Looking for an LS, where to look and what to look for?

[eeprete]

Hey all. Great forum here. I am new to it though and looking to learn a bit about the LS. I've always been a Ford guy, and currently own two Mustangs (90 LX 5.0 and 2K GT vert). However with a newborn now in our lives, I've promised my wife the 2000 GT will go. Truth be told, in the close to 3 years I've owned it, I've driven it less than 12K miles as it mostly sits under it's cover. Fast forward, to needing a family car now for myself, even though we do have a Camry.

I know about some of the early issues with the cars, ie: rear windows, valve cover gaskets.

Are there any years to completely stay away from? And any specific mileage to stay under?

Most importantly, how much more difficult is it to work on in comparison to other RWD Fords, ie: Crown Vic, Mustang, Lincoln LSC, etc? I am car guy at heart, and have no problem working on any of it. Not to mention my father is a mechanic, and we've got all the tools to work on almost any Ford vehicle. Is the LS more Jag than Ford?

Last but not least, pricing.... Is a 2002-2003 a good buy, particularly the V8, and can an LSE be had for under 15-16K?

Sorry about all the questions, just trying to narrow down my search while also not getting taken by a dealer. I am in NY on LI if anyone has any leads on one.

 

[kudisbetta]

well it depends on what you want the car for?

If u want a reliable family vehicle.. either go with an 02 with low miles. Or the 03 +

depends on which look you like. The tail lights are different on the new Ls.
but If u have 15k you can get a nice 03 with 40k. just look.

 

[Silver02Sport]

Sorry about all the questions, just trying to narrow down my search while also not getting taken by a dealer. I am in NY on LI if anyone has any leads on one.

No problem thats what where here for. As far as what year I always recommend the 03+ even though I like personally like the 00-02's better. It seems like you get more bang for your buck with the 03+ more power and more features I would say try and find some thing under the 4 Year/50,000 warranty.

I don't know what the prices are like in NY but down here in South Florida I paid $17,000 for my 02 just off lease with 42,000 miles on it back in july of 05. The place I got it from had a bunch of 03's with a little less miles starting at $16,000 but mine had the Wings West body kit and Borla Exhaust on it already and like I said I don't like the way the 03 look.

As far as ease to work on there is NO room under the hood of the V8 just pop one and see. The driver side plugs are a bitch and a half to do unless you have the right tools witch luckily it sounds like you do. The trany is a sealed design there anit even a dip stick. On a positive note its by far the easiest car to do an oil change I have ever seen. And if you look around here you'll see the only real big issue is the misfire caused by the valve cover gasket leaking and the oil shorting out the coil packs. Some people have had issues with the trany but it dose not seem to be all that common.

All in all I would say the LS is a little jag a little ford but more then anything its a LS. FoMoCo seems to have tryed something new with it and for the most part it worked.

 

[eeprete]

Thanks for the responses.

I actually checked out two LS's at a dealer today. First one was an '03 with 18K miles, V6, but not too sure of all the options, as I was turned off by the presence of smoke in it. This car was 20,999 but they'd deal for 18,600.

Car number 2 was an '02 LS, V8, also not sure of the trim level as I don't fully know what came how. Silver, light grey leather, 6 disc changer, 34K miles, overall pretty clean. Asking 16,600, willing to deal. That one turned me off a tad after inspecting the trunk and finding rust starting under the spare from water that's been sitting in there. Is this normal?

Oddly the older one felt more spacious (possibly the lighter grey leather). I did drive this one too (before I saw the trunk issue), and liked the way it drove. Didn't feel as tight (or quick) as my 00 GT (automatic) but had 8K less miles than it. Also felt a light clunk in the front end somewhere. The sales guy told me I could get an extended warranty that would cover the car to 75K for up to the next 6 years ($850).

Although neither car was up to my own spec, I liked the LS's size, comfort and the way it drove. Not as tight or nimble as some of the German cars I've tested, but it held it's own. It was too bad for the trunk on the second or else I'd possibly consider talking them down a little.

I did find a local seller with an 02 LSE for 15,900 though, but I would think 14K or so would be more appropriate for that car with 48K miles via private sale, am I correct?

Thanks again, keep the responses coming! I appreciate it!

 

[swaptrex]

from what i have heard that "light clunk in the front end" should be avoided like the plague.

 

[Machspeed]

Silver02sport, you may recall that I posted similar questions last week regarding LS viewpoints. I think I got two responses, you being one of them. I don't know if I thanked you then, but let me thank you now for your precious time and information. I'm still looking into things for a purchase later this year. And like you, I like the look of the 02, but can't pass on those 03+ improvements.

Thanks,

John

 

[SoonerLS]

1) Trunk rust/water in the spare tire well is definitely not normal.

2) Front end clunk is probably the ball joints, which is a not-inexpensive fix. You can't get just the ball joints; they only come as a part of the knuckle assembly, so they're (IIRC) over $200 per side.

The interior space of the '00-'02 and '03-'06 LSes should be identical; the chassis and most of the body parts are the same for all years. I've heard that the seating position in the pre-'03 cars is lower, so that might be why it seemed more spacious.

The Lincoln LS Owner's Club (LLSOC) has a Test Driver FAQ at http://www.llsoc.com/V2R1/Resources/TestDriver/TestDriverFAQ.htm that might also be of interest.

 

[eeprete]

Sooner, thanks, that is a great link. While I can certainly change the ball joint assemblies, it's not something I'd look forward to doing upon new ownership. I did mention to the sales guy the clunk and he said he's mention it to service. Thanks link is immensely helpful and has helped me narrow down some of the cars I've located on FordDirect.com. I've even located two LSE's I will look at this week. Many thanks. Appreciate all the help from everyone.

-Ed

 

[shuman]

I have a 01 LS Sport that I want to sell. The car has 44500 miles. The car has a few scratches, but no mechanical problems whatsoever.

 

[eeprete]

I have a 01 LS Sport that I want to sell. The car has 44500 miles. The car has a few scratches, but no mechanical problems whatsoever.

Shuman, V8? V6? any pics? where in Queens? Do you have a number you can be reached at? How soon are you looking to sell? I was only beginning my search now in hopes of finding something by April since my conv't won't sell too well at the moment, but will in another month.