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Potential Purchase of 06 AWD SS - Your Opinions Wanted! (Fairly Long Post)

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Potential Purchase of 06 AWD SS - Your Opinions Wanted (Fairly Long Post)

Hi Everyone,

I'm a long time LS guy, if you will, (owned a couple of C5Zs and a 4th Gen Camaro SS) and a member of LS1Tech and CorvetteForum, but brand new here - This is actually my first post. That being said, I'm strongly considering the purchase of a black 2006 AWD TBSS 3SS (I believe it's a 3SS, at least - Has every option including rear flip down DVD) with 35k miles for only $19k. It also has a Magnaflow exhaust and K&N intake. The interior and exterior are in great shape with the only flaws I could find being 2 very small door dings. Although I consider myself quite well versed in assessing the condition of used vehicles, I want to make absolutely sure I'm covering all of my bases, so I'd like some feedback from you all on a few items I noticed.

After driving it, I only noticed a few seemingly minor "issues" which were as follows:
1. When I attempted to turn the rear windshield wiper on, it would start to swipe about 6 inches, then stop and return back down to its resting position. It would not do a full swipe. Is this a common known issue with these rigs, or just potentially an isolated problem with this particular car?

2. When driving on the freeway along side a tall retaining wall, I heard a consistent squeeking sound reminiscent of the sound I heard when the pads on my C5Z needed replacement. However, when I attempted to depress the brakes to make the sound go away, as it should if it were the brakes, it didn't change. Is this something anyone else has experienced with their TBSS? Not sure what else it could be other than brake pads.

3. From a stop light, I stomped on it and ran it to redline in 1st gear :D - Good stuff for an SUV! However, a belt was squeeling like a banshee..! To me, it just sounded like it might need a new fan belt or something of that nature. So, I'm just curious if this sounds like a "normal" issue to the more seasoned TBSS people, or if there's something else I should potentially be concerned about.

Aside from the above 3 items, I'd also like to know if there are any other things I should really look out for on this rig. I've read there are some issues with the transmissions, as well as the rear ends. However, are there any specific signs I should look out for?

All in all, it seems to be an outstanding deal. It was previously owned and meticulously maintained by an older gentleman who was an absolute enthusiast, according to his wife - It's only being sold, by his wife, because he unfortunately fell ill and passed away in July, God rest his soul. So, although she knows very little about the truck itself, I'm confident it wasn't beat on.

In any case, any insight or opinions any of you can lend on this potential purchase would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, in advance, and I look forward to chatting with you all :cheers1:

Danny G.
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buy my tbss. going to ask 20k in a couple weeks when i put it up for sale its got 46k miles i dont got any of those problems
buy my tbss. going to ask 20k in a couple weeks when i put it up for sale its got 46k miles i dont got any of those problems
Appreciate the offer, but I'm really just looking for feedback on the one I mentioned in my initial post.
the rear wiper i dont think thats a typical issues, atleast ive never read anything on here about that.
and as for the other things to look for just make sure the trans shifts properly and see if the car has been well maintained. otherwise u should be good.
Good luck tho!
Check the oil level!!!! If it's low on oil stay the eff away from it. The TBSS has an oil starvation issue do to the location of the pickup in the pan. If it's low on oil or has metal on the stick walk away....
Well to begin with, unless there are some major issues with this vehilce, it is a really good buy with low mileage at $19k. Sounds like it needs some maintenance with brakes, belts, etc. but that wouldn't cost very much. I would take it to your local mechanic and let them see what they think. There are also some good buys on this site and coming up as Drew mentioned. Good luck.
Check the oil level!!!! If it's low on oil stay the eff away from it. The TBSS has an oil starvation issue do to the location of the pickup in the pan. If it's low on oil or has metal on the stick walk away....
Very good info! Had no idea that was an issue - Thank you.
Well to begin with, unless there are some major issues with this vehilce, it is a really good buy with low mileage at $19k. Sounds like it needs some maintenance with brakes, belts, etc. but that wouldn't cost very much. I would take it to your local mechanic and let them see what they think. There are also some good buys on this site and coming up as Drew mentioned. Good luck.
I felt like it was a pretty smokin' deal, as well. I'm going to see it again on Monday and check the oil. If that checks out, I may just jump on it.
i know we have trans issues but i was unaware about our rear ends...
Buy an 07 wiper for 60 bucks... i know my 06 wiper got held up on the plate.
New belt... and possibly that squeek was wheel bearings?

Still not a bad deal overall
Went and checked it out again today and the brakes are actually fine. What I was hearing now sounds more like a belt as the sound increases and decreases with the rpms. Checked the oil out and the level was good. Little dirty and ready for a change, but no metal shavings.

Other thing I found today, however, was that the cd player didn't want to work. Put a cd in and it read "cd error" on the screen. Anybody familiar with this issue and how to fix it?
Snapped this picture of it with my phone when I was leaving. Does anyone else think the Magnaflow exhaust fits oddly? I feel like it should be flush with the bumper in lieu of sticking out like it does...

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Yeah that tip stick out way too far. As far as CD player, mine did that too(Bose) and wouldn't eject the other discs. One day I got in the truck and it started making noise so I hit eject and it started spitting out the CDs. No problem, since- but I mainly listen to XM.
Yeah that tip stick out way too far. As far as CD player, mine did that too(Bose) and wouldn't eject the other discs. One day I got in the truck and it started making noise so I hit eject and it started spitting out the CDs. No problem, since- but I mainly listen to XM.
What do you think is causing the tip to stick out like that?
Did they remove the resonator too? Possible made the pipe too long. If it s a full cat back, I have no clue.
Mine sticks out a little too, its not flush with the bumper.
I would try to go a.little lower on that price.
I would try to go a.little lower on that price.
Really? Why? Aside from the fact that it would cost me less money... It's a good
$3-4k cheaper than anything comparable around here.
Did they remove the resonator too? Possible made the pipe too long. If it s a full cat back, I have no clue.
It is a full cat back. Maybe it is the resonator... Do you have a picture of your Magnaflow on your truck?
Did you buy this yet?
Not yet but probably going to pick it up on Monday.
Mine is not a full cat back, only a muffler and res delete with stock tip. Mine sticks out some, but nothing crazy.
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