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Comments
Year 2000 stats show about 148,600 for LeSabre.
I have to believe that with Impala's large size, features and functions that Impala is cutting into Buick's market share.
QUESTION: Does anyone with a service manual know for certain how or what it would take to make my LS ride somewhat smoother like the Impala base model? Swapping out the struts maybe ???
1)The 3400 V6 while a "Dog" compared to the 3800 in terms of acceleration, feels a bit more smoother under full throttle. I believe that this is in partly due to the 60 degree configuration in the 3400 V6 vs. the 90 degree setup in the 3800. However, I'll take the cast iron block, the extra HP and torque, the reliability and fuel economy of the 3800 anyday over the aluminum block, the noise and some slugishness of the 3400.
2)The suspension is definetely smoother and takes bumps better than the firmer LS suspension setup (Where you tend to feel more the road, broken pavement, et al). However, while the soft Uniroyal Tigerpaws stock tires help with the ride quality, they do give up pretty easily under hard cornering. Interesting to note that even the base Impala's standard suspension does not feel floaty or wallowy, say, in comparison to a Buick LeSabre or Buick Century. The Impala base suspension is still much better than the mushy setups found in Buicks.
Now, the steering is a different story. The steering effort in the base Impala is much lighter in parking situations vs. the firmer LS steering and while the base Impala steering is still firm at higher speeds (Again, a big contrast to the Buick LeSabre overboosted and overassisted steering that needs to be fought frequently at highway speeds to keep the car straight), the response ratio of the base steering is much slower than the LS' steering. There you can feel a big difference in the way both cars react to steering inputs. The LS steering inputs feel much more like a sporty sedan.
For 2002, you can buy a new Impala LS with the bench seat as it is now available in addition to the standard bucket seats, center console arragement. Perhaps Chevy wants to phase out the Base 3800 sedans instead.
Overall, I find the ride of the Impala base/LS very "Un-American" in quality.
I drove the base and didn't like the handling, although it rode better.
I recently rode in a Century and that has a really smooth ride.
A change to Michelins might help the LS's ride quality.
Has anyone else felt like their seat bottom near the back is a bit bumpy? I have noticed it in the last three weeks or so, and I wasn't sure if it was because I have lost some weight and my a*s is a bit bonier and that's why I notice it. I told them to check it, but I'm sure they are rolling their eyes behind my back...
When I started looking for a new car in 1998, the Olds Intrigue was my first consideration. The Intrigue was a major disapointment in styling, size and then in test driving - it rode so rough. I liked the cousin-car Buick Regal better, but not enough to buy. The Impala was a reasonably happy compromise.
When Olds started its "not your father's Oldsmobile" ad campaign and then introduced the smaller Alero to pick up a more youthful market, it quickly lost its huge core buyer base of the 1980s and 1990s - the hundreds of thousands who bought the 88s, 98s and Cutlasses. These were middle aged, middle class drivers who had traditionally bought Olds for its sporty yet refined, tasteful styling, smooth ride, fun to drive, modest luxury and good performance/economy. IMO, Intrigue had only performance with its new 3.5 V6 - nothing else.
I really believe the Intrigue to be the major cause of Olds' demise. Few other makes of cars have been around for literally 100 years. Sorry to see Olds go.
At 10,5K miles no problems with seat tracks, seats themselves, trunk lights, brakes, etc.
I agree, the Intrigue was pretty much a half-baked effort to go after more established sport sedan imports such as the Nissan Maxima and Acura TL.
The engine was very nice, but I never cared for the rest of the car. Extremely run of the mill IMHO and poor safety scores to match. Even the Pontiac Grand Prix (made in the same factory as the Intrigue) is a much better car, but still the Impala beats them both in body rigidity, safety, room and quality.
I would pick a Pontiac GP GTP sedan anytime over an Intrigue.
I agree, I would have rather had Cornering Lamps instead of fogs, I had them on my '93 Sable and liked them alot.
Teo...I notice that my LS is like a TANK Compared to my Base Model, Just feels Heavier in every aspect, I like the base, it seems easier to drive. I am going to get a set of 5 spokes and some door badges for the base this spring. Soneday a Spoiler? Don
Chris
Like I said, the steering effort in the base model, specifically in parking manuvers, is much less in comparison to the LS, hence that explains why the Base feels lighter and easier to manuver at low speeds.
Maybe the base sedan is 100 pounds lighter, because of the engine type. Not sure.
2001's have the extra wheel liners so they wil be quieter than the 2000's
Base (3400 V6): 15.2:1
Base 3800/LS: 13.3:1
1) Do you know if the wheel nuts have been torqued properly to required specification? (100pounds feet?)
2) Have you had any prior servicing done to the brakes?
3)Do you brake hard often or ride the brake pedal while driving?
I would try to contact Chevy Customer service, get a file number and then have them refer you directly to your dealership's Service Manager. Don't waste your time going back and forth at it with the service writter. The service writter is a low level service employee and typically he or she have little or none decision making power.
If you have evidence that the car has been serviced properly and therefore you do not consider the brake wear normal, then take it to the top and deal directly with the service manager.
In some cases, they will replace your rotors and pads free of charge. You still have an advantage as the car is covered under the limited 3/36K mile warranty.
Good luck.
LRCobra
Silver Bullet
We still have the same 2000 base Impala /3.8 v6, its getting ready to turn over 40,000 miles , we put new tires on it back in december of 01 , other than that everthings still the same .
I really like the Bronzmist color on the newer ones , very nice, Have any of you seen an LS sport yet , there arent any down here as of yet . thanks-------------mattmcdill
I was cleaning under my hood this week and noticed a battery acid buildup by the plate that keeps the battery in place. Does anyone else have this problem?
Our 2001 LS is doing great - love the thing.
Larry
Imapalaboy2001 , our 2000 Impala did the same thing , about 2 months ago , the battery is leaking acid out of the terminal , the dealer replaced ours for free, and got us a new battery tray , Just don't let it go for too long , like a lady I work with who has a 2000 Montecarlo SS , hers was leaking , and it finaly all leaked out , and the battery went dead .
The ticking noise has disappeared so I'm going to figure it was the wheel cap, however the service writer said there is a flange under the car on the left hand side that was bent and rubbing against my tire on the inside. I'm not sure now what it was, she said they replaced it but I didn't get to see the part...
Said they couldn't duplicate the movement in the seat, but the tech was 5' 4" tall and 125 lbs, about half my weight, it will get worse over time just like it did the first time. At least there is a report of it and I can possibly get it replaced even after warranty.
Everythig is done that will be done, now I just have to wait to see if I get new rotors and pads...
Is this also an issue with the 2001's?