LOOKING to buy a V8 Gen II.How's dependability?

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don-ohio

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I own a 2004 V6 and it's been pretty dependable,just the usual tranny shifting and some oil leaks.
From what I've gleaned on this forum,it seems that the V8 is at least AS dependable.....am I right or wrong?
My present LS has 135K miles and I'm gonna find one with less miles,I think.
Thanks for any opinions! don-ohio :)^)
 
Were it not for the ever increasing scarcity of parts, I would still have 2 '06's in the garage. I sold mine with almost 140K miles and it never gave me any issues; outside of normal maintenance. It even had all the original cooling/heating parts vice the upper radiator hose and DCCV. We kept my wife's as I don't mind trying to keep hers going.

The only problem with finding an '06 is they made less than 10K of them.
 
Thanks,LS4! I guess that is Gen III,right? I hope Gen II is similar in dependability? don-ohio :)^)
LS4me said:
Were it not for the ever increasing scarcity of parts, I would still have 2 '06's in the garage. I sold mine with almost 140K miles and it never gave me any issues; outside of normal maintenance. It even had all the original cooling/heating parts vice the upper radiator hose and DCCV. We kept my wife's as I don't mind trying to keep hers going.

The only problem with finding an '06 is they made less than 10K of them.
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don-ohio said:
Thanks,LS4! I guess that is Gen III,right? I hope Gen II is similar in dependability? don-ohio :)^)
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The '06?? No, it's the last of the 2nd gens. Was going to take my wife's '06 to PHX instead of the BMW, but mpg difference is too great (~22.5 in the LS vs. 31.5 in the Bimmer). The '06 is arguably the best of the lot. Lincoln seems to have got things right at the end.
 
for whats its worth, if this would be any other car, it would only have one real generation. most cars get a mid generation update to keep the model fresh, and most of the time, its bigger changes than the LS received...

for instance, look at an 09 vs a 10 fusion(both 1st gen) or a 98 vs a 99 SN95 mustang (both 4th gen), or a 09 vs a 10 S197 mustang (both 5th gen)




also IMHO, the LS just got more reliable with each year older.
 
for whats its worth, if this would be any other car, it would only have one real generation. most cars get a mid generation update to keep the model fresh, and most of the time, its bigger changes than the LS received...

for instance, look at an 09 vs a 10 fusion(both 1st gen) or a 98 vs a 99 SN95 mustang (both 4th gen), or a 09 vs a 10 S197 mustang (both 5th gen)




also IMHO, the LS just got more reliable with each year older.
 
1LoudLS said:
for whats its worth, if this would be any other car, it would only have one real generation.
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Excellent point. The 1984 Corvette was a new generation, known as the C4. In 1991, it got a facelift of sorts (which began with a new rear fascia on the 1990 ZR1) but it was still a C4 until 1997, when the C5 debuted.
 
Thanks,everyone! Looks like I've pretty well sealed the deal on a 2003 with low miles.Hopefully I can keep it in shape.Thanks,again! don-ohio :)^)
 
For what is worth, the 2015 buying guide from Consumer Reports, in the section of Used Cars to Avoid it lists the 2004 and 2005 LS, not the 2006. The guide goes down to the 2004 year for all cars. So, the 2006 last year of production of the LS looks to be the best.
 
LSV8FAN said:
For what is worth, the 2015 buying guide from Consumer Reports, in the section of Used Cars to Avoid it lists the 2004 and 2005 LS, not the 2006. The guide goes down to the 2004 year for all cars. So, the 2006 last year of production of the LS looks to be the best.
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To be sure, 2006 was the best year, however, there was little difference between 2004,2005, and 2006. I have a 2004 and 2006. The repair expenses have been pretty close to the same. The issues the 04 had that the 06 didn't that I recall are: The transmission came with bad fluid and a failing solenoid assembly from the factory. I would expect that this has already been corrected on any 04 still alive. The heated/cooled front seat air ducts are subject to crushing if you are fat (so not a problem for us). This is not too difficult to correct. The power steering needed an additive to stop the rack from making noise. Again, this has probably been fixed on any 04s still being driven. Lastly, the parking brake module was a little flaky on some 04s.
2003 being the first year for gen II, has a longer list of possible issues, but probably all of those have been fixed on the remaining 03s by now.
 
Thanks,Joe and LS V8 Fan! I picked up the 2003 V8 LS today. Drove it home and enjoyed every mile of the 120 mile trip.Only 66,000 miles on it. Garage kept,never seen snow,one owner.
Ivory parchment tri-coat paint.No dents,dings,or rust.Beautiful car. Has nearly all bells and whistles. Thanks everyone for the input! don-ohio :)^)
 
don-ohio said:
Thanks,Joe and LS V8 Fan! I picked up the 2003 V8 LS today. Drove it home and enjoyed every mile of the 120 mile trip.Only 66,000 miles on it. Garage kept,never seen snow,one owner.
Ivory parchment tri-coat paint.No dents,dings,or rust.Beautiful car. Has nearly all bells and whistles. Thanks everyone for the input! don-ohio :)^)
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CONGRATS!!!! That is if true :shifty: You know the drill..... Pics or you bought a Crayolla!!!!!
 
Okay,I'll try to post pics,but the Craigslist ad is gone. I haven't taken any pics yet. Yes,it is a fine machine LoudLS! don-ohio
 
congrats.. for fun, you can look up your VIN here to see what options it does and doesn't have...

PICS!!!
 
Thanks,LSV8! I enjoyed driving it down from Marion yesterday.I have to check ALL fluids and put it up on the hoist before I'll drive it again for any distance. Tires are about 50% tread.Can't have everything!LOL!We took the old LS to Columbus today.I hope to get the title and tax taken care of tomorrow. don-ohio :)^)
LSV8FAN said:
don-ohio: Congratulations on your purchase. You'll enjoy every moment driving the LS.
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