2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

tsjay

Hey, love that color! That's the color I got too.

You need to know the invoice price of that car to know how good your deal is. My dealer sold me my Impala just before Christmas for invoice price.

Tom

P.S. I would have thought that an overhead console and a sunroof would be mutually exclusive???

zx3for_me

Invoice price is 25,956 -4000 in rebates brings it to 21956 is what they are asking...he offered to take another hundred bucks off which will bring it to 21856. I am upside down in my ZX3 to the tune of 2400 in negative equity which is the killer here...

Don't the dealers still make $$ for selling a car well under invoice especially if it has been on the lot for a bit?

jkohan

I just picked up my 2004 Impala LS last night. I traded a 2001 Impala LS.

There is no strap in the trunk, you know, the one that you grab to close the trunk like I had in my 2001.

Did they eliminate the trunk pull down strap for the 2004's?

tsjay

If a dealer sells a car at invoice price, he still gets 3% hold back. I doubt that they could stay in business if they sold every car at invoice, but they do make a little money when selling at invoice.

It sounds like you are being offered a good deal on the new car, but I don't know how they are treating you on trade-in on the ZX3. Even if you told me the amount, I wouldn't know if it is a good deal or not. Trading-in a vechicle sure complicates things. You really don't know how good your deal is. They might make it look like they are really discounting the new car, but they could be at the same time low-balling you on your trade-in. They can go the other way too... offer you more for your trade-in, but not discount the new one as much as they would otherwise.

I always make them deal with me on a no-trade-in basis, and I get their best offer on the new vehicle that way. ONLY THEN do I bring up the fact that I "might" have to trade in a vehicle, if I can't sell it on my own.

Do your research here in Edmunds and elsewhere, and try to get a real good feeling for the trade-in value of your car. Be realistic, and don't expect the dealer to give you retail value on it. He needs to make a profit on it when he re-sells it.

Tom

hvan

I would offer the dealer $21.5K out the door. If you want to push for $21K, wait till the 4th of July weekend. I"m sure they'll have a blowout sale.

Yes, the 2004 Impala no longer has the trunk strap. My 2000 LS trunk strap fell off about a year ago.

zx3for_me

Thanks for the words of advice guys..actually I am getting what I consider a fair trade in for the ZX3. Depending who you use for a guide it is worth anywhere from 6600 to 7300 and Betley in Derry NH offered 7000. Mind you it is a 2003 with 33k on it. Has the usual wear and tear from highway miles as far as paint chips etc.

They have actually been very low pressure, the original asking price was posted on the net at 21956 all along and salesman plainly said that he will kick in 100 bucks of the holdback to lower it to 21856. I am going to take a ride in it tonight...hell I might not even like it and this will all be moot lol.

Wish I wasn't upside down in the loan by 2400 dollars...means a diff of paying 340-350 per month vs 303 ugh. 40 extra a month x 5 years equals that 2400.

Seems like a good deal for a pretty much loaded LS, just a little gun shy to actually pull the trigger...350 a month is going to seem like a lot of $$ after puting 75k on the car in about 3 years

tsjay

I hate to rain on your parade even more, but that extra $2400 you finance will also incur interest over the 60 months of the loan. So, it will add more than $40 to your payment. Probably closer to $50 than to $40.

Hey, I know ALL about upside down! You will think I'm a lunatic, but I traded for a new 2001 Jeep Wrangler in December of 2000, and because of a succession of car trades before that one, I was $8000 upside down on trade-in!

I took out a home equity loan to cover $6000 of the $8000 deficit and put the remaining $2000 on the Jeep loan. I wanted that Jeep REAL bad, huh???

Well, that Jeep turned out to be even more fun than I had thought it would be, and I am totally satisfied with it. It cured me of the car trading fever. After three and a half years, I am not one bit tired of that Jeep and would not even THINK about trading her.

The Impala purchase was to replace our family car, which was an 89 Olds with over 120K miles on it. I did not trade my Jeep for it.

Tom

gregp5

I have an '04 LS and it does have the trunk strap. Perhaps it was deleted in later build dates though.

Greg

zx3for_me

I test drove the Impala LS and let's just say it was very underwhelming. The leather was cheap and I couldn't tell all the much of a diff fom the 3.4. I don't think I'll drop this amount of cake over a base Impala if I do decide to go with it.

I'm perplexed...I drove a rental out in CA that I absolutely oved...It was a base LS with sport cloth....I would expect a rental to run like crap...this one floated....every Impala I have test driven in the past week has run like crap. Whats up with that? Either a shaky ride or the engine sounds like it is wheezing.

Guess there is a vast diff in the build quality of these cars..I would never just have the dealer order me one...I'd have to drive it first.

zx3for_me

edit avove message...it was not a base LS I drove in CA...just a 3.4 Imp Cappacunio Frost

s60 2.4

Strongly considering purchasing a 2004 LS with in one month. I was advised when I test drove the LS that Chevy recommends 87 for both the base and LS models. I was wondering if it would be a problem if once I get the LS if I run 89 in it. I know performance may be better but I do not want to lesson overall fuel economy. All I want is what is best for my new Impala since I plan on keeping it for a long time. Thank you!!!!!!

s60 2.4

I was wondering about having the rear spoiler removed if I purchase the LS model. I saw that some LS models do not come with a spoiler. However, if I find the options I am looking for I was wondering the cost and what process takes place to get it removed. Thank you!!!!

hvan

89 octane has been proven a waste of money. Either get 87 or 91 octane. In the case of Impala, the engine is made to drive on 87 octane. Thus, do what the manufacturer says.

As for the removal of the spoiler, doing so will leave four small screw holes on top of your trunk lid. Can you say....RUST?

s60 2.4

The sales man advised 87 for both the base and LS model. He said the SS does require 91. As for the spoiler removing it will not be a good idea. I am going to purchase the 04 LS in about 8 weeks. Just wanted to ask your opinion on the 04 LS and how you have liked your Impala. Thanks!!!!

jkohan

Just picked up my Impala Wednesday night. While driving it to work Thursday and Friday, I noticed that the ride seemed a little bouncy and the car tended to drift to the right.

Took it to Goodyear this morning and it had a bad tire on it (Goodyear GA's). These tires are crap, I had them on my 01 Impala LS and had the exact same thing happen. Goodyear had to replace one of those too because a tire was bad. Of course I did not get charged anything because the car only has 100 miles on it.

I did have to pay $70.00 for an alignment though (which fixed the drifting problem). Now the car drives great. I have not contacted the dealer yet, but I would expect them to reimburse me for the alignment since it came from the factory like that. I know I probably should have taken it back to the dealer, but then I would have to leave it for a day and find other means of transportation. Goodyear fixed everything in an hour and a half.

Other than that, I love the car. The XM radio seems to fade out every now and then, but I can live with that. Its really a great car and very sharp looking. I got white with grey leather. Every available option including the heated seats.

zx3for_me

I noriced the ride being a bit bouncy also on the test drives I have taken in them

02impalals

could it be that you were test driving an base instead of an LS? my LS came with the sport suspension package and i thought it was standard on the LS.

also about the spoiler...i really dont like it either and was thinking about replacing the deck lid so you dont have the hole...but i bet its expensive.

s60 2.4

I test drove both the 04 base and 04 LS. My test driving experience with the 04 LS felt very firm and the suspension was much better then the base. The base suspension seemed soggier but it was smoother then the firmer LS sport tuning suspension. I was advised that you could order an LS with out the rear spoiler. On the LS the spoiler is pretty much standard. They advised the spoiler can be removed but you are going to have holes and it is going to cost a lot.

tsjay

I didn't like the spoilers either at first, but it wasn't a real big issue with me. I have come to actually like the looks of the spoiler now.

Tom

charts2

I have a 2001 LS and the front of my car is definetly firmer then my sons 2003 LS... I suspect they softened the touring suspension a bit from 2003 onward...

abe78765

Would owners of the 2001 Impala LS with Sport Cloth Seating do me a favor and check the back of the driver's seat? Is there a pocket there that matches the pocket on the back of the passenger seat?

The reason I ask is I think my dealer just switched out my seatback. A few days ago I took the car in because the seat moved when I accelerated or braked. They told me to come back next week for the repair after they'd ordered a part. When I got the car home today, the seat back looked funny. It was sagging and there was no pocket -- and I could have sworn there was one. But I need confirmation.

I checked the original sticker and the 2001 brochure, and neither says anything about pockets. A May 2000 article in Consumer Reports on the LS states there are "deep pockets [plural] behind the front seats [plural]." A few websites say the current LS has a pocket only behind the passenger seat.

Any help would be appreciated

hvan

There is a TSB for this problem. Please read below (courtesy of ImpalaHQ.com). FYI, my 2000LS leather has rear pockets on both seats.

01-08-50-008
Power Seat - Track Adjusters
July, 2001

Subject: Power Seat Track Adjusters

Models: 2001 Buick Century, Regal - Built After VIN Breakpoint 11252271; 2001 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo - Built After VIN Breakpoint 19298567

Beginning with the VIN breakpoints listed above, the power seat track adjusters are non-serviceable and therefore individual parts are not available. If repairs are required to the power seat track adjuster on these vehicles, it will be necessary to replace the complete assembly. See Group 11.561 in the appropriate GMSPO Parts Catalog for part number information.

Important: Vehicles built prior to the VIN breakpoints listed above have power seat track adjusters that can be serviced with individual parts.

fathertyricius

I own the 01 LS and there is no seat pocket on my driver's seat. From day one of owning the car I wondered if Chevy forgot to put one on my seat while in production, so I went to the dealer's lot and looked at the other LS's on the lot and all of them had no seat pocket either ... This is the way Chevy intended it to be. You can relax now Abe.

abe78765

Thanks to hvan for information about the repair & to fathertyricius for checking your LS seatback. This is very helpful information.

pluto5

The base is good for a taxi IMO. If you want a personal car get the LS with the bucket seats.

As far as the spoiler, you can factory order if it's not too late and delete it. With the money you save you can almost pay for the side airbag.

With the GM card rebate you can get the LS for well under 20K if you avoid options.

jimbmw

Hi, we have an '02 Impala LS and it HAS a spoiler, which helps to judge the back end of the trunk when parking. To help further when backing up (for my short wife), I bought and installed a pair of Ultrasonic Parking Sensors (from Autozone for $50) and they work great! They attached with double-back tape on the bottom of the tail-lights and work very well. Unfortunately, I can't find them @ Autozone anymore, and my web searches only come up with the kind that you have to bury into the bumper! The LS is the middle class Cadillac--it has almost as many bells/whistles including heated seats with the leather option and for $20K less than a Caddy. Get in the low 20's city and up to 30 on the highway.

tomaso3

here is a pix of my 2001 Impala LS with 100,00 KM on it, [66,000 miles] - it's been through 4 winters, no garage and parks under a tree - I use Zaino Polish on it. I think it looks pretty good.

That's me holding a California Duster in the reflection.

http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=show- MyPhoto&albumID=12456317&photoID=99838284&security=Ty- lUYA

pat

tomaso, webshots expects people to be logged in and/or be the owner of the album to see your your pic?

tjf

Hi all. I have a 2001 Impala base with 71k miles .I just today had to have the B.C.M.{ body control module} replaced. They say it still needs the ambient light sensor replaced.Its causing the service veh. light to stay on. The air bag sensor is also shot. I prefer to do the work myself.The shop gets $80 hr. Does any body know where they are located. I think the a.l.s. is under the grid where wind shield and hood meet. any help would be great. Thanks tjf

jons01

My '01 LS with 26,000 miles has been a great car up til now with practically no problems. Well, Today I had a potentially very serious problem. My wife was driving her two friends out to celebrate a birthday and when making a turn a tie rod broke, making the car inoperable.Fortunately, she was going at a slow speed when it happened and it does not look like any other damage was done.

My question is, is this something that other Impala owners have experienced, or just a very unusual problem? Any info would be appreciated.

johnclineii

Well, I replaced a tie rod end on my 2000 LS, but this was after 160,000 miles and after a tire shop forgot to tighten the lug nuts after doing a brake job.

So, from my experience only, may be a bit unusual indeed!

pluto5

I can see the edge of the trunk without the spoiler and I'm only 6' but after 30 years of driving I should know where the back [non-permissible content removed] of the car is. I can't see why Chevrolet has to put a non-functional spoiler on a family car so I opted to delete it from my order but most buyers don't have that option. I may have the only LS without a spoiler and no options except for the side airbag. Isn't it a great country where you have a choice? Too bad GM hasn't updated the safety features on this model, e.g., side curtain airbags so I'm looking for another family vehicle so I don't have to wait til Chevrolet gets the gremlins out of the 06 redesign.

rb4580

Hey guys, thinking of picking up a 2004 Base Impala. It has the Cloth bucket seats (785$), Cruise (250$), and carpet (80$). I'm getting the car at invoice and here's what it breaks down to. Is this a bargain?

INVOICE PRICE – $21,402
3% VA Tax - $642
Hampton Tax - $32
Dealer Business License - $44
License Fee - $10

PLUS 4,000$ rebate and 750$ military. OUT THE DOOR IS $17,380

charts2

I have a Impala 2001 LS bought brand new...several occasions in the past 3 years gone for an oil change includes 20 point inspection have gone to 2 local Chevy Dealerships...during these visits not once has the air filter been checked...and its part of the 20 point inspection....why? because its difficult to remove and its time consuming.....brought this to the attention of the service managers, who seemed to care less.....my son recently bought a 2003 Impala LS with 20,000 miles (32000 km)on it at another chevy dealership.....150 point GM inspection the salesperson bragged about, that includes checking the air filter...My son drove the car for two weeks, informed me it seemed sluggish/hesitated going up hills.....we checked the air filter...it was plugged and appeared to have never been changed......went back to the GM dealership informed them of this they gave us a new filter.

   If you are handy at all, check your own air filter most GM cars with the air box can be a knuckle scraping task.....and I believe most mechanics hate wasting the time checking these.....a very important maintenance item thats often being overlooked...

hvan

You can buy a brand new 2004 Impala base in CA. for $15,900 with MSRP of $22K. No joking.

ryanbab

Hello I am currently a truck owner looking at buying a work car. I found a 2002 impala with 81K miles (seems high to me). They are asking $6995. Does this seem high? I ran a report on nada and it is in the ballpark (it was like from 6400-8500). What should I be aware of (problems). How many miles do you think I could get out of the car?

Thanks

Ryan

johnclineii

Well, I have 160,000+ on my 2000, live in WV and am getting ready to drive it to Wisconsin via Pittsburgh.

Does that help?

No major problems since I have had it, other than an air bag sensor and a headlight switch!

ijennings1

Hi,

That's a great price. But if you can stand being a second owner, in Kansas city, 2004 LS's with the 3.8 are being offered at between 14 - 16K. Whether they are still there when you turn up is another thing i suppose.... Also the LS has the better handling package if that's important to you of course.. All I would respectfully say is to look at how much you will loose in 2 years in residual value.

tsjay

Sup, dude? Ain't heard from you in ages.

I'm an Impala owner now. Bought a brand new 04 LS back on December 23rd. LOVE IT! Still have my Jeep (my 01 Wrangler Sport), and the little S-10 is still going strong at 174,4xx miles, but the Impala is now our family vehicle.

POTFH!

Tom

ryanbab

Long time yea I am still around. Still have my truck (48K miles)

I went and looked at the car. For having 82K miles (2002) it looked pretty good. It was black (rather have a light color). Had some scratches. Interior was clean. Someone already put a deposit down on it oh well ill keep looking

Id rather buy a brand new one (gm supplier plan, gm card points, incentives) however next winter/spring I am building a home so I am trying to keep the expenditures low

edl79

We have 2 Impalas - a burgundy 2001 base with the 3.8L and a blue 2004 LS.
The 2001 we got in Oct-2001 and has 75,000 miles on it and the 2004 is 8 months old and has 16,000 miles.
I drive 500 miles a week round-trip to work and I drove the 2001 for 3 years and 70,000 miles and now I drive the LS.

I ordered the 2001 because we wanted 3 comfortable seats in the back for the kids and in the LS the middle rear seat isn't comfortable.
The 3.8L has performed flawlessly in both cars.
The 04 feels a little quicker with less pressure on the gas pedal.

It does seem like Chevy has softened the suspension since 2001.
I drove the 2001 last week to work and it definitely feels firmer than the 04 LS.
Firmer on the highway and firmer cornering.
The 04 has more lean. It can't take the corners as fast and it doesn't feel quite as secure as the 01 at high speed when riding close to the lane divider, but the 04 is still damn good.
Overall handling is still about the same.

My 2004 LS was built last summer and it does have the trunk strap.
If they don't come with that now how cheap can GM get ?
The 2001 came with a coin holder and a black muffler, but not the 04.

The base seats in the 2001 are more comfortable both front and rear and look like they will last longer than the sport cloth in the LS.
The bucket seats in the LS are too short and I'm not tall.
I've had no problems with the Goodyear GA's on either car.
They still had tread on them at 60,000 when I got new tires for the 01.

Everything still works fine in both cars, including Onstar.
For us the Impala has been a good and dependable car.
We got the 04 because of our experience with the 01.
Both cars look great and run great.

zx3for_me

Wondering if there are any issues that have been resolved in Impalas built 40 days agao rather than 260 days in inventory...let's say a May 04 build vs a 10/03 build

Thanks

jcolpean

Big news....my wife is due with #4! Bad News....2 car seats and 2 kids can't fit in the backseat of the Impala.

I am hoping to unload it to a buyer and not deal with the stealer. I have read KBB, NADA and another one that I dont recall....it is dang hard to guess what I should put it up for.
2000 Impala LS with the 3800
Loaded / Leather / Remote starter
103,000 miles...almost entirely on highway.
What I like about this car over the Mazda (which I will have to get rid of as well...here comes minivan) is the gas mileage...I got 397 miles on 1 tank 2 weeks ago!!
Car is freshly detailed, good tires, no major problems..homelink button broke off for one of the garage door openers.
Oh well...I was thinking maybe aroubd $7k though I still $8.5 on it.

Cheers

johnclineii

MUST you refer to dealers as stealers?

That really is QUITE rude, totally uncalled for and a gross overgeneralization.

Sigh.

lorto

I agree with John. Auto sales people are just like you and I, trying to make a living in this world. They have mouths to feed and house payments to make. If they happen to get more of your money than average then that's YOUR burden. You gave it to 'em, they didn't steal it.

zx3for_me

I've pretty much decided on a base Impala with 1SB, Sport Cloth Gray, Buckets, and ABS.

There are only a few cars in New England that have what I want in it. Colors are limited to Silver, Blue or Black. Blue, Black are more maintenance to look clean than Silver but Silver screams rental at me. But that won't make or break a sale.

OR

My dealer has a 2004 Sandstone with the Sport Appearance package, audio wheel controls, Mirror Group, ABS, Sunroof,1SB for about 800-1000 more. Nice car but really am not enthused by the color. Any other color except white and I'd grab it.

Also while we are at it, I have a copy of the dealer locater of the cars I have been looking at....Listed it says MRSP 24,750- no brainer, Age 29...that how many days on his lot or from the factory?

Now DIP is listed as 22884.38...dealer invoice price? Next to it is GMS which says 21995.78....not sure what this means but perhaps Gross Margin Sale?

Price quoted to me on this car was 22750...I take it that the dealre can sell the car between the GMS and the DIP to make a profit?

Little confused here but thats why I'm posting

Leaning towards black even though I see stone chip city

charts2

.....I have been around longer then most of you on this board here, I am 54...You are right that car sales staff are working people like others, but often like many who work on a commission basis (anyone who works in sales on commission) the truth can often be twisted or misconstrued or unethical practices used to squeeze that extra buck out of you, thats how they make their living..You know when someone is working on commission whether in a car dealership or an appliance store.....within one minute of walking in, from nowhere a sales guy with a plaid sports jacket appears, with that big synthetic smile! HOW ARE YOU TODAY! who wants to be your best friend right! we have all seen these guys.....I have had many good experiences in my 35 years of car ownership, I own a 2001 Impala. and I have also had may bad experiences. I hate it when car sales staff try to convince you that you need that undercoating, or extra warranty, or $37 trunk net (that use to be free) ....your right it is up to the individual to make sure you don't pay more then you should for service or price of the car you are buying. Hopefully the commissioned salesman (woman) is honest and not sell you something and offer you a fair price...I believe often first time buyers, (we have all been there) young women and seniors get duped..or convinced into believing that they need that extra warranty or upgraded whatever,..(that they probably don't need) they are easy targets that puts that extra $10 commission in the sales clerks pockets...Over the years I have known several commissioned sales people (from all types of commissioned work) and I have heard/learned of all the tricks of the trades that are used to squeeze that extra hundred from you to bring them that fatter pay check or bonus at the end of the month by often selling services or products that the consumer didn't come in for or doesn't need!. An honest commissioned sales clerk is a person who would only sell a person what they need not what the sales clerk thinks what they should have!!..it happens more then you think!! I am not generalizing and they all don't do it . we have all seen shows like 20/20 and 60 minutes.....Car salesmen & lawyers, are always voted to the the top of list, of least trusted and most unethical.....I am sure there are very good companies that work under commissoned sales but the bad ones are the ones we seem to remember the most!!!

lorto

There are plenty of us on this forum that are your age or older and I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. But why limit your comparison to auto sales people and lawyers? It seems to me you could say the same about doctors, dentists, plumbers, electricians, roofers, mechanics, computer technicians, appliance sales/repair people, furniture dealers, realtors, insurance agents, travel agents, morticians, evangelists/clergy, and let’s not forget politicians. Seems the world is just plumb full of stealers. Don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing unethical behavior. But you can't simply label a profession, any profession, as “stealers”. It’s up to the consumer to make educated and informed decisions. Again, don’t do your homework, don’t watch out for #1, and you’ll be giving your money away.

kenneth

GMS is the price paid by GM employees and family (including retired employees and their families). GM also has a plan for "friends" - which is the what a GM supplier would pay. To qualify, you need to be sponsered by a GM employee or family member. That price is usually about $150-$200 below the dealer invoice price. I believe DIP is the dealer invoice price. But, keep in mind, the dealer pays less than the invoice price, when you factor in dealer incentives, dealer rebates, floor plan incentives etc. The price you were given is below the dealer invoice price. I think that's a good deal. Good luck. I'm on my second Impala (first was silver, second is dark carmine red) and I have had no problems with either vehicle. I'd get another one when my lease is up, but after 2 Impala's, I want something different.

charts2

This is suppose to be about the Impala board, but your right about all the others you mentioned good for you to lets us know!!! an educated consumer is better equipped to watch for the bad ones! and theres lots! thankyou!