'm not opposed to going to another manufacturer. Just looking at my options as what's going to serve me the best in the future. The truck I'm replacing is a 96 model so I'm use to keep trucks for awhile. This is going to be a local truck that's probably going to see 250 hours of use a year. What's going to serve me the best?

 

Anyone have a Detroit with a DPF/Egr who's had good luck?

 

Wish that was an option. I need more power and I’m not going to get it out of the m11 I gave. The gear box wont handle anymore torque.