LS4 car as a DD?
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryland
LS4 car as a DD? What's up guys, so I will need to replace my DD soon and I've been really looking at the LS4 cars. Just looking for honest input from you guys that own these cars, how have they been for you? I see they have issues with the trans and DOD, but I figure with how cheap you can get these cars for and the way they perform, I think spending the money to deal with the issues could be worth it. But just looking for other opinions on the matter.
Appreciate any input guys
Appreciate any input guys
I daily a 2007 MCSS and I like it, I knew before hand about the transmission being a weak link, but they do sell a built TEP transmission for like 2k that'll out last the car. I plan to make that my first big mod. Plus depending how much your willing to spend on modding it, a FWD cammed LS will trip alot of folks outs
Mine is a DC. I knew about potential tans issues,but I got a good enough deal that I could have a trans built and still have a good deal. My wife takes it when she has to take employees or clients to lunch since her Z28 isn't great for that.
If you know about the trans you will be all set, most anything else that goes wrong is the same with all cars. Don't expect to get a TEP for 2 grand either, I believe they are quite a bit more than that. Fuel economy is good for a DD also.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryland
Appreciate the feedback everyone. I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll be getting one of these cars, really prefer the GXP but the Impala SS is a close second. I really want to hold out for a GXP, but they seem to be harder to find in the shape I'm looking for with lower miles.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: New York
I also have the Monte SS 07. I'm the original owner and use the car as my DD. One of the best things to do for the Trans is to Drop the pan and change the fluid and filter. I'm not a mechanic and found this easy to do. Remove alot of small bolts drop the pan. remove the filter , easy , put new gasket replace pan fill up with fluid.
I also have the Monte SS 07. I'm the original owner and use the car as my DD. One of the best things to do for the Trans is to Drop the pan and change the fluid and filter. I'm not a mechanic and found this easy to do. Remove alot of small bolts drop the pan. remove the filter , easy , put new gasket replace pan fill up with fluid.
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Teching In
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From: Idaho
Ls4 Appreciate the feedback everyone. I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll be getting one of these cars, really prefer the GXP but the Impala SS is a close second. I really want to hold out for a GXP, but they seem to be harder to find in the shape I'm looking for with lower miles.
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Originally Posted by TransAmWS.6
Appreciate the feedback everyone. I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll be getting one of these cars, really prefer the GXP but the Impala SS is a close second. I really want to hold out for a GXP, but they seem to be harder to find in the shape I'm looking for with lower miles.
By now most of these cars have had the transmissions replaced or at least worked. Its shouldn't be an end all deal really if you are already aware of it, but was a shocker for those of us who have owned new and paid good money. These cars are really inexpensive right now, and if you beat anything it will break.
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From: CT
I had my 2006 Monte Carlo SS for 8 years, about 145,000 miles, as a daily driver here in CT... only had to replace tranny once, at about 90k miles... was a good car...
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2014 Camaro 2SS/RS - LS3, 6-speed manual, short-throw performance shifter, NPP dual-mode performance exhaust, 1LE front splitter, ZL1 rockers, Z28 Rear Spoiler, all paint-matched Red Rock Metallic, BMR strut tower brace, Cold Air Inductions cold air intake, Apex Motorsports, Inc. catch-can, Custom DiabLew Tune
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06MonteSS / DiabLew Tune
2014 Camaro 2SS/RS - LS3, 6-speed manual, short-throw performance shifter, NPP dual-mode performance exhaust, 1LE front splitter, ZL1 rockers, Z28 Rear Spoiler, all paint-matched Red Rock Metallic, BMR strut tower brace, Cold Air Inductions cold air intake, Apex Motorsports, Inc. catch-can, Custom DiabLew Tune
www.diablewtune.com -- www.diablocustomtune.com -- www.diablocustomtunegm.com
Teching In
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I've got a GXP for a daily and it's been excellent so far. Bought it certified used around 3 years old with about 3000 miles on it, basically still brand new. Now I've got just under 50k on it and it's still running great.
I've had 3 issues with mine, all were fixed under the original warranty:
-rear main seal. Seemed to have had this since new as there was always a small amount of oil residue back there. Just got to the point where it would occasionally drip a drop or two, so I took it in and its been spotless ever since.
-water pump. I think this was a manufacturer defect. Right around 10k miles it started puking coolant out of the weep hole even though it had never seeped a drop. Same as before, they stuck a replacement on and I've had no issues since.
-antenna in rear window. I started getting intermittent poor reception around 10k also so I took it in. They had to replace the back glass to fix this one. Never had a problem since.
As I don't see a lot of any of those pop up, I think they were just freak manufacturing issues. Other than that, it's just been usual maintenance.
Having previously owned two L67/4t65 cars (one of which I still own that is over 500 whp), I was well aware of the possible trans issue in the future. I haven't had an ounce of problems with it, but I've got money set aside if it does pop up.
I've had 3 issues with mine, all were fixed under the original warranty:
-rear main seal. Seemed to have had this since new as there was always a small amount of oil residue back there. Just got to the point where it would occasionally drip a drop or two, so I took it in and its been spotless ever since.
-water pump. I think this was a manufacturer defect. Right around 10k miles it started puking coolant out of the weep hole even though it had never seeped a drop. Same as before, they stuck a replacement on and I've had no issues since.
-antenna in rear window. I started getting intermittent poor reception around 10k also so I took it in. They had to replace the back glass to fix this one. Never had a problem since.
As I don't see a lot of any of those pop up, I think they were just freak manufacturing issues. Other than that, it's just been usual maintenance.
Having previously owned two L67/4t65 cars (one of which I still own that is over 500 whp), I was well aware of the possible trans issue in the future. I haven't had an ounce of problems with it, but I've got money set aside if it does pop up.
Last edited by bumpin96monte; Feb 17, 2017 at 09:04 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryland
Appreciate the posts guys, I'm excited to upgrade to an LS4 car. Here's my current 3800 W-Body, put about 30k miles on it in the 2 years I've had it and this car has never given me any issues. I'm just looking to upgrade while I can still possibly get a couple pennies for it. Also, graduating college so the new car will be a graduation gift to myself 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryland
^^Love the L67 cars, stupid reliable and can go fast for cheap.
Finally graduated school and ready to buy. I test drove a GXP yesterday with 51k miles and really liked it, good power and very nice driving. But it seemed like the PO dogged it pretty hard lol. They admitted it needed brakes, engine mounts and tires. Even after taking that into consideration the dealer wouldn't come off of their asking price so I walked away.
Do the Impala SS's feel pretty much the same? I really liked the steering feel and handling of that GXP. There are a couple SS's I found at carmax with low miles I want to check out and I'm thinking they would be good to buy from since they offer a warranty (transmisson lol).
Finally graduated school and ready to buy. I test drove a GXP yesterday with 51k miles and really liked it, good power and very nice driving. But it seemed like the PO dogged it pretty hard lol. They admitted it needed brakes, engine mounts and tires. Even after taking that into consideration the dealer wouldn't come off of their asking price so I walked away.
Do the Impala SS's feel pretty much the same? I really liked the steering feel and handling of that GXP. There are a couple SS's I found at carmax with low miles I want to check out and I'm thinking they would be good to buy from since they offer a warranty (transmisson lol).
I have had as a DD for about a year now and put about ~30k (100k-130k).
It is a fun car to drive as a DD, but I have had nothing but problems with it. Personally, I should have just kept my 315,000 mile Honda.
Replaced the transmission at 106K, electrical issues with fans, clicking in suspension, TC not functioning, etc. Every now and then I notice a ticking at start-up. After research, they are all fairly common if not very common issues. Many of the fixes I get are, "they all do that."
They do not come with a factory spare.
It is a fun car to drive as a DD, but I have had nothing but problems with it. Personally, I should have just kept my 315,000 mile Honda.
Replaced the transmission at 106K, electrical issues with fans, clicking in suspension, TC not functioning, etc. Every now and then I notice a ticking at start-up. After research, they are all fairly common if not very common issues. Many of the fixes I get are, "they all do that."
They do not come with a factory spare.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 10
From: Maryland
I have had as a DD for about a year now and put about ~30k (100k-130k).
It is a fun car to drive as a DD, but I have had nothing but problems with it. Personally, I should have just kept my 315,000 mile Honda.
Replaced the transmission at 106K, electrical issues with fans, clicking in suspension, TC not functioning, etc. Every now and then I notice a ticking at start-up. After research, they are all fairly common if not very common issues. Many of the fixes I get are, "they all do that."
They do not come with a factory spare.
It is a fun car to drive as a DD, but I have had nothing but problems with it. Personally, I should have just kept my 315,000 mile Honda.
Replaced the transmission at 106K, electrical issues with fans, clicking in suspension, TC not functioning, etc. Every now and then I notice a ticking at start-up. After research, they are all fairly common if not very common issues. Many of the fixes I get are, "they all do that."
They do not come with a factory spare.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 10
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From: Kentucky
If your still looking, it just depends on what you want feel like having. As a ls4 car goes, the GXP is "sportier". I think Pontiac took a little more time in the thought process of developing the car for the engine. Chevy just stuffed the engine in there and called it a day.
Owning a ISS at 114k miles and having it for a few years, my trans is still fine. Actually, I didn't have any issues with the car at all until I hit 100K miles (bought at 67k). Then things started going, but what car doesn't? And you will find that any SS specific part is going to be GM only part (for me that is the harmonic balancer and the Throttle pos sensor.)
If your looking for a nice semi sleeper with no frills that's easy to drive and has somewhat of aftermarket support that's not too expensive, they fit the ticket. It can also be a loud, obnoxious, head turner if you want it to be (that's me).
Owning a ISS at 114k miles and having it for a few years, my trans is still fine. Actually, I didn't have any issues with the car at all until I hit 100K miles (bought at 67k). Then things started going, but what car doesn't? And you will find that any SS specific part is going to be GM only part (for me that is the harmonic balancer and the Throttle pos sensor.)
If your looking for a nice semi sleeper with no frills that's easy to drive and has somewhat of aftermarket support that's not too expensive, they fit the ticket. It can also be a loud, obnoxious, head turner if you want it to be (that's me).