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Comments
I have the same engine with my Malibu, was in the jams many times, but never experienced the temperature gauge to move much higher than usual. But I live in CT, a cold place by American standards, and my car is substantially lighter.
It would be better to ask the question on the GP board, not Impala one. On the other hand, the 3.4l engine used with the base Impala is a very close relative of our 3.1l V-6.
The only info I remember, is that according to the following article:
http://www.imcool.com/articles/anitfreeze-coolant/dexcool-johnbrunner.htm
the coolant will boil at 265F with proper radiator (or tank) cap, but at 226F if the cap is not tight. So the 245F looks uncomfortably high for me. On the other hand, if the fan holds temperature at 210F efficiently, this probably does not matter.
The bad thing when the lanes slow down to a snail's pace due to an accident is that everyone uses the shoulder as an extra lane. If your car starts overheating, there's nowhere to stop but in the right lane. Talk about making a lot of drivers VERY angry!!
It wil be interesting to know if there are any U.S. Army service men that own current model Impalas overseas.
We felt extremely secure in the Autobahn...Germans are very skilled drivers and you don't see them ever chatting on a cellular phone, drinking coffee, reading books, sahving, putting on make-up, daydreaming, etc. In Europe, when people get behind the wheel they seriously get down to the business of skillful driving.
No wonder here in the U.S. (In despite of having wider roads and much more land) we are limited to Speed Limits due to the lack of skill of the driving population and the desire to turn our cars into moving couch sofas, bathrooms, lunch tables, etc while we drive.
Man, an Impala drive trip accross Europe must be a dream!
I don't plan on anymore trips though. I don't plan on any traveling for awhile, but I'll start focusing on this country plus there are a couple of places I want to see in Canada.
A lot of specs for these cars were available on the site.
I remember that the maximum speed for several W-body cars was way above American. For example, for Buick Regal GS it was 220 km/h, i.e. 137.5 mph (1 mile = 1.6 km). In US fuel cuts off at about 110 mph, and tires are rated T or S (118 or 112 mph) only - do not remember exactly.
It was obvious from the numbers that these cars are supplied to Europe with some modifications. At least with different tires and different engine computer software. Would not surprised to learn the suspension is tweaked somewhat.
Would have gone for the LS, but wanted bench seats (seats six) and didn't want on-star.
How is the Impala comparing with the other cars in your family?
Interesting, how much it would cost to disable the OnStar?
I went on and bought locally and the extra money I spent could count for convenience. Particually when servicing the car.
Hope your parents enjoy their car!
I had the rotors machined and I used a ceramic type pad from CarQuest. The pads were a bit expensive ($72.00) but I don't skimp on brakes. These pads are suppose to be quiet and reduced dust. We shall see. These brake pads were a bit larger in surface area than the OEM units.
I still need to bleed the remainder of the brakes system to replace the brake fluid. I like to freshen up the brake fluid about every 2 years.
The car is over due for the popping cradle mount noises to return. I am hoping that the shim material TSB has solved the problem!
Tony
GM increased its rebates on several cars a couple of weeks ago but not the Impala. I imagine it's because they're selling well on their own.
I guess those of us who were featured in the 2001 Impala brochure ( p.20) are in our last few weeks of celebrity status. I have enjoyed the notoriety and fun this past year, but unfortunately it has to come to an end. As much as I hate too, tomorrow, Memorial Day, I am trading my much loved blue LS in for a 2002 Chevy Avalanche. I wish I could have both but cannot afford both payments. And need a vehicle to replace my chevy truck of 12 years and could not justify having 2 four door vehicles at the same time.
It has been a pleasure conversing with any and all in here. I am sure I will be back when the new style Impalas are released in a few years. Hope I have as much fun and good service from my new Avalanche as I have had with my LS.
You can email me and I can send you a pic. ( I think).
She called her dealer earlier this week to ask if it was okay to wax the car. Uhhhh, yeah... but WHY??? Her car is pristine! (sp?) She doesn't even have ONE water spot on it. (I do... sigh, lots of them).
So Saturday night she's all ready to wax the car. I go over to tease her, then end up helping! for almost an hour! Of course, had I not helped it might have been dark by the time she got done. LOL!
Oh well, she loves the thing. And I surely am not the person to tell her to get a life.....
one with a holographic design was really sharp. Hubby asked what the body shop
would do the first time someone hits it (and in Chicago folks- that's a given!)-
I winced and said yeah- not worth the grief- but still admire it. Had a great time
but didn't see many Impalas- just a silver one and a Navy on the way down.
I love it! Worked out a nice deal - sticker was 24574 got it for under 22K.
Just curious, what made you choose Impala LS?
I've been watching the Impala since last June or so. My Altima was getting up there in age but I was getting married in teh fall and my fiance (at the time) and decided to wait until this year. We came into a bit of money (for a nice downpayment) and decided to shop. Since I'm an engineer that runs w/ the sales force for my company I travel a lot around the midwest and wanted more room in my car then I had w/ the Altima. I loved the styling of the Impala and when we started shopping around the testdrive did it. I wanted the space - something the Camry and Honda didnt' really have for me, and the Maxima price wasn't worth it compared to what I could get w/ an Impala LS. So we settled. We got the dark blue metallic color over the green.
We picked it up today w/ 9 miles and now have abotu 130 on it after family visits to show off. I'm completely impressed and in love with this car. This group of folks here on this board were part of the convincing act as well. You all deserve kudos!
B
B
The one I drove was white with Grey painted undeerbody and exterior trim. I loved the folding and 'stow away' back seats to increase bed cargo capacity. The interior had black leather seats, a superb stereo and moonroof. How is yours configured? How much did you pay?
Watch out for those envious Ford F-150 owners out in the street! ;-) Please do come back from time to type to check on your Impala pals.
Nossirragh: I also test drove the rendezvous and it was also a very smooth, luxurious ride. The Rendezvous has the styling cues that are completely missing from the controversial Pontiac Aztek. Both, the Aztek and Rendezvous boast excellent levels of fit and finish, solid buil quality and a very good choice on interior materials. The Rendezvous rivals directly with the Lexus RX-300 SUV; however, the Rendezvous/Aztek main problem is the somewhat underpowered powerplant for the class which is the 'Base' Impala 3400 V-6 churning out 180hp. These vehicles would have benefited greatly of having received the 3800 Series II V6 that we get on the Impala LS, it really needs it to really make a dent into the RX-300's sales. Otherwise a nice ride, very smooth handling, nice paint colors. Also remember that the Aztek/Rendezvous are spin-offs of the current trio of GM minivans (Venture, Montana, Silloutte therefore they are not true SUV's). The Rendezvous/Aztek are both assambled at the Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant.
BigJerry::: Congratulations on the new Base Impala. Your parents are sure very lucky to have such a generous son! Would you consider a new '01LS for yourself???? (Are you happy with your MB 430?)
Bbrowne:: Welcome to the club! Hope you are enjoying your new LS as much as we are enjoying ours! I got my new '01 LS on 4/25/2001 (Roughly four weeks ago) with just 4 miles on the odometer. The build date on mine is 4/01 and it had been built probably the first or second week of April when we took delivery at the end of last month. Ours is Sandrift metallic/Neutral Cloth/OnStar/Stereo CD only/Trip Computer. Have only put 600 miles so far and took it to the expressway for the first time yesterday...it flies!.
Teo...Don't tell us, You DROVE a Pace Equipped SUV Bravada??? just kidding, I couldn't resist!
But I did test a Nitro powered Trike!
The LS is a very nice car and I would have no problem driving one and being seen in one. I considered buying one for my wife when the new design first came out, but the dealer at that time failed to return my calls and I bought the Lexus ES300 instead. For me, I love my 2000 MB ML430 (traded in a 1998 MB ML320 which I also enjoyed driving. I love the tight steering and secure feeling of the electronic stability control as well as full time 4WD. I pull a large boat, and need the capability of this truck - but the new Avalanche would also meet my needs and I will be looking at these new alternatives the next time I trade. My first SUV was a 1988 S10 Blazer back when there were very few SUVs on the road - so I am a long term SUV driver.
Question for those who have had the brakes serviced or Rotors turned, Did you have the "Chevrolet Dealership" handle that for what amounts to "Highway Robbery" or an outside Business like Midas or the like? I have 18K and have no real clunks or Shaft issues at all, But I am starting to notice some slight noticeable wobble in the steering wheel while Braking,and only while braking Commonly associated with the rotors needing turned, Just curious on where I should go for a Quality Brake Evaluation/Service? Thanks Don
It turns out that there is a $1000 dealer cashback allowance that is not publicized.
My dealer never let on that it was available.
The other dealer actually had it on the windshield.
They are one of those $98 above invoice places, where everything is disclosed and there are no additional charges. I might be going with them.
Any case, the resale price difference hardly will be substantial. I looked once for the resale price of my current car. The price adjustment for color was only $29. Or was it $26? - do not remember exactly.
As well as I remember, the WWW price estimator for used cars is available at Edmunds and/or kbb (Kelly Blue Book). You can enter some fiction data for two-year-old cars, and compare the prices yourself.
Of course, the dirt is more visible on dark-blue. Does not matter if you can hose the car at will, but annoying if renting an apartment.
* Any scratch, dent or ding no matter how small and insignificant can it be, will be spotted literally from miles away and only gets worse under direct sunlight.
* Dark paints tend to absorb much more heat and light, thus creating the perfect environment for a very hot interior during the summer months. At the dealer, my service manager told me to place my hands on the hood of a black base Impala parked besides a Galaxy Silver Impala LS...both cars were parked in the open lot and had received the same amounts of sunlight (Very hot day around 92F). The sheetmetal on the black car was blazing hot to the touch, while the silver car was noticeably cooler to the touch as well.
* Dirt is very noticeable on dark cars requiring frequent washing.
I believe that dark colored cars are best suited for colder climates and for owners that have enough time to spare during the weekends to wash/wax and detail their cars. If you don't mind the above inconveniences perhaps you'll be happier with the Navy Blue Impala.
For me, lighter colored cars work much better. I live in a very hot place; therefore, a dark car is simply inconvenient same as having leather seats with heaters when the temperature year round never drops below 80F. Also, I live in a Condominium where car washing is strictly forbidden (Besides is difficult to do in my parking spot) so I have to pay someone else to hand wash/wax/detail my car. Since I don't get to wash my car on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, the Sandrift color that I picked is just perfect for these circumstances. The Sandrift hides dirt very well. If you look at the car you can't really tell if is covered in dust until you get really close to it. Wonderful. Also, the Sandrift makes the Impala look very elegant and enhances the body lines really nicely. I love this color.
Before, I had the Light Driftwood metallic (Gold) on my 2000 LS. I loved that color as well. Even if the car got really dirty it was hard to tell from a distance. When the Sandrift first came out I was not really impressed by it. In fact I disliked it a lot. To me, GM had made a mistake by letting go on the Driftwood color. But now, the Sandrift has really grown on me and family, friends keep telling me that they prefer the look of the Sandrift on my '01 LS to the Gold in the '00 LS. I agree. Both of these colors are extremely easy to maintain and demand less washing.
Both are beautiful, but evaluate whether you want to spend lots of time washing the car or opt for a easier to maintain color and a more understated look (If you can call an Impala understated!)
Yes, I also got to test drive (Short 5 minute drive around the SUV circuit track)a Dark Blue 2002 Chevy Trailblazer. Awesome truck! From the get-go, the 270HP in line 6Cyl engine is a gem! Smooth, seamless power delivery. Never have driven/ride on a truck this smooth! Handling was very good and stable. Took some fast corners and the truck felt very comfortable when pushing the envelope. The interior of the Chevy was very nice, comfy seats and roomy and very quiet. A cut above the similar 2002 Ford Explorer available for test drive as well (I didn't care for the Explorer and hated the Jeep Grand Cherokee).
If GM decides to build a spin-off of the 270HP Vortec in Line Six for passenger car applications (RWD) GM would have scored a spectacular Homerun. It would be the best engine since the 3800 V6.
My favorite one of the new '02 SUV GM trio is the GMC Envoy. Nice, nice and classy. The TrailBlazer comes right in second if you want clean, rugged good looks. In all honestly, I did not care for the Bravada looks. I don't like the Oldsmobile 'Saturn inspired' front ends. The Envoy and TB are much better IMO.
I guess that LS comes fully loaded with leather, CD/Tape, Trip computer and perhaps Moonroof.
If you can get your hands in a deal like this, don't think about it twice!
The $1000 rebate appears to be current, however, the Chevy site doesn't yet lists the updated incentives for the upcoming months.
Two items:
* The 'Weak' sounding stereo. I gather they got an Impala built before 4/01 and still probably fitted with the old useless trunk amp. If they could re-evaluate the stereo in a new '01 LS built during or after 4/01 their minds would change completely (And get blown away).
* Lumbar support adjutment. Don't really use it that much but for sure an electrical adjustment should make it easier to change the settings while driving.
* When I close the doors, trunk and hood I only get that pleasant and solid 'Thunk' sound. I don't know exactly what are they referring to. The Impala looks and feels extremely solid compared to other vehicles in the same class and specially the 'Japanese' gems that everyone likes to rave so much about..
Again a very enjoyable and to the point review.
I realized Autoworldweekly had a website. Thus, I provided a link for everyone to read. I also posted on the Edmunds.com new car (Impala) for everyone to read in case they cant decide whether to buy Impala or not.
I noticed the pictures of the Impala (colored rear bumper) is a 2000 model, not 2001. Therefore, the "weak sound stereo" must be on the 2000 model.
In any case, neither of these cars had the revised trunk amp by the time the review was conducted.
Thanks again for the link.
I went with Dark Blue - I couldn't get over how sweet that color looked. I guess I see a lot of the silver and maroon colored Impalas here, so I looked @ green and blue. After comparing, my wife liked blue. I had to ponder it more but the more I looked at it the better off I thought I was with blue.
Granted you can see the dirt - I noticed the rear of the car seemed to have gotten quite dusty. Wiped it off tonite in our garage.
Especially here, I think the blue is a more unique color and am quite happy with it. Wife would have preferred torch red but there weren't any on teh lot!:>
The frustrating thing I'm finding with the dark blue is swirl marks. I'm trying to be exceedingly careful with washing etc, but I must have a towel with a small amount of polyester fiber (polyester scratches clear coat so you should only use 100% cotton towels on your car). I noticed yesterday in the direct sun that there are swirl marks down the one side of my car. The rest is fine (so it's not the California Duster). I use about six different towels when cleaning my car, so it must be one of them that's the culprit.
Oh yeah, and last night our friend's dog decided to jump up on the passenger front door to say hello to her owner sitting in the car. Put six nice claw marks on the top of the door. AARGGHHH!