What to watchout for before buying used

Javaman · Sep 10, 2010

Hi guys. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2006 limited with 94k miles. It's a great price and has about all the features but I was wondering if there was anything I should pay particular attention to before buying, anything that might be otherwise missed on a normal checkthrough. I've heard spark plugs sometimes break off requiring expensive repairs, is there a way to determine if this model is susceptable?

Many thanks!

METALLICA · Sep 10, 2010

make sure its not a stolen car..lol *joke* for me i'd check the suspensions, no oil leaks on the engine, no noisy squeks when running, good A.C... to sum it up man, get a mechanic to check it out for u.

ELVATO · Sep 11, 2010

05-06 have the 3V 5.4L motor, which is the one that is succeptable to spark plug breakage. Seems they are trying to sell it before it's due for them. The OEM recommendation is to go 100k miles on the plugs, but if you do that, you chance of breakage is much greater.

There is a TSB for how to remove them to minimize breakage, as well as instructions for what to do if they do break. Also, has the instructions for putting new ones in to minimize future breakage.

Ask them if the plugs have been done. If not, ask them if they could go ahead and do them. Or, call around and see how much shops around town (including the dealer) are charging for a spark plug change on the 3V 5.4 motor. Most places will charge you their normal fee plus extra for each plug that breaks. Ask about their success rate. Take the estimate and figure it in your negotiation.

Stoned06 · Sep 11, 2010

Plugs are the most succeptible on the '05-06 as Elvato mentioned. I would agree with him also to have them change the plugs prior to your purchase (if you get it).
I would check to make sure all the electronics work well ....seats, windows, steering wheel controls (mine were bad at 27K when I bought it), and check to function of the 4x4 if it is one. Drive a short distance in 4x4 High to make sure there is no grinding, knowing it will bind slightly on tighter turns. Make sure it goes into 4 low (while in Neutral), but I wouldn't drive with that on for more than a few feet.
Other than that, make sure it runs strong without any hesitation starting from a stop, and that the tranny shifts good.

Good luck.

Javaman · Sep 11, 2010

I'll definitely keep my eyes out for that stuff. Him and his wife are headed out of the country in a couple of days hence them selling it for cheap, so I'll just have to try my luck with the plugs. They didn't want to haggle too much so they took it to a dealer to get a sale price then added 1k. The dealer severely lowballed them at 13.3k and we worked out a price of 13.8k.

Thanks again guys!

sdaviddr · Sep 11, 2010

scratches,scrapes on the firewall behind engine and throttle body, signs of engine removal / replacement.

What to watchout for before buying used

Javaman

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