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Comments
My question(s) to the owners of the SS are; "is there any substance to the poor reviews rel. the weak suspension, steering issues etc." I would think that the SS would be more sturdy in those areas.
I just want a good solid open highway vehicle, which is what I have with my 00.
All your comments will be usefull & appriciated.
I own an '06 SS and I like the car a lot overall but I do agree that the front suspension isn't up to the task. Another poster here did the research and found that the front suspension is identical for all Impalas. I assumed (falsely) that the SS would have had a firmer suspension but that's not the case. To make matters worse, due to the extra weight of the engine and heavy duty transmission, the front end is very "busy". Simply put, you don't just feel every bump but the suspension reacts to it by rebounding.
My sister owns a 3LT with the 3.9L (we bought them together) and after owning them 9 mos, I drove hers while visiting. Her suspension absorbs all the minor imperfections in the road and gives a firm but comfortable ride. My SS is constantly bouncing (although they are small bounces). In my opinion, the handling of her car, even with the smaller tires and smaller stabilizer bar, is superior.
One thing I'd add, is that when new, the SS suspension was much tighter. Once it broke-in, it got loose like it is now. I remember specifically taking the car over speed bumps and being very impressed by how it handled them. Now, it's as sloppy as my old '02 Monte SS that I replaced. I have taken it in to two different dealerships and both say it's within specs. I'm assuming my only other option is to replace the front struts with some aftermarket struts that are better suited...although I haven't looked into it and don't know that it's worth the expense.
I hope this helps in your decision. Very nice car, overall.
Ron
I am now reading this and wondering if we are not looking at a weekend retreat for the vehicle.
Has anyone else had a problem with the "Service Battery Charging System" light coming on? It happened for the second time last weekend and I am beside myself trying to figure this one out. It has only happened one other time. Last winter..... When the car is started the light comes on and stays on. If turned off and right back on, the light remains on. However, park the car and let it sit for an hour or so and there is no sign of the problem.
I came to this forum for to help understand what was going on and found a few people with some of the problems, but for the most part felt that I was out here alone. My dealership would just smile and fix the problem (or try to) while telling me that my Impala is their best customer.
I seriously asked what the next car would be that I purchased and they assure me that I will never leave the Impala and that they are NOT all like mine.
Incidentally, the temperature at the time I noticed the power steering give out was 8 degrees(F).
Another "symptom" of this condition is a severe whining noise in the engine (almost sounds like the engine has a blower on it...or sounds really tight).
I have noticed this same thing with my 06 LT 3.5 When new the suspension was amazing. Very compliant, almost silent, and absorbed bumps very well. Now that the car has 8300 miles on it, the suspension feels as though it has aged considerably (and not gracefully for that matter). The car exhibits more of a crashing when it goes over bumps and road irregularities. It sounds and acts very much like the 03 Impala LS my parents had when theirs hit about 25,000 miles.
Overall it still rides OK, but is just more vocal about what it is doing.
I still have my days where I think about cutting my losses and trading the Imp. :confuse: I have owned 10 cars and never any import brands...might be time to try an Avalon, Acura TL, or Maxima.
I'm no expert, by any stretch of the imagination, but I think my issue is with the shock absorber, not the spring. The car is allowed to bounce (however subtly) over just about anything. These little bumps should be absorbed by the suspension and they are by my sister's 3LT.
If it weren't for the V-8, I may be inclined to move along into something else as well. I may now be more inclined to go with a used car next time. That way I won't BUY a different car than I later have to LIVE with.
Glad to see that Hunter RoadForce balancing did help. Did they check alignment?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It's worth a shot but I don't see my dealership helping me out...unless Chevy acknowledges the problem. From what I've seen here in the forum, there's not much concern over the issue.
My issue may be different from yours, Rob. Mine seems to handle the big bumps well. It's the minor little road imperfections that bother me the most. My car is constantly bouncing and settling as I drive, especially at highway speeds.
I have one of the larger, rounded speed "humps" that I drive over everyday at work. I can take them at speeds high enough (15 mph) to nearly top and bottom the suspension and they are handled pretty well, smoothly and quietly, except for the last bit of suspension travel.
Hopefully that makes sense. It's tough to put into words.
Have a good one,
Ron
I've tried that but my local dealer hasn't had any SSs on the lot the times I've been there. I'll have to keep checking the online invnentory now the new model year is in full swing. Maybe I'll catch 'em with one on the lot.
Here's one thing I haven't mentioned before...the local dealer here said they have a machine that measures the struts'...what exactly, they didn't say...but I was wondering if anyone out there has heard of such a machine. It sounded a little hokey to me but I didn't want to say anything without knowing. If the machine exists, it supposedly said my struts were within specs. If that's the case, the specs are the problem.
Thanks all,
Ron
Got home yesterday from running some pre-Daytona 500 errands and I figured I would check to see if I have a "ghost", too. Mine does the same as yours. After 30 or so seconds of closing the door and sitting there, the speedo and tach needles jump just a little and make a skittering noise.
Seems they all do it (well, yours and mine anyway )
My parents have been in my '06 Impala and have commented that it seems to ride much better than their '03 did. While I agree with them on that, I am not thrilled at how quickly the '06 is loosening up on me.
I agree with you on the buying used idea. 9 out of my past 10 vehicles have been new. Just like you said, the car you buy most often times does not necessarily end up being the car you have to live with. I often think about trying a certified pre-owned car for my next car. That way I still have a warranty, and if I end up with a nightmare I won't have quite as much depreciation to contend with if I need to trade out of it.
I also have an 06 LT 3.5 I agree that the engine is more than adequate for everyday use. You seem to be getting gas mileage closer to what is indicated on the window sticker. My particular car is currently averaging 21mpg in mixed driving. The best mileage I have seen is 24mpg (and that was with almost 1/2 that particular tank of gas at 55-60mph highway cruising). I am at 8300 miles, perhaps it will gradually improve as it approaches 10,000 miles.
I also have a window issue with mine, but they do not screech when going up and down. I have an ongoing issue with my driver's door window chattering/clattering in the frame when all the way up. If I lower the window 1/8" or so, the noise subsides considerably. I have treated the rubber weatherstripping and gasket around the window frame with silicone lubricant and white lithium grease, but it only served to make the noise worse. Not sure I want the dealer even attempting to resolve it...not sure what they would break in the process.
You are right about resale. It's not the best, but it could be worse
Clark.
My thoughts exactly. I had actually planned on going that route this time around but caught the new car bug while helping my sister shop for her car.
As for the two of you who went ghost-busting in your Impalas, thanks for giving it a try. I figured it was normal but it always helps to have confirmation.
Later all...
Ron
Thanks to all of you my salesmen --who is great to help with my problems-- told the service area that I knew more about this car than most of them.
It seems that after the initial thought that I hit something, someone that did know the situation stepped in to let them know that they were not right and that my description fit the problem. It is a SLOW leak. My problem developed over time and surfaced suddenly when the motor was fried from the lack of fluid.
So guys and gals, thanks again for helping to educate me on the problems that exist with this car. Nothing thrills me more than to think I knew what was going on more than the mechanic working on the car.
I was SURE that I didn't hit something-- you helped to confirm that for me-- and they now agree. THANKS!!!!
GM has just announced this:
The new fully transferable five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty with no deductible – available on all 2002-2006 GM Certified Used Vehicles – is effective from the vehicle's original in-service date. The warranty launches March 5, with marketing/advertising to support the new program taking place by the end of the month.
What brand of tire do you have? Do any of the Chevs have Michelins?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My service manager said the Michelins were best for rolling round and staying round. When they were rebalancing my wheels the last time and aligning and found the rear toein, they were replacing a TransAm tires under warranty for problems and the new tires were off tremendously large amounts on the Hunter Balancer; guess what brand they were?
The only way to know is have a set of wheels with good tires put on by switching temporarily at the dealer OR to buy a set of Michelins appropriate to the size and tire stiffness for your particular car. That's why I asked about if any of the cars get delivered with Michelins in your car version...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The tire rolls like it's a spring, but different parts of the tire can crush different amounts under the weight of the car causing the tire center to actually move up and down. This was noted in a 1977 Service Manual from GM for my 77 Cutlass and mentions a machine setup to test for the up and down movement due to different crush amounts. Tires have not kept up with the lighter weight of suspension parts of the car so a little up and down movement of the mass of the wheel can lead to sympathetic vibrations on the next roll cycle which are greater or can be felt through the stiffer chassis newer design cars have today.
http://hunter.com/pub/product/balancer/4159T/4159T.pdf
http://hunter.com/pub/product/balancer/4159T/index.htm
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Well, at least Goodyear has not kept up. Michelin and Bridgestone (from personal experience) are doing just fine.
Does the tire place have road force balancing for you new babies, if that's what you end up doing?
I found two Michelins listed for a 2006 Chev SS: Pilot MXM4, one with part number 78756 and the other with number 91426; the first is rated 300 for mileage and the second is rated 500. One may be original equipment the other a service replacement.
Michelin tire finder
All the Pilot A/S have Z in their rating. What does that mean. You'd want to talk to a real Michelin dealer who knows their tires as to why their website doesn't recommend that tire for SS?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
A new transmitter, and receiver were installed and it
works great!
Before, I had to stand right up next to the car to get it to start, now I can stand almost 1/2 block or more and it works!
Just wanted you all to know
dc