Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I'm seeing more and more Impala police cars on the road in southern Ontario. On Hwy 401 between London and Windsor the plain white Impala seems to be the radar car of choice for the Ontario Provincial Police.
If you want to get more detailed information, just go to:
www.gmpowertrain.com
In there, you'll find very detailed information about each engine and transmission units currently produced by General Motors.
Have fun ;-)
Please see the maintance and repairs folder of the Impala Owner's Club link for a long-ish post I'll place there from our local car/guy columnist for the paper. And please people. Get your coolant/antifreeze levels checked at least once a year no matter what your owner's manual says...
Cookie.
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/38l36_main.htm
3400 V6:
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/34_main.htm
Am still thinking about buying a 2001 Impala. I need the capability to seat six on rare occasions, so I need the split bench. Was told that the LS comes only with Buckets. With that in mind, I priced a base on MS Carpoint, with the options that the LS has (3.8, traction, all the electronic boogy, etc., and it came out to $500 less than the LS. I am guessing the difference was the rear 'spoiler' and the wheels. Any ideas?
Also, I was considering getting the 3.4, but all the talk of aluminum heads has me spooked. In reality, I prefer a cushier ride, and was wondering if the suspension difference with the 3.8, makes the ride a lot harsher, or just slightly. I know I am nitpicking here, but thought I'd ask. The rental I had last year was a base (I am pretty sure), and I liked the ride. How much more 'harsh' will the ride be with the 3.8?
Thanks
Frank
The issue is keeping the coolant clean and fresh. If coolant is allowed to get dirty or old, then scale can begin to build up on the walls of the cooling passages, and heat transfer will be reduced. This will cause overheating of the head and block. At higher temperatures the differences between Iron and Aluminum are more apparent. At a certain point the aluminum will crack or warp.
Keeping the coolant full, clean, and fresh will eliminate worry about this problem. Simply having the system flushed and the fluid changed at recommended intervals is usually all it takes.
I like the 3.8 because it's tried and true. The iron head/block combo means I could possibly abuse it by not changing the coolant. Why would I do that though?
I think the head and block materials are not a reason to choose one engine over another.
I've appreciated everyone's help on this issue.
Nick
Then again, I was probably just looking for anything to justify the bigger engine.
LS MSRP = $23,345 , Base MSRP = $19,269, Delta = $4,076
Exterior:
Foglamps (N/A on the base model)
Heated outside RV mirrors (N/A)
Rear deck spoiler (N/A, but deletable on the LS for $175 credit)
Keyless Entry (1SB)
Interior:
Driver's side impact bag (AM6)
Dual zone A/C ($100 or 1SC)
Air filtration system (N/A)
Overhead console (1SB)
Cruise control ($240 or 1SB)
Dual rear cup holders (AM6)
Leather-wrapped steering wheel (1SC)
6-way power driver seat (AM6)
AM/FM Cassette RDS ($282 or 1SB)
1-year OnStar Service (1SC)
Power Train/Chassis:
3800 V6 Engine (L36)
ABS Brakes ($600 of L36)
Electronic Traction Control (L36)
Sport Touring Suspension (L36)
P255/60R-16N Touring Tires ($45)
Sport aluminum wheels (N/A)
Option Group Packages:
AM6 = $765 60/40 Split Bench Includes 6-Way Driver Power, Driver's Side Impact Air Bags, Split Rear Folding Seat with Storage in Armrest.
L36 = $986 Includes 3.8L V6 200 hp Engine, ABS Brakes, Traction Control, Touring Suspension. Requires Custom Aluminum Wheels ($300) and Touring Tires ($45).
1SB = $872 Includes Assist Handles, Cargo Net, Overhead Console, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Radio Upgrade (Cassette)
1SC = $1903 Includes 1SB, plus Auto Day/Night Inside RV Mirror, OnStar, Leather wrapped Steering Wheel w/Radio Controls, Dual Zone A/C, 16" Aluminum Wheels
If you added every available option that is std on the LS to a base Impala, it would cost you $3999 (AM6 + L36 + 1SC + $345 for wheels/tires). If you delete the spoiler from the LS for comparison purposes, your built-up base Impala will cost $98 more than the LS, and will lack the following: Fog Lamps, Heated outside RV mirrors, Air filtration system, and Sport aluminum wheels, plus some LS-specific badging ("Impala" on the front doors, "LS" on the rear, etc).
CarsDirect lists the Olds (including $2000 rebate) for $19,8--.
Chevy base for $17,9--. You'd have to spend an $2000 extra for 3.8 engine because I think you have to purchase extra option package as well.
Impala LS - $21,8--.
The prices at CarsDirect run high. It could be, too, that the dealers are offering cheaper prices in Louisiana because our economy isn't as good.
I'm leaning towards 3.4 Impala.
* Premature failure of the Alternator (Flickering lights) on Intrigue's with the 3.5L DOHC V6 engine
* Oil leaks from the same motor
* Front end rattles that have no fix
* Excessive Oil consumption
* Poor build quality
* Terrible depreciation
* A brand that no longer exists
* Both the Intrigue and the current 3.5L DOHC V6 engine will be canceled after the pahse out of Oldsmobile.
* Very poor crash test scores (3 Stars front, 2 stars side) that further confirm the poor quality and structural rigidity of the Intrigue.
* Wonder why Oldsmobile was shutdown after all?
The Impala is a much more solid purchase.
On Sunday April 22 in the early afternoon off exit 35 of Rt 80 (details still pending), we hope to have a great time of viewing each other's cars and just meeting each other. The more the merrier so if you are interested come on over to the Bonneville 2 forum and let us know or else email me (see profile).
Hope to see some gorgeous Impalas in NJ.
Best wishes to all from this Impalaphile.
Ken
The Taurus SE and SEL I believe come equipped with the more acceptable (But still nowhere near as good as the 3800 V6) 3.0L Duratec DOHC V6 engine that churns out 200HP. The Duratec is mediocre when measured against other DOHC V6 engines in the marketplace. Reliability wise seems OK but I don't know if the heads are Aluminum or Cast Iron....
Iusecad..care to give us your FORD input?
Thanks for your thoughtful answer. You put a lot of work into it, and it is appreciated.
Let me ask you, or anyone else reading. How much difference is there in the 3.8 suspension vs. the base suspension? As I mentioned previously, I liked the ride of the rental I had, but I like crisp handling too. Don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but I won't get a 3.8 if I hear feedback that the suspension that you must get with it, rides a lot more harshly. Any thoughts?
Has anyone gotten an LS with the 60/40 seat? I understand it is not possible, but read a review that said it was. Just thought I'd check.
Thanks
Frank
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/35_main.htm
To Stnel on the 1963 Corvette. It was definitely iron heads on iron block. The head gaskets most likely would have been copper. The first aluminum heads appeared on the Corvette in 1967 (RPO L89) and only 16 were made. They were offered on the 427cid, L71 435hp engine. I cannot recall how many L89s are left but I believe you can count the "real" ones on one hand. The number of imitations is over 100. Price now for the real thing is over $500,000. Just a little trivia.
http://students.umeciv.maine.edu/Clyons/L89.htm
On the the Intrique or any Olds the 5 year warranty is nothing more than the Basic 3 year 36,000 Mile Bumper to Bumper Warranty with 2 years of the Optional Warranty for 2 more years, the last 2 years only covers major Components that are listed and it is NOT Bumper to Bumper after the 3 years or 36K miles are up, But you get it for free and not $1000.00 or whatever it costs. I know because we looked at an Alero this afternoon, and a Tracker and a SS Monte Carlo and a few Base Impala's, We may replace the Z24 Cavalier soon... I really Liked the White SS Monte Carlo, it had CLOTH Seats and the Sunroof, I wanted to TRADE my Impala for it right then, Then I came to my senses, I know how you prospective buyers feel! What a RUSH! I have to stay away from car dealers or I will get the BUG!! Although a Monte SS And a LS Impala would look great in the driveway, not that the Impala LS and the Red Cavalier 1999 Z24 do not, It is just too small of a car! That is why it is over 2 years old and just turned 15k, My Impala is 16 mos old and just turned 16K.... Don
3.0 Vulcan (the Cow ): I believe it's an iron block with aluminum heads. oh and its a whopping 155 hp.
3.0 Duratec is aluminum from head to toe...
The trim pieces were designed and installed by a genius. I needed a single socket to take off the upper seat belt clip and the rest of the pieces snapped out and back in like a dream.
I stuffed a piece of folded cardboard between the mechanism casing and the pillar steel to dampen the vibration. A seemingly cobbled solution, but cheap and effective.
At 7200 miles that's the only problem so far. I love this car!
I don't think the LS suspension is harsh at all. Firmer, maybe. I like it, but I would rather have the stiffer springs/struts from the police package, or the whole police package on my LS for that matter, for increased durability and handling in turns.
As far as the 60/40 seats, I don't think it is not possible. They don't makt it that way, but with a special order from the right dealer, with the right circumstances, maybe. Besides, the police package isn't stock and generally not available to the public, especially with the LS trim, but there's at least one here in Honolulu, and the "motorized, senior police officers that drive subsidized private vehicles may use the Impala among others, in stock form or any police packages available for that specific vehicle, with all the bells and whistles, too, if they want. Except for the sunroof. I'm not sure if they allow that. (They use a removable roof mounted metal strap for the single blue strobe light). So, it may be possible to get an LS special ordered with the 60/40.
Also, we have the new car show in town at the convention center this week, going to check out the new cars. Would be nice to add a new Chevy Trailblazer SLT to keep my LS company.
JACOB
Thanks for the response.
Yea, I am amazed that these sales people don't know if the 60/40 can be ordered or not. The two local Chevy dealers hemmed and hawed when I asked, and then looked in the glossy brochure they hand to customers, to find out the answer. Duh! I can do that. I sent an E-Mail to Chevrolet, and they said the bench seat' cannot be ordered on the LS, but my question was stated incorrectly (bench seat'). Maybe if I asked about 60/40 seat, I would have gotten a different answer. I don't get it. Aren't the base and LS manufactured on the same line? If so, what is the big deal to put in the 60/40 seat in an LS.
Not sure what you meant by a 'special' order. What, is it up to the dealer? What would they base the decision to put in a special order on?
Thanks
Frank
Everyone concerned with this buy back including the local Chevrolet dealer, The Better Business Bureau, and two guys from GM, located in Fla., were very efficient. Each time that I called any of the persons concerned, I would give them my name and they knew exactly who I was. Never any fumbling around to determine who I was and what I wanted.
I have abandoned the Impala line and have purchased a 2001 Buick Regal LS. I will pick the new car up sometime next week. Some people call this car an AARP vehicle. This may be true, I guess, but it should serve me well.
I would like to thank everyone on this message board for your concern and help in assisting me with this problem.
Ron
Sometime in the next week or two, the name of this discussion will be changed dropping the "XI" designation.
Now that we have moved to our new platform, we no longer have a requirement to stop and restart discussions after a certain number of posts have occurred. Therefore, this discussion can be regarded as the permanent home for Impala conversation. The "part number" designations on all of our discussions will probably eventually confuse new members, so we will be gradually dropping them from the titles.
We'll also be altering original discussions in the Archives to differentiate between the first and the current.
I just wanted to give you a heads up - and by the way, if you are subscribed to this discussion, a name change will not affect your subscription.
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/
What I have done to avoid this is mark each of the 4 tires with a white crayon ie: "TO LF".
Then I check what went where.
This gives the guys a clue how I want it done. Approached with the right attitude, they haven't seemed to mind.
AARP is an organization that deals with older persons. They sell auto insurance and many different things at a reduced rate. When someone calls a car an AARP car, they really mean that the car is for old people.
GM could have replaced the engine, but the engine was not the problem. It was some component other than the engine, so replacing only the engine would mean that the problem would remain.
Ron