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Comments
I personally prefer the spoiler in the Impala than without it. Is one of the very few sedans that actually look better with the rear spoiler. I have also find it useful when backing up as the spoiler tells me where the "butt" of the car actually is.
I haven't sold it yet. I blame these zero interest rates on new ones. Perhaps I'll have better luck after the incentives end. I can wait. It's not like I hate it and can't wait to get rid of it. I just want something else.
Why not get the factory spoiler? It's cheap. It fits. It comes with the car.
However, my wife really likes the look of the spoiler, and I can see where it offers advantages as a backing up reference.
Any thoughts?
That's still $1200 less...might pay for an extended warranty(good resale) or just go in my pocket.
OTOH, maybe the optioned out car would be better for resale down the road although it seems like when you go to sell a car, the options aren't itemized;)
I saw one post in the radio forum where someone said teh stock radio/speakers sounded fine..maybe just in comparison to the bad "premium" system of '00?
Thoughts?
I've got the "good" premium sound system, and it wasn't too good...until I changed the speakers.
The big diff on resale values for Impalas seems to be between the Base and LS, from what I've seen at AutoTrader and dealer auctions.
If the premium system is not that good, maybe I shouldn't bother and just replace the base system.
You are right about black LS being rare..that's part of the attraction although I think it does look good. The drawback is of course that it really shows dirt but my last car was white and I think it let me get away with too much neglect which caught up with me(rust). Maybe if I'm into the color and it lets me knwo when it's needing a wash, I'll be more diligent;)
Well, after 3 days at the dealer, my car is ALMOST fixed.
The service trac system/ABS was a loose wire-found some trouble code for that
Rattle was some shifter wire
Service vehicle soon/hesitation-PROM update, runs fine now, and no hesitations!
Installed rear wheel liners and the gas tank insulators no problemo
Airbag light-Loose/dirty wiring, fixed and all okay now
turn signal problem-part on order
Eratic Engine fan -couldn't identify, only heard it twice before though, probably PROM update will help
hmmmm that is about it I think...runs just like new now:)
Paul
You are better off buying aftermarket spoiler and installing it yourself. The spoiler comes painted. I bought mine for $220 and took me 20 minutes to install.
http://www.sportwing.com/spoilers/spoilers.asp#IMPALA
Check it out.
If you're so concern about the dealer not fixing something that isn't broken, you can always "pretend" that there is something wrong with the cradle. Afterall, the dealer wouldn't be able to "duplicate" the problem anyway. You can insist that you "hear" noises under the engine bay. There is a TSB for it. The dealer should be able to diagnose (sp?) the problem immediately.
I wouldn't recommend you take your Impala to the dealer if nothing is wrong with your cradle. If it ain't broken, leave it alone. Just because you own a 2000 Impala does not mean there WILL be problem with the cradle. There is no need to drive up warranty cost for GM.
Sure, but the GM owners has to absorb the cost of the part when it becomes problematic when the car goes out of warranty?
If GM made a defective part, THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IS THEIR MISTAKE, THEREFORE IT BECOMES THEIR LOSS, SIMPLE.
Quote:
#6181 of 6218 This is nascar - Wheel well liners by night_owl1 Nov 04, 2001 (11:16 am)
Actually, my splashguard message was for Bowtiefan who asked about them. I believe the TSB you are referring to is 00-08-111-004: Debris Collects in Front Lower Portion of Rear Wheelhouse (Install New Wheelhouse Liner); 2000 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
I had the liners installed this morning... It's about a one-half hour job. While reviewing the paper work when I got home, I noticed that they had reference "Bulletin #00-08-111-004", and had a notation "installed rear wheel well liners per TB 88342".
I had previously quoted an old post from this board as "TB 08-08-111-004", which is apparently erroneous.
At any rate, I can now state with certainty that it is covered by the warranty, and should be done at no cost to you...."
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
and click on Accessories, then choose Impala and it will list all Impala Accessories, it shows the part numbers and you can use them on their parts-lookup feature, it lists the GM Retail, Wholesale and their LOW Price, I have yet to see lower prices, including Chuck Hutton, who by the way, Now charges $5.00 for UPS Ground. They had the Free Shipping for the longest time, except to Hawaii! Don
I've heard of some dealers that will do the repair out of warranty, at no charge, if there is a TSB for that problem.
Of course, Recall repairs are done at no charge for the life of the car.
Sure, IF GM made defective part, they should pay for it within warranty period. That's a BIG IF. My arguement is that it should be handle on a case by case basis. If it ain't broken, why fix it?
Can you prove that ALL 2000 Impala units have bad engine cradles?
John
Putting your foot on the gas = the engine spinning "really fast". Try it. You'll see it's pretty accurate.
I actually like the idea of NOT having a tach (base model 3.8 liter) and having the speed limited to @ 108MPH. Maybe it's just because I'm 10+ years older than I was when I bought the Celica, but having driven the Impala to the limited speed once (just to see what happaned when it cut off), I don't have a desire to do it again. Likewise, without a tach, I'm not tempted to try to shift manually, pushing the car to redline before moving into the next gear.
I can't speak for everyone, but for me personally, having a tach and "unlimited" top speed only tempted me to push the envelope, and ultimately abuse the car more than I should have.
I would never have the oppournity to hit the speed limiter (not enough road in Hawaii) but just the fact that GM placed a limiter in there bugs me. =P
Yes indeed, the new '02 Impala LS Sport comes with full instrumentation...Speedo, Tach, Water temperature gauge, Fuel gauge, Volt Gauge and Oil pressure gauge. This is the same cluster found in the Montecarlo SS coupe.
I like to have a tach as it tells me what the engine and transmission are doing. Great tool for diagnostic when troubleshooting idle problems or tranny gearing issues.
All my cars have had a tach whether they came with a manual or an automatic. It is equally useful on both. This is one of the very few things I dislike about the base model. Base Impalas should offer standard tach and ABS brakes. The lowly Malibu offers these two items as standard equipment, why doesn't it the Impala?
I am very used to having a tach in my car..without it spells..I am cheap!
When I was trying to think of a name that related to my "hot-rod Impala", the song from Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen came to mind, Hot Rod Lincoln. Remember that line, "Son, you're going to drive me to drink'en if you don't stop drive'n that hot-rod Lincoln"? Well, that's what popped in my head and I went with it. The name I chose is not an endorsement of drinking and driving. In fact, a drunken idiot almost caused me to lose an arm on July 4th 1982.
Anyway, I didn't get an answer about the cradle being covered by an extended warranty. Can anyone answer that question? Thanks in advance for the comments from all the resident experts.
My cradle replacement on our 2k LS (build date 8-99) was paid for by GM at 43k miles.
When the 'pop' noise started again near 46k miles the car was traded in on a new vehicle.
Tony
Also, does Crosley's giving up on the cradle fix signal that there is not a proper solution and that higher mlg.(46k) may be prone to clicking?
My car's build date is 4/01. If you are going for a 2001, try to stick to the most recent build date possible...for example 4/01, 5/01 or 6/01. My sister got last month a new 2001 Impala base with a build date of 6/01 and the car has been also great up to this point.
Either 2001 or 2002 Impalas should prove to be good quality vehicles.
take a look at the most recent issue of Consumer Reports. the Impala has earned a RECOMMENDED label from CR and the 2001 models have exhibited BETTER THAN AVERAGE RELIABILITY. So buy with confidence. The new cars have the fully welded and revised cradle. That cradle is sure to never pose any problems for the time you own your car.
Thinking back to the air flow topic that was discussed earlier, I saw http://www.tornadofuelsaver.com and wondered if anyone has ever had any encounters with such a thing.
Has anyone seen the new Imp commercial? I love the old one with the who gets in it and says " I'll take it" and the lady makes him go for a test drive, so he drives about 10 feet and says "I'll take it". Thats how I felt! The new commercial has a bunch of old Impalas with hydrolics makeing the cars "hop". Then they show a new Imp. Pretty cool to see all the old cars.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=597596309&r=0&t=0
Teo mentioned it before, but I'd never seen it until now.
Poor dude, the only thing he cherishes is cheap European econo-boxes.
I've also used those spray "dry" cleaning products available in the auto parts stores for a variety of stains and dirt on my cars' carpets.
Steam cleaning should also work.
I have not personally verified this yet, (need to save up the $350) but after checking all the wiring diagrams and crawling around the car I am confident it will work.
If you want to install the CD changer, I recommend Radios and More (see the Accessories page). Their price is pretty good and their return policy is very liberal.
I'm glad you are happy with the 2001, but I would reserve saying the problem with the cradle is resolved until there are a number of owners with many more than 7000 miles on the clock.
I do miss my Impala, just not all the trips to the dealer.
Should be a 5 minute job.