I just bought an 04 coupe with 96k miles on it, site-unseen. It will be delivered to the dealer I bought it from next week, where I will be given a chance to back out of the deal if something is wrong with it. The photos look nice, carfax looks good, but I have one test drive to determine if it is ok or not. Anything in particular that I should be looking for on this car? This will be my first xfire.

 

make sure the upper and lower section of the seats heat - a very expensive fix.

 

In a ballpark range, can you share how much you will pay for the car? 96,000 miles is a lot of miles! I guess there aren't too many XFs on the Big Island to choose from.....

 

After 44,000 on my 07 & 6,000 on my wife's 08......nothing's ever really gone wrong....gut feeling is they could last for several hundred thousand miles.

 

If its 04 the 1st gear pop out issue might exist if it is manual. It prob wont happen on a test drive but it is a possibility none the less. Basically any of the TSBs listed for that year. (fog light housing issue, heavy headlight condensation, thunk when closing door with windows down. Also check the bottom of the door seal for the rust problems. Really just recommend reading all the TSBs and going through them like a check list when you get it as they will all be out of pocket issues at this point. (Unless they are going to take care of them before you buy)

 

I paid 10k for it, I will check the seet heaters, but mainly looking for mechanical probs that happen at the 100k landmark. I have read so much about these cars, seems like they don't have many probs. I have wanted one forever.

 

It is a auto transmision, many probs with them after high miles? I can't imagine they are cheap to fix. Thanks for all the pointers, will read through the TSB's, you guys are great. Will post some pics if the deal goes through.

 

Transmissions will start at $2000+ and go from there on a rebuild. My friend just did a E320 with some hard parts needed at $3200---WHOLESALE (I'm in the car business). So you are right---they are not cheap. About 50% more than most cars.

Things to look for: The trans leak---known problem. Bad batteries will cause problems. Steering stabilizer is done if it has not been replaced. Plugs are due. Trans should have been done at 80k. Front of oil pan known to leak at these miles.

 

Look for rust under the door weatherstripping. You must pull it out to see under it! Good luck!

 

Take it out on a road where you can open her up. listen for transmission shifting. do it more than once if you can. If its a convertable note any smells that may be present if the top was left open during rain. check the obvious...tires, rotors, vibration in steering and speeds etc. open all doors and windows, run wipers and check all the lights on the dash. When you start her for the first time listen for engine ticks and look for smoke. Although these cars hold up pretty good, these are things you should check for with any car. good luck. if you get it post lots of picks. ~~jb

 

I bought it! I have been driving the heck out of it, love it. TPMS light is was on when I bought it, I read through all of the info I could find in the forum and that seams like an easy enough fix. The car lot that I bought it from gave me a $250 allowance for the local Chrysler Stealership to get it taken care of. Will wax her up and post some pics soon!

 

Take a large magnet and run it around each valve stem in a circular motion (make sure the tire pressure is around 35 lbs. each tire). Start the car and the TPMS light should go out and stay off. Use the $250 for other repairs. Good luck, Jerry

 

get it up past 40mph and see if you hear any wind noise from the windows. (really annoying)