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Comments
LRCobra
As far as the new cover for the driver's side....do they have a 'revised' seat cover that takes care of the 'pluckering' problem around the side airbag cover?
Your brake problem has been noted....has anyone else has had brake related trouble?
If GM dares to ask TOP DOLLAR for the Impala ($25K for a Chevy is not exactly a bargain), owners of these cars can expect to receive TOP QUALITY in return, nothing less.
Remember the Impala Radio problem? Do you? For months you talked about it 'Ad Nauseum'day in and day out and everyone else had to put up with it. Thanks to your persistence in the subject a solution was found, but in the process people that were not interested in the radio also got annoyed by it.....
Many times you stated that you were ready to get rid of your Impala just because of the poor radio! Remember?????
Don't try to censor me...I am not going away anytime soon ;-)
Go to my site and click on the accessories link.
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/
I am curious to see what the numbers are for TEOs list of problems with the Impala. How many people have experienced each problem etc
I can only say I have experienced the ticks which seem to have disappeared during this winter...maybe they are temperature sensitive?
As far as aluminum goes ..Just because it is lightweight it is far from a weak metal. Many manufacturers (GM is a major one) use it for everythign from weight bearing suspension parts to engine blocks and cylinder heads ( which must be able to withstand vast temperature extremes adn demands)
So I wouldnt worry about that cradle breaking any time soon.
There is not a single make of automobile at ANY price that does not have its share of problems.
Every week I read about a different recall from FORD for instance , and moreso than GM they seem to have more critically acclaimed models .
I hope I continue to have success with my Impala because I love it..Currently I am studying to be an Auto Tech so at the slightest noise that car is up on the lift at the school and my ASE Master teacher will be looking at it with me!
Teo , prior experience with Pontiacs has led me to STAY away from that brand, so I wish you luck.
I have had way better luck overall with Chevy over my lifetime.
Well thats a good enough babble for now
peace
I know that most of you have the impression that I am 100% soured on the Impala...not so. I still like the car, the looks, the finish, etc. Too many positives about it. However, the cradle, steering shaft among others are unfortunately problems that can't be ignored for a minute. I was thinking of having my 2000 LS replaced with a new 2001 LS, but it seems that a 10/00 build date '01 owner is also reporting hearing the same ticks under the front end...what's up with that?
If there is a way on which GM can guarantee that a recently built Impala will not develop the problem, believe me, I'll take it in a minute, but as it stands, I don't know if it will be worthwhile to take on that risk again. The Grand Prix seems the only other good GM alternative at this point in time.
The Grand Prix uses almost identical mechanicals as the Impala...same engine, tranny, etc...so then why it would be a reliability concern? I have heard really negative comments about Oldsmobiles but nothing of major concern regarding recently made Grand Prix models.
I am still open to suggestions on this one.
I love Chevy, but man this cradle and steering shaft crappola wasn't necessary in the first place!
...and I agree FORD sucks big time!
http://www.opala.com/abertura.htm
Sorry, the site is Portuguese, which I can't even fully understand myself, but at least check out the pics.
I am curious to see what the numbers are for TEOs list of problems with the Impala. How many people have experienced each problem etc
I can only say I have experienced the ticks which seem to have disappeared during this winter...maybe they are temperature sensitive?
As far as aluminum goes ..Just because it is lightweight it is far from a weak metal. Many manufacturers (GM is a major one) use it for everythign from weight bearing suspension parts to engine blocks and cylinder heads ( which must be able to withstand vast temperature extremes adn demands)
So I wouldnt worry about that cradle breaking any time soon.
There is not a single make of automobile at ANY price that does not have its share of problems.
Every week I read about a different recall from FORD for instance , and moreso than GM they seem to have more critically acclaimed models .
I hope I continue to have success with my Impala because I love it..Currently I am studying to be an Auto Tech so at the slightest noise that car is up on the lift at the school and my ASE Master teacher will be looking at it with me!
Teo , prior experience with Pontiacs has led me to STAY away from that brand, so I wish you luck.
I have had way better luck overall with Chevy over my lifetime.
Well thats a good enough babble for now
peace
One thing to keep in mind is that this is a brand new model. As a general rule, any time they make a new model, the first year has problems. Granted, this should not be the case in light of the cash we lay out, but you'll see this in most cars today. Also, it's really difficult to say if the problems you had is an across the board problem or happens only to select cars.
The shim fix could be a valid one. Just because a fix is easy, it doesn't mean that it's bad. In this instance only time will tell and this would be the case with any fix.
One way of looking at it, Teo, is that you know what the problems are and you more importantly, you know what the fixes are. If you jump to a different car, who knows what problems you may face. I would recommend you take the '01 LS. Chevy can't guarantee that your new car will be trouble-free, but I'll bet Pontiac can't do that for the Grand Prix.
I just popped over to the Grand Prix town hall. They have had only 30 messages from the beginning of the month. One person complained about the passenger seat moving all the way forward during a hard braking situation and another mentioned scratches on the driver side window.
Come on Teo, stick with the Impala. I love my car and will miss it when my wife commandeers it and makes me drive the Saturn. =P
True, there are no guarantees regarding problems. But since the Y2K Impala cradle/steering shaft problems are well documented, I think I need to evaluate the situation better to make my best attempt at minimizing the odds of running into problems in these specific areas.
While the Grand Prix by no means is a perfect car, at least the mechanicals are proven (Same Impala hardware) and the steering gear is different (Magnasteer) and haven't heard any complaints about it on recent '00 and '01 copies. Another 'plus' sort of speak in my book is the absence of the aluminum made engine cradle. Now with this I am not saying that the GP will be perfect and probably the thing will have problems and issues of its own, again another gamble.
My best option right now is to objectively weigh and consider both cars carefully....positives, negatives, etc. Another reason that might justify moving to the Grand Prix is to get the Supercharged engine...that alone will be the best reason to switch over ;-)
Bottom line:: I will be happy with whatever car I decide to stay in the end.
Again, I appreciate your comments, from a TRUE Impala fan.
I wouldn't lower the Impala if I were you. The front end on it is already really low and if you drop the rest of the body, you're really going to have problems, especially with deep dips and hills. Save yourself the agony! I cringe whenever my front end scrapes the ground.
Teo can your dealer verify it on the new 2001 LS ? or would that be asking to much of him
You sure you want a supercharger? You will need to use the higher octane gas, may be subject to turbo lag, have lots more moving parts, and your low end torque will suck. Just go with the biggest engine you can get. There is no replacement for displacement.
> to turbo lag
Uh, actually, there is no such turbo lag on a supercharger. There is on a turbocharger.
a new cradle as this repair is covered under warranty. I was surprised to say the least, but the service advisor also said this is being covered for the Monte Carlo's. There was no attempt concerning the TSB what so ever which was also surprising as this does seem like like a much less expensive fix, but it also seems to me that it would be a temporary fix with minimal financial hit from the factory. I will get a loaner car for the 2-3 day repair cycle which I would assume is not required but a nice touch.
As a repeat question, which has not got much of a reply, has anyone got a dashcover they like? The dealer item from Dashking, velour type is reflective in the sun and is not to my liking.
I have returned 3 dashcover from various vendors,
which either look like ????? or the workmanship
is poor. Any help will be appreciated.
Miric
Cradle photos? Hmm. I don't know if I can get the camera to focus that close and I don't know anyone with a rack. If anyone can get good photos, I'll be happy to post it. Otherwise I'll have to come up with a way to get a good photo. Maybe with a mirror or something...
Later
LRCobra
http://www.manufacturing.net/magazine/dn/archives/1997/dn0505.97/09d8961.htm
http://www.manufacturing.net/magazine/dn/archives/1997/dn0421.97/08f8973.htm
I have yet to see an Impala that has been lowered. I really think Impala would look awesome if it was lowered by 1-2". Of course, I would replace the boring looking LS wheels with custom 17" wheels.
In addition, I was at a dealership over the weekend. I noticed the aftermarket rear spoiler looks much nicer then OEM LS spoiler. The OEM spoiler rise by 2" from the trunk lid. However, the aftermarket spoiler looks similar to Infinity Q-45. It rests right on the trunk lid without any spacing in between. Very chic! Plus, I'll change the boring front grill with a Billet grille. Wow!
I'm thinking of getting either a metallic silver or black Impala LS. Once I get my baby customized, I know I'll get lots of head turns.
FWIW - I ordered the car on Jan. 18th, it was built on March 14th, and I took posession on March 23rd (a total of 66 days from start to finish).
I also haven't noticed the clunking as much lately, but I also drove my "new" '82 F350 pickup most of last week, so the clunks probably seem minor in comparison to the punishment of driving this almost 20-year-old vehicle. You don't really appreciate how much cars have improved until you go back and drive something like this from your youth.
Like that 1965 Impala hardtop that was my first set of wheels - mmmmmm now there was a classy lady!
And that 1968 Buick Wildcat sitting in the dealer's showroom - silver with black top and interior (gorgeous chrome console separating those classy buckets). This twelve year old's heart skipped beats that day!
And the turquois '61 Caddy coupe that sat in my grandfather's garage and I would stand on tip toes to peek inside at the the brocade seats and chrome splashed door panels. I later learned to drive on that car in 1970 when my dad owned it.
How about it guys and ladies - let's have hear some loves of your life!
Best wishes for a chocoholic's favorite day to all
Ken
The rest of the car was a total and complete heap of junk...got rid of it with just 18K miles abd traded for a new '90 Honda Accord DX....troublefree for the next 66,000 miles. I also boughy a 1989 Honda Accord LX 5-speed with a carburated 2.0L 12 valve 4 banger that churned out 98HP but returned 45MPG in the highway! Car was OK but I had a plethora of problems with the rack and pinion, the front brakes and the A/C which went twice in 7 years of service...never had to touch the clutch assembly.
Next I traded the '89 Accord for a '95 Acura Integra LS sedan 5-speed which was a fun car on its own right and never gave me any problems..totaled in an accident in late '96. Wishing for something bigger and more substantial, I leased a '97 Acura 2.5TL Premium (Had a 5-cyl 20 valve in line engine mounted north to south and still FWD)and the car gave me little nagging problems with the power door locks, the A/C fan engine and light bulbs burning here and there. Never had any major mechanical problems with it and the car was solid as a drum. One thing I miss from that car is the digital climate control that was perhaps the best and most reliable feature...just set the temp and that's it..(Wish the Impala would offer automatic climate controls). I was thinking on keeping the '97 Acura as it was one of the last Japan built ones but at the end of the contract I realized that the car was not worth that much vs the residual value so it was not worth doing the purchase option thing. After driving this "big" japanese car, I got spoiled in the comfort and advantages of owning a large sedan. Craving some serious V6 power under the hood, good room and safety features, I went back to 'America' since nothing from Japan matched my wish list and neither in price..and that's how I picked up a keen interest in the Impala and well the rest is history.
I like the way the Impala trunk opens flush with the bumper; makes if much easier to SLIDE luggage and such in rather than having to LIFT it in.
How do the crash test ratings for the Grand Prix compare to the Impala?
I was wondering if anyone knew how to make the fog lights come on each time the headlights do without having to reach over and punch the little button each time. On my Grand Prix, it was a true switch, not a button. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, (sorry to detract from the original question), if someone does find a work around for the fog lights, please post it here.
website
http://www.luckyjdr.homestead.com/impala.html
lots of info.,reviews and pictures of members cars. new pictures always welcome.
When I test drove the GP, I noticed that the fog light switch is a real non-override type of switch and it is also located high up in the dash where it should be.
Speaking of the Grand Prix, last night I came across the latest NHTSA crash test scores for the 2001 GP sedan...dismal and very disturbing to say the least. The car scored a 2 star rating for the front riders and a measly 3 star rating for the rear passengers. No front crash data was yet posted (It will be available next month) but I suspect the car will score 4 stars, like the other 'older' W-body cousins such as the Regal, Century and Intrigue.
The Impala is the only W-body in the tests that has consistently scored a solid 5 star front crash rating and a 4 star (front and rear passenger)rating for side impacts. The tests have been conducted for both 2000 and 2001 models. This is indeed Volvo, BMW, Cadillac arena folks..not even the Taurus got such high side crash scores...only 3 stars.
Based on this timely discovery and since safety is paramount to us (And one of the main reasons we picked the Impala)I am very pleased to tell everyone that I will stay in the Impala family and this time around it will be a '01 LS. The Grand Prix is a very nice car but in all honestly friends, this car feels a bit flimsy inside and out and the NHTSA tests do confirm that truth.
Had a long chat with my service manager over the phone and he assured me time and time again that recently built 2001 Impalas do have the extra welds (All around the rack, not just the supports) missing from the early production models and also the shim material reinforcement. Sometime this week he invited me to come over to the dealer to check personally from under the lift a new 2001 Impala and he'll show me exactly the changes made to the cradle, the welds and the shim reinforcements. I will report back on my observations.
So here I am...the 'whiner' of the forum will give GM and the Impala a second chance...hopefully it will be better this time around.
Dmullins: In despite of some problems found with the first year Impalas, I haven't heard anyone complaining about blown transmissions or massive oil leaks. The GP's best asset is the S/C 3800 V6 found in the GTP models..a shame that the car posted very weak crash test results. Do you miss the Supercharger in the Impala??
"Ford has been watching how fiftysomethings have been flocking to Chevrolet's Impala sedan, one of the few GM passenger cards that carries no sales incentives."
"Used Impalas are selling for what they cost new, says AutoPacific analyst Jim Hall, while looking over the Marauder. I think Ford can sell between 10,000 and 15,000 without any problem."
The introduction of the new Mercury Marauder may push Chevy to consider a V8 for the Impala. Let's hope so.
St. Louis Missouri
sweetpolly: I agree fog lights are cute, especially at night when I can't see the road because they've blinded me, and burned their image into my retinas...
Teo, if your service rep is going to stick a 2001 on the rack, how about getting him to stick a 2000 on the rack and take photos of both cradles? Send them to me and I'll post it so everyone can see the changes.
What options? Cloth or leather this time?
Ken