Possibly making the Jump
#23
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question. I found a certified 2007 with 66k miles for 13986. Seem like a fair price, and if its certified, does that mean it already comes with the warranty?
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*Whichever comes first from original in-service date, 2005 through 2011 models only. Some 2005 models will not be eligible based on their in-service date. See your dealer for limited warranty details.
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The trans is the main weak link. Some of us have beaten our cars hard with no issues, and some baby the car and have gone through trannies. I beat mine like the red headed stepchild it was, and only had a bad TCM at 55k miles.
If your lookin for one, id suggest making sure it doesn't have a rebuilt trans. GM rebuilt trannies don't have a good track record at all. Also, get an 07-08 for the 100k powertrain warranty.
If your lookin for one, id suggest making sure it doesn't have a rebuilt trans. GM rebuilt trannies don't have a good track record at all. Also, get an 07-08 for the 100k powertrain warranty.
The fact is, these transmissions fail because of design and execution compromises made by GM in the name of comfort and cost-cutting. They simply can't reliably handle the power of even a stock LS4. I seriously suggest you do a search of the LS4 section for transmission problems, going back maybe 6 months or so and see for yourself the shear number of failures and/or problems.
In the original post you wrote you were tired of putting premium gas in your vehicle and only getting 10-13 mpg in the city. The LS4 motor requires 91 or higher octane. I've heard the knock they have with 87 (My buddies ISS) and I couldn't deal with it. I do 90% city driving and average 10-13 mpgs. 8-11 in the winter due to the remote start (And me being a wuss) The highway is a different story where I can easily attain 30+ Mpg. I don't know if it matters to you but you did mention it.
Anytime you have KR, the knock causing it is doing damage to the engine. Yes, I know, the retarded timing is supposed to protect it, but over the years and miles, it adds up. Also, knock causes carbon build-up inside the combustion chambers and on the pistons, which can cause hot spots and make the motor even more susceptible to knock. It's a viscous cycle. Lastly, a lot of KR can hurt mileage. These engines run a lot of timing to get the mileage and power out of them, and if that timing is retarded often due to knock, your mileage and power will be reduced. The factory tune is also excessively lean, so the combination of the two factors is a recipe for lots of knock.
Sorry to be so long winded, but these are the main issues with the car. There are others like bad wheel-hub assemblies, flaky TPMS sensors, etc., but these could be expected with any car. The trans is the biggest risk, and the tune has the biggest impact on drivability.
If you do buy an LS4 car, I would strongly suggest budgeting for some trans work and a tune of some sort. I would contact Lew (06MonteSS) to discuss the ins and outs of a tune, as he's a great guy to work with. As for the transmission, I'm trying something a bit different to try and prevent mine from dying again. If you want more info, PM me. Or you can call Dave at Triple Edge Performance and learn first hand how badly compromised our trannies are.
Anyway, good luck with your decision.
#26
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damn, I guess I should look for a different vehicle then. Thats a damn shame about the trans, but its really turning me off. I want a vehicle I can get in and drive without fear. With my f-bodies, it was the 10 bolt, with my Lightning, its the rods breaking under boost, and with the GXP it'd be another trans. Doesn't sound like something I want to deal with.
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damn, I guess I should look for a different vehicle then. Thats a damn shame about the trans, but its really turning me off. I want a vehicle I can get in and drive without fear. With my f-bodies, it was the 10 bolt, with my Lightning, its the rods breaking under boost, and with the GXP it'd be another trans. Doesn't sound like something I want to deal with.
But please, don't just take my word for it. Do the search I suggested on this site and see for yourself.
For the sake of balance, these are nice, comfortable cruising cars. And the GXPs are exceptional handlers right out of the box for cars their size.
It's just that you gotta take the bad with the good.
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Sorry to be a buzz-kill, man.
But please, don't just take my word for it. Do the search I suggested on this site and see for yourself.
For the sake of balance, these are nice, comfortable cruising cars. And the GXPs are exceptional handlers right out of the box for cars their size.
It's just that you gotta take the bad with the good.
But please, don't just take my word for it. Do the search I suggested on this site and see for yourself.
For the sake of balance, these are nice, comfortable cruising cars. And the GXPs are exceptional handlers right out of the box for cars their size.
It's just that you gotta take the bad with the good.
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For the record, I'm probably about to be on my third, but there are still more "non-failed" transes than failed transes. I drive mine hard and rough every day and always use TapShift, shifting too high and downshifting too soon. I also drag race and Autocross it.
If you like it and have driven other things, then buy it, just keep in the back of your mind, that there is a possibility the trans may fail, doesn't mean it will.
If you like it and have driven other things, then buy it, just keep in the back of your mind, that there is a possibility the trans may fail, doesn't mean it will.
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For the record, I'm probably about to be on my third, but there are still more "non-failed" transes than failed transes. I drive mine hard and rough every day and always use TapShift, shifting too high and downshifting too soon. I also drag race and Autocross it.
If you like it and have driven other things, then buy it, just keep in the back of your mind, that there is a possibility the trans may fail, doesn't mean it will.
If you like it and have driven other things, then buy it, just keep in the back of your mind, that there is a possibility the trans may fail, doesn't mean it will.
#32
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Thanks. I sent TEP an e-mail stating how I just want a trans that can handle DD duties and the occasional pedal to the floor with no dragstrip time. I'll see what he says. I figure if I buy certified used, then I'll just pray the trans doesn't break, but if it does, then I'll get it replaced under warranty until I can afford a built one.
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You know, I would have thought that 6 months ago, but as time goes on, and more and more people are posting problems as their miles increase, I'm starting to believe that the failure rate at 100k miles is higher than 50%. I have no data to support this, but it sure seems like there's a new tranny issue every week.
And even if the failure rate is lower, say 25-35% range @100k miles, it's still a 1-in-3 or 1-in-4 chance, which in my opinion, is unacceptably high for such a relatively pricey and new car.
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More "non-failed transes than failed transes" isn't saying much, is it?
You know, I would have thought that 6 months ago, but as time goes on, and more and more people are posting problems as their miles increase, I'm starting to believe that the failure rate at 100k miles is higher than 50%. I have no data to support this, but it sure seems like there's a new tranny issue every week.
And even if the failure rate is lower, say 25-35% range @100k miles, it's still a 1-in-3 or 1-in-4 chance, which in my opinion, is unacceptably high for such a relatively pricey and new car.
You know, I would have thought that 6 months ago, but as time goes on, and more and more people are posting problems as their miles increase, I'm starting to believe that the failure rate at 100k miles is higher than 50%. I have no data to support this, but it sure seems like there's a new tranny issue every week.
And even if the failure rate is lower, say 25-35% range @100k miles, it's still a 1-in-3 or 1-in-4 chance, which in my opinion, is unacceptably high for such a relatively pricey and new car.
PM returned
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Don't want it. Has 138k, the interior is cheap, too tempting to modify. I can't afford a built motor in the Lightning, so doing any other mod is pointless. Its just not what I thought it'd be. I traded in my trans am for it, and regretted it within months. The gas is just horrendous. I want to get out of the car modifying scene and just drive something comfortable, powerful, and cheaper monthly than my truck (truck is 300, I can get a GXP finance for less and with a warranty). I have 3 semesters left of school, then once I find a career, I'm going to save for a house and work on my MBA. I guess right now I'm in my "grow up" phase until I can provide a decent living for myself, and then I'll get back into cars once I have real money to play with. Right now, its simply irresponsible on my part if I keep modifying **** to the extent that I want to.
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Don't want it. Has 138k, the interior is cheap, too tempting to modify. I can't afford a built motor in the Lightning, so doing any other mod is pointless. Its just not what I thought it'd be. I traded in my trans am for it, and regretted it within months. The gas is just horrendous. I want to get out of the car modifying scene and just drive something comfortable, powerful, and cheaper monthly than my truck (truck is 300, I can get a GXP finance for less and with a warranty). I have 3 semesters left of school, then once I find a career, I'm going to save for a house and work on my MBA. I guess right now I'm in my "grow up" phase until I can provide a decent living for myself, and then I'll get back into cars once I have real money to play with. Right now, its simply irresponsible on my part if I keep modifying **** to the extent that I want to.
#39
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well said and it is a jagged little pill to swallow when all of a sudden you have to be a grown up about things i know i was pissed but these arent bad cars all in all i have own 3 w-body cars 2 were supercharged and never had anything major go wrong but like any thing man made you got the good and the bad