Chevy Impala?

Gun guru · Aug 22, 2010

As I mentioned before we went on vacation and I rented a 2010 Chevy Impala for the trip, I put 1400 miles on this car in 5 days. This car was suuuper nice. Loaded, leather, the works.
Anyway, I am thinking about getting a good used one maybe 3 years old for $10k and then sell my Chevy Cobalt and get 6 or 7K for it.
How many guys here have a Chevy Impala and how is the longevity of it? Maintenance too? I would like to know if there are issues with these cars, like steering? or brakes, or Engine/trans problems.
My boss has a 2006 G6, it is a piece of crap, 40,000 miles and the steering is for schitt, 3rd set of brakes, a mess. I would like to know if the Impala could turn into a G6 mess.

BillinCentralMO · Aug 22, 2010

My Mother has one. Driven 160,000 miles with minimal maintenence. I think they are good cars.Hers is 10 or 12 years old.

john d · Aug 22, 2010

Wife had a 2000 Impala. Computer died this summer, and we traded it on a new Lumina. The Impala had over 215,000 miles on it. The car would get over 30mpg on interstate trips, even at 75+mph. It had some power steering trouble while still under warranty. I think they may have cured that problem in subsequent model years. Solid car.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 22, 2010

We have a 2008 Impala got it used in 07, 30,000 mile, gm. replaced steering column brushing they have problems with them, all new brakes pads AND rotors at 43000 600.00, needs wiper blades hear they are 50.00 a peice. wipers come to a stop 4" be low defroster and hood, if the snow melt and freeze you either have to chip them out of the ice or leave the car run for 1/2 hr to defrost them. great gas mileage great power, has a v6 Im a die hard chevy man but don't think I would buy another chevy car or truck.

Rich Iowa · Aug 22, 2010

I have a 2002 Impala that I bought used last fall. Currently have 128,000 miles on it. This is the first car I've ever owned, always been a truck guy. I did lot of research before buying and felt the Impala was the best fullsize car. I heard the engines had issues with intake manifolds and gaskets, guess it's been an quirk of the engine series ever since they came out. Even the v6 seems to have good power, it's roomy inside, gets good milege. Overall I like the car.

ToddLevi · Aug 22, 2010

Drove the last one to 200,000mi. No problems. New one is at 50,000.

John - OH · Aug 22, 2010

My 2002 has 180,000 and still going strong. It"s a great car.

brandonh · Aug 22, 2010

they use impalas for police cars. that should tell you something. My mother had one with the 3800 V6 and it would move! They handle really nice to.

Bob · Aug 22, 2010

You like LEATHER, eh?

WHY, I wonder, hot and sticky in the summer and ccccold in the winter.

But smells nice, I guess?

Anonymous-0 · Aug 23, 2010

Government Motors cars have weak sheet metal and seam to dent just sitting in the garage. Better go with a UAW-Fiat vehicle with a fake Hemi.

1970-1655 · Aug 23, 2010

We had a 2004 and the ignition switch module quit 3 times. Third time, dealer said body computer too. Would cost over $1100. Had 212,000 miles. Traded it for a 2009. Had it for over 1-1/2 years and so far, no problems. Have 4 friends with Impala and all like them. We had a sales rep visit us at work that put on over 300,000 miles and only routine maint.

Our 2004 had the split fold down rear seat that was very handy. 2009, said that is not an option. Something about impact stop with heavy object in the trunk and it could become a projectile. (possible law suit)

My Impala has cloth seats. When my old truck died, the 2005 I replaced it with has leather. It is not used in the fields or around a cow lot. It has heated seats which is good for very cold winter starts, but not the best for hot summer days. Kind of like the old vinyl (plastic) seats. Over the long term,I think you would like the cloth seats better.

dhermesc · Aug 23, 2010

We have three Impalas for company cars. 2 are 2006 and 1 is a 2007. All three a LTs with leather (much better seats) and the 3.9 engine. Even with everyone and their dog driving them like they stole them (it's the company car - who cares?) they average 24-25 mpg with mixed city and highway driving. The 2006s are both over 120K and the 2007 is at 90K. The 2006s have only had brake work done and both have had the oil senders replaced (local shop said the "police" cars had the same issue) and that is it for repairs. The 2007 just had the brakes replaced and we had to replace the rear struts on it - no other the repairs.

The 3.9 gives these cars plenty of get up and go and is a much better engine than the 3.8 ever was. Good luck finding one of these with good mileage for 10K though. Used car prices are way up right now - especially on nice stuff with less than 80K.

Bob - MI · Aug 23, 2010

Had a 2004 bought it from original owner with 45K miles. Put 10k miles on it and got rear ended by a full size Chevy 4wd pickup while stopped in the road for a garbage truck. Hit me doing 50mph+ and totaled the car. Broke the drivers seat but all I ended up with was pulled muscles.

Based on great safety performance I bought a 2006 LT with the 3.9L engine and leather interior last year with 27K miles for $13,900 with tax and plates from a dealer (GM certified to get me a 5yr/100k powertrain warranty). I now have 55K on it and I need brakes but I seem to always need brakes at 50~60K no matter what I am driving. I did replace the battery at about 40K which was covered under warranty. Mechanic said that was common on these.

One annoying thing that the new Impalas will do is develop a clunking in the steering column. Greasing will help but the ultimate fix is replacement. I am told this is a $300.00 fix.

I drive 350 miles/wk to work as well as drive long distance for the company. On the highway I get 28 mpg while averaging 65+ mph. Weekly driving gets 24.5 at 45mph average.

I really love the car and the rear seats that fold down give me the ability to haul ladders (I have a 22' Werner folding unit that is like a Litte Giant that I get in there) and lumber around when needed. Smooth riding, great acceleration, and excellent interior features makes it a winner for me.

Frankly I don't think there is a better buy on a domestic car out there right now.

Chester5731 · Aug 23, 2010

My 2004 just rolled over 140K with nothing more than routine maintanence. Averages 28-30 mpg.

dhermesc · Aug 23, 2010

Frankly I don't think there is a better buy on a domestic car out there right now.

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For the price I would agree. I like the 2008-2009 Taurus a lot too, but even though they changed the body style in 2010 those units are still pretty expensive.

C.R. · Aug 23, 2010

My buddie's sister had one she liked it at first,however the quality was not there it was under engineered ,she had troubles with the brakes with almost no miles on it it also had issues with the suspension,I cant remember exactly what it was but as I recall she said the car was built cheep and she likes her chevys

Ben Donovan · Aug 23, 2010

I bought a 2000 impala last year and have put 35,000 miles on it and have had no major problems, but little things will happen like turn signals not working all the time and the pass lock system is messed up it will lock me out and have to wait ten minutes to reset but all in all its been a great car for being in college nice smooth riding and great gas mileage

M Nut · Aug 23, 2010

I have a 2007, and have done nothing to it. It has 70,000 miles on it now. Rides great and gets good fuel mileage (30+) on my 60 mile round trip to work each day.

Billks · Aug 23, 2010

I have not owned either one but I worked for gm for 9 years. From what I have seen the impala is a much better car. All cars have there own issues and the impala is not trouble free, you either get lucky and find a good one or find a money pit. the 3.5 and 3.9 engines did have some head gasket issues.

dhermesc · Aug 23, 2010

The brakes GM uses are fairly cheap. But the replacement rotors the places like CarQuest and Midas sell are even worse - much worse. We couldn't keep the replacement rotors from warping after just a few miles of driving. Several trips to Midas failed to correct the issues. Finally we took it to Chevy and had OEM brake parts put back on - they last about 40k-50K before needed to be compeltely reqieked again.

Hoss In ME · Aug 23, 2010

I had a retired police cruiser awhile back.2door sedan,396,400 turbo,handling package,1967,loved that car. Hoss

PJH · Aug 23, 2010

We have an '03 and like it. No problems so far. Mileage is about 130,000 miles. It gets 26 MPG.

Previous car was a '93 Buick LeSabre. Bigger engine, bigger car, and it got a consistent 30 MPG, and sometimes 33 MPG. Same driver. The only disappointment in the Chevy.

I like the Chevy, but first choice would be another Buick, if I were trading today.

Paul

rbel · Aug 24, 2010

The only thing being used for cop cars says is they could not get a crown vic. Next year there will be no crown vics so most departments are trying other options. many are going with Pick up trucks

LenND · Aug 24, 2010

Gm is making a police special Impala with big V8, six speed auto trannie, and REAR WHEEL drive. Supposed to be ready for use in 2011. Sold only as law enforcement vehicles.

Chevy Impala?

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