I dunno. Most of the 4T65 failiurs on here are 2000+. As a matter of fact, I haven't personally seen a 97'-99' fail. Just 2000+. I think the first couple years of the 4T65 are great. Mine is original at 124K miles and has taken abuse its whole life. It shifts flawless. Then there is sanomazr2 with his 250K mile 97' SSEi that is original and shifts perfect. I personally am annoyed by the 4T60'* tendancy to pick up 30mph going down even a moderate hill causing me to ride the brakes.

Never, EVER buy a car that has had frame damage for anything over $1000. In fact, just stay away from frame damage cars altogether. Trust me, a car that has been repaired after having frame damage is the absolute worst investment you can possibly make.
No matter how well the repair is made, they cannot be restored to the original performance, reliability, or safety. And if the car has a salvage title, you're screwed, because insurance will never pay a penny for any damage you might get later.

This is good to hear on count of that is what my car has 1999 with 4T65E

Remember my old black 99 SSEi? Two rebuilt trannies before 143k.

Hey, found this one -it'* a 1996 SSEi wit 79,xxx miles.

Its not going to matter FWD tranies will die. Period. Plan on it. Any car you buy the tranny can go out for no reason at any times, some might argue with that but I seriously would not trust any car'* orginal or rebuilt tranny to last 100,000, if it does well good for it, some will some wont, no point in NOT buying certain years because they seem to have more failures. When it fails make sure you get a premium rebuilt trans done by a shop that knows what they are doing and if there are any performance parts available, please install those when you rebuild it.

Keep in mind that 96 had the most powerful motor yet (l67 wise) and from what I understand not much was changed from the 94/95 trannies for the 96 year, and those cars had slightly less horsepower and torque. With electronic transmissions it can be a simple $50 electronic component that can bring death.

My take is to have $5000, spend $3000 on a nice car then have the rest saved and invested for when it breaks.

If you dont believe that 4t65e trannies fail from 97-99, go to CGP.


Please tell your parents no such thing as a "GOOD" or "completely reliable" used car ha ha.

If you ask me, there are lemons of all years and miles and cars that go forever without attention. It is sort of the luck of the draw and what has been done to maintain them. If people on this car club forum only change their oil every 20,000 miles imagine what regular non-mechanical minded do to their cars.

I had a 87 which is considered to be one of the less reliable years last over 220,000 miles with orginal tranny, and motor. It would have lasted more if I had not changed the trans fluid.....some had ones that crapped out at 50,000 or less miles. go figure.


Please remember 93 is considered one of the most reliable and easiest to fix if it breaks. Also 96+ are also easier to diagnose with OBDII

its off the market

FYI a IL member of BC now owns this car......

hey guys im the proud new owner of this 96 SSEI
from this:


to this:

How much did you pay for it?

Yes, I know 93 is the best year for many things, but thats 13 years back. I do want something a bit newer. Theres a thing called rust, rubber going bad, gaskets, ect.

And according to the transmission analysis post in the other forum, I read alot of 4t65'* failing on 97-99.

Boreas -isn't the car I pictured above the 96 SSEi you looked at at Tom Peck Ford? I found the picture I linked from Auto Trader and it'* from Tom Peck Ford.