so i know the 02 transmissions were problematic...did they change them in 03 or 04?....i'm avoiding buying on 02, and am looking at 03's. budget is not allowing newer than 03 unless its underpriced
thanks

 

Just my two cents, but I only think that the automatic trannys were problematic. I just recently purchased a 5spd 02 and haven't heard of problems with manual transmissions yet. They cost a couple hundred more, and I had to drive up to Washington to get it, but I would go manual tranny. Especially if you decide to buy the 2.5 model.

 

thanks for the 2c but i'm strictly an auto driver....now where did all those affordable cars go before i had the cash in hand ?

 

So I will tell you what I have been taught on this forum. The two rules of buying an x type

1. Know what you want
2. Don't settle

Don't kid yourself if you're trying to talk yourself into one that you dont want. I searched over 800 x types in the whole country over a 2 month period to find the one I wanted. There are always amazing deals, sometimes they just come at different times. I saw prices drop $1000 and then start back up in $100 incriments and thats when I jumped on mine. Just keep those two things in mind. The second is really important. These cars are great, but you still have the possibility of getting unlucky.

Also, if you are strictly an auto driver I would do a google search of x type problems. Most of them that I found were in auto trannys, but I forgot whether or not those problems carried over to 03. Again, Im just illustrating rule #1 which you are obviously doing by asking real owners. Have a good search and I will help you if you want as I just bought mine a week ago.

 

thanks.....i've seen some great deals...including a couple with complete service history, but i was waiting to sell my car at that time. I found the one i wanted and planned to get it, but the dealer forgot to tell me it had a lien on it.
I'm going to borrow a car to keep me on the road, i'm starting to look at the 2.5's now, but i'll try and hold off until the ideal 3.0 turns up.
I've been researching and asking questions for about 2 months now, so i have a good understanding of what to look for....i know it will appear shortly!
I've narrowed it down to black on black...pref sport but not a deal breaker...or silver with black interior....again, pref sport but not a deal breaker.
Most important for me is the black interior, i've seen several in the past with low miles and low price, so i'm sure another will be along soon :+)

oh...and best of luck with yours

 

Why avoid an '02? Don't count them out. Perhaps look for one that was subject to the "customer campaign" and got the improved autobox while it was still in the new inventory.

 

I have an 02 and have'nt had a single problem with the tranny. Almost 90k miles. Runs perfectly.

 

It seems as if you just described my car I have a black on black/3.0/sport/02/104k that I bought for $5700. If you keep your eye out, it will come to you. Just keep in mind that I had searched EVERYTHING for 2 months straight until I found it. Again, good luck. Regardless of your descisions on which one you want, you will still love the car

 

it found me today!

04 3.0 sport, blk/blk 102000 $6200

bought...paid for....sitting in the drive!

 

Awesome!!!!! Anything wrong with it? Pics? Or actually, I guess that might be a new thread kinda deal, but I may be wrong..... Congrats on the car though!

 

thanks disguay
it has a few issues, only drove it twice and wont have it registered until next week, so i'm spending time getting to know it stationary in the drive right now :+(
I love it already...faults and all...pics to come soon....wow...those gauges at night!

 

Hey congrats! Now you've jumped in and can get on ownership. Good for you.

 

took 2 months to find the right one, but soon as i saw it i knew

 

I had a similar experience iownme... I looked around for a very long time and then found my baby. Hopefully you have done your homework and know what you are in for with what I like to call the "jagisms." They make me love and hate the car at the same time.