Hi folks,

Been caught up with replacing the thermostat in my Dodge charger 2012 SE and now that the sale's been done, I would really like to purchase an Ex that i've been thinking of for weeks.

My initial plans were to get a 2001 Ex, V10, 4x4 gas from a guy that has about 160+ K miles but yesterday he told me that unluckily (coincidentally) the catalytic converter got stolen and invited me to take a look at the car and if I like it, he would install it for me. Otherwise, it runs clean with no replaced parts and I could get a mobile pre-purchase inspection on it.

I next found a second ex which has same specs and similar price point but he then told me the a/c can't be turn on at times and he blamed it on the *****.

At this point of time, I've already spent 2 weeks intuitively understanding engines and cooling system from scratch, and I know that some fixes can be a pain in the *** (Charger's Cooling Temp Sensor is at the back of the engine; thus I didn't change it and the problem seems to solely be the thermostat as the gold has been corroded . .), and also the logistics of repairing can be tiresome at times (shipping, OEM parts, aftermarket, tools, research, getting some help etc). I don't mind and am prepared to do some fixes over the years on my own but right now I'm more interested in electronic projects like DIY camera and Deep Learning and I just graduated from college (lotsa life choices to make) . . don't really wanna replace anything mechanical unless it's "minor" issues like replacing the a/c dashboard or air-blower.

My third choice is an Ex located in winter country and it's a 14 hour drive for me to get it. It's cheaper by a few hundred to a thousand than Ex #1 and Ex #2. I find Ex #3 fascinating because it has over 220K miles clocked on it, replaced transmission with a used 50K one and owner says he's got an additional 8K miles on it; new cooling system, water pump, both radiator hoses, thermostat, coolant lines, coolant flushed and replaced, new heater radiator cores and recent tuneup.
Talked to owner on phone, we had a good talk and he told me he replaced spark plugs and bearings but mechanic told him that he would needa replace spark plug in cyl #6 next year, which I could do it myself. I could also talk to the mechanic and bring my own for mobile inspection.

I'm fascinated with Ex #3 because he had new things in the drivetrain and cooling system installed and also fixed some of the spark plug issues by replacing the coils. . which Ex #1 and #2 might have to eventually undergo. . so he replacing these items might have already extended the life of Ex #3 that Ex #2 and #1 might not have. But my assuming and reasoning might be wrong. Also worried about the rust on chasis, especially for cars in winter or moist conditions.

Ultimately, I would like to modify it to be a basic campervan which I would install some electronics, solar panels and place memory foams and a thin mattress on the floor as a bed.

What do you guys think? Given what I want, am I leaning the wrong way and should take the "conservative" path of getting an "undamaged", original Ex with 160K miles instead?

best
Tay

 

Welcome to the EX forum!

I searched for about a year before I found my "right one", it can be challenging and frustrating at times sorting through all the available rigs.
If the "Winter country" EX #3 is from an area that uses road salt expect to have some to major body rust issues, body rot and rust is a hard NO for me on any vehicle purchase. I don't understand exactly what the situation with spark plug #6 is either, sounds like a problem I don't want to deal with.......If he just replaced the plugs, they should ALL be good for 50-100 K miles.
I think that I would focus on #1 & 2 from the descriptions above. Since you are in Cali, be sure that the replacement cat on #1 will be acceptable to state for smog, you guys have some very strict regulations on such things out there. #2's AC issue sounds like it shouldn't be too difficult to sort out, even if it means new control *****, fairly simple stuff there.
You are looking at 20 year old 3/4 ton trucks, so you should be expecting to have to deal with some repairs as well as the mods that you want to do. This excellent community can help you through troubleshooting and repairs to almost any system on your EX, and the many How-To threads in the Tech Folder are loaded with more great info on fixes. Like with any used vehicle purchase you will want to change out all the various fluids and other wear items that need attention, we can guide you through all of that too. Have your mechanic give #1 & 2 a look over and don't be shy about using any outstanding needed repairs as fuel for negotiating a better deal. Good luck!

 

He hit it on the head. Likewise, I vote 1 & 2. 3 sounds fishy with the plug issue. Take your mechanic and/or someone who knows this generation of trucks like the back of their hand.

 

Thanks for the welcome! I'm already feeling more excited than I originally am already!

Also, thanks so much for the thoughtful advice guys! All these car activities going on made me kinda winded. It's awesome to read about your experiences and guidelines in purchasing a car! And like you guys say, it's a 20 year old car and it's my first time getting a car of such age. I would expect and even put aside a 1-2 Gs for repairs the next couple of years but really hoping it's nothing major! I was just really enticed by the idea of Ex #3 having major changes and I thought that it might have a longer life than original Exes that are well maintained at 160K! I think Ex #2 is solid too and I might get it at $4K from $4.3K as seller wants it to go fast. Interior and exterior very well-maintained. I'm sure even if I get it after this weekend I could haggle him for $4K still when I'm there in person. Dude is pretty lazy and worried about driving this car to a AAA mechanic (probably lives in a valley surrounding San bernardino) because it's been in his family for a long time but he's fine with a mobile inspection.

Do you guys think that the pre-purchase inspection mechanic would identify what's wrong with the A/C for me or just check it off as broken A/C?

I also found a used 2003 Ex in Arizona that has minor cosmetic defects on the outside like #2. Seller mentioned he met with no changes and did an oil change. Priced at $5,500.

Here's the 2003 that I'm talking about: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...0513287808572/

What do you guys reckon? I'm intrigued by 2003 Ex because it's a couple years newer. Are there any issues like the threading on the spark plug that was resolved in the 2003 model?

 

Is it possible for an original transmission on Ex to last over 200K miles before replacement?

I'm not gonna do any towing and i'm trying to find sellers that don't do much towing.

 

As long as it was serviced properly then yes.

 

If you ask the pre-inspection mobile mechanic to investigate why the AC isn't working, then if its not too involved he should, but that may not be included in his standard inspection price.
In the 10 years and almost 70K miles that have put on it, my EX has only needed a new fuel pump, new brakes and regular maintenance and fluid changes. I have done a few mods to suite my wants and to make it a better tow rig, but those mods weren't needed due to any failures. All that my EX does is tow our 12K TT all over the East and expect the transmission to go more than 200K, it might not still be mine by then but its working perfectly fine at 130K+.
The AZ EX looks decent and should be rust free. Recent oil change, that's nice, but its just normal standard maintenance and the buyer should be changing it soon anyway just to set a baseline and ensure the correct oil and filter are used. In model year '03 the number of spark plug threads was increased which greatly reduces the chance of a plug blowout. However, proper care and higher than spec torque values when changing plugs (you will be changing them because you don't know their age and miles) on the older models will also greatly reduce that chance.

 

yea looking into the carfax of the AZ EX, i see that the car has its car serviced regularly from 2015 to 2018. The oil, air filter, coolant was changed and thermostat, radiator, drive belt, brake rotor and pads were replaced.

miles were pretty consistent from 2008 to 2019, averaging about 8-10K miles/ year for an individual owner, except there was no indication any servicing was done from 2008-2014, other than passing emission test!

2004-2008 was owned by ford dealership and left the auction at 70K miles. I'm guessing the dealership took it out for a spin or something. No oil changes seen except for yearly vehicle services and battery replacements at 2004 and 2005!

 

what do you guys think of an Ex with a 6inch lift?

I'm not particularly interested in lifts and am worried at the repercussions (differentials, transmission, additional burden of maintenance etc) if I were to get one. . any thoughts?

 

If it's not what you are interested in or really want, don't get it. If it is something that you may be interested in, then post lots of pictures of the suspension and important info on tire size, gear ratio and any other mods here for the group to comment on, some lifted rigs are sweet rides while others are cobbled together nightmares.

 

yea these are the only few photos I got from the post. No interior. . additional details are that prev owner spent $4,500 on lift kit and current owner got the car repainted (which might be a red flag)
May use YourMechanic to do a onsite inspection if i'm proceeding.

 

and to be honest, what I like about suspensions are the usual functional/practical stuffs: 1) good view from high ground, 2) undercarriage is further from ground preventing damage, 3) better maneuvering offroad, 4) a nuisance for strangers to get into my car.

and the rest are worries . . did research about lifts and it seems like a delicate job. . perhaps spring/coil installation might be a better thing for offroad and comfort instead?

anyways, I agree with your opinion, it's better to find a buy at the right time that's comfortable and gives lots of satisfaction. A rush buy may be too awkward especially for a high value, long term buy like a vehicle.

 

No A/C because of the ***** sounds suspect. A/C work can get pricey real fast I'd investigate that really carefully if considering that one. I always cringe when looking at car ads, and the seller lists something doesn't work for some really simple or easy to fix reason. Then why didn't you fix it before listing?!? Red flag to me but maybe nothing.

 

yea totally agree. . perhaps he's lazy/doesn't know better/high cost to bring to shop, but he did offer to lower the price by a few hunnys. But I later found out that it's a salvaged then rebuilt title. . so imma stay away from that one. .

travel is also a factor too, i'm not sure if I could trust an online mobile inspection from a provider like lemon squad given mixed reviews. . but I guess I won't have a choice if it's in the middle of unincorporated territory unless I head down myself and get a mechanic in that area, and even then the seller might not agree unless it's a mobile inspection at his home. Flight tickets are pretty cheap lately no?

 

I've got over 220k on mine, and drove x-country last summer. I changed the fluid in it and the pan looked spanky new inside. The PO took good care of it. It's all about proper maintenance.