It definitely sounds terrible. I know several people w the 3.5 and none of them sound remotely like that. Good call on passing it up.
Dealers are crazy what they think they can get out of some of these vehicles. While looking before I picked up my 03 I drove about 50mi to go see a '11 EL Limited w 140k for 11k. I get there, half the electrical doesn't power up...no seats, radio, rear ac/radio controls. Overhead video had been removed and sunroof didnt close properly. I drove it anyway so I knew how a poor vehicle would present itself while I continued the search. When I handed the keys back I think they could sense me holding back laughing at them for even offering it for sale and asked if I wanted to make an offer. I laughed, said 5k. It needs an unknown number of hours of electrical diagnostics plus whatever parts oh and probably a new sunroof, btw did you know someone stole the video unit and broke the screens in the headrest too and then was nice enough to lock it back up for ya? Lady told me to get out. Lol. I had cruised around and sat in the ac in their vehicle while shopping for other cars and ended up finding my current vehicle in the process. I dont feel bad because it was grossly misrepresented. It's still being advertised nearly 9 months later for the same price.
