I currently have a '92SE and a '97SE that are getting a little long in the tooth. My wife and are looking at getting two 5th gens to replace them, but i am a little hesitant due to the IAC fry the computer problem that many talk about. How pervasive is the issue? Is it an inevitability for any 5th gen approaching 100K? Does it affect all '00 and '01s? How easy/cheap is the fix nowadays? Is this issue totally nonexistent on the 5.5 gens? I've seen a lot of rellatively cheap '00-'01s available and want to move soon. I've searched the site, but there isn't anything specific addressing this issue and exactly which years, and a definitive fix.

Thanks in advance for the help

 

I love my 01. But keep in mind its used and a lot of sellers aren't honest. The was a lot of stuff I overlooked when buying my 01. But hey what are you gonna do...
Main problem on a 00-01 might be a coilpacks or a maf. But normally once you change them once you'll be all
The 3.5s are great to but if you get one that burns oil its a real bummer... ( Been there )

 

From what I understand, you want to replace the IAC at 80k (then 160k, 240k, etc) before it fails on its own and takes the ECM with it.

 

Ive had my 00 for a while now and im at 235k on the origional motor and trans. All ive done is replace wear and tear items like brakes, ac compressor, alt and battery. Still runs like a champ!

 

my 00 has 219k miles right now...my water pump started leaking just before 200k....i had that replaced and a ton of maintenance related to that area and the cooling and belts replaced at taht time...other than the rear coilpacks, the radiator at about 120k, and if you get manual, the transmission...its not too bad of a vehicle.

 

The 5th gen is the more reliable engine regardless of the IACV. And if addressed, the IACV isn't really an issue. Just replace it, and do a coolant bypass, and you don't need to worry about it.

I would recommend a 5.5 though, the price difference now a days is negligable, and the 5.5 is a much better car all around. Just watch the higher mileage 5.5's, if they were abused, or run short of oil, then the engine may be short lived.