Looking at buying a 03-06 LS, what to look for??

[jrherald420]

My wife and i are looking at buying a 2003-2006 V8 LS. ive been finding 03 and 04's with 70,000-90,000 miles around here for 8000.00 - 10,000.00. My question is what is common to go bad with these cars?? Also what problem areas should i look for?? Ive read about the 2000-2002's having trans problems and the V8's power went up for the 03-06 model years, thats kinda why im looking for a 03-06. Please share your thoughts and problems with me. Thanks.

 

[jrherald420]

Also whats a good extended warranty company out there?? anybody tryed one?

 

[Rifleman@LaymansPC.com]

My wife and i are looking at buying a 2003-2006 V8 LS. ive been finding 03 and 04's with 70,000-90,000 miles around here for 8000.00 - 10,000.00. My question is what is common to go bad with these cars?? Also what problem areas should i look for?? Ive read about the 2000-2002's having trans problems and the V8's power went up for the 03-06 model years, thats kinda why im looking for a 03-06. Please share your thoughts and problems with me. Thanks.

On the V8, VCG leaks causing coil issues. I would never purchase a V8 without first inspecting the plug wells. Other thing to test is the dual zone climate control functions.

 

[Rifleman@LaymansPC.com]

Also whats a good extended warranty company out there?? anybody tryed one?

None cover anything worth a damn. They take your money and hide behind loopholes in the contract you sign. If warranty is something you want, go to a FLM lot and purchase a Ford Certified Used and opt for an extended FLM warranty.

 

[jrherald420]

Ive had one for my saturn. It cost me 50.00 each repair but when i got rid of it, the car had over 11,000 in engine and eletrical repairs done to it. total cost to me was like 400.00. i also forgot to say im buying from a major dealership, so yeah it will be inspected first.

 

[Rifleman@LaymansPC.com]

I would go with what you had on the Saturn then. I've never heard anything but horror stories on non dealer warranties.

 

[exceptionaLS]

What should you look for? ..... A honda.

Hate. Hate. Hate.

 

[Lucky_Ls]

I really like the styling of the second gen LS’s. Regardless of what year LS you get my advice is to eventually get a second gen LSE front bumper!

Sorry, I know that doesn’t help with your decision in this matter but the second get is a good choice.

 

[Deleted member 12707]

If you can afford a extended warranty payment. Why not just pay yourself and use that to bankroll your repairs. http://www.clarkhoward.com

help site to check out

 

[Lucky_Ls]

If you can afford a extended warranty payment. Why not just pay yourself and use that to bankroll your repairs. http://www.clarkhoward.com

help site to check out

At my work gym the TV only gets HLN channel (Headline News) and on the weekends his show is always on. Most of the time he has something use full to say.

 

[jrherald420]

If you can afford a extended warranty payment. Why not just pay yourself and use that to bankroll your repairs. http://www.clarkhoward.com

help site to check out

that would be a good idea but my wife and i just went thru a chapter 13 bankruptcy. i lost my job 3 months ago and we had to let my 2002 mustang GT(420.00 a month) and her 2003 trailblazer(425.00 a month) get reposessed. this is why i am wanting a warranty. over the next 2 months we will have 6000.00 to put down to buy her a car + im selling my firebird. i am wanting to keep the payments under 100.00 a month so i can stay in school full time and work part time to pay for her car.

 

[NickT88LSC]

None cover anything worth a damn. They take your money and hide behind loopholes in the contract you sign. If warranty is something you want, go to a FLM lot and purchase a Ford Certified Used and opt for an extended FLM warranty.

What he said, I deal with aftermarket warranties all the time that customers purchase and have not come up with any that are as good manufacturers certified ones which are less hassle all around and better coverage.

 

[jrherald420]

Thanks for the imput guys. Im looking at buying one at a big dealership like Ford, Chevy, Honda, Toyota, ect ,ect so i can get a good warranty.

 

[chocolat1701]

get a FLM warenty you can get covered for 7 years 140k miles, now give us a example of what your looking for, year/model and miles. the coils for 03 and up are covered for 100k if any issues. do a test drive and push the car hard.

 

[jrherald420]

get a FLM warenty you can get covered for 7 years 140k miles, now give us a example of what your looking for, year/model and miles. the coils for 03 and up are covered for 100k if any issues. do a test drive and push the car hard.

well like i posted in my 1 post im looking for a LS 2003-2006(more than likely a 03 or 04) between 70,000-90,000 miles for 8,000.00-10,000 dollars

 

[esalomander]

Also whats a good extended warranty company out there?? anybody tryed one?

I bought an '04 with a Ford ESP warranty, and it has been awesome! It covers anything you can think of with a $100 deductible.

As for extended warranties, the Ford ESP is the only option in my book.

 

[Rich88LSC]

I bought an '04 with a Ford ESP warranty, and it has been awesome! It covers anything you can think of with a $100 deductible.

As for extended warranties, the Ford ESP is the only option in my book.

I have the ESP but am still under the factory warrenty so I haven't used it yet.

 

[jrherald420]

I bought an '04 with a Ford ESP warranty, and it has been awesome! It covers anything you can think of with a $100 deductible.

As for extended warranties, the Ford ESP is the only option in my book.

if you dont mind me asking what was the mileage on your car when you bought it and how long does the warranty cover the car for??? oh yeah also how much extra did it cost you??? thanks

 

[esalomander]

if you dont mind me asking what was the mileage on your car when you bought it and how long does the warranty cover the car for??? oh yeah also how much extra did it cost you??? thanks

I bought my car with 28,xxx on the clock. The warranty is good for 5 years (from the manufacture date) or 100,000 miles. With that said, I would look for an '05 or '06, if you want to use the ESP.

The warranty was included with my purchase, but I think the dealer said it was like $1,000 or $1,500.

 

[jrherald420]

I bought my car with 28,xxx on the clock. The warranty is good for 5 years (from the manufacture date) or 100,000 miles. With that said, I would look for an '05 or '06, if you want to use the ESP.

The warranty was included with my purchase, but I think the dealer said it was like $1,000 or $1,500.

i would love to get a 05 or 06 but i just cant afford one right now since im paying 75% cash. im not to worried about a long term warranty, a year would be fine with me. By that time ill be 90% done with my ASE certification and should have a good chunk of tools by then. it may sound silly but i really just want a warranty to cover the car intill i get out of school and can get back to working full time again.

 

[Rich88LSC]

I bought my car with 28,xxx on the clock. The warranty is good for 5 years (from the manufacture date) or 100,000 miles. With that said, I would look for an '05 or '06, if you want to use the ESP.

The warranty was included with my purchase, but I think the dealer said it was like $1,000 or $1,500.

That should be the in service date not manufacture date.

I have seen people pay over $2000

 

[Rifleman@LaymansPC.com]

Thanks for the imput guys. Im looking at buying one at a big dealership like Ford, Chevy, Honda, Toyota, ect ,ect

Thing is, you can only get a certified used Lincoln from a Lincoln dealer with a qualifying service center and you can only get standard Ford, Lincoln, Mercury warranty if you purchase for a FLM dealer. Chevy, Honda, and Toyota can't do you any good at all.

Like I said, anything but true FLM is asking for trouble... << My advice.

 

[jrherald420]

true but if i find a car i like i can go to the ford/lincoln dealer and request that i buy that car thru there dealership insted of honda,toyota,gm dealership. its done alot, ive had a couple of friends and family members buy there cars that way, one of them even got a car from out of state thru the local ford dealer.

 

[Rifleman@LaymansPC.com]

true but if i find a car i like i can go to the ford/lincoln dealer and request that i buy that car thru there dealership insted of honda,toyota,gm dealership. its done alot, ive had a couple of friends and family members buy there cars that way, one of them even got a car from out of state thru the local ford dealer.

But then there is the costs associated with them giving the car a FLM inspection and performing any repairs before they will put it under warranty unless the original factory warranty is remaining. You will pay those inspection and repair fees to bring it up to spec for their warranty. You are better off locating one that was traded back into a FLM dealer. It is worth expanding the search radius a couple hundred miles to make such a find.