What is the Best/Reliable Year LS V8? Buying another one.

[jgscott]

I own a 2002 LS V8 Sport. I bought it in 2005. Its been a good car as far as I am concern. Yes I've been thru the Coil Packs, Degas bottle, Steering pump plug and so on problems, but I would take those any day over other Major repairs. I have 194k miles, original engine ( still running strong Motorcraft blend oil changes 3k-5k), and original trans with no repairs.

I'm looking at the 03 to 06 LS V8's. I've seen engine problems crank pulley/balancer? And transmission Solenoid Pack problems on the 03's to 06's.

So what are some of the differences? I read there was a revamp of the 04 and on, but is there any reliability differences between theses years?

 

[1LoudLS]

06...
any problems that were gonna get worked out, were worked out by then.

 

[joegr]

Yep, 06. (I think that 05 is pretty much the same, but one year older.)

 

[LS4me]

I own a 2002 LS V8 Sport. I bought it in 2005. Its been a good car as far as I am concern. Yes I've been thru the Coil Packs, Degas bottle, Steering pump plug and so on problems, but I would take those any day over other Major repairs. I have 194k miles, original engine ( still running strong Motorcraft blend oil changes 3k-5k), and original trans with no repairs.

I'm looking at the 03 to 06 LS V8's. I've seen engine problems crank pulley/balancer? And transmission Solenoid Pack problems on the 03's to 06's.

So what are some of the differences? I read there was a revamp of the 04 and on, but is there any reliability differences between theses years?

I have an '06 w/138K miles that can be yours.......

 

[jgscott]

Seem to me I saw a lot of Trans problems and Dampener problem on the 03-06's. Any comments ?

 

[LS4me]

Seem to me I saw a lot of Trans problems and Dampener problem on the 03-06's. Any comments ?

Two '06's in the garage and both transmissions are just fine; no issues at all.

 

[1LoudLS]

Seem to me I saw a lot of Trans problems and Dampener problem on the 03-06's. Any comments ?

some early 2nd gens had bad fluid and bad solenoid packs.

again, by 06, most of the problems had been addressed...

 

[bugeye]

'06 with all options. ~ 70000 miles and everything works as new

 

[stumpy]

Answer: 2002
Proof:
http://tradeinqualityindex.com/vehicles/Resources/Images/Lincoln/LS/DefectRate.png

 

[stugots]

Answer: 2002
Proof:
http://tradeinqualityindex.com/vehicles/Resources/Images/Lincoln/LS/DefectRate.png

Wouldn't directly go off that, the 06 probably had a really small sample size compared to the 02.

The 06 improvements make it far better in terms of reliability.

 

[jgscott]

Whats the different between the 04 vs 05-06 LS V8?

Was the 04 Ultimate and Sport good?

 

[LS4me]

Whats the different between the 04 vs 05-06 LS V8?

Was the 04 Ultimate and Sport good?

Running improvements.

I've still got an '06 that could be yours!! PM me an offer, if you wish.....

 

[joegr]

...Was the 04 Ultimate and Sport good?

Yes. The 04 had a few more problems that were mostly sorted out by 05. The big ones that I can think of were:

1. Some had bad solenoid assemblies.
2. Some or all had bad transmission fluid.
3. Some had troublesome electronic parking brake modules.

I wouldn't worry about items 1 and 2 at all. Surely, those issues manifested and were repaired in the last eleven years. Item 3 is usually nothing more than an occasional annoyance of have the service parking brake light come on for a trip.

 

[waggs]

Yeah that service parking brake light is annoying (03 premium sport)
Where is that module anyway?

 

[joegr]

In the trunk.

 

[jgscott]

Whats the difference between the 04 Sport V8 vs 04 Ultimate V8?

 

[joegr]

The ultimate is a sport with more options. "Ultimate" is just a packaging of available options.

 

[jgscott]

Yes I know, but besides, navi and backup sensors, what more options does it have?

Anyone know?

 

[stugots]

Yes I know, but besides, navi and backup sensors, what more options does it have?

Anyone know?

I'm pretty sure navigation and backup sensors were both optional on the ultimate.

Advance Trac
17” 8-spoke chrome wheels (exclusive to the V8 Ultimate)
HID headlamps
Folding heated mirrors with auto-dimming glass on driver side
Burl walnut dash, door, steering wheel, and shifter trim
Adjustable rear head restraints
Moonroof

Are standard on the Ultimate.

 

[jgscott]

Thanks. So what is this 2004 V8 model?

 

[stugots]

Thanks. So what is this 2004 V8 model?

A sport.

 

[jgscott]

Thanks. Can you tell if it has HID's?

 

[stugots]

Thanks. Can you tell if it has HID's?

Not from those pictures.

I would put options on the back of your mind and focus on higher priorities like prior maintenance, owners, and year/mileage (2006).

 

[jgscott]

The 2004 in the pics is a 1 owner 54K perfect service records/history, no accident car. Very little minimum interior wear, looks like a 15k car inside interior wise. Was Garaged. It checked out great at the Lincoln dealer used car check over. It just had coil packs replaced, wheel alignment, and a full 60k plus dealer service.

It just needs detailing.

I wanted a 05 or 06 V8 Ultimate close to my area, but cant find a Black/Black one I like. The price is a steal. Hard to refuse. That's why I'm asking about options. Thanks.

 

[jgscott]

Can anyone tell if those are HID's???