Thinking about an LS

[Miniwelnick]

Hey all,
I've been thinking about getting an LS V8 for a while, but I had some questions, and figured you guys would pretty much know anything I'd have to ask about.
Firstly, I can read the stats for this car (including its weight), but how much actual get up and go does it have? Aside from the plug/valve cover issues, what else is commonly a problem? Is the mileage basically crap poor, or is it just ok? I know lincoln is made by ford primarily, but the car is basically a Jag, so how reliable is it? On that note, would one last into the 200k mi range? If I bought one in the 100k mi range how much extra would I need to spend to get it solid?
Thanks guys!

 

[T-Money]

Test Drive one. And then if you think it has enough get up and go search here for the answers to your questions. They've been covered so so very much.

 

[Ranchero50]

From my research the second gen cars '03 - '06 have (a lot) fewer bugs, '05 and '06 were the most refined (bug free). These cars are very complex with a couple known weak points being the plastic cooling lines and coil on plug failures which you get with any newer Ford. Mine has 106k and I don't see a reason why it won't go to 200k.

I've only had mine for 3-4 weeks and really enjoy it, mileage varies, 23mpg seems to be the average. I do see 27mpg at 70, peaked at 29 running 55 today, in town it's @ 18mpg or less.

Performance wise the car feels very peppy 0-60 but does only manage 15 second 1/4 mile times. The transmission seems to make the car.

Hope this helps.

 

[jmtiseo]

On that note, would one last into the 200k mi range? If I bought one in the 100k mi range how much extra would I need to spend to get it solid?
Thanks guys!

Cars will last as long as you throw money at them. Unfortunately it can get costly quick if it was abused or continues to abused. Just do your research and make an edumucated decision. Wish I came across this forum when I was searching. I would have held out a little longer before pulling the trigger on my car.

 

[Ben's LS]

I came across this forum when I was searching. I would have held out a little longer before pulling the trigger on my car.

+1 if only if only.

I would be driving around in a white 06 if I knew about LVC

 

[T-Money]

I've now seen 2 2006 LS's for sale that had over 240k miles. And a lot in the upper 100k range. There's no reason why a 04-06 shouldn't be able to go on for 200k miles. Depending I how fast you out the miles on it. If your planning on doing this quickly you'll probably only run into the coil plug problem which is easy to replace and inexpensive. And possibly the plastic cooling parts failing. But if you plan on gaining these miles you may have a few issues on the way that may nickel and dime you unless you search for how to fix the problem here. For example my heated cooled seat failed once but the answer was here on this forum so I fixed it myself cheap. Maybe a lightbulb may go out. Small stuff from normal wear and use.

But there pretty solid. Only problem with buying one with 100k already is who knows what kind of life it's had. Was it abused or pampered. That will determine how long it lasts and how many issues come up along the way.

 

[Miniwelnick]

Dang guys! Thanks for the responses. I have done some searching already (thats how I know about the valve cover leakage problem ) and I just wanted to hear some specific feedback. I'll definitely be test driving one soon, and before I buy I will for sure be getting a carfax as well as a full shop checkup. I'll definitely try to gun for the '03+ models as well.

 

[Miniwelnick]

Thanks guys! I've been lurking here for a couple months and know how to use the search function (its how I know anything about the LS at all haha). I'll definitely be test driving a few, as well as carfaxing, and taking one to a shop so they can check it out on a lift, as opposed to just poking around the engine bay. I'll also definitely be gunning for an 03' and up now. Thanks a lot! I'll keep you updated if I pull the trigger on one.