New member here, looking to buy a used 3rd Gen LS. Any advice on model years to stay away from? Would appreciate any insight from the members, thank you!!

 

When you say third gen LS, do you mean an LS430? This is the 4th Gen LS460 forum

 

This is the LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) forum as noted at top.

 

i would get a 2004+ without the factory navigation if you can find one. I'd also stay away from the air suspension, but that's a personal preference

 

Depends on your needs. If you want a bit more modern with LED tail lamps, projector headlights, more aggressive body work, large exhaust tips on display, etc...04+ is the way to go. The 01-03 are way less expensive and nearly the same car so they are a bargain. IMHO, the best ones are 05-06, base, and optioned with park sensors, smart key, and 18 inch wheels. Don't buy the Ultra Luxury ones with air suspension. All other trims with the screen are not desirable to me since the navigation is obsolete and you need to tap buttons to adjust HVAC. The base with HVAC manual controls is so simple and nice.

 

Look for maintenance history - the more the better, especially things like oil changes on time, timing belt replacement, valve cover gaskets replaced, and so on. For a well maintained rust free car, 150,000 miles is nothing at all, many miles and years left on it.

Get a pre-purchase inspection before you make any offers on anything. Avoid cars that have been in an accident or spent some or all its life in the rust belt. West coast, pacific northwest, AZ, cars are a likely to be rust free or nearly so. Pay a premium to get a superior example (low miles, pristine, excellent maintenance etc) and do not look back.

 

As an owner of a 04 ultra luxury. I would also have to say opt for a 04-06 base model without the air suspension. i wanted specific options that the UL came with and intended on swapping out the factory air eventually anyway so it made sense for me but the standard coils hold up way better and are honestly more comfortable.

 

I don’t think there’s any years to avoid but there are differences as noted. 01-03 has a 5 speed trans that’s easier to service, 04-06 is 6 speed. The LED tail lights in the newer ones are nearly impossible to fix (if one diode goes out the entire board stops working) unless you’re an electrical engineer it seems, pre-facelift is a simple bulb replacement. Anything with the ML stereo is prone to amp failure. With all that being said, I love my 05.

 

funny that the two issues you mentioned i have lmao. I sent out the amp to get fixed but honestly so worth it. the ML sound system sounds great still. Now i just have to repair one of my inner tail lights.

 

I had a brown one that did not have navagation (8 years @ 90 thousand miles)
now have a black Custom Luxury trim (4 years and 25,000 miles)and the navagation stereo is a lot better
I mean A LOT better, try both trims before you decide but Custom Luxury is the way to go if you can find one

 

the biggest drawback about the navigation is that if the screen fails ( mine did already) you can't adjust your HVAC. this is a big deal for me in the long-term, as the engine and transmission will probably last 20 more years, but the electronics won't

 

That's no big deal, just replace the screen with a used unit or with an Android screen unit. I've not seen many reporting screen issues, but there have been a few.
The AC control unit on a non-Nav also contains electronics and both probably communicate with the same AC Control computer.

 

The side temp controls work without display.

 

Owning an Ultra, I agree. I really loved my radar cruise, but as a more local-trip car now, that's a bit less important now, and the air struts always loom. But Custom is not easy to find, I think. My car is 20 years old this month and the screen is fine and I still use my Nav. It is great for directions. I just wish entering the address was more modern. But I love how it shows POI (points of interest), etc. And sometimes I find google maps unclear on exactly when to turn.

It is nearly perfect as a local driver, but no, not dirt cheap. Starter, alternator, A/C, Brake pads more often than others, poor (local) mileage, timing belt, etc. But no comp/collision insurance. I need to repair seats, etc. My wife sees the car as 20 years old, but I see it as worth it even spending a few thousand to tweak ita "niceness". I know the history and it does not "drive old". It runs clean, smooth, and still reliably. And when my tire popped last month, I had an 8 year old full size spare to tide me over for a week until I found a replacement! Try that today. (I will not get a car without at least a donut spare.)

 

I'm also a new buyer and wanted to know how to ascertain the car has no air suspension? For example, I just met with a seller and he claimed the car had no air suspension but it appears from the VIN decoder on this website that it does -- is that correct? Thanks!
Also, seller said that he recharged the battery (car was sitting in garage) and the radio stopped working. any input on this would be appreciated