Chevy Impala owners?

[Ches]

Fishman,
At the recommendation of a friend who is in charge of a county school system transportation dept. (buys vehicles for administrators and driver's ed) I looked at the 2002 Impala with the 3800 engine. We ended up buying it new and she now has 33,000 miles on it. As an adult, I have never owned a GM car. This Impala has really impressed me. Have not had any trouble with it. Rides so smooth and has more than enough pickup. It is very spacious. I just bought a new Wrangler (in May) for myself. Had I not wanted something for playing (taking the top off and having 4X4) I definitely would have bought a new Impala for myself. There is one problem we have. Seems like every jerk who parks next to her car likes to leave a reminder of their presence, like putting many dings in the side of her car. Hope this helps.

 

[fishman]

Many thanks to all who have replied so far. The extent of knowledge here and the willingness to take the time and share it never ceases to amaze me.

The wife and I went and test drove two Impalas, one a base with the 3.4, and an LS with the 3.8. We also test drove a Venture minivan.

On a side note, we're kind of "stuck" with a GM product, because of the large rebate we have on our GM mastercard. It's both a blessing and a curse.

Anyway, we were both impressed with the Impala, particularly my wife. The 3.4 had good power, although noticeably less than the 3.8. There was also more road noise with the 3.4, primarilly at slow speed and highway speed, not so much in between. The 3.8 had more than enough power, and both packages were very smooth. As a larger fellow, I liked the bench seat in the base model a little better, but did not find the center console in the LS to be a hindrance. My overall impression was that the car offers quite a bit for the money, and is extremely comfortable. The trunk is absolutely huge! With a mileage rating of 21/32 with the 3.4 and 20/29 for the 3.8, it is quite economical in the gas department.

The minivan looked nice and had a bunch of nifty features, including a dvd player, etc. However, the ride was much less refined than with the car, and the whole vehicle tended to lurch about whenever a bump was encountered. As a previous owner of a 1992 Chrysler minivan, this behavior was familiar, but disappointing nonetheless. I mean, eleven years have passed since that vehicle was built, and the ride quality hasn't changed. Anyway, the second row seats were extremely uncomfortable (I know, the kids will ride there, but. . . ). Perhaps second row captains chairs would be better. Last, but certainly not least, my wife didn't like anything about it. Me, being more practical, can certainly see the utility of such a vehicle, but try telling her that . . ./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

One other vehicle we're going to look at, I think, is the Trailblazer. Problem is, payments for that vehicle are $65 more than the Impala LS, and $155 more than a base Impala. That's a lot of money.

Please, don't stop with the info if you have any more.

 

[MossRoad]

Well, I know this is dredging up an old post, but we bought a 2000 Impala LS a little over a year ago and last week we took it on its first major road trip. We put in about 2500 miles in 8 days. Northern Indiana south to the Smokies, across North Carolina to the ocean, up to Virginia, across Skyline Drive, then west through mountains back to Ohio and home again.

I've got to say that this car is a fine automobile. The car did very well on gas. We used just shy of 100 gallons and that includes traffic jams, torrential rains, construction zones, very hard mountain driving and a marathon drive across N.C. in 100 degree heat with the air on every day. What impressed me most was the ease of driving up the mountains between Maryland and Ohio. It held 70 MPH in 3rd with the cruise control and sailed past everyone without varying 1/2 MPH ever with power to spare. Just plain amazing.

Plenty of room for me, my wife and our two kids in the back seat and all their toys, books and snacks. The trunk is absolutely huge. We had three suitcases, two shoulder bags, several blankets, two pillows, four 6' beach umbrellas, two boogie boards, and all sorts of other assorted souveniers in there and could have fit in another suitcase.

I'd recommend this car to anyone looking for a large 4-door sedan. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dargo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It held 70 MPH in 3rd with the cruise control and sailed past everyone without varying 1/2 MPH ever with power to spare. Just plain amazing. )</font>

Yup, mine too. I just love mine! You seem to get better fuel economy though... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Egon]

The man from Downunder has surfaced again. How's life been treating you.?

Back to topic: We replaced a 92 Pontiac Grand Am with a 2003 Grand Am GT. Liked both cars.

The 3.4 seems like a good solid engine that doesn't require new timming belts at regular intervals. Reasonable gas milage and a five speed transmission. Turns over at about 1600 RPM at 60 miles an hour.

Replaced the brake pads with upgraded version well before they were needed. [ GM is not noted for its pads ]

Can't speak for the Impala but suspect the mechanicals will be very similar to the Grand Am.

Dealers we have delt with are all very good.

Malibo may be a similar car to the impala for size but may not handle as well. Grand Am GT handles very well.

There is myriad of choices out there. It can get confusing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Not any real help except the 3.4 engine which I really like despite the fact it still has pushrods which I do like.

Egon

 

[chim]

RobertN, you brought back some memories. My Dad had a 63 Impala SS 327 4-speed that ran like the proverbial assaulted ape. I borrowed it one summer evening in 1965 and was cruising along a 3 lane road between home and a neighboring town. Two cars that were racing each other came flying up behind me and passed. Not to be outdone, I grabbed third gear and mashed the throttle to join the fun. In a short, I went to the third (oncoming, but empty) lane and passed both of them as they were running neck and neck.

Loved those Chevys when I was a kid. Had a 64 Chevelle 283/4 speed, then a 67 Camaro SS/RS 350, 4 speed with a 375 horse FI cam, Jahns pistons, etc. THAT was an impressive car (and it was especially impressive when the flywheel let loose at 7 grand one night). Ah, those were the days.....................chim

 

[MossRoad]

Yea, how does that saying go??? Oh yeah:

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

500+ will do that while 3.8 is a little more civil. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Egon]

Were you missing the cage used for just such an occurence or if a clutch blew? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

265 -283 -327 - some of the best engines ever made.

Egon

 

[Av8r3400]

Everyone hates the thought, but for the size and space requirements you discribe, a van would be the vehicle for your family. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The GM vans (same chassis differant plastic) use the 3.4 motor and a very similar driveline to the Impala, so performance and ride will be comparable. Interior room will be where the van shines. Look for high twenties for fuel economy.

 

[coveredbridge]

I bought a new Monte Carlo about a year ago. I understand that the MC is basically a 2-door Impala. I have about 5k mi on it now and I have been very happy with it. I use it mainly as a non-winter daily commuter car but have no problems taking the missus and the three little ducks age 11, 10, 7 to the mall, park, whatever. It is an LS 3.4L V-6. I get about 24 mpg. I agree the 3.4L does "growl" a little under acceleration - my wife likes it (her first car was a '71 MC).

I've noticed the road noise seems to vary quite a bit depending on the road surface - on really smooth pavement or concrete it seems much better. I suspect it may have a lot to do with the Goodyear eagles. I am very impressed with the smoothness of the transmission, I never notice it shifting.

With the incentive and the GM card rebate, they're almost daring you to buy one.

A fellow I work with also has a newer Impala (his wife's car). He is a larger fellow (like me) and he says he'd rather drive the Impala than his Chrysler Concorde.