looking at ls4's
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2009
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looking at ls4's there are three in my area... we're gonna go drive this impala tomorrow.
06 ss Laser blue, has 90k miles on it. car fax was in the front seat when we looked at it today, spotless. dealership got it in september, they changed the battery, front pads and rotors and did an inspection on it. that was all that was on the car fax. it's up for 12k. i realize 90k isn't much for the ls engines, but is there anything in particular i should look for?
also this car is going to be my wife's (don't worry, she's a gearhead too) daily driver, these cars ok in the snow?
thanks in advance, i hope to be joining in here with one sooner than later.
nick
06 ss Laser blue, has 90k miles on it. car fax was in the front seat when we looked at it today, spotless. dealership got it in september, they changed the battery, front pads and rotors and did an inspection on it. that was all that was on the car fax. it's up for 12k. i realize 90k isn't much for the ls engines, but is there anything in particular i should look for?
also this car is going to be my wife's (don't worry, she's a gearhead too) daily driver, these cars ok in the snow?
thanks in advance, i hope to be joining in here with one sooner than later.
nick
TECH Fanatic
Joined: May 2008
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From: Fargo, ND
I would look hard at the tranny and wheel bearings/ball joints. With that many miles if it hasn't been worked on it would be amazing. I don't know if anyone here is over 100k miles yet. Rear laterals could have some bending too.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 87
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From: Orange County, CA
In all honesty I would stay away. Mine has only 22K miles and has gone through three steering shafts, is on its second set of front hubs, has had the emergency brake adjusted no less than 8 times, a significant oil leak, and the tranny still sounds like someone put pebbles in it just like it did from the get go. All in all, the LS4 is a real jewel of a motor; too bad it's held hostage in a crappy FWD rental car chassis just like the old 3-liter Yamaha V6 Taurus SHOs of yore were in the late 80's and early 90's (and I owned one of those, too!)
For the kind of money you are contemplating I would look into a used Hemi Charger, and yes, they are available with both AWD and the Hemi motor. I have an '06 Hemi Charger R/T with the R&T Package as well, and it is as solid as the day I picked it up. My Charger has over 50K miles and all I've done is regular maintenance and synthetic oil changes. It is also dead stable at 145+ MPH with passengers and their luggage.
For the kind of money you are contemplating I would look into a used Hemi Charger, and yes, they are available with both AWD and the Hemi motor. I have an '06 Hemi Charger R/T with the R&T Package as well, and it is as solid as the day I picked it up. My Charger has over 50K miles and all I've done is regular maintenance and synthetic oil changes. It is also dead stable at 145+ MPH with passengers and their luggage.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,737
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From: Almost Arkansas, LA
That is kinda high, I can only think of one LS4 that I know of that has near that 105K miles, guy's never had a problem with it. I bought mine in June 08 with 10K miles, put 22K very rough miles on it and my only problem, aside for new brake pads, tires, and battery, is a dead LED in the AC controls. I'd look for one with less mileage. I've heard they're good winter cars, too, no snow here, lol.
I drove a Charger Daytona the day before the GXP, the only thing I liked about it was the RWD. IMO the GXP is a better car. The GXP is the performance-minded LS4 model, though, Manual mode with paddle shifters, staggered wheels (8" in front, 7" in rear), cross drilled rotors, slightly lowered, etc. Impala SS may be a different experience.
I've only heard of a handful of people who had serious problems, the majority of LS4 owners don't/won't experience those problems.
However if it's in your budget look into a G8 GT.
And why would you know that it was stable 145 with a car full of people and luggage??? Seems safe...
I drove a Charger Daytona the day before the GXP, the only thing I liked about it was the RWD. IMO the GXP is a better car. The GXP is the performance-minded LS4 model, though, Manual mode with paddle shifters, staggered wheels (8" in front, 7" in rear), cross drilled rotors, slightly lowered, etc. Impala SS may be a different experience.
I've only heard of a handful of people who had serious problems, the majority of LS4 owners don't/won't experience those problems.
However if it's in your budget look into a G8 GT.
And why would you know that it was stable 145 with a car full of people and luggage??? Seems safe...
Last edited by JP_GXP; Oct 30, 2009 at 03:15 AM.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 22
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From: Harker Heights, TX
I actually have to agree with Buickracer. If I had it to do over I would not get the GXP again. I don't like the transmission in these cars and should have learned my lesson from my GTP a few years ago. The trans shifts like garbage and always feels like it's on the verge of going out. Mine has a lot of lag between gears and sometimes makes me think the trans is actually going to drop out of the car on downshifts. There are too many people with transmission problems for me to think it's just a fluke. They used a transmission made for a much less powerful engine and hoped it would hold. They were barely good enough in the stock GTP.
Last edited by Haastile; Oct 30, 2009 at 09:41 AM.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 123
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From: Pittsburgh PA
I actually have to agree with Buickracer. If I had it to do over I would not get the GXP again. I don't like the transmission in these cars and should have learned my lesson from my GTP a few years ago. The trans shifts like garbage and always feels like it's on the verge of going out. Mine has a lot of lag between gears and sometimes makes me think the trans is actually going to drop out of the car on downshifts. There are too many people with transmission problems for me to think it's just a fluke. They used a transmission made for a much less powerful engine and hoped it would hold. They were barely good enough in the stock GTP.
the car is fun and pulls decent for what it is, but the aftermarket possibilities are quite slim. I agree with the above posted, Get a G8 GT, but your budget seems to be around 15k? and i dont think it will buy a G8.
good luck in your search though, dont let anyone single person discourage you, you may end up finding that you love the car.
I'll probably get flamed for this, but for $15,000, you should be able to pick up a 05-06 Subaru Legacy GT. 4 doors, AWD, Turbo, better resale, and a huge aftermarket. 250hp and 250 tq. all changed with an Cobb access port and boost controller!
Just my $.02
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 115
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From: Wisconsin
I have no regrets with my 06 GXP other than the fact it's FWD. Good for a daily driver in WI but not for performance. The tranny's aren't that bad if you drive the car decent or have a shift kit in and tuned. You can do a lot to make these tranny's feel better than stock. $12000 seems pretty steep for a 90K car. Do some searching. I paid $12000 for my 06 GXP with 46K and it needed nothing. In the 12K I have put on it, I did do a steering shaft and a hub but overall the car isn't that bad.
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On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2008
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I'll be honest here... besides my gripes for lack of seat bolsters my Impala has been pretty good. I'll be the first to admit I beat the living crap out of my car on a daily basis and besides the typical set of W-body front hubs my car has been dead nuts perfect for the past 33k ***-raping miles. No typical I-shaft noise, no brake problems and no trans issues. Maybe I got a middle of the week car?
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[QUOTE=JP_GXP;12438439] IMO the GXP is a better car. The GXP is the performance-minded LS4 model, though, Manual mode with paddle shifters, staggered wheels (8" in front, 7" in rear), cross drilled rotors, slightly lowered, etc. Impala SS may be a different experience.
QUOTE]
i agree, i like the GXP better than the imp SS. but its all in what you like .
QUOTE]
i agree, i like the GXP better than the imp SS. but its all in what you like .
In all honesty I would stay away. Mine has only 22K miles and has gone through three steering shafts, is on its second set of front hubs, has had the emergency brake adjusted no less than 8 times, a significant oil leak, and the tranny still sounds like someone put pebbles in it just like it did from the get go. All in all, the LS4 is a real jewel of a motor; too bad it's held hostage in a crappy FWD rental car chassis just like the old 3-liter Yamaha V6 Taurus SHOs of yore were in the late 80's and early 90's (and I owned one of those, too!)
For the kind of money you are contemplating I would look into a used Hemi Charger, and yes, they are available with both AWD and the Hemi motor. I have an '06 Hemi Charger R/T with the R&T Package as well, and it is as solid as the day I picked it up. My Charger has over 50K miles and all I've done is regular maintenance and synthetic oil changes. It is also dead stable at 145+ MPH with passengers and their luggage.
For the kind of money you are contemplating I would look into a used Hemi Charger, and yes, they are available with both AWD and the Hemi motor. I have an '06 Hemi Charger R/T with the R&T Package as well, and it is as solid as the day I picked it up. My Charger has over 50K miles and all I've done is regular maintenance and synthetic oil changes. It is also dead stable at 145+ MPH with passengers and their luggage.
My car is broken more than it is working...I still love the car but i WAY over paid for it. 700 a month for a GXP is a rip off considering i paid 650 for my m3 every month. I WOULD NOT BUY IT. But if someone offered it to my for 250 a month i would be happy with it.
My car is broken more than it is working...I still love the car but i WAY over paid for it. 700 a month for a GXP is a rip off considering i paid 650 for my m3 every month. I WOULD NOT BUY IT. But if someone offered it to my for 250 a month i would be happy with it.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reading, Pennsylvania
Yea I've seen newer lower mile cars for that much. I had my 07 SS from new til 27,000 miles and in that time it gave me no problems. Just had to have the ISS replaced under warranty but that's a common nuisance problem with these cars. Was a decent car for what it was with good power. I wouldn't get one again though, although I don't regret having it while I did because it served me well. Just didn't fit my needs anymore.
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 238
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From: Canada
I have a 07 GXP since new.
All driver side barrings had to be replaced like 2 weeks after i bought it. Ive had Zero tranny issues though (shift kit,tune,and trans cooler).
I had oil loss apparently a sensor was leaking where it plugs into the engine somewhere.
Other then that i drive it into the city daily (1hour each day) all year round no issues. Cant say much for impalas cause i don't own 1
It currently has 89km on it.
All driver side barrings had to be replaced like 2 weeks after i bought it. Ive had Zero tranny issues though (shift kit,tune,and trans cooler).
I had oil loss apparently a sensor was leaking where it plugs into the engine somewhere.
Other then that i drive it into the city daily (1hour each day) all year round no issues. Cant say much for impalas cause i don't own 1
It currently has 89km on it.