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Comments
Remember, I have had both.
Just a taught.
PS: Remove the CAPS LOCK from your posts. It looks like you are SHOUTING! ;-)
Went to our new car local auto show last month and looked at and sat in most sedans.
IMO, Impala is the best bang for the buck - best engine (3.8), best safety rating (5), big and different look, loads of features and functions ( I love the DIC - Driver Info Center that gives TEMP and DIRECTION as well as calculating MPG etc., ergonomically-correct Radio/CD/Tape)
My only advice would be TEST DRIVE the standard and the LS model. They do ride and handle differently.
The suspension tuning in the base Impala sedan is very soft and tends to be wallowy under most road imperfections. Some people would prefer this setup for better ride comfort, but the softeness of the base suspensions hinders high speed stability somewhat and also intrudes into cornering which is still very good and controlled in the base car but gives in faster. I have driven the Buick LeSabre and the suspension on that car is total and complete marshmellow. The base Impala is much firmer in comparison to the Buicks I have driven. However, the base Impala while still tends to nose dive under strong braking doesn't dip and squat like more traditional American sedans.
The base steering is not very good. Why? because it has a slower turning/response ratio in comparison to the Impala 3800/LS sedans. The steering is too overassisted, which is great for tight parking manuvers but lousy for comfortable high speed highway driving as you have to make constant corrections to the steering wheel = fatigue.
Also, the base sedan offers Uniroyal Tigerpaw all season tires, standard, with full 16" plastic wheel covers. ABS or traction control are not standard on the base model. If you want ABS, you must get the option package that includes the 16" deluxe alloy base wheels, tire pressure monitor and 4-wheel disc ABS brakes (4-wheel disc brakes are standard across the board) and this is a $600.00 option.
You can upgrade the base sedan (Provided that you prefer less equipment than the LS) to the 3800 V6 powered sedan. The 3800 V6 "Ride and Handling package" a $900 aprox option, gives you the 200HP 3800 V6 engine (90 degree design) with cast Iron head (Better IMO), standard all speeds electronic traction control, 4-wheel ABS brakes, firmer touring suspension (But still comfortable and not bone jarring) and a quicker ratio, much firmer power steering which is excellent for highway cruising.
Before 2002, the reasoning for the base 3800 sedan was that if you needed the front bench seat (6 passenger capacity) and column mounted shifter and still wanted the extra power of the 3800 V6 you could do so in this particualr model trim.
However, for 2002 now you can get a fully loaded Impala LS with either choice of front bucket seats with floor mounted shifter or front bench seat with steering column mounted shifter. In a way the Base 3800 sedan is a moot point now.
I would personally go for the Impala LS for the better handling, better steering, more safety features and amenities, better looks and better resale value, not to mention the solid reputation of the 3800 V6 for durability and reliability.
Drive both models to get a better picture in your mind.
http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=1849
RWD, 5.7L generation III V8 300HP+ and 6-speed manual transmission.
Toooo tempting!
The spoiler! Helps push the car down at high speeds and makes the car go faster. Thousands of import owners can't be wrong... *snicker*
I just saw a Mazda Miata with a three level (?) wing on the trunk lid. Not sure what look the guy was going for. Maybe a Fokker, ala Red Baron?
Make sure to buy the LS model.
Even if you know your SD from before, I would advise against initiating contact with him directly. The reason for this is that you want to hold your SD and dealer accountable. When the Chevy customer representative initiates contact, basically GM is also already involved in your situation, not just the SD or dealership.
Usually your Chevy customer service person will call you back with a date and time for the dealer appointment. If the allocated time works out for you, then give a confirmation back to the Chevy CS person. Allow plenty of time for your dealer visit. If you need to go to work late or need to take the day off, do so, if you can. You need to make your visit a very productive one, not a hurried endeavor.
As far as the *Perks* sure do bring it up but use common sense. Don't make it sound like all you want is an extended warranty whether the car gets fixed or not. Just tell your SD that altough you like the car very much (Indeed bring up the fact that you came up in the 2001 Impala sales brochure, this gives you plenty of leverage, it worked for me)you are concerned over the long term reliability of the same. Tell your SD that you feel that GM should go the extra mile, not by just fixing your car (Is their legal obligation under warranty after all) but that you would also expect a good faith gesture, such as a free extended warranty to keep you a happy customer.
Don't bring up the fact that you are upside down with your car, that you owe too much money or that you can't afford to trade it at this time. Don't volunteer more information than you actually need to. Remember the "Miranda Warning".
So, your objectives are:
1) Get your car fixed
2) get a worthy free perk such as an extended warranty.
They can do it. I originally was offered an Extended Warranty worth $1500 when I had my '00 LS. I respectfully declined. I got my car replaced instead.
Whats new hunter39? Still liking that AMP? I still have to thank you for helping some of us get the #103, My dissatifaction stopped the day they put in the new amp..I had no clunking back then(2 months before it started) and still had all of my original parts...then the day came around 18k and has not been the same since...Don
Also gather all your service repair records. You'll need them.
Isn't there a GM media site that we can access to get sales figures?
But you can try www.gm.com and go straight to the press releases. But even then they don't go into sales breakdown numbers as Autosite does.
Even though the Impala isn't perfect, it is a huge step in the right direction for Chevy and GM. I also recommend the LS over the Base model, not only for the better engine and suspension, but for the available options and standard amenities, as well.
http://www.gmme.com/chevrolet_cars/caprice/CAPRICE.HTM
Looks like a nice car. RWD, Big V-8!
larryfl--I have a base 2001 with the 3.8. 6,000 miles so far and the car has been problem free. I got a good deal on it when I bought it in October because it was a 2001. However, if I had to do it again, I would get the LS. More car for a little more money. My base looks like an LS, with LS badges and wheels. I didn't opt for the spoiler as I like the look without it.
Good luck!!!!
Take a look at this article:
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=38597
The Holden Monaro (2003 Pontiac GTO) is just the beginning in GM's quest to return to RWD high performance vehicles.
Cabello - sorry to hear about your experiences (although I'm afraid I can top them with some cars I've owned). I hope they are due to an early production car and that the later ones have most or all bugs worked out.
Teo - you win the prize for lengthy messages! Thanks for all your info. The LS had many of the features I want my wife to have and I don't have much problem justifying the upgrade costs. Like you said, once we dressed out the base model we could pay for the LS easily.
And thanks to everyone else who offered their comments. We are very impressed with the safety ratings, overall solid feel and drivability of the car. Build quality seems good from what we've seen at the dealerships. We have actually only driven a base model. I will insist she drive an LS so that she's comfortable with the ride. As far as I'm concerned, the stiffer and faster the better - BUT, best to have mamma happy, if you know what I mean.
Oh well. Friday will be the day. I'm counting on the $2002 rebate AND about a 10% discount PLUS a reasonably generous trade-in value. We'll see. I'll post and let everyone know how they horse trade here in Tampa Bay.
Bargain from invoice not MSRP.
Edmunds has the invoice prices as you probably know.
You should be able to get it for invoice plus a couple hundred. They might charge you some advertising fees. Don't pay any admin or processing fees.
i would expect you could get the LS with everything except sunroof for around 21K and change.
http://www.ande.com/newcarinventory.cfm
you can search "Impala" and it will list only the Impala's..
Don
I got a base model because I wanted the front bench seat, and it was the only way at the time to get the bench AND the 3.8l engine (and improved suspension, tires, etc.). However, my understanding now is that you can get an LS with a bench seat; if I were buying today, I'd look seriously at this option. As it is, I'm very happy with my Impala - about the only thing I miss from the LS is the fog lights.
Oh, BTW - If you pick up a 2001 Impala brochure, you'll find most of the owners pictured and quoted there frequent this board (or at least they did at some point in time), including myself (quoted on page 28, I think it is, but no photo).
http://www.donlen.com/Whats_New/new.html
It tells you all upcoming production changes for all Domestic and Imported cars currently in production, including actual production dates for the new model year.
Production of the new 2003 Impala is schedule to begin on 6/20/2002. 2003 Orders will be accepted as of 4/5/2002. Actually this week is your last chance to order a new 2002 Impala from the factory.
Start up date for 2003 oldsmobiles but no ordering date. Could mean trouble for any 2003 olds product.
Until then.
My 1991 s-10 blazer has 165k and it is getting alittle rusty but it runs great and burns no oil. I plan on keeping this LS for a long time.
any feed back. p.s. I have that old VIN list posted on my site,
http://www.luckyjdr.homestead.com/impala.html
thank god mine was made in 02-2000 and not 11-1999 like Dons.
If you want the direct path to Go straight to Holdens site
http://www.holden.com.au/app/serve?page=monaroOverview&cartype=18001 and the Monaro
RWD, choice of supercharged 6 or 5.7L v8, 6 speed.
this must be a real flyer. GTO is going to be based on this. hope they keep the RWD
The impala's is really small also. The only thing you can put in it is the owner's manual. I wonder why this is?
My intrigue, which was also a wbody had a nice sized glovebox.
My Acuras also had minimalistic glove box compartments. The owner's manuals would barely fit as the case with the Impala.
I actually appreciate the deep center console in the Impala and the empty cubicle space below the HVAC controls. The door pockets are nice also.
I wish the Impala had a compartment to put away your driving sunglasses. Also the cars equipped with center consoles are missing holding receptacles for cellular phones and slots to hold jewel CD cases.
The Impalas with front bench seats have receptacles for cell phones, slots for CD cases, and deeper coin holders. Even the console lid is covered in cloth. The only problem is that the console is not as deep as in the bucket seat cars.
If you ever want to see a very ingeniously conceived center console on a car with front bench seats, look no further to the new Ford Taurus. Ford has Chevy beat with some of the Taurus' interior touches and quality of materials, but that's about it.
http://www.actsinc.org/childpass-7.html
I'll ask my service manager today.
All Impalas since 2000, have upper baby car seat LATCH system metal anchors on each rear seat seating postion (2 outboard and 1 center). The lower anchors were made standard equipment on all new 2002 Impalas.
It doesn't look bad up close and in person.
Speedvision's Motorweek did a review of that grotesque Caddy SUV/Pickup hybrid thing, I forget the name. The only thing missing is Gearge Peppard driving it. And, maybe some missiles behind the headlights. $50,000!
I'll bet Bob Lutz will be spearheading ideas to return cadillac to it's former glory. He's on the right track putting the kabosh on body cladding. Monstrous grills and front end treatments can't be far behind.
It was suggested that you let the host handle the situation. That is *exactly* what you need to do.
Thanks for your understanding.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
I tried the peanut butter on the Black molding to remove wax and I must say it is a winner!
Although I didn't buy "Crunchy" because I was afraid that it might take off some of the black (Ya know, too abrasive).
The peanut oil is what must be doing it. Anyway, it works great.
Brett.....
Thanks
Gary, I'm a little slow sometimes, and frankly don't recall what the Dadillac SUV thing is you're talking about, but do you mean that it looks like something the "A-Team" would drive or that geezers would be driving? (Pat, please note my reference to geezers did not name anyone specifically, they know who they are!) And also you know that Mr. Peppard kicked the bucket some years ago, so seeing him drive it would indeed be scary. By the way, I just noticed my typo up above, and really "Dadillac" works for me...
I think it looks like one of those A-team tanks that they always build out of junked parts while they're locked up by the bad guys, which for some reason is always stocked with welding equipment and salvage truck parts. Or, maybe like one of those "battle tanks" from a low budget sci-fi movie. I think George Peppard drove one of them too. (Or was it George Kennedy?)