Is the water pump good on it?
Drew said:
Is the water pump good on it?
Yeah, probably needs a new water pump. Common issue.
Congrats! Enjoy the ride, man.
Avery said:
Congrats! Enjoy the ride, man.
Thanks! I was torn between an older Dodge Challenger SXT or a Mercedes 450GL, both around $5k-$7k, but when I checked out this one, I was sold! It’s got space, a nice look, and can handle some speed if needed.
@Bly
Good choice! Those other cars would have been a pain for a new driver.
Dru said:
@Bly
Good choice! Those other cars would have been a pain for a new driver.
Right? Reliability was huge for me. The 450GL (2008) seemed okay, but I know someone with one, and it’s had tons of issues. And the Challenger was tempting, but models around 2012-2013 are known for alternator issues, which I can’t risk with all the driving I do now.
@Bly
Make sure to change the water pump! Biggest headache on these cars, and it’s a big job.
Rin said:
@Bly
Make sure to change the water pump! Biggest headache on these cars, and it’s a big job.
Thanks for the heads-up! I just got it with 137k miles. Any idea how much it costs to replace?
@Bly
It’s pricey! We paid $1200 back in 2019, but that was from a backyard mechanic. Expect around $2k or even $3k now if you go to a shop.
Rin said:
@Bly
It’s pricey! We paid $1200 back in 2019, but that was from a backyard mechanic. Expect around $2k or even $3k now if you go to a shop.
Wow… I can’t afford that right now 
. I’ll start saving, though! I’ll also try to figure out around what mileage they typically fail. What mileage were you at when yours went?
@Bly
Ours failed around 110k. Changing the coolant regularly can help extend its life. With 137k, yours might have already been replaced. Check by looking under the car for any coolant residue near the AC compressor, which is usually up front and on the passenger side. If you see coolant under the engine after it’s parked, that’s a sign.
@Rin
Which engine has these water pump issues?
Quince said:
@Rin
Which engine has these water pump issues?
It’s usually the V6 engines in these models. They tend to wear out over time, especially if the car wasn’t well maintained.
@Bly
Reliability really matters with older Mercs. I had a Mercedes once, and at around 108k miles, it just started falling apart, costing me $3k for every repair. And with used Dodges, you never know if they were driven hard. To get a rough sense of the engine’s wear, divide the idle hours by 2 and add that to the mileage.
Whatever you do, don’t add anything to make it look like a cop car! I have the same model in black, and sometimes I get dirty looks from police… or just a wave. It’s unpredictable haha.
Rowan said:
Whatever you do, don’t add anything to make it look like a cop car! I have the same model in black, and sometimes I get dirty looks from police… or just a wave. It’s unpredictable haha.
Yeah, if someone reports you as a fake cop, you’ll get questioned a lot.
@Vaughn
Just keep your cool and know your rights. Nothing illegal about having a vehicle that’s labeled ‘police interceptor,’ that’s just the manufacturer’s model name. Always cracks me up hearing people assume it’s an actual cop car on YouTube.
@Rowan
It’s technically an investigation, not harassment. They can pull you over all the time, though—on your way to work, coming back from a date… it’s a hassle.