2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala
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Impala X topic. Those of you joining us from that
topic are welcome to continue your discussion.
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follow the above link for additional archived
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Cobra
The whole point of life long learning is that at whatever age you find yourself, you can always learn something from someone older or younger than yourself and must not be adamant that you are the living personification of absolute truth.
Ken
I am driving that old 1990 Cr Vic (actually the Gr Marquis sister) now - with 140K on it. Every morning I look out the window to the driveway to see if perchance it may have morphed overnight into a new Impala LS (alas - it's a stubborn beast!) Hope to replace it next yr with what you are driving today. Guess I won't wait for you to get done with yours and then buy it used - but I will look for lease returns mid next yr and see what's avaiable.
Enjoy your LS ride. Glad you're getting at least one decent perk for the risks you take.
Ken
If this really works all day, I'll let you know.
I took a trip last week on Friday to a Mississippi state high school championship game and I averaged 28.3 mpg. This car is great. When I was driving at 70 mph on the interstate, the car handles great and you can hardly tell that you are traveling that fast. Thanks for all responses to the oil question. May all have a terrific day!
Just turned 2600 miles on my 2001 LS. Running great.
I have checked my oil level every 3000 miles and the 3800 doesn't use a drop of oil!
I am just turning 21k on my LS and am planning on an oil change. Gonna use Mobil 1 Synth and AC Delco filter. Also going to the K&N filter and possibly changing the muffler to a Flowmaster 50.
BTW...The dealer got the part in and the new steering shaft goes in tomorrow am. It's gotten a little bit worse over the last 2 weeks so it will be great to have that fixed.
peace.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?&f=0&c=Maintenance&t=543&q=*
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?&f=0&c=Maintenance&t=851&q=*
In short:
Syntetic oil is better than the dyno one, but also more expensive, and not so easy available at the quick lube next door.
Synthetic oil is necessary in cold regions, like some parts of Canada, Alaska, etc. Where the temperature often falls below -20F or so (-30C).
There is no sense to use the expensive synthetic if you drive a lot through dusty places, like construction sites or some deserts. Then you have to change oil very often anyway, as often as every 1-1.5k miles, simply to remove the dust from engine.
About the same with new engine: it produces metallic and silicon particles itself during break-in period. A bit more friction with dyno oil does not hurt and probably even helps to break-in. A lot of people are suggesting switching to synthetic not earlier than at 5k to 10k miles or so. Except with some sporty engines, factory-filled with synthetic.
Some very old engines can start leaking oil after switching to synthetic. It depends on the state of its seals, gaskets, etc. Not all engines, but this happens often after 100k miles or so. But not problem with switching at 50k or so. Personally, I started using synthetic with my Malibu immediately after its warranty expired, 3 year / 36k miles.
In all other cases both synthetic and dyno have its pro and contra. The jury is still out.
Synthetic is clearly better when starting the engine in a cold winter morning. But the right dyno is OK too. And this is irrelevant in the Southern states, e.g. California or Florida.
The synthetic oil does not break-up fast, and can be changed less often. Not every 3k miles / 3 months, but something like 5k / 6 month. Or, in case of Impala LS or Buick Regal, etc., according to the recommendations of the car computer. Probably, even less frequent changes is OK, up to 15k miles / one year and even longer, but who would risk? And, any case, the oil filter must be changed every 6 months / 7.5k miles.
Synthetic is still more expensive even with unfrequent changes. Something like $30 every 6 months, vs. $10 every 3 months. The price is for consumables only: 4.5-5 quarts of Mobil 1 oil and the Pure One filter. With less frequent changes you need a better oil filter. Not a $3 one, but $6-$10. Pure One, Delco Ultra, etc.
However, it does pay if you take in account the price of labor and/or especially your own time. I believe, the time is substantially more valuable, than the $10 difference.
So many ppl let car repairs go till the vehicle needs so much work the car can be completely un-reliable, even dangerous to drive.
I saw a mid 80's Camaro on US 60 in Phoenix this morning. Every time he hit the brakes in the stop and go traffic the car pulled strongly to the left !
Modern engines are sealed up very well. Changing oil every 1.5k miles would be unnecessary unless the vehicle is actually on a farm or dirt roads year round.
Modern oils and filters have vastly improved over the past 10 (or more) years.
I run my synthetic oil till about 4k miles. Amsoil used to advertise 10k miles between oil changes. But Amsoil also had an additional high filter/low flow filter that you added on to the engine. I do not know if this is still true.
And for the record I started helping my dad around age 10 repairing, tinkering, building and general working on engines/automobiles. I have owned repair shops off and on over the years............. in January I turn 47
Cobra
matt
I remember reading something of this kind. Most probably in my car manual, but I am not 100% sure. I have a different car, Buick Regal, but it have the same engine as Impala LS. However, the manual is in the glove box, and the car is on the parking lot. It is midnight now, and it is freezing outside.
Any case, I did not suggest anything specific to your driving conditions. I do not know anything about the Phoenix dust.
The common sense is to change oil as seldom or frequently, as most of people around do. Would engines wear-out too fast in particular conditions, people would adjust by changing the oil more often. The common sense is also to use better air (and oil) filters, and to check/clean/replace the air filter more often, than in the dust-free places.
I mostly discussed synthetic oil, not dust. Even with 3k mile changes there is not so much sense to use the synthetic oil. IMHO. One of advantages of synthetic is it does not break-up as fast as dyno oil. But it does not matter if you change oil before it starts breaking-up. Change to rinse the engine, to remove the dust, not because the oil itself is bad.
On the other hand, synthetic would be only somewhat expensive, but not very expensive. 4 oil changes with synthetic oil would cost extra $80 per year or so, comparing with the dyno oil. $6.66 per month.
Turnpike Ken
Keep reading this discussion group, we always let our fellow members know what deals we hear of.
The deal was fantastic and the internet shopping experience was just incredible...no hassles, no bitter negotiations, no tricks, no gimmicks....just the bottom line price. The car was delivered via free flatbed to my in-laws front driveway on tip-top shape on 2/22/00...have had a blast ever since.
I remember back in december of '99, GMAC had a subsidized lease for a Base Impala with the 3400 engine for $270 plus tax on a 36 month close end contract with $1700 due at inception. Haven't seen anything like this in about a year.
Without a doubt, GM will offer additional incentives to move Impalas out of dealer lots as cars are piling up and production is starting to slow down for all domestic model lines. I believe the 5.9% 36 month financing and the 7.9% 60 month financing are very good deals. Since Alan Greenspan reduced the interest rates to stimulate the economy perhaps this will be a great time to dive into a new Impala and I am sure the "Bonanza" will last for a few more months...but again it all depends on how the election mess will end up (Keep your eyes and ears opened for the verdicts comming up within the next hour!)
I purchased in May 00' and got a great .09% for 60 months deal from GMAC. After all is said and done I will only pay 465.00 in interest for this car. The best deal I've seen for a base Impala here is $219 month for 36 months on a lease. We are considering getting another Impala since my wife's Saturn is getting a little long in the tooth. We are leaning towards leasing...
As you wish. I rented a Pontac GA with the 3.4l engine for a month. It is a wonderful smaller engine. High torque across the full rpm range, and very economic, especially on highways. Wish to have it in my Malibu.
mcdill, Matt that is a great picture! If they build it right lots of power, good gas milage and less than $30,000 with the usual safety and trunk space for a family. I can see lot's of people lining up for one. Go Impala!
damn i love that all black grill with the red bowtie!
Cobra
Great looking wheels...and that spoiler is awesome! And wow...that v8 is sure crammed in there, lord have mercy on whoever has to service the engine!
That Black SS in the (Mexican) plant there in Canada is SWEET! Love the red accents on black! I sure hope GM doesn't blow this opportunity.
Ken
I am salivating :-) But, even if GM would not kill the Impala, I will start shopping for a car the next time only in 6 years or so. We have two new cars, 98 and 2000, and low yearly mileage.
Where did you find the pictures? Did they have any others? Let me know.
Cobra
> Are there any endearing attributes
> about the 3.4L?
I have a '99 GrandAm SE with the 3.4L engine and have nearly 50k on the engine. Not a single problem. And, in this little motor's defense, it has the really nice "sweet spots" in its acceleration. You gotta experiment, but when you find them as you punch the accelerator, you'll ask, "Now what was THAT all about???"
It isn't a bad motor and more than capable. The Impala is only about 300 pounds in weight heavier. I would think that in a "burst" mode, it would keep up with the 3.8L motor, but certainly not in a straight line race, although I haven't check the 0-60 ratings for both motors in the Grand Am and the Impala.
Anyway, I would do a test drive. I personally think it is a very capable motor.
Thanks for the pics Matt. You made my day!
Frank