Looking to buy an LS

[Ryan02Stang]

I'm looking to buy an LS within the next several months. I currently have an 02 Mustang GT, its fun as hell, fast as hell (its supercharged, etc), but it gets pretty bad gas mileage and its not very practical at all. So I have my mind set on a Lincoln LS. I'm going to keep the Mustang, but the LS will be my daily driven car. I'm going to buy an 03 or an 04, it must have navigation and V8. I've noticed some great prices, about $20k for a low mile 03 fully loaded...not bad at all!!

So tell me what to look for. I've noticed some LS's have red tail lights and some have red and white split...why is that? What kind of gas mileage are you guys getting? What are some known problems with the car? And lastly...how fast are they, compared to other cars you've had, or raced, or maybe taken to the track? I know the V8 has 280 horsepower and a little more torque, so it should move pretty decently quick.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[pepperman]

:W to :V

 

[KD00LS]

Another newbie eh? Your mustang sounds pretty sweet, definately post some pictures of that.
The 00-02 Lincoln LS's have 252hp and 267tq, with the full red tailights.
The 03-06 Lincoln LS's have 280hp and 286tq, with the white and red tailights.
Gas mileage is decent for a V8, it all depends what kind of driving you'll be doing. It's not the greatest city car for gas mileage, but on the high it's rather good. You can easily pull 25-26mpg on the highway at a decent speed.
As far as speed goes, I've raced a 01' Mustang GT and he barely pulled on me(not from a standstill). I've also raced a 98' GT and I beat that. I have a 2000 V8 with SST. It's not a rocket ship but it sure as hell won't leave you underpowered when you need it. Problems from the 00-02 LS's include replacing the valve cover gaskets, problems with the window motors, rear halfshafts, and the valve body and solenoid packing in the tranny. As far as the 03-06 goes, you'll have to search up at the top of the website to find out the problems for that. You won't be disappointed with this car, it handles very nicely.

 

[Ryan02Stang]

Thanks for the welcome and info guys. I forgot to add...my first car was a 1990 Lincoln Town Car. It was a hand me down from my dad. It was midnight blue with dark blue leather interior. That car was absolutely awesome! So I've been a Lincoln guy from the start. Here is a pic of my Mustang for those interested...

 

[bigpappy33]

Nice is that your Corvette too? I think they did a great job with the C6 IMO. You wont be disappointed with the ls, another visual difference between the 00-02 and the 03-06 lses is the exhaust tips are visible with the 03-06s and the grill and headlights have subtle differences. if you check out some of the vB garages around here you can see the differences.

 

[Ryan02Stang]

Nice is that your Corvette too? I think they did a great job with the C6 IMO. You wont be disappointed with the ls, another visual difference between the 00-02 and the 03-06 lses is the exhaust tips are visible with the 03-06s and the grill and headlights have subtle differences. if you check out some of the vB garages around here you can see the differences.

The Vette is my dad's. Its an awesome car! I noticed the difference in the grill and headlights, and I really like the look of the 03's. I'll have to look at the exhaust tips, but I'm sure I'll like that too!

 

[steagle]

the 03 got a major dash layout redesign, a classy flat silver instead of the questionable wood and black plastic. also i believe the nav system started in 03 also. i still like the looks of the 00-02 models best, just like when the dodge viper came out, the design was perfect and needed no real improvement (just my opinion of course). anyways good luck in your search, i am in the same boat, trying to get an 02 LS V8 here in los angeles.

 

[Cruznlife1]

am I the only one that prefers the 00-02 tails over the others ? They made the inner lights way to small on the 03+ and added the white, they looked better all red. The rear looks more like an accord on the 03+ But the exhaust does look better, didnt know there was a difference in the grille either

 

[JaredLS]

just to clarify I believe the 03+ LSE versions have all red tail lights, they are smaller then the 00-02.

 

[LennDawg]

i like the all red tails better too, i was going to put the 03+ tails on my 2000 but the all reds seem to go better on the car... and to me it would be like putting the littel V8 emblem on your car if its a V6, why would you put 03+ tails if its an 00-02? lol