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Comments
Geeeez.......... with the engine's durability record and fuel mileage my Impala returns, I'll take it. Yes there are better motors out there, but not for the dollar spent.
I have seen many new design engines come and go in my 30 years at the automotive repair field. I used to like the new engine designs since that would mean more money in my pocket.
Since I primarily build automatic transmissions now it's the new or updated trans that I see a bit of. And it's scary.
Tony
BTW my cars are softball magnets too. No matter where I park, some yahoo is going to foul one off at an impossible angle and altitude, with a heat seeker locked on my pride and joy.
So here's the secret. Park next to me and you'll be fine. No, I never take the Impala to the ball fields, but it's hard to keep it off the road.
It also would overheat in hot weather if you had been cruising at 80 or 85 and had to suddenly slow for heavy traffic. It got 14-15 mpg around town.
On the title it said "caprice 4door sedan".
It had the most comfortable seats for cross country 2nd only to the cadillac.
The 3.8 engine in the 01 Impala does the 0-60 in 7.4(according to several auto mag testers). 3 tenths of a second is big on the track or drag strip but it doesnt mean much in day-to-day driving. I dont think the 3.8 engine in our Impalas today is even close to the 3.8 of the 60's and 70's. Ours is much better. What other 6 cyl will give you 200 hp and 225 lbs of torque and 30 miles to the gallon at a 70 mph cruise in a large 4dr full size sedan. At a $1.75 a gallon and rising I'm in no hurry for a big V-8 in the Impala. However, just as soon as I hit the Powerball lottery, I'll take another look at it.
Nick
6363 - "GM playing catchup" What are you thinking? How is it that the Impala 3.8 which is heavier and more powerful overall than a Camry V6 gets better mileage?? It's way more car - much safer too. Toyota needs to play catchup or at least they would have to if the people that bought them would catch up to the fact that they are overpaying for a Malibu ride. You want to talk about overpriced - just look across the ocean. Either one. Old school vs new school is not just about overhead cams. If you are indeed turned off by a pushrod engine, then I guess the Corvette needs to catch up too. About the only thing that is disappointing in my opinion about the Impala is that the air box is so restrictive. I'd go so far as to say the design is destructive to the engines performance.
I've driven Accords and Camrys and bought an Impala. There is just no comparison. So much more car, comfort, and safety, and good looks with a tried and true engine that literally outperforms the imports when you weigh performance and economy together.
If you are comparing the older V8 Impalas back in the 60's 283, 327, 350, 396, 409, 427. to todays Impala, todays Impala would blow the doors off all of them, 0-60 & 1/4 mile. except for the high performance 409's and 427's. The 409 and 427 got about 8-12 mpg. The engines needed rebuilding before 50000 miles. The cars were usually rusted out within 3 to 4 years, and needed Sunoco 94 gas to keep them from pinging. Those carburated engines were slow off the mark compared to todays fuel injected Impala. Those old big boat Impalas from the 60's all ran on skinny 14" tires. The handling was terrible. Current Impalas are miles ahead of the behemoths from yesteryears.
When I was a kid in NYC, EVERY late model Impala I saw, and there were a lot of 'em in the 60's, had complete rust through around all four wheel wells, fenders, quarter panels. Every single Impala!
In the aerly 70's somebody at chevy thought they would be smart and decided that they no longer needed to put primer on the cars. Those cars started rusting within a year.
Of course, my feelings were based for the most part on appearance only. Fords were just as crappy as the rest of 'em. And, in the ensuing years, Ford's complete disregard, and false denials of, safety issues has completely soured me to their products. Not to mention that I find their current styling completely unattractive, IMO.
Let's see...
No ABS,
no disc brakes,
no traction control,
no airbags,
no shoulder-seatbelts,
no adjustable head-rests,
weak head-lights,
weak nonvariable-speed windshield wipers,
no safety-glass that shatters into cubes,
no 100,000 mile sparkplugs,
lousy gas milage,
no heated mirrors,
no 5-year or 150,000 mile coolant,
no life-time lubrication for front and rear suspensions,
no long-life transmission fluid,
no battery-rundown protection,
no tire pressure monitor,
no pass-through to the trunk,...
Yeah, I can see how why you think the old Impalas were better...
nick
Folks, you need to remember the terms of your Membership Agreement and trust your host to take care of problems.
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
About 3 weeks ago I saw a guy driving a Chevy Vega on the I-10 here in Phoenix.
Our 2k LS has no further popping noises after the cradle replacement. I have to admit that it seems odd that the car is quiet now . LOL
I have an Aurora (love the darn thing) and those Intrigues always looked a little like a mis-shapen wanna-be Aurora. Why did Olds do that?
Anyway, It seems that (in my opinion the import buyers that paid a hefty sum) some people need to boost their ego about what they drive (It truly defines them I guess) and they jump on a domestic board and name call or speak in generalities about how bad our car is. Sure, a lot of it is subjective, but you can point to the data, and facts and specs (or just drive one) of the cars you are discussing. When you do, the Impala is a whole lotta car for the money.
drag cars.
I did see a Chevy Citation driving under its own powere last week. LOL.
The intrigue has an amazing engine. I would hardly describe it as c******. It handles a little bit better than the impala, quicker reflexes and a more sporty type ride. The impala can probably hang with it on the skidpad.
The intrigue's suspension noises appear to be fixable with new strut insulators. Keep in mind that the impala has had its share of ISS problems too.
The impala has a noticeably bigger rear seat, due to the longer wheelbase, bigger trunk also.
The impala is stiffer structurally, due to the one piece side body stamping. This is probably why it has better crash ratings too.It is always amazing to me why people get upset when someone makes a statement about their car. Nothing that 6363 said about the impala is untrue. It does share its powertrain with the lesabre.
Overall as a passenger car, I would say that the impala is a better car. The intrigue has a different feel than the impala. It makes you want to dip into the accelerator and feel its midrange power. The impala does not. Sorry.
The rustbucket that my parent's friends had was a 1972 Chevy Kingswood Estate wagon. I was 9 years old when they got it but i was a car nut even then. In 1973 they had to have the rocker panels repainted due to rust.
My mom had a 1971 Townsman wagon that had the clamshell tailgate like their friends '72. The rear window would roll up into the roof. The tailgate would roll down under the storage well.
In 1975 the tracks rusted and the tailgate fell into the abyss. Piece of junk.
They called in the afternoon and said it was ready. I picked up the car, and no more clunks...
The repair order says "CABLE MOUNTS LOOSE", "INSTALLED SHIMS PER BULLETIN E1164-.4"
It also looks like they ordered some "INSULATOR 9.023", as it says "PART ON SPECIAL ORDER".
I'm not sure if its completed, since it says parts on special order., but they told me it was fixed. I'll have to wait and see if they send me a card telling me my special order parts are in. Not sure what these "insulators" are for...
Anyway, I do not know if these "SHIMS" are different than the ones listed for the Cradle issue. I guess they must, since I had brought it in for the ticking/poping noise previously, and they said they installed the Cradle Shims...
All is well for now...
The LS is still going strong with NO COMPLAINTS or issues (except the constant lifting of the roof trim). I am just over 8K miles.
Old Impalas vs. New: Well, I'd venture to say that any modern vehicle is going to be head and shoulders above the older ones. Technology simply allows for that. In 20 years, people will say the same about today's cars... *my 2 cents*.
There is a BEAUTIFUL white '66 Impala in my 'hood. Some 'kid' drives it. He seems to understand what a cool car it is. NOT FOR SALE. Doh!
One day I hope to own a '64 - '66 and make it 'hop'!! LOL!
Take care all and God Bless America!!
RR
I got out of the car and looked around. That thunderous sound was coming from my car! I looked under the back of the car to see the muffler lying on the ground. The exhaust pipe had rusted completely through, along with the hangers.
I threw the muffler in the trunk, and drove back to the city sounding like Dale Unser.
However, partszoneonline, had them no problem. I also called a local Chevy dealer that had them as well.
I think if people get the part numbers from your web site http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/ , and then check with www.partszoneonline.com or a local Chevy dealer, they may get lucky. Couldn't hurt.
1961----------------------------------2002 (Sedan) (from MSN Carpoint)
Base Price: $2,769--------------------$19,960
Overall Length: 209.3 inches----------200 inches
Overall Width: 78.4 inches------------73 inches
Overall Height: 55.5 inches-----------57.3 inches
Wheelbase: 119 inches-----------------110.5 inches
Tread, Front/Rear: 60.3 and 59.3------62 and 61.1
Test Weight: 3680 lbs.----------------3389 lbs
Weight Distribution: 51 % front
Steering: 5.2 turns lock-to-lock
Turning Circle: 40.8 feet-------------38 feet
Ground Clearance: 6 inches
Seating capacity: 6-------------------6
Front Seat
Headroom: 34.5 inches------------39.2
Width: 63.5 inches---------------56.5
Legroom: 45 inches---------------42.2
Trunk Capacity: 29.7 cubic feet-------18.6
Engine 348 cubic inch V-8-------------3.3L V-6
Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 rpm (gross)----180 @ 5200 rpm (net)
Torque: 355 lbs-ft. @ 2800 rpm (gross)-----205 @ 4000 rpm (net)
Tested car had a 3.08 final drive
Gas mileage: 10 to 14 mpg-------------21 / 32
Acceleration: 0-30 3.8, 0-45 6.8, 0-60 10.3
We think if the thirties or the fifties as being a great time, but cars today are so far superior to even what was made in the 70's as to be uncomprehensible.
I use to own a 1980 Z28 camaro. 0-60 in about 8.5 seconds and 18 mpg hwy at 60 mph.
My '87 can pull 25 mpg at 75 mph.
A Corvette can do about 27-28 mpg.
If you had told me in 1980 that a car that could 170 mph could also get 30 mpg i would have laughed in your face.
I would love to have a '61 impala. That was the bubble top right?
At a stop light yesterday, I pulled up next to a red Corvette. It was maybe late 50's/early 60's. Truly gorgeous. I know that I could have better handling, quicker acceleration, and vastly superior comfort in a modern family sedan. But, I would have gladly changed places with the driver in that Corvette in a NY second!
The 16.37 refund was not the thing that got my attention in the letter.
The paragraph that read "Part A. Surplus from Vehicle Sale" did.
Of course there was no surplus.
They sold my car at auction for $8300!!!!
The termination value was $13,110.
They lost $4810 on my car!!
Can't stay in business long doing that.
More significantly, a person with basic hand tools and a few relatively inexpensive specialty tools could repair a car. Now you need a computer. Also I find that many "automotive technicians" cannot troubleshoot without the computer. If the computer says there is no problem, then there isn't one. My grandfather had a Ford that would stumble on acceleration. First Ford said they couldn't reproduce the problem so he took them on a spin around the block. Then they said their diagnostic computers said everything was ok so there was nothing they could do. It was out of warranty and he was willing to pay to get working but no one there knew what to do.
On the practical side, it's paid for, I can repair it, and it's nice to have a back-up car. Yes, I know I am rationalizing.
I don't have any photos of it online. Maybe I'll do that later on today.
As loads increase or if a trailer is being towed then that percentage increases.
This is why you sometimes see trucks that have bigger brakes in the rear than they do in the front.
I am borrowing a Sony CDP-775 SACD player from my longtime audio dealer this weekend.
Talk about some incredible sounding music! One of the discs is Doug Macleod. It is a hybrid disc, which means it will play on a standard CD player.
I put it in the impala and got some improvement in detail and a more relaxed sound that was not fatiguing.
These discs were recorded DSD and used the Sony Super bit map process, which is probably why i hear an improvement in the impala's stereo.
GM should offer a SACD player in all thgeir cars.
I don't know where the idea of restricted air flow helping "protect" the engine life came from. It's all about driving habits and mostly about maintenace. Yeah if the car breathed better and had more power you may stomp on it more, but unless you abuse the thing, I don't see how it would be different in terms of engine life.
http://www.thrasher-ep.com/images/intimidator/engine_bay3.jpg