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Is there a TSB# for it? Also what model years does the TSB apply for?
Yesterday I had my "Low Coolant" message come up very briefly twice (Message would come up for 30 seconds at a time) last night when I was driving in the highway. However, my engine TEMP needle registered normal engine temperature by staying at or below the middle mark. I never had any engine related overheat. the light did not come up anymore for the rest of my trip back home and neither the car experienced any problems, as a matter of fact it was running perfectly all along.
I am going to go ahead and check my coolant level in the reservoir and also check the oil to see if there is anything unusual about it. It has been very hot here so I tend to believe I either have a low coolant sensor acting up or a problem with the neck filler allowing the coolant to escape at a faster rate.
I did not smell any coolant either, so I sincerely hope I don't have a warped upper manifold intake leak or any other leaks elsewhere in the system, but you never know...
I have a 2001 3.8L Impala so I would appreciate if anyone can forward a copy of the TSB for the neck filler repair. I am planning of taking the car to the dealer first thing tomorrow morning, just to be on the safe side.
New colors are Cappuccino Frost, Berry Red, and Superior Blue.
Can't quite tell what the Cappuccino is like. It almost looks like a off white. It bears no resemblence to the Cadillac or Oldsmobile Cappuccino.
I tried to configure a 2003 the same way and came up with $27,970!!!
10% difference in 2 years. Who said inflation was dead?
Interesting, the difference a colour can make.
Perhaps they should have called it "Latte"
The tirerack tires went about 8,000 more miles.
Needless to say if I buy tires mail order they are from tirerack or take-offs from SLP.
I drove a GP as a rental once, and found the trunk area to be awkward to load/unload luggage. The Impala trunk is huge, and easy to work with in comparison.
Don't know how many miles either car has on it, but since the '03 models are out now, and there's a pretty serious glut of used cars out there, I'd think you might be able to get either car below $15k.
My 2001 Impala is noticeably less fatiguing on the highway than my 1999 Olds Intrigue.
The Grand Prix has it's rear suspension bolted directly to the car without a rubber insulater so it is louder and rides harder than the others.
Some of the 2000 model Impalas had engine cradle problems and Intermediate steering shaft problems.
Make several hard right turns and listen for popping sounds.
Other wbody cars were afflicted with this problem also. Most notably the intrigue.
I have ben very happy with my Impala and would recommend it to anybody. So far the only problems it has had are a warped rotor and a warped manifold base.
For the same price, I'd choose the GTP. When I got my LS, a new GTP cost much more money, or I would have seiously considered it.
Of course, if people and cargo space is a major concern, nothing beats the Impala. And, the LS is pretty nicely equipped.
Sure the Impala's plastics might not be Audi grade but they do look and feel much better IMO by comparison.
Sit in both cars and look around. One place where I saw a noticeable difference in terms of plastics was the center console lid/armrest. In the Grand Prix it bents out when you rest your elbow against it, not so in the Impala.
I am not impressed with the assembly quality of the Fairfax, KS built GM midsizers (Where the GP and Intrigue are made)either. I think the Canadian Wbody cars (Regal, Century, Impala, Montecarlo) are better bolted together than the US made cousins and tend to have less problems as well.
The GP is a car with nice looking body lines (Free from cladding as well) but marred by a cheap $1 store interior.
Like others pointed out, the Impala has better safety scores than the GP (The Impala already meets 2003 model year safety standards while the GP meets current 1997 safety standards).
However, if going with the Imp, you might want to consider an used 2001 model instead.
The Impala is also a Full Size sedan while the GP is a Midsize sedan.
Also consider the Pontiac Boneville (marginally bigger than the Imp or GP)that comes standards with the 205HP version of the 3.8L Series II V6 engine and rides on the more 'refined' G body platform.
2000+ model year Bonnevilles can be had for cheap in the used car market due to their hefty initial depreciation but still you could be driving in a generally high quality full size sedan with good safety stats.
Stay away from Wbody models with the 3.4L and 3.1L V6 engines due to service history related to warped upper manifold engine intakes (Coolant leaks).
The current crop of 3800 V6 engines (2000 model year and up) have much less incidence of this problem, but it could still happen.
I also disagree with Peter DeLorenzo's comments about the current FWD been a "Monumentally Boring car", meanwhile, he admits that the dealer network can't keep up with the current model's sales demand. To me "Monumentally Boring" cars are Toyota Camries or Honda Accord's with tiny 4 bangers, harsh automatics, thin body sheetmetal/paint and plastic wheels (Which everyone and their mother have). I still enjoy dusting all those asian cars when I push on the gas pedal...it puts a smile in my face!
But, I also agree that the current Imp can be improved by offering a V8 and RWD and even possibly a wagon version. Most "mainstream" buyers today, however, could care less about V8 engines and RWD. These buyers are happy with FWD and V6 engines. Otherwise Honda and Toyota would have been offering V8/RWD cars to the mainstream public years ago.
My Intrigue was not even in the same league as my Impala.
Also the Impala's chassis has one continuous piece of steel for the side of the body. The Intrigue's is 2 pieces welded together at the rear door sill.
My impala has less squeaks and rattles.
The regal,century and intrigue have a shorter wheelbase than the grand prix and impala.
The impala does have more rear seat legroom than the intrigue.
Even other domestic brands have better interior materials. You, yourself, have even pointed out how much better the Taurus interior is.
Have you ever seen the carpet in the $50,000 GMC Denali?
It makes astroturf look good.
What gives?
The "padded" parts of the interior, like the upper door trim, console lid, and main upper dash are all pretty good too.
They're like night and day, compared to Courtesy Chevrolet in San Jose.
I also had to add coolant to my 2000 LS 3.8 recently. When the light came on again, I decided to take it in. They replaced a "Freeze Plug". 3 days later, light came on again. Took it back. Replaced Freeze Plug was bad, had to be replaced again. Next day, leakage found on garage floor. Took it back AGAIN! Replaced SAME freeze plug again, this time with a BRASS one. Service Manager involved, etc., since it was the third time. That was about 5 weeks ago, and no problems since. Anyway, could be a "Freeze Plug". Also, just replaced the original Eagle GA's, at 35,000 miles, with Pirelli P5000's. On closeout sale for $75 ea...
So ar, so good. They are quiet and handle very nice...
I have never had to replace one on any of the 8 cars I have owned. But it is fairly common procedure.
I know Impala is the entry level car for GM but a couple hundred dollars more on better Fabric materials more interior colors available and sportier looking dashboard would go a long way.
These are always the first things you notice when you get behind the wheel. I hope someone at Chevrolet is listening.. Just my opinion......
We love our 2001 Ford F-150 Super Crew truck that we traded our troublesome 2000 Impala in on.
IMPALA!
We are just now getting the 2003's in and no big changes besides wheels and 3 new colors .
thanks--------------mattmcdill