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I'm currently in an 04 Saturn Vue. I was toying with the idea of a Impala as I really have enjoyed the ones I have rented (base 3.4's) Great ride and comfort. I drive 100 miles a day and the Vue's poor seats are playing havoc with my back.
I know I'm going to get raped on the trade if I do decide to do it. Right now the incentives are what on O4's? 3500? Any chance of doing better than that you think?
Different colors-- You can't get berry red, but you can get sport red metallic.
Onstar is standard on all models as of '05. I think you get the first year free. I started seeing some ugly Onstar antennas on the roof (looks like a man's whisker from a beard) on some of the later '05s. Also a window applique, which they said is part of the antenna.
On the '05s, maybe you have seen financial person Suze Orman advertising--GM will let you lock in the interest rate of your next GM car if you finance with GMAC now--Lock n Roll program. You have to choose the rebate or the special financing. And you must buy your next GM car within the period of the 1st loan (I think). If that interests you, you may want to check the GM site. I think it's 0% financing, and they will let you lock that in for your next car, even if interest rates rise.
There are some pictures of the new Impala on the Impala 2006 board, but most of the car is covered up. I am not sure if it was debuted in the October Orange County (S Calif) auto show, but there are a few auto shows coming up. I think there are some earlier messages, you can probably search "auto show" and you will find those messages. But the '04s will probably be gone by then.
Good luck! I am pretty close to buying one, this month or next.
I should know. No side air curtains on the Impala was one of three major reasons I now own a Ford Five Hundred SEL AWD and not an 05 Impala. Even though my Impala gave me 173,000 miles of faithful service with nothing more than a headlight switch, airbag sensor and scheduled maintanance.
The other two reasons? Lutz's constant decontenting (many features I know of in my 2000 are no longer available at any price--not to mention what they did to cheapen the car that I cannot see). And AWD.
I should probably add the Ford is also much quieter and more refined, and the interior is miles better.
The Impala was a great car in 2000. I would think twice before I bought an 05. But, you can get an incredible deal on one. And I will be watching the 06 with interest.
And to be fair, I should add that for most, the Five Hundred is fine, but some will find it underengined for their tastes. For now.
I did a lot of checking on safety features. I wasn't that impressed with the added benefit of side curtain airbags. Check out the Sonata, for instance. All the side curtain airbags in the world won't help a poorly made car.
Nice to see you on the list again, John. I looked at the Ford 500 last week, thinking of you. I would be nervous about buying a car the first year out, and I still have seating issues that the new car didn't solve.
Thanks for your comments.
Can I get a cargo net for the trunk from my dealer? What is a reasonable price to expect?
Is a K&N filter element of any benefit in this car?
What is a good replacement spark plug for better power, fuel economy, engine smoothness, etc? Any to stay away from?
Thanks for any input!
I did put a K&N filter on mine, and noticed a difference. I'm about at the point of needing to "recharge" mine, and will try to post something here as to it's condition when I get around to it.
Haven't changed spark plugs (74,000 miles), and haven't seen too many posts here about plugs, other than how to get to the ones on the backside of the engine. I've used Bosch platinum plugs before in other cars with good results, but don't know specifically about the Impala.
I also have KN air filter in my Impala. I haven't notice any difference in performance. IT's nice to know that I don't have to ever replace the air filter.
The Onstar antenna looks ok to me...so many cars with the shark fin now I hardly notice. I'll keep checking incentives but I really enjoy the ride and the room that the Impala gives you although it does take me a bit to get used to what I feel is pretty heavy steering. but it is all good
if its correct, its easier then tilting the engine.
I pulled the battery from my 1985 monte SS and it fired right up. The SS is down for the winter anyway.
Well, I picked up my new 2004 Impala base Sedan today, and I am so happy. I wanted the 2004 because it has the upgraded 1SC package, with a lot of neat features. I was looking for a 2005, and about to order one, when this car came into the picture. Has the Sedan sport appearance package.
I did the deal by faxing, and all these nice fleet managers were calling, asking me to buy their cars at $100 invoice or less. I HIGHLY recommend www.fightingchance.com! Paid $200 UNDER invoice, plus the $3500 rebate on the '04s. Fighting Chance gave excellent advice, and I wouldn't have been able to get this car or deal without them. Best $35 I ever spent--buying their package! I was talking the dealer lingo quickly, and the fleet mgrs knew they couldn't take advantage of me. I had 22 deals offered to me, and offers of new car orders at invoice or less.
I had seen this car in the '05s, and I just couldn't see spending the money. I drive my cars until very old (I am the one with the '86 Celebrity--haven't driven that much the last 10 years). So I don't think depreciation is the factor.
No trade in, so loss of money on the deal there. But I did pay $1895 on the MajorGuard 72month/90,000 miles extended warranty. My highest quotes were $2400, so I am guessing that their cost was $1200, with a profit of $700 for the fleet mgr. I did get her down an additional $150 from her first quote. I am thinking of getting a refund on it--I read you can get a refund within 30 days, and checking around. But I thought I'd ask you guys how I did on the warranty. Any comments?
Thanks to all of you who helped me with great Impala information. Oh, I got bucket seats--I am the one who was looking for bench seats. But we found that the buckets aren't that different from the actual bench seat itself. And so much more FUN!
Thanks again,
The car's MSRP was $26,065.80. I paid $200 under invoice, which was $23,982.53. With all the fees, it came back up near invoice price. There was a larger $3500 (vs $2,000 on '05) rebate on the '04s. So the out the door was under $23K. What I planned to spend.
The car is white, but I am not fussy about color. It was VERY important for me to get the base sedan, which had the much easier steering. We rented an Impala, with the tighter steering, and I got muscle stiffness and pain in my underarms very quickly. I have a health condition where this is a really bad thing.
The 3.8L engine isn't a really big factor for me. We had an '86 Chevy with 2.8L engine, and have a small 4 cylinder car. So this 3.4L engine is really wowing us with the pickup!
I really love the interior. Many of these features aren't available on '05s any more--the 1SC package has a lot of nice things. Like the auto-dimming rear view mirror, leather wrapped steering wheel, upgraded radio w/both CD and cassette, radio controls on the steering wheel, custom wheels.... I also had the ABS nd driver-side Impact airbag and sedan sport appearance pkg.
Here's the thing. I was talking to 9 dealers by fax and phone for my car requirements--a base Impala with ABS (I had a nasty skid awhile back, and so I really wouldn't give up on having this). I wasn't getting what I wanted, and there is a time deadline to make a good deal in the dealership world--the end of the month. Deals at the beginning of the month are not that good. I called Fighting Chance for advice (which is part of their $35 info package--what a bargain! no, I am not affiliated). They suggested I call back the 9 dealers who gave me the offers on the 21 cars, and ask them for their bids on new car orders. 8 were at invoice, and one had already given me a quote for $100 under invoice. When I called back to see if she would honor that quote, she said that she would--but that she had an '04 for me to consider. Without the advice of Fighting Chance, I would have lost the deals, and wouldn't have my car. And those 9 dealers (the others ignored my fax) wouldn't be enthusiastic about talking to me next time because I wouldn't be considered a serious buyer.
I remembered seeing an '04 on this dealer's lot in Berry Red about 6 months ago. I loved the nice touches of the upgraded 1SC package. I remember glancing at the sticker of the car next to it, but didn't look much when I saw the 1SC package and the price (that was probably this car!). We had gotten up early to look at cars on lots on a Sunday before they opened, and that's when the guard found us and politely told us the dealership would open in a few hours.
So I knew I'd like the car, even if I hadn't seen it. We inspected it the next day, test drove it, and signed the papers.
White is ok. My choice was to get the white '04 w/spoiler (which I didn't plan on), or order an '05 in sandstone metallic and wait 8-10 weeks (plus more when they close the factory for 2 weeks). My choice was an acceptable car, now. Those of you who know my postings know I've been driving a car that could fall apart any day, and I have been looking for a long time.
If I had wanted just any base Impala, the best deal was an '04 on a dealer's lot, out the door at $18K (they threw in an i"nternet coupon" of $500). But it didn't have the antilock brakes I wanted.
The fax method works great when your car is easy to find, a commodity. It was harder for me because I had requirements.
Wow, a whole book written by me to answer 3 lines of question!
Enjoy your ride! It's a great car....
I like mine too. I did not have to negotiate. I just waited until the timing was right. Mine is a Silver 2004 LS with everything except onstar and I got it for $19.2. It took me about 1.5 years to decide to part with my 95 Lumina LS with 188 K mi. I liked it so much. The Impala has so much more than the Lumina. Have not had any problems with it other that some power steering noise.
The flickering light symptom is apparently a problem that has occured on many different GM vehicles. For those that have had the problem and applied the TSB cited above (which simply involves replacing an alternator/regulator grounding bolt- a $5.00 part)
QUESTION 1- Has anyone with an IMPALA been told that the flickering lights were caused by a defective alternator that was overcharging the battery?
QUESTION 2- Does anyone know what is the maximum voltage that should be coming off the alternator to charge the battery?
QUESTION 3- Could a bad grounding bolt account for higher than normal voltages from the alternator?
Thanks.
dura
It was that 1SC package that brought up the price. It's about $1500 more than the more popular 1SB package. Probably why the 1SC package was discontinued, but I really like the extra touches.
Still, I did pay $200 under invoice. I am thinking of returning the $1900 extended invoice, which really added to the cost. From what you are all telling me, this is quite a dependable car. I'd rather put the money aside rather than deal with insurance companies that are in business to keep from paying you what you are due.
Oh, slightly off topic, but important-- I know of two people who became unconscious with this stomach flu going around! I didn't believe it until my spouse had vomiting and diahrrea on Thursday evening, and I found them unconscious on the floor 12:30a.m. on Friday. We rushed to the emergency room, and they had 3liters of fluid IV'd into them. We couldn't believe it! It seemed so unbelievable that this happened, and so quickly. My spouse fell directly on their chin and ribs, another person fell through a shower door and now had his jaw wired shut. Now I am sick, and forcing fluids. Couldn't move the last few days. If this starts with you, call your doctor!
Thanks
Those of us who purhased an Impala probably bought it because we like it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I physically (at dealerships. more online) checked out 18 cars befoe buying an Impala. What did your friend say when you gave him your very strong opinion of his car????
im sure you will find some other dealer to take your money and hopefully you will be happier.
Thanks
i havent had the opportunity to try how well it work (no spills, yet) But i also sprayed some anti static stuff since i was getting zapped alot during the summer. it has seemed to settle down.
if youre going to spray the scotchgard on it, do it when you are not going to use the car for several hours since it can smell somewhat.
i believe gm used to apply scotchguard at the factory, but it became a victim of cost cutting. i applied scotchguard to my equinox. it helps a lot.
I'll get that Scotchguard on as soon as I can get to Target or Home Depot (when the crowds die down a bit!).
I've been avoiding bringing drinking/food into the car, and would love to try out my new cupholders!
I was sad to see that I am already getting a depression in the driver's floor mat, where my foot presses the gas pedal. :{
I did a count, and either I sat in, or test drove, 18 competitive cars before buying my Impala. Comfort was a huge issue. I really love this car, and thank everyone for your help.
Glad that process is over!
Have a great holiday time!!!
(just don't go and tell him I now drive an AWD SEL Ford Five Hundred!)