Potential future owner, looking for advice

[Anolen95]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at buying a 2009-2013 or so after graduating. Looking in the <$15k range, depending on budget I may have to stick closer to 10, which is why the 09 is included.
Most of the cars I would be interested in have about 80-100k, some are 4.6, some r-spec.

Anyway, my question is: What are the biggest issues that are specific to these cars (if any) to look for when looking at relatively high miles? What services should I look for on the carfax, what to listen/feel for on a test drive etc.

I do all of my own work on my vehicles, so I'm confident in all of the basics, but every car has its quirks and I don't want to be stuck with an expensive repair that could have been avoided all together.

Thanks!

 

[homeofstone]

IMO the 2011 4.6 v8 with the zf transmission or a 2013. the 2012 v8 was first year for the 5.0 so some had oil burning problems and some had transmission problems since it was the first year for the new 8 speed transmission also. Whatever model you get only use OEM oil filters.

 

[beachbaker]

If you like the looks of the last make over of Gen1 also consider the 2012 4.6 as most have not had issues with the transmission and are not GDI engines.