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Do you know if there are still public tours offered of the Impala assembly plant? I would love to visit sometime to see exactly what went into building my car. It never ceases to amaze me how something with so many complex parts and systems gets put together so well.
B
Engines, doors, fenders, etc, would get from other plants or suppliers in the same order as the cars in the assembly line, right out of the unloading bay. It's just awesome how such a complex process was so well tuned.
Did you receive my email?
It's unfortunate that you can't get the car "optioned" as you like any more. I would like a dark silver metallic SS with ebony leather and brushed-metallic interior applique'. But dark silver metallic and the brushed-metallic applique aren't available on SS model. Would it be so hard to offer all 3 interior trim options on the SS? As it is, I guess I would have to purchase the trim parts after the fact and swap them out myself.
Perhaps they will offer a few new colors for 2007.
Question for current owners: where are the HomeLink Universal Remote buttons located? On the rear-view mirror?
The Universal remote is located between the windshield and the sunroof, in the sunroof control swithch area. It has 3 buttons for 3 separate door/gate controls. It's a nice convenience.
I agree that the outside mirrors are too small and it's too bad the the self-dimming mirrors aren't offered in all models. I feel that it's a safety feature that should be made available to all. The climate control is another great feature. I love it on my Buick Regal. If they truly want to compete with Honda at this price level, these items should be standard equipment!
I agree that the outside mirrors are somewhat too small. I think there could be more improvement on the wind noise. Thank goodness I have the Bose sound system to drown out some of that wind while cruising the highway.
Larger side mirrors
Better brakes
More rear head room and foot room
7 airbags like 07 Camry
Lock cylinder in trunk
New and lighter colors
Anyone want to add?
Same comments on the side mirrors -- while it's nice to have reduced wind noise, I'd like a little more visibility without sacrificing too much in noise reduction. I was and continue to be *VERY* disappointed that the auto-dimming and heated mirror package was not offered on the 3LT!!!!!!!! The 3LT is fairly upscale (just a hair under the LTZ, IMHO), so it should have been offered as a standalone package. Being in the Midwest in winter, I would have paid extra for it (but not so much as upgrading fully to an LTZ, that wasn't worth it to me just to get the upscale mirrors).
After test driving the LaCrosse, I was surprised to see that the Impala, the flagship Chevy sedan, did not offer climate control as an option (which should have been standard for 3LT and up). It's an annoyance and distraction to have to keep adjusting the temp knobs to regulate it manually. Chevy, think of it as another safety feature -- one less distraction. Set it and forget it! Kudos on the dual climate controls, though -- my spouse and I absolutely love that!
Lastly, I wouldn't mind a bit more oomph in the gearing ratios. The 3.9L packs a very impressive 240 HP, but the base Grand Prix produces a lot more enjoyment with its lesser 3.8L due to the faster response and oomph factor. Of course, I suspect the Impala provides a little more surefootedness in wet weather as a result (less explosive and more refined acceleration, perhaps less drive wheel spin even with TC that can't compensate fully?).
Anyway, just my two bucks worth. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied, but those are the "niggles" in my book that keep me from being completely satisfied, and feeling a little gypped in those features.
Edmunds reports today Feb 15 that GM designers and engineers are planning for the next generation Impala for 2010. Inside Line/Edmunds states that the Impala will be RWD with the 3.9 engine being the base engine and the 5.3 V8 available in all models. There would probably be a 6.0 litre V8 avaialble for the SS (just my opinion on that) Also stated that the next Impala will be inspired by the 1965-67 Impala. Chevrolet sold more Impalas in 1965 then any other year. Just over a million including SS models. So between now and 2009 few changes will probably be made to the current platform other then safety issues and a few minor goodies to keep this model fresh.
Chevrolet Impala
Dodge Charger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Volkswagen Passat
Of the five, they only recommend one - the Impala!!
Granted, they find plenty of things to complain about, but they also praise the car on several points. Still, a CR recommendation can't hurt - both in attracting people to the car in the first place, and in increased trade-in value down the road.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
There were 4 catagories that the 2006 cars were rated in:
OVERALL:
EXCELLENT: Volkswagen Passat #1
Toyota Camry #4
Honda Accord #5
VERY GOOD: Honda Accord Hybrid #1
Ford Fusion #2
Hyundai Sonata #6
Chevrolet Malibu #13
Chevrolet Impala #16 (last in this segment)
GOOD Chrysler 300 #1
Dodge Charger #2
Buick Lacrosse #4
Pontiac G6 #9
FAIR Pontiac Grand Prix GT #1
Dodge Stratus #2
In the Very Good segment there were many Nissans, Toyotas, Hyundais, Hondas rated in the top 10. I am not knocking the Impala but I don't know how they can rate the Impala the only recommended car when it finished last in the VERY GOOD catagory, 22nd overall of the cars tested.
Interesting! In one part of the article Consumers states that the Impala has better rear seating then previous model, then later it says the rear seat is unimpressive for such a large car. Doesn't make sense. Head and Leg room are barely adequate also stated.
The Charger and Impala are both 200 inches long. The Impala is rated as a midsize car and the Charger in the large car catagory.
Not very consistant information from Consumers Report
I wonder what kind of code the computer spits out when you hit the limiter? Maybe the next time a tech hooks up the TECH II tool it screams at them that the car has been driven too fast :-o
BTW, one of my neighbours is an OPP accident reconstruction specialist. Did you know that GM has given the cops the tools they need to download the last 3 seconds of speed info from before a crash? Good to know to keep from perjuring yourself if it ever happens!
Point here is that with my S/C 3.8 GTP and only a 3.5” pulley, I was right at the speed limiter at the 1 mile mark (from a standing start) where the timing is done. My best speed was 126.761 mph – an E / prod record at the time - ** coasting ** through the end of the speed trap, with the motor disabled by the limiter. Odd, indeed. . .
If you have never done anything like this, it is a unique experience. Many of the participants (and their vehicles) are very interesting - and many will be helpful to anyone there for the first time.
I found it very interesting, at the time, in that I had previously run 95+ mph in the quarter, and it took nearly another three ‘quarters’ to hit 126 and the limiter in my ’97. It took a lot longer to build the second 60 mph than it did the first 60! Running on the highway at 80 or so and then punching it, can certainly bring up 100 pretty quickly in many sedans, but only the most powerful cars keep accelerating at a really brisk pace beyond 120 or so. And IMHO the public roads in the US are not the place to try this . . .
I have had no opportunity to take my current ride (same drivetrain as the Impala SS) to Maxton. But I would be very interested in seeing results from anyone with an SS and with access to such a venue as the unused runway ECTA uses . . .
- Ray
Addicted to Torque – and speed!
FYI:
http://www.ecta-lsr.com/faq.htm#q09
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/05/18/161529.html
. . have been around for quite some while.
I remember a few years ago, when I had a '90 Camaro Z28, and happened across a Corvette and Mustang that were really rolling on I-70 just west of Hays, Kansas. They passed me like I was stuck in low gear....and that was wrong. Once I joined up to them, we began a serious run for about 100 miles to Colby. There, we all had to pull off for gas, and the average speed was around 136 for that stretch. What a hoot...probably jail time if we had been caught!
I would love to take my LTZ to a track and see what it really feels like to just turn her loose. Maybe Shannonville or Mosport have this?
Most dealership personnel are notoriously bad sources of information.
The US Government has not (yet) mandated that such a top speed limiter be installed on cars sold in the US. The link below shows that US bound BMW330i Sedans currently have 2 limiters. One (for 330i without the Sport Pkg) at 130, and the other at 149 with the Sport Pkg. Their Sport Pkg includes higher performance, and almost certainly higher speed rated tires. (Among other items.)
4 German automakers (BMW, Audi, M-B, Porsche?) long had a “gentleman’s agreement” to limit top speeds to 155. My recollection is that this was to avert the German government’s threatened imposition of such a limit. And I think there are now exceptions.
The Impala was likely equipped with S rated tires = OK up to 112 MPH \ 180 KPH.
The BMW likely comes with H (non-Sport: 130 \ 210) or V (Sport: 149 \ 240) depending. And the limiter is programmed according to the OEM tire ratings fitted.
There are also W and Y rated tires – 168 & 186 MPH respectively. For those cars capable of such speeds. And Z rated tires as well – for cars such as:
Specifically GM \ Chevy sells the Z06 Corvette with the ability to exceed 120 MPH (wait for it) in the quarter mile! And GM claims (admits?) that the Z06 has a top speed of 198 MPH. No Top Speed Limiter here . . .
And I think the limiters that are installed have more to do with legal liability than Big Brother.
- Ray
No Speed Racer, but . . .
http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/2006330isedan/techdata.htm
http://media.gm.com:8221/us/chevrolet/en/product_services/r_cars/06ff/Chevrolet%- - 20Corvette%20Z06.pdf
My Bonneville, with H-rated tires (up to 130MPH), was also limited to 110MPH. It was a shame, because the engine was revving at mere 3500RPM or so, with still a lot of room to go.
I have no interest in driving at such high speeds but having a car such as the 2006 Impala SS with over 300 hp has a limiter that keeps its top speed less then a Dodge Neon, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and many others, doesn't make sense.
1997-2003/4 Gran Prix GTP and Buick Regal GS were built on the same platform, and had the same inherent speed limits. However, Regal had T-rated tires installed at factory, and was limited to 115 mph or so. GTP had better tires and its limiter was programmed different way. The few Regal GS sold in Germany had different tires and were limited to 137 mph.
I used a tester to check the battery and the alternator. It indicated that the alternator is charging the battery and that the batter is holding a full charge. The car also has battery rundown protection in case you leave anything on (which I didn't). How does a battery go dead in 20 hours even if the temperature with wind chill was -15F? :confuse:
I hear your pain. I've been back to the dealer 3 times myself. I own a LTZ. IVew had the same clicking noises and the brake recall as well as 2 trips back to replace a faulty temperature gauge. Everthing is back to normal now. So hang in there.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
This regional advertising fee can also put a GM dealer at a price disadvantage with non-GM dealers in the area, if their manufacturers don't add advertising charges into the invoice, or don't charge as much. As an example, the Toyota dealer isn't going to charge GM's ad fees (although they might charge more for Toyotas). All a part of the "game" we have to play.
Since I certainly did not ** need ** a car at that exact moment, I checked gmbuypower and found 1 with the equipment I wanted at a “One Price” dealer approx. 135 miles away at a small (rural) dealership in another state. After a little “due diligence” research and a couple of email interactions, the GM and I finalized the deal by telephone, contingent upon my trade being as I described.
Specifically, the deal was: GMS pricing (Employee price less $2,000 rebate), less $300 further discount, plus NO Doc fee, plus NO Adv. Fee – in fact no additional $$ to the dealer, period. Plus over $1,000 more allowed for my trade than the best offer of the dealers near me with GXPs in stock, or inbound. Plus no ‘We put that super wonderful paint protection / sealant / high profit goop on every car as soon as we receive it so we have to charge you an excessive price for it” sorts of silly tactics.
A very pleasant and efficient transaction experience. If I decided to buy another Pontiac product (before the brand is killed by GM) I would at least check with them again.
Point is that I saved at least $1,500 by driving to North Carolina. A couple of tanks of gasoline!
- Ray
Loyal to those who treat me well . .
If you go back to the Impala discussion title page, you will see an Impala forum about radio issues. You may find something there on this subject.
1. The steering wheel needs an upgrade, it's looks and feel are not as nice as the rest of the dash.
2. The foot room in the back does indeed need some attention. The drop down of the carpet give too little room for feet.
3. The doors need attention as I think the thud noise from the doors could be more Accord like.
Of course, a 6 speed auto and better fuel economy would really push the greatness of this car but at least I know that it's coming. BTW.. The SS was getting a lot of attention, a good sign IMO.
I just hope GM does not screw themselves with a redesign (50's styling cues). This car is attracting people, and looks that much better in person than pics. If people are buying it, then just improve the current design. Make it have more room and the things vanman, amoung others mentioned.