Veteran mechanic reveals 4 used cars not to buy ‘under any circumstances’ – you could end up paying $7k in repairs
AN EXPERT mechanic is sharing his advice on which used cars drivers should never consider buying.
For the average person without in-depth auto knowledge, purchasing a used car can be fraught with stress and difficulty knowing what’s a good deal — and what’s a scam.
Instagram / Car WizardDavid Long, known as the Car Wizard on YouTube, told viewers there are four cars they should never buy used[/caption]
GettyThe Ford F-150 made the list due to transmission issues it can suffer after years on the road[/caption]
GettyOlder European cars, like the 2005 Jaguar S Type Sport Diesel pictured here, should be avoided too[/caption]
Instagram / Car WizardLong said that buying any of these four used cars was never a good deal[/caption]
David Long, also known as the Car Wizard, shared his top picks for the four cars to avoid when going used in a YouTube post.
The veteran mechanic regularly posts clips with advice on everything auto to his over one million channel subscribers.
“I don’t care what kind of deal you’re getting,” he told viewers before getting into the list. “Do not buy under any circumstance, no matter what kind of good price or deal you’re getting.”
Here are the top four cars the Car Wizard suggests drivers steer clear of when buying a used car.
1. FORD F150 OR EXPEDITION F250
Long emphasized that the top concern on the list was the Ford F150 from 2004 to 2010.
He elaborated that vehicles like the Expedition, F250, and others from Ford’s lineup during these years, equipped with the Ford 5.4 Triton V8 engine (specifically the three-valve version), are problematic.
The issue lies not so much with the vehicles themselves but with the consequences they have on owners, which he said frustrates him because these cars commonly suffer from cam-phaser and timing-chain problems.
Moreover, many owners neglect regular oil changes, resulting in severe engine sludge buildup.
In his experience, every vehicle of this type that he has serviced internally exhibits significant sludge buildup in the oil passages, making thorough cleaning nearly impossible.
The problems pile up with every mile, Long said.
He noted that fixing the cam-phaser issues often requires a complete engine replacement, which can cost between six to seven thousand dollars.
According to his professional opinion, by the time these vehicles appear in advertisements or auctions, it is highly likely that they will require an expensive engine replacement.
2. EUROPEAN CARS WITH HIGH MILEAGE
While seemingly a broad category, you probably won’t come across many of these cars in your used auto hunt — but if you do, beware.
Long began by addressing another group of vehicles that are not specific to any brand or make – namely, any European car with over 150,000 miles.
He emphasized that whether it’s a Mini Cooper, Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover, or Jaguar, all of these cars tend to strain people’s finances significantly once they reach this mileage threshold.
Long ominously stated that once these cars accumulate such high mileage, they become perpetual money pits, requiring constant repairs that never seem to end.
He continued, noting that owners can expect to spend between one to three thousand dollars on repairs every three to six months, highlighting the abundance of these high-mileage cars available for sale.
The cars may appear like a good deal, but they definitely are not, Long said, despite being incredibly affordable now.
They may have originally sold for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, but today they’re priced as low as five thousand dollars.
Some might think that’s a great deal, but it’s not.
The reason they’re so inexpensive is because affluent people who originally bought these cars new understand their true value.
The four used cars you should always avoid
Driver should always avoid buying these four types of used cars, according to the Car Wizard:
2004 to 2010 Ford F150 or Expedition F250
Any European car with more than 150,000 miles on it
Any General Motors vehicle with a 3.1 or 3.4 V6 engine
Any early 2000s Subaru
3. GENERAL MOTORS CARS WITH 3.1 OR 3.4 V6
Long said that drivers should not consider investing in any vehicle with a 3.1 or 3.4 liter V6 engine made by General Motors.
The mechanic, speaking from experience, mentioned that he has repaired many of these vehicles, which typically suffer from head gasket or intake manifold issues that lead to coolant leaking into the oil, ultimately damaging the engine.
However, if these issues are detected early or if the vehicles are well-maintained, the engine itself isn’t necessarily bad. The critical factor here is meticulous maintenance.
He noted that the 3.1 and 3.4 engines are among the most neglected engines he has encountered.
They are often purchased by individuals seeking inexpensive vehicles and who show little interest in maintenance. These owners tend to drive these cars until they are completely worn out.
Long emphasized how easy it is for these vehicles to become financially unviable due to intake gasket leaks.
If the engine is damaged beyond repair, even installing a salvaged engine from a junkyard, which costs less than a new engine, can still exceed the initial cost of the car when factoring in labor costs.
4. SUBARU SUVS FROM THE 2000S
The last cars Long recommended drivers avoid are “any of the early 2000s Subarus.”
“We all know they have head gasket issues. We all know the blow head gaskets is kind of a running joke,” he said.
Do not buy under any circumstance no, matter what kind of good price or deal you’re getting.
David LongCar Wizard on Youtube
“The cars themselves are actually decent cars – they’re really a decent engine if you take care of the head gasket issue,” Long said.
However, repairing it can be costly, ranging from two to four thousand dollars. It’s a labor-intensive job that requires removing the engine, making it very expensive, Long said.
He advised against purchasing an early 2000 Subarus unless there is clear documentation from a reputable shop confirming that the head gasket issue has been resolved.
‘IT’S AMAZING’
Long’s expert video with advice on buying used cars has already been viewed more than 2.3 million times and received thousands of comments.
“It’s amazing how many problems can be avoided by simply changing your oil regularly,” one person commented on the video.
Someone else wrote, “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.”
“Had a 2002 Subaru Outback from new and it gave me trouble-free 10 years,” wrote someone else in the comments. “Started having to spend some money in last 3 of those years but solid otherwise. Loved it. Ex wife bought a 2013 and has had nothing but trouble. Same for a few other people all of them had quirky electrical issues too.”
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