I am an Independent Mechanical Inspector. I am an independent contractor that inspects vehicles for extended warranty companies. Anyone who watches this better listen to this man, he knows what he is talking about. I have been inspecting vehicles since 2006, and I have seen every issue he has listed. He is right on the money.

2:33 #1: 2004-2010 Ford Expedition or Ford pickup with the 3-valve 5.4 engine. 4:48 #2: Any & all years Acadia, Enclave, Traverse, Outlook, Equinox, Terrain with the GM 3.6 v6 engine. 7:38 #3: Any European car with over 150,000 miles. 9:14 #4: Any GM with the 3.1 or 3.4 v6. 11:25 #5: Any truck or SUV with AFM (active fuel management) or MDS (multi displacement system). (5.7 or 6.4 Hemi's, or 5.3 or 6.0 Max Vortec). James Stephenson said to add the 6.2 GM to this item ("complete shit") 13:56 #6: Any of the early 2000's Subaru's

These vehicles have allowed me to buy nice tools, pay off my home, and have piece of mind knowing there is a high level of job security. I just want to tell the manufacturers, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I bought a used 2005 Toyota Solara with 202,000 miles for $2,200 in Lewiston, Maine and I got a $2,000 trade in value with 278,000 miles on it after 7 years of use with little repair costs, so I certainly got my money's worth out of it for what I paid. Toyota is very dependable.

It's amazing how many problems can be avoided by simply changing your oil regularly.

"Don't buy any European car with over a 150 000 miles." Volvo 240 owners: "That's the starting point, man."

I made the mistake about 10 years ago of purchasing an '05 Audi S4 6MT with 99k miles for only 10k. The car was in fantastic condition, and it made me wonder how I was able to purchase this fast luxury sedan for such a low price. I later found out that the timing chain tensioners have a tendency of failing around 100k miles and then subsequently braking the engine. Luckily I was able to sell the car back to the seller after finding out the job to fix the timing chain tensioners would be $7k. Learned from my mistake and I'll never purchase another high mileage European vehicle again.

most practical, honest car guy ever. keep up the great work.

With the high end "prestige cars" from Europe, the best saying I've heard is "If you couldn't afford it new, you can't afford it now". Wise words to live by...

i am a just retired auto mechanic since 1971. ASE certified since 1973. to me you are a youngster. You are 100% correct in this video. i would be honored to drink a beer with you,

I have a VW Golf TDI 2005 now getting on in life at 470K km (nearly 300 miles) and the next timing belt will be the last. I picked it up with 25700km second hand. One of the best and thriftiest vehicles I have ever owned.

I currently drive a '95 Cutlass with 83k miles one it. I think it has been maintained as it runs great with minimal work. I am glad to have come across this video, and am happy you put a similar looking car in the thumbnail. Thanks for the tips!

He forgot to mention nissans with a cvt. Everyone I know with a Nissan has huge repair bills putting in a new cvt. They aren’t like the old automatics where you can just slap in a new valve body. When the CVT fails it isn’t serviceable. The whole thing needs to be replaced

I am genuinely surprised that "any Nissan with the XTRONIC CVT" didn't make this list...

The European car suggestion is on point. Been buying and selling cars for 17 years and there are a couple of things you can absolutely guarantee, and one of those things is that particularly German cars (newer turbocharged direct injected stuff especially) with over 110k miles will have catastrophic problems that cause 3-4x the vehicles value to fix. Usually head gaskets and top/bottom end failures. The motors are build to be phenomenal for 90-110k miles and then destroy themselves.

Love how passionate your information is presented.. you seem to know what you are talking about, thanks for the info.

I've been a mechanic for over 20 years this man is spot on listen to him

I find it hilarious that he’s discussing this on a boat 🤣

If you have a 2.4l ecotech, check the wire covers on the top of the engine and on all sides. The engine heat will deteriorate the plastic covers and they become brittle and they crumble, leaving the wires exposed to friction wear on the insulation. There are many wires, and it would be hard to find a single wire that was shorting out occasionally, so it is much better to fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.

I'm a huge fan of Infiniti but if you're in the market for one be prepared for fuel pump issues in the 03-06 G35s and the RE7R01A 7 speed transmissions in later models, such as my Q50, are known for tcm issues costing $3k minimum for a simple computer replacement. Also some people have issues with the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors but I personally haven't had any engine troubles.

Please do a ‘Do buy’ secondhand video Wizard. The most reliable old cars.

Next on Hoovie's Garage: Hoovie buys a 2004 Ford F150, a GMC Acadia, a Mercedes S500 with 340,000 miles, a 1994 Buick Century, and a 2006 Dodge Durango

My best experience was with 2007 Chrysler T&C that was BUILT LIKE A TANK according to oil change place. 3.8L made it to 440,000 with original transmission, exhaust, starter 👍👍👍

Thank you wizard for sharing you knowledge with us, you are greatly appreciated !!!

Thanks for posting. My condensed summary: 1. 2004-2010 Ford pickups or SUVs with 5.4 liter Trident V8 3-valve. 2. Any GM series of vehicles with 3.6 liter V6 engine. 3. Any European car with over 150K miles. 4. Any GM series of vehicles with 3.1 or 3.4 liter V6 engines. 5. Any GM or Dodge series of vehicles with an active fuel management (AFM) or multi-displacement fuel (MDF) engines. Typically this is on Hemi or Vortec engines. 6. Any early 2000 Subarus.

I've been a mechanic for over 21 years now, and I have no issues whatsoever with this list. This wizard knows what he's talking about..... keep up the great work 👍👍

It basically comes down to how well an engine can cope with neglect for used cars, since odds are it wasn’t maintained properly by the previous owner. A lot of the engines you listed will hold up fine if, and only if, you keep up on oil and coolant maintenance from the outset.

Hi Car Wizard, so glad your video for cars not to buy came up on my Utube feed! I wanted to put this up for you and ask you about this. My husband in 2003 back home in the northeast, purchased a 2002 Ford Ranger. It was not high mileage and I was not with him when he bought it I think it was on the lot and not used much at the local Ford Dealer. Anyway It currently has only 110K miles. We moved to NC 14 1/2 yrs ago and he had this towed down here, so he did not put extra mileage, and all these years has not put a lot of miles, so the majority was before we moved here. So we have paid tons for repairs over the past 2-3 yrs. With not knowing good mechanics where we currently live, we believe we got ripped off quite a bit. So this is the issue , less than a yr ago got work done again, hubby cannot do anything with the newer vehicles. He is almost 70 so only knows old school vehicles. Anyway, the guy we went to said that he believed the Timing chains (3 of them may be starting to die). We are both old now, on SS and so had been holding off, and we don't do much driving at all, mostly around town, no long trips. We planned to buy a decent used vehicle this recent fall, but with the ongoing rise in interest rates, have not found affordable cars. So just 2 months ago while out to a dr. appt on the way home, the engine seized up. We had to have it towed and a guy hubby knows, who was a mechanic but no longer does that, checked it out with his hand held tool that you plug in to the vehicle said, yes it is the timing chains...cost to remove engine and fix and reinsert engine, as you likely know, would be $5000 -$6000. You mention in your video about timing chain issues on 2004-2010 F150's. I just wanted to ask if maybe you have seen some in this 2002 Ranger Models, and if so, was there ever any info on this happening to these. I ask because in years past we always go in snail mail, offers for trade in for this model vehicle. I wish now we would have traded up, but since we don't travel, or go anywhere much we thought we were doing the right thing by not trading it in. Thanks I hope you can still get email and help us with some guidance. I did just watch your video on 6 cars too buy. So will be researching to see if any are available in our area but would like to thank you and get any Feeback. BTW happy holidays !

I worked building Engines years ago, and this guy is right on the money. I own only toyota and Lexus, absolutely bullet proof. I have sold my cars to family members and none have ever been disappointed and they sold and broke even sometimes.

A word on the early 2000s Subarus. The engine family affected were the *naturally aspirated* versions of the EJ20 and EJ25 families. The root problem was the type of head gasket itself. However, the turbocharged versions used a different head gasket which DOES NOT have the failure issue. That said, good luck trying to find an old turbo Subaru that hasn't been molested.

The bit about the 3.1L Chevy engine was interesting to me as I actually really liked that engine when I had it. Your argument makes sense though. I had a '98 Chevy Lumina with the 3.1 and it was one of the best cars I've had. I had to put an alternator in it, but for nearly 35k miles I had no other issues whatsoever. BUT, I will say that we bought it as public surplus from a small city that takes very good care of their vehicles and I personally change my oil every ~3k miles. It had 160k miles on it when I sold it. It makes me sad how abused Luminas are; they're great and comfortable cars in my opinion.

I have never had a single issue with my 3 valve 5.4 in my f150 and I use the truck for work and I drive it hard and flat out through dirt, mud and anywhere. I don't even maintain it that well. 265,000 miles on it and runs like a beast.

Been a tech for 35 years. I would take my truck to him. Thank you for what your doing.

One of my favorite sayings is: There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.

as 1978mackdaddy said, lots of problems can be avoided by changing your oil regularly. My family had a 2005 Cadillac STS with the GM 3.6L V6 and it started knocking when the oil change and add oil warnings were ignored.

Very.informative. I gave a 03 Suburu.and U am.upgrading the head gasket to 6 Star and new OEM head bolts. Finally found a mechanic who is familiar with them.

I absolutely love that you’re not letting up on these people who take your time to ask for your advice and then go ahead and ignore it.

All the engines you are listing, I've refered to them as boat anchors for years. And talking about them while sitting on a boat? Absolutely priceless!!!

Love Love Love your videos Wizard because you explain your points so eloquently!

Hi Car Wizard, I am an old school motor mechanic in Australia and the vast number of vehicles you have mentioned are available here and I can only concur with your advice. Anyone who asks me get the same advice. Another problem Euro vehicles face here is temperature extremes, it kills them all. Don't get me started on electrical issues with them. Subaru are, as you say a nice vehicle but service costs and parts are prohibitive. The only vehicles I own these days are 2018 Toyota LandCruiser 200 VX Diesel and 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. No problems with either. I thoroughly enjoy watching your channel. Keep up the good work.

The key with the Subarus is to just get one that's so high-mileage that it's guaranteed that someone's already done the head gasket, otherwise it wouldn't have made it as far as it has.

This video is basically a description of Hoovie's Garage!

Thank YOU!!! I considering different vehicles to put money down on and these just made me rethink the whole list

I wasn't thinking about buying any of these vehicles. But thank you very much for the video. I'm looking to buy my next vehicle. Really helpful to get more information from an honest person.

I've had experiences with every car engine the wizard mentioned...and he is being super honest and helpful to put this info out there, it might be hard to pass up on what seems like a "deal"...but you won't regret it.

Too bad Wizard is not associated with Consumer Reports. His hands on repair experience is vastly more valuable than a one month test drive and the statistics gathered from readers.

I recently began looking for a used car what a zoo but thankfully i found your channel. Your advice and that you explain the issue and potential consequences of ignoring it helps.

Wizard your the most honest mechanic anyone could meet. Keep up the good work and scotty Kilmer will have his day

Never buy used Nissan Leaf's with old batteries.

Last year I had a choice between 16 Buick Enclave or 2015 Toyota Highlander….Toyota was more expensive, but still went with Toyota! Glad I did. I appreciate mechanics like you and Scotty Kilmer!

I love your videos--thanks for sharing your expertise!

I have the 4.6 3 valve, and I have experienced all of the problems the 5.4 has. My chain guides were in pieces, the tensioners had blown gaskets, the phasers were clicking, the VCTs had blown out screens, the exhaust manifold gaskets needed to be replaced. I completely refurbished the engine at 140,000 miles. I obtained the car at 48,000 miles and was meticulous with oil changes.

As usual, your bare-knuckle presentation, backed up with elbow-deep engine repair experince, make for an outstanding video. Thanks a million, Wizard.

Love my 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. It has 175,000 miles on it. I bought the car seven years ago. The car still runs like new,and drives great. The 3.8 GM is one of the best engine's ever made, and so easy and inexpensive to work on. I've had to change the water pump, coil pack and air flow meter, and that's it.

Thank you I appreciate you being very honest hard to find that in a mechanic anymore

Thank you for your insight and help!!

“We all know…” No Weezard, we don’t! You do! That’s why we love your channel….thanks for sharing the knowledge

Best automotive channel on KZfaq. Sharing this with us is saving everyone a ton of problems. Thank you.

I’ve been a mechanic for 17 min. This man knows his business.

I watched Car Wizard’s original video on the 5.4 3V and how he trashed on it yet it’s my first truck and I got it before I knew about the problems. 4 years later, I’ve gone from 152k to 183k miles, gone through a few spark plugs and coil packs and seems there is a bit of a tick but nothing crazy. To help with the sludge issue I put the Valvoline MaxLife oil that’s supposedly good for 5k miles and every time I get the oil changed on time, I get the engine flush to help clean out the gunk. The truck has treated me actually very well so if u take care of the maintenance on it on time and before anything went wrong on the previous owner, it’ll go over 200k miles. Now if your a normal person who doesn’t really care for extra maintenance then yes go with something else like a Chevy 5.3L Silverado.

You had me for a minute there. My first car was a '72 Monte Carlo and my second was a '70. Loved those old beasts!

When I bought a cheap Subie to beat around with, my main stipulation was to only look at ones with over 100k miles. My understanding is that it was a defect in machining the block so some have it and some don't. Odds are if it goes that long, it either didn't have the issue or it has been fixed properly. Now I hear ya, do your drive, do your inspection, which I did. New gaskets don't fix it because the block deck needs machined. So I found a 2000 Outback with 192k miles and she was good to go. I had the T-stat fail closed twice and pegged the temperature gage and after a new fail open t-stat, never had an issue. That proved to me it wasn't going to blow the head gaskets. Sold it 243k miles and still see it running around.

one note with the 2000s subarus is that the headgasket issues can be fixed permanently by swapping in a STI head gasket, which has a metal core and will not break.

Great job Doc, thank you very much!

"Oh it's just a little ticking noise..." As a 3.5L EcoBoost owner, that's on my board of famous last words.

My 2003 WRX finally had to have the head gasket replaced. I always maintained it, and finally sold it. It doesn't matter if you strictly maintain it or not, the head gasket will fail.

Love your expertise and advice!

I thought I recognized that back drop. I grew up on Grand Lake. My Dad started Dripping Springs Marina in the early 80's. Great video.

It is always very useful to know what NOT to buy! Thanks for sharing your experiences and honest opinions about so many different cars. You really got my attention with "You will never be finished fixing it,you will never be 'good' for any significant period of time,you will spend more money trying to keep it running than you paid to buy it!" Great vid !

First time watching this guy and I have to say he is a very unique person!! Love the way he speaks and his mannerisms. So calming. One of a kind for sure! Love it.

15:59 yep! My 2009 Legacy had this issue. I however had a dud engine. The replacement remanufactured engine had the reinforced head gasket from the turbo models. I will NEVER have to deal with the head gasket again!

My mom had sidekick for 10 years and loved it. My aunt and uncle had a sidekick for 20 years and loved it. Never ever ford mercury, or Chevy impala(97 to 2015) I love my 2012 Ford f150 xlt v8 6.2L. Granted it has 181,000 miles and needs new ignition switch, new engine if I can't fix whats wrong with it soon and needs new fuel pump soon. It's great for me.

I love these kind of video to tell you what kind of vehicle to stay away from, and the details of the failure mode.

When it comes right down to it, the #1 issue with used vehicles… whether or not they have poor engine designs… is lack of oil and cooling maintenance. Some people, especially younger ones, pay no attention to their oil levels or have a clue what the recommended maintenance schedule is in their owner manual. I never buy new vehicles. I’ll only buy used vehicles that are coming off two or three year leases with complete service records. If you are buying an older car for the kid going off to college, spend the few extra bucks on a Toyota or Honda that has been maintained.

7:43 I have owned multiple used European cars. Raging from Mercedes, Minis, BMWs, and Porsches. Each one of them have had 120k+ miles on the clock all of them except the BMW had been problem free besides regular maintenance and things I can fix in my garage.

You're right about the Buick 3400 motor intake leak , I drove for months leaking but I check the motor ever day for oil mixing. Had to change intake twice it's an all day tear down. No more Buicks for me. I believe that a mechanic change it before I brought it. One more thing every Buick I purchased had harmonic balancer problems.

I work at auto zone and anytime I see someone need an engine light read on one of the 3.6 cars (usually one of these) it almost always comes back as timing issue. Hardest thing I ever had to do was explain to a lady she was likely going to need a whole new engine and you could see a part of her die inside when we told her.

Thanks for these Wizard! Your saving people many headaches and pains!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

I was finally able to get my first brand new truck in 2019. I passed on the silverados because of the cylinder deactivation. Went with a 5.7 tundra instead. It’s a shame because the 4.8 and 5.3 GM engines were pretty bulletproof in their earlier years before the cylinder deactivation started.

Great information wizard!

Keep it sport mode!!! Just found this channel today and have been watching all the videos...as a fellow mechanic he is awesome. Agree with everything he is saying.

Im an auto and heavy diesel mechanic of 30 years 100 percent agree with his video right down to the chronological order

Thank you for the information.. 💯

Car Wizard is a genius... Spot-on assessment.

Watch out for cars that were in floods too. Thank you so much! You're awesome! 👏👏👏👏👏🙏

Car Wizard is right about the maintenance on the 3.1L V6 engine. I had one of these in my 2003 Buick Century with 230,000 miles. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles (or so). The only reason I don't have it anymore was that it was totalled in a rear end collision. Maintenance was the key for this engine.

Thx for this information 👍

In 2019 I purchased a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero GLS coupe with 20,612 miles from Copart and I will be taking excellent care of it. It now has 23,468 miles (in three years). It had a cracked headlamp and some hood damage, and I had all of that fixed for $600. Not bad for a $1,200 car, now in mint condition. When any 3400 has the intake leak, you will see the coolant temperature rise rapidly. My 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette GL overheated in less than one minute. Since I worked at an Oldsmobile dealership, I had it repaired for $138.

Most reliable vehicle ive ever owned or known of was my 96 ranger with the 2.3L motor. 425K+

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and providing such advice!

I’m really surprised to see the F150. There was a point we said “No more GM products “. But our sons loved the Ford trucks. Both played in bands and needed capacity for gear.

This great advice . When the car wizard talks everyone needs to heed what he is saying . Now I know which ones to not to buy . Great sound advice from car wizard!

I've been driving my 1992 Chevy Blazer S10 for 30 years and it still looks, drives and runs like new. I and the mechanic have taken good care of it. It has about 232k miles on it now. In my younger years, I was a professional Land Surveyor and would often take it surveying.

I've had the same experience with 3 VW's, after about 75k miles, nearly everything starts to wear or break. My last one was a 2009 Jetta Wolfsburg. Never again.

great video. Thank you for making it.

Thanks for the info.

No European cars with more than 150,000 mile? Without those cars a large amount of KZfaq automotive channels would cease to exist 😁

"But Car Wizard, the Acadia saved me four grand over a Toyota!" And when it requires a five to six grand engine replacement, how is that saving you four grand?

On Subarus also look for frame rot in the rust belt states. Very common on vehicles only 5 yrs old. I know, my daughter had 2 without consulting me before purchase. First one was fixed with replacement parts from southern salvage yard. 2nd car had a front lower control arm fracture and break in a parking lot. Thank God it didnt happen on the road at speed. She sold that one for scrap due to mileage and cost of repairs. We had put about 4k in that car in 2 yrs and I was done. It was one thing after another. Western NY winters are very hard on vehicles.

used 2012 navigator with the 5.4 3 valve triton engine. Had total engine failure in 2019. Dealer replaced camshaft, chains an orther parts total was 3500.00. since then, its been perfect and I make sure and change the oil every 3 months no matter the miles. Clean oil is the way to go!!