What to look for in an LS?

G

gearhed42

LVC Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Location
southern
Im new here and i hope to make this place my home. Im a member of other forums for other cars and also motorcycles as well. Ive always really liked the LS's. Now im finally in a position to buy one but im not real sure what to look for. I dont know common problem areas of the car etc? I will most likely look for a v6 but possibly a v8 so which is more dependable. Obv the v6 gets better mileage as well which is what im going for. Also is it true you have to run high test in these cars. Im sorry to sound like such a noobie but everyone has to start someplace right? Hope someone here can point me straight!:D
 
welcome...
there is a miniscule difference in fuel economy between the 2 motor options. There was just a recent thread that talks about that so check that out. I would go with the V8 simply for the power... not that its a lot or anything, it just seems to be ample.
a quick search of the forums will show you many of the common issues... leaky valve cover gaskets causing cop coil failure, window regulators, sway bar bushings, wheel bearings. There are 2 generations of LS, the 00-02 and 03-06. On the 2nd gen, you get variable valve timing (good for 28HP increase) on the v8, throttle by wire, and slightly steeper gearing, along with some other small changes. and yes, you have to run at least 91 fuel.
 
Check the trunk for a suitcase full of money. Some people could've used that since they bought an LS.

Kidding aside, if fuel mileage is the only reason you're looking at the V6, then get the V8 because the mileage difference is not too much. (1-2 mpg IIRC) It seems that the V8s have more problems than the V6s, but I believe many were worked out by the second gen models.

02Linc pretty much summed up the common problems. You'll find some arguments about required running 91 octane. In my opinion if you can afford the LS, you can afford the extra 3 dollars per fill up. Easier than spending a couple thousand to get and install a new engine should something screw up related to low octane.

Oh yea, Welcome to LvC!
 
The comment about the v6's seeming to have less problems makes me think i should be looking for a v6. Not to mention the v6 versions ive been seeing are substantially cheaper than v8 models. And to me i commute so 1-2 mpgs will help especially when paying more for high test anyways. Another somewhat noob question is what is the difference between gen 1 and gen 2 because to me they look the same?
 
About 500 different things but primarily more hp, slightly different headlights with a smaller round high beam and optional factory HID's,
air intake on front of engine instead of back, slightly different bumper covers and chrome inserts on V6 only models,narrower 2 tone taillights, different shape rear plate surround sloping in instead of out on the sides.
In the interior different looking guages, silver instead of black facing for the console controls. a wider center console, bigger headrests, heated and cooled seats option.

I love my V8.
It will be even more fun with a posi and the Turbo kit I have to put in for the spring.
 
ok so i drove a 2005 v8 version. It was red with black interior. They also had a red 02 v8 but it had tan interior and im not so sure i liked it. The 05 was much cleaner and both had the same 70ish thousand miles. The 05 had 76k to be precise. I wasnt sure i liked the silver facing to the stereo and heater controls but i soon got over it. It had every option i could find. Including heated and cooler seats and HIDs. The dealer has it listed at 11999. The 02 was much cheaper at 7999 but i didnt drive the 02. They were both the v8 version which im a little worried about. But it was basically love at first sight. I just wish i knew some other things to look for in these things. The trans seemed to shift funny at first but it was cold and it seemed to get a little better. The ebrake is a switch? Thats weird to me. But she definately moved right along! Is 11999 a decent price for something like this?
 
Sounds good. Test drive it a few more times. Get it up on the highways and such and play with the features to make sure they al work. If everything works out I would take it!
 
im going to test drive another one today i saw on the way home. Just for comparison purposes. This one is black and i dont know the miles. Other than that same car. I think 04 not 05 but i like the 05 because the red looks AWESOME!
 
gearhed42 said:
The comment about the v6's seeming to have less problems makes me think i should be looking for a v6. Not to mention the v6 versions ive been seeing are substantially cheaper than v8 models. And to me i commute so 1-2 mpgs will help especially when paying more for high test anyways. Another somewhat noob question is what is the difference between gen 1 and gen 2 because to me they look the same?
Click to expand...

the biggest difference is the center console, the 1st gen's had a weak a$$ excuse for a center console, because of the parking brake there wasnt enough room for a pack of smokes and a tire pressure gauge not to mention the worst cup holder set up i have seen since the Mark Viii (a car with 5 seatbelts and 3 ash trays should have more than 1 fukin cupholder), thank god they fixed that with the 2nd gen's

ohh ya, auto down AND UP FRONT WINDOWS and air condintioned seats

if your gonna get one, i would definetly get a 2nd gen
 
so i drove the black one today. It was an 04 with 46k miles. Which is about 30k less than the red car i really like. Well for started the batt was dead when they guy when to start it and the front left tire was flat. I was poking around while he was getting it ready and the passenger side door after i opened it wouldnt close. I was already not impressed. Got it running and it sounded pretty good but the motor didnt sound as clean as the higher mileage car. Almost a slight belt squeak type sound idk just didnt sound as good. On the road had a slight vibration that the guy blamed on cold tires. All in all the tranny felt a little idk mooshy maybe? Then again i didnt get on it very hard because the guy rode along. Went back and talked number and they wanted 12900 for the car. So 3 grand gets me a one year older car with 30 thousand less miles and i was not truly impressed with the whole situation. Whats everyones opinion?
 
Go with your gut.
There's lots of black cars but not many red ones.
That 76k is probably a lot of highway miles.
The black one sounds like it sat around a lot, at least recently.
$3000,00 buys a lot of repairs.
 
i like the color of the red one a lot more as well.... just didnt know if the mileage is anything to be scared of.
 
If the car was well taken care of, 76k is not extremely high. Depending on how much you plan to drive it might be alright for you. There are plenty of LSes on the site with 120k+ miles. Like exceptional said, the lower the better, but obviously in this case the lower mileage car was a little more neglected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 71 (members: 0, guests: 71)
Back
Top