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Looking to buy. Answers please.

27 messages,  Last post on Jul 19, 2011 at 9:11 AM

You are in the Lincoln LS Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lincoln LS, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 27 Looking to buy. Answers please. by jmtiseo

Jan 10, 2010 (2:18 pm)

I'm looking to sell my beloved 02' F150. I would like to say I have outgrown it but I haven't. I'm looking for an American made luxury sports car, so I was interested in knowing some information on the Lincoln LS's. First, I really like the looks of this car off the bat. I would like to have one with a V8 but I could possibly be persuaded to one with a V6 (either way it's an mpg improvement).
 
I would like to know common problems. I read about leaking valve cover gaskets, COPS(these are a problem on f150's too don't worry), and something about a window regulator. Is there anything I'm missing?
 
I would also like to know how much would I be looking to spend for one that's hopefully in the 75,000 mile range, V8 with the sport package, I'd like the earliest year as possible but wold like to stay around 6, 7, or $8,000. I do not know how much I could sell my truck but I think it would be around that.

#2 of 27 Edit: by jmtiseo

Jan 10, 2010 (2:20 pm)

Sorry I forgot to mention that I went back in time and looked at older posts that were now about 2 years old and this is what I came up with.

#3 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [jmtiseo] by akirby

Jan 10, 2010 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: jmtiseo (Jan 10, 2010 2:18 pm)
They got steadily better so the later years are better (03-06). They're great cars to drive but you can expect a few expensive repairs. However, they can be bought so cheap it can make it worthwhile.

#4 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [akirby] by jmtiseo

Jan 10, 2010 (9:58 pm)

I figured it was going to be something like that. The same goes for the 97-03 f150's.
 
What do you consider an expensive repair. I think I can save a lot of money doing it myself if it's anything less than pulling the motor or trans.
 
I'm just looking around right now I won't be able to do this until the summer as I'm in school until May and I'd like to get back to work before I make a purchase. Have to sell the old rig too.

#5 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [jmtiseo] by akirby

Jan 11, 2010 (7:37 am)

Replying to: jmtiseo (Jan 10, 2010 9:58 pm)
I don't remember dollar figures, but expect to replace the COPs (coil on plug) at some point. Can be DIY but it's a little bit of a pain. Valve cover gaskets need to be replaced on some early models (pre 03 I think) and that's also a pain but should have already been done on most vehicles - just check to make sure there's no oil leak.
 
The cooling fan on the pre-03 models is hydraulic and can be expensive to repair/replace. In some cases the tranny valve body has to be replaced (03-04 I think) but again that should have already been done.
 
Anything else is probably minor. If you go with the 03-06 and make sure the tranny shifts ok you're probably in good shape.

#6 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [akirby] by jmtiseo

Jan 11, 2010 (8:46 am)

COPS are nothing new to me. The modular V8's have them and I've had problems with them getting wet and arcing causing them to fail. I take it that bad valve cover gaskets cause oil to leak into the spark plug galleys? Same with head gaskets on my 150 leaking coolant. How would I go about checking the valve cover for any leaks or if the gaskets were replaced?
 
On the post 03' models are the fans electric? I'm hoping that I can sell my truck for a considerable amount more than a Lincoln LS in case something does go wrong I have money to put into it, and of course to have money to do what I have planned to do to the car.
 
What do you mean by the tranny shifting ok? Avoid one that shifts real firm or something else?

#7 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [jmtiseo] by akirby

Jan 11, 2010 (8:57 am)

Replying to: jmtiseo (Jan 11, 2010 8:46 am)
It's not the COPs themselves - it's getting to them that's difficult. Yes, the valve cover gaskets leak oil in the plug wells which cause the COPS to fail more quickly, but they can fail even without that. Basically just look for oil in the plug wells or anywhere else near the valve covers.
 
Yes, - post 03 uses electric fans so that eliminates one potential costly repair.
 
Just make sure it shifts normally and doesn't hesitate, stick or shift really hard. If there is a problem it should be obvious. Most of the tranny problems occured during the warranty period so if it had a problem it was most likely already fixed. If you know a Ford service mgr they can run an OASIS report on the VIN to see what's been fixed on it already.

#8 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [akirby] by jmtiseo

Jan 11, 2010 (11:19 am)

I understand the difficulty and the finesse needed to get back to them. COPs would be the least of my worries at this point.
 
Let's say that I went the 00'-02' and the hydraulic fan fails. Is there a way to install e-fans to get rid of the hydraulic fan?
 
Ok, I will probably have my brother with me when I go for a test drive he knows more than I do about cars. It sounds like that the bulk of these cars problems, if I get one with around the mileage I want, should have already been taken care of if it was properly maintained.

#9 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [jmtiseo] by akirby

Jan 11, 2010 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: jmtiseo (Jan 11, 2010 11:19 am)
I've heard some that used electric fans but the reason they didn't use them from the factory was that there wasn't enough juice available for whatever reason. But it's certainly a possibility.

#10 of 27 Re: Looking to buy. Answers please. [akirby] by jmtiseo

Jan 11, 2010 (1:50 pm)

Ok I just posted my truck on craigslist so I'll be able to get a better price range for an LS once I get some replies to my ad.
 
I have a question regarding the double din receiver capabilities. I have one in my truck now and love it. Will I be able to put a double din receiver into this car, will it fit?

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