Hello. I am just going to warn you in advance that I am a bit long winded. Sorry, character flaw.
I am a contract courier. 250-400 miles per day in my own vehicle. Pays miles+stops+experience, Good job. I spend 11 hours per day in my car and wish to be comfortable. I have driven 5 LS's now '00 V6 base, '01 V8 sport, '02 V6 premium, '04 V8 premium, '05 V6 base. I believe I want an '03-'05 Premium or Ultimate but can not decide which engine.
I put 80000 miles a year on whatever vehicle I drive so I do have to worry about longevity and cost of repair and real world MPG.
-Is the V8 or V6 more reliable especially as you reach 150K?
-Has anyone reached 150k, 200k?
-I have heard many different things about the MPG both engines. One owner (an older woman who I know to be a conservative driver) reports 20/28 with her '02 V8 premium in the summer in Tennessee (where you have to run your A/C full tilt all the time or risk suffocation).What experiences have you had?
-How durable is the transmission, driveshaft, rear end, half shafts, wheel bearings?
-How often do brake pads, rotors, tires, etc. last under conservative driving conditions with occasional enthusiasm?
-Do the 16 inch rims fit all the trim levels or does brake size differ so much as to eliminate interchangeability? (as I run through at least two sets of tires per year I would prefer to buy 16's @ $53-$85 per on Tirerack as opposed to 17's @ $105+ per tire.)
If they are in fact interchangeable on all models and I wind up buying a car with 17's would anyone want to make an even trade for 16’s (depending on tire condition)?
I have more questions but I cannot think of them at the moment. Sorry to be so long winded.
I appreciate any help you can provide, thanks.
Chris
I am a contract courier. 250-400 miles per day in my own vehicle. Pays miles+stops+experience, Good job. I spend 11 hours per day in my car and wish to be comfortable. I have driven 5 LS's now '00 V6 base, '01 V8 sport, '02 V6 premium, '04 V8 premium, '05 V6 base. I believe I want an '03-'05 Premium or Ultimate but can not decide which engine.
I put 80000 miles a year on whatever vehicle I drive so I do have to worry about longevity and cost of repair and real world MPG.
-Is the V8 or V6 more reliable especially as you reach 150K?
-Has anyone reached 150k, 200k?
-I have heard many different things about the MPG both engines. One owner (an older woman who I know to be a conservative driver) reports 20/28 with her '02 V8 premium in the summer in Tennessee (where you have to run your A/C full tilt all the time or risk suffocation).What experiences have you had?
-How durable is the transmission, driveshaft, rear end, half shafts, wheel bearings?
-How often do brake pads, rotors, tires, etc. last under conservative driving conditions with occasional enthusiasm?
-Do the 16 inch rims fit all the trim levels or does brake size differ so much as to eliminate interchangeability? (as I run through at least two sets of tires per year I would prefer to buy 16's @ $53-$85 per on Tirerack as opposed to 17's @ $105+ per tire.)
If they are in fact interchangeable on all models and I wind up buying a car with 17's would anyone want to make an even trade for 16’s (depending on tire condition)?
I have more questions but I cannot think of them at the moment. Sorry to be so long winded.
I appreciate any help you can provide, thanks.
Chris
