2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

garypen · October 2002

I'm most impressed with the engine/performance, myself. It really moves when hitting the pedal. On paper, it may not be as "powerful" as some other sedans. But, moves. The SC version should be pretty cool.

johnclineii · October 2002

Yep, the SC version should be, indeed.

Anyone know when this baby is due in the showrooms? And how that compares to when the Grand Prix GTP is due?

garypen · October 2002

You know what's weird? It's performance has gotten better, as it gets older. It's only just hit 11K.
Has anyone else noticed anything like that?

atbear · October 2002

Actually garypen, My 2002 Impala just hit 13000 miles and it's running better than ever. I just took a trip from Baton Rouge, LA to Gainsville, FL to watch LSU crush Florida at the Swamp and now that I'm back in BR, my car is running awesome. It was about a 17 hour trip doing an average of 75mph. Now my car's running better than ever!

drivinisfun · October 2002

Yep, my '01 LS is nearing 17K miles and it drives and rides like a dream...very smooth car.

Now that I have my 2002 MINI Cooper, I don't drive the Impala as much during the weekend (The MINI is highly addictive!) as the MINI is now my official weekend toy!.

Still, very pleased with the Imp and the car continues to perform like a champ. I have also noticed that the fuel economy has substantially improved over time.

nosirrahg · October 2002

If you haven't already done so, you might consider going to the "MyGMLink.com site ( https://www.mygmlink.com/main/US/en/chevrolet/home ) and signing up. In addition to giving you a place to keep track of maintainence and get info on recalls and such, you can also download a pdf of the 2000 (and I assume other years as well) Impala owners manual.

I did this the other day, and in flipping through it, discovered a step I'd left out of programming my Homelink to communicate with my new garage door opener. Kind of a handy thing to have on your computer, if you want to look up something at work, or don't want to have to trudge outside to get the manual out of the glovebox.

garypen · October 2002

Didn't you get an owner's manual with the car?

bluechevy · October 2002

Hello guys, just wondering what size fits our cars
do you go with the 16 inch or drop to 15 inch tires for winter?

Also what brand/model is good ?

Thanks

garypen · October 2002

Personally, I'd recommend 16" tires. They're much easier to mount on the 16" rims.

crosley4 · October 2002

why would you change tires for winter?

oh.....it's one of those snow belt things I guess.

((-;

Tony

macgyver24 · October 2002

I bought a set of 4 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice last fall. Bar none, the best winter tires I have ever driven on. Wonder what kind of winter tires police use? These are those tires. They stick to the road like glue.

Another excellent winter tire to consider is the Michellin Alpin series.

These tires are expensive ($100+USD per tire) but consider the amount of your insurance deductible and the cost of collision repair, and it makes sense. Plus there is no better feeling than being able to drive around like a proper human being in winter, while everyone else is doing the ice capades.

The rubber compound is what makes the winter tire better. The best winter tires will have a rubber that doesn't feel oily or greasy to the touch. Who wants to drive on an oily greasy tire when it's already slippery?

Make sure you go to a tire store and talk to somebody knowledgable so they can recommend a tire best suited for your area's climate. If you can get away with all season tires, go for it because your gas tank will thank you.

b4z · October 2002

Saw a "Southern Coach" edition Silverado pickup with painted mouldings.
Bumper cover(partial) and side view mirrors and grille were painted body color.(Arrival Blue)
Looked okay from a distance but the rough textured plastic with glossy paint showed all the dimples in the plastic.
I wonder how you would get the wax out of those bumps?
Don't think I would paint the mouldings unless they were smoother.

atbear · October 2002

maybe sand the bumps off to make it smoother......

garypen · October 2002

That's hard to do with plastic.
Speaking of painting plastic...
I'm heading over to my friend's house now to see how the bumper cover came out, and pop it back on the car. My Impala's butt has been naked for a week now. What must the neighbors have been thinking?

b4z · October 2002

Have you chosen your next ride yet?

garypen · October 2002

I chose it 10 months ago, when I got the XJS.

BTW, the bumper came out great. My friend is amazing. He repaired and painted it for less than the cost of a new unpainted one. I'm gonna ask him to repaint and clearcoat my XJS wheels.

I washed the Impala yesterday, and detailed the interior a few moments ago. Just like new. I mean it.

this_is_nascar · October 2002

I currently have a 2000 LS and have been looking at the 2003 LS Sport. Seems really nice. I noticed it has a 140 MPH speedo, however I know my LS tops-off at 105-107 MPH.

My question is, did GM up the speed of when the governor kicks in on the LS Sport or is it strickly for appearance? I'd like to think that a 140-MPH speedo means that I can at least take it to 120 or 130 before any governors kick in.

atbear · October 2002

No it's just for apprearance. Hence "Sports Appearance Package". But I do want to get that speedo and put it in my Impala... My car will be able to make all the numbers on that speedo soon.....

this_is_nascar · October 2002

Thanks. Seems kinda stupid to me, if the car can't even go close to that speed.

b4z · October 2002

108 mph. On all Impalas except for 9C1 & 9C3.

johnclineii · October 2002

Twill be interesting to see what said governor is set at for the supercharged Impalas due soon.

Speaking of which, anyone know when?

this_is_nascar · October 2002

Who knows...... Since 1999/2000 I've been hearing about this speculation that has yet to happen. I'm glad I didn't delay my purchase waiting for this vaporware of a vehicle.

this_is_nascar · October 2002

I currently have one of the early generation 2000 Impala LS's. You know, the one that was plagued with issues like the cradle, ISS, sub-par stereo sound, plus a host of other issues. I currently have 50k miles and was looking a new cars. Like it or not, I really like the function/feature you get in an Impala for the money.

Is there any reason NOT to get the 2003 LS with the Sport Appearance package?

sim3 · October 2002

I recently moved to Finland, taking my '01 LS with me. It's officially the only "new" Impala at least in Finland - we do have a few '96 SS-Impalas, but mine is the only 200x-model. Problems so far include only fitting in European parking spaces and garages

To my knowledge, Impalas aren't imported to any country in Europe. We'll see how difficult it is to get any other than basic maintenance done.

this_is_nascar · October 2002

Does anyone recall the TSB number for the ISS issue with the 2000 LS models?

fathertyricius · October 2002

Well I had the problem of feeling the clicks and clunks as I would
turn the wheel at slow speed for the last couple of weeks. You
wouldnt hear it, just feel it in the palm of your hand ever so
slightly as you would turn the wheel at slow speed. My Impala LS is a 2001 build date of 12/00 with 23466
miles. Today I took it in to the dealer, where they removed
the ISS and did the lube procedure as per the TSB. All in all it
took a little over an hour to complete the job. The problem is gone,
steering feels great(never any play or being loose)but just feels
secure with no clicks or clunks turning the wheel.

night_owl1 · October 2002

I believe it is 01-02-32-001A. A summary of the fix is in the How-To section on http://www.impalahq.com

garypen · October 2002

Is there any reason NOT to get the 2003 LS with the Sport Appearance package?

Price? A fully equuipped LS Sport (PEG2, Cassette/CD, XM Radio, Moonroof) has an MSRP of almost $29K. OTOH, deep discounts, rebates, special financing, and GM Card points probably make it more attractive.

Does anyone recall the TSB number for the ISS issue

Bulletin No.: 01-02-32-001A

Steering - Clunk Noise While Turning

Date: November, 2001

TECHNICAL

Subject:
Clunk Noise From Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver/Steering Wheel Rotation (Lubricate Intermediate Shaft)

Models:
2001-2002 Buick Regal
2000-2002 Cadillac Seville
1997-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
2000-2002 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
2001-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2000-2002 Pontiac Bonneville, Sunfire

This bulletin is being revised to add models and change the Correction information.

Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-001 (Section 02 - Steering).

Condition

Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle during a turning maneuver. This condition may also be felt through the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary and the wheel is rotated from steering stop to steering stop. Typically, the clunk noise will be heard once for every 180°of steering wheel rotation in either direction for J-cars (Cavalier and Sunfire). However, some vehicles may only exhibit the noise once for every 360°of wheel rotation. On all other vehicles, this clunk noise will be noticed during low speed acceleration or deceleration, typically in light turns of the steering wheel.

Important: Do not replace the following steering gear part numbers:^ GM P/N 26063582
^ GM P/N 26056808
^ GM P/N 26031078
^ GM P/N 26079915
^ GM P/N 26055468
^ GM P/N 26079917
^ GM P/N 26079929
^ GM P/N 26081813
^ GM P/N 26080057
^ GM P/N 26088612
^ GM P/N 26086001
^ GM P/N 26088334
^ GM P/N 26088539
^ GM P/N 26068964
^ GM P/N 26058681
^ GM P/N 26068967
^ GM P/N 26088606
^ GM P/N 26067451
^ GM P/N 26087241
^ GM P/N 26087416

^ Do not replace the following intermediate shafts:

^ GM P/N 26050292
^ GM P/N 26078302
^ GM P/N 26079240
^ GM P/N 26073020
^ GM P/N 22680754

This condition is commonly misdiagnosed as originating in the steering gear and has resulted in the replacement of numerous steering gears without correcting the concern.

Cause

This condition may be caused by inadequate lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft which results in a "slip stick" condition possibly resulting in the clunk noise.

Correction

Remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the shaft with a Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098237.

drivinisfun · October 2002

I recently moved to Finland, taking my '01 LS with me. It's officially the only "new" Impala at least in Finland - we do have a few '96 SS-Impalas, but mine is the only 200x-model. Problems so far include only fitting in European parking spaces and garages

To my knowledge, Impalas aren't imported to any country in Europe. We'll see how difficult it is to get any other than basic maintenance done.

The Impala is sold in Israel, Mexico, venezuela, Chile and Canada.

night_owl1 · October 2002

Wow, will you be able to get warranty service over there?

Howdy, Stranger!

2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

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