Chevrolet Impala Midsize | Compact

Chevrolet Impala Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

The Impala is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger family sedan, or sports sedan, available in 5 trims, ranging from the LS to the SS.

The LS is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 211-horsepower, flexible fuel engine. The SS is equipped with a standard 5.3-liter, V8, 303-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 38  
[Jan 06, 2007]
justsomeguy
Model Reviewed: 4 door impala

Strength:

Fast enough for what it is, comfortable (aside from no heat), handles fair on snowy and icy weather. The handling is very smooth and responsive. The stock stereo system is decent.
The car is roomy front back and trunk. The gas mileage is nothing to complain about, I average around 20-22MPG

Weakness:

Mechanical issues make me nervous, the heater only works after I get to my destination.

The car has a fair amount of power and goes plenty fast, it looks good and for the most part is a fairly comfortable ride, and handles like a dream.
Aside from that I am very dissapointed with this car. The change oil light came on so I did so and the oil is not low but the light is still on.
The heater is possesed. It will not turn on when the car starts and it will often wait up to almost 30 minutes to turn on. I can feel heat flowing from the vents but the heater will not push out any air, but when the heater does kick in it pushes out plenty of heat. Not a good mixture with north idaho winters.
I can tell why some PDs use these cars they are a kick to drive but I am begining to believe one would need deep pockets to keep up with the repairs and upkeep on this car.

Similar Products Used:

2005 Ford Taurus

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[Dec 10, 2006]
galaxybeing
Model Reviewed: Impala

Strength:

Acceleration, power, ride, quietness, throttle response, looks, gas mileage

Weakness:

Darned tire pressure dash light

I drove a 2006 Impala for two weeks while on vac in So CA. THe car drove and rode like a dream. The 3.9 6cyl had incredibly quick throttle response, good acceleration, and great gas mileage. The interior was roomy and comfortably fitted 4 adults and lots of luggage. The only problem I experienced was the "Check tire Pressure" light, which wouldn't shut off. A check of the tires indicated no problems so I just kept driving the car. I have never owned a Chev in my life but if this is how well GM can build Chevys I just might some day buy one. The car looked good, was quiet, but on acceleration the engine gave a very sweet throaty roar. Lots of power options, which worked well. Would rent another one next time.

Similar Products Used:

Camry - never enough power
Sebring - lousy for power with the small 6

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 28, 2006]
rbolduc
Model Reviewed: 4 Dr

Strength:

As designed, it's a nice looking vehicle, pretty functional for what it is (6 passneger). Good crash test results.

Weakness:

Abysmal reliability. GM is too concerned about profitability in the short term, doesn't seem to want to step up to the plate (intake manifold gasket problems is a prime example)

If my 2003 Impala (3.4) was anywhere near as reliable as the other GMs I've had, I'd probably say it was "OK". It was purchased new, maintained by the selling GM dealer, and has been a complete disappointment from a reliability standpoint.
Before the warranty ended (all covered) it needed:
a new block heater
a new dimmer switch
a set of tranny cooler hoses
two intake manifold gasket sets (at precisely half the mileage of my previous Buick)
a new rad cap
noise emanating from the dash was deemed "normal" and not repairable

After the warranty expired, (just recently), it's needed the steering shaft lubrication for the "slip-stick" condition, yet ANOTHER set of tranny cooler hoses (they leak at the crimps), a brake job that means all 4 rotors get replaced. The rotors on the 99 Century were good for one turning, so I don't buy the "they're all like that". Over an inch of water collected in the passenger front seat footwell, when, as I discovered, the weathersrip under the front cowl fell off. This is not even secured in place by adhesive, it's friction-fit, abysmal design. The passenger side temp regulator will not reliably control the temperature, it locks at hot or cold regardless of setting.
Lots of cheap plastic.
One good thing about it though, it's my last General Motors product.

Similar Products Used:

Buick Century

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Sep 26, 2006]
mwatson
Model Reviewed: Chevrolet Impala

Strength:

On-star is nice. Nice body style

Weakness:

Several problems with the computer/electrical system (BCM).

I bought my Impala LS brand new as a demo. I was very excited and happy at first with my car until after only having about 80,000 miles we had to replace the transmission, BCM, wheel barrings (twice), catalyst converter, and much..much more. Now I have over $140,000 miles and having transmission, ABS, wheel barrings, and computer (electrical) problems again. Everything repeated. Not a great car to keep after 60,000 miles unless you have extended warrantly. Recommend trading it in before 100,000 miles. It is a beautiful car with a lot of interior extras.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Sep 06, 2006]
dc12
Model Reviewed: Chevy Impala

Strength:

Rides smooth...good gas mileage.

Weakness:

Anything electrical. Anything that requires power.

At first I thought the car was great. I've had the Passlock system replaced 3 times. That was always fun having my car not want to start in unusual places and then taking it to the repair shop to be told that they can't figure out the problem unless I bring my car to them when it won't run. It would always start back up with in 15 minutes-4 hours. I had something replaced in my steering column, which is going out again and probably should have replaced again. The BCM went out and I replaced that. And to top it off, my window motor died and I find my car sitting in the parking lot with my window down and wide open for everyone. I contacted GM once about the Passlock system and their response was, "Get rid of it and make it someone else's problem." NICE!!! Let's just say I won't be buying a GM vehicle ever again.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jul 28, 2006]
Damon Newman
Model Reviewed: Impala SS

Strength:

Bassically good all around car in theory.

Weakness:

GM"s customer service


My experience is that of a 2006 Impala SS owner. My wife and I purchased the vehicle aprox 2 1/2 months ago. At first we thought it was a but odd that we were only averaging around 12 MPG. However, we thought that perhaps it had something to do with engine break in. Since them our impressions of this vehicle have changed dramatically. It has been in the shop on 4 occasions now, with similar computer related issues various service lights coming on, the vehicle stalling while merging on the highway, the passenger airbag shutting off and the service airbag light coming on (on more that one occasion), ect. ect. ect. and the Dealership admits that they don't know how to fix it. I realize what you are thinking, 'you just got a Lemon' and I couldn't agree with you more. However, the real issue came up when my wife and I had a meeting with GM's Area Service Manager on Tuesday 07/25/2006, bare in mind this is after several calls to GM and the Service Manager at Frank Parra Chevrolet in Irving, TX, only to have The Area Service Manager Say that there is nothing wrong with my car and essentially imply that we were sabotaging our own vehicle. It is possible that the Impala is basically a good car, I beleive that nothing would please me of my wife more then to have our car fixed or replaced with a diferent Impala SS. However, after the service as well as insulting implications we received from GM, I would highly recomend buying a Toyota or Honda.



Similar Products Used:

2001 Impala LS

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jul 18, 2006]
Angel Kisses
Model Reviewed: Impala LS

Strength:

Comfortable leather heated seats; great in the winter!! Smooth rider.

Weakness:

Can't be trusted! After tranny left how am i supposed to trust this car when i still owe 8k on it!! AHHH!!

I bought this car back in 2004 with 19,000 miles on it. I was proud because I was only 20 and it was loaded with fun and leather seats. I've never really beat on this car though. I live in the sticks so its mainly highway miles. I haven't had to replace anything but the brakes and rotors. It seems like it flys threw them!!! But 2 days ago I went and got the oil changed, thanks to my dad :) Drove it home and put $47 worth of gas in it. Wasn't even on ding. I put the car in reverse and it jerked a bit when I hit the gas. So i went back out to my dads. We started it and it started making a rattling noise. He put it in reverse also and felt it jump then took it down the road When he got back he checked the tranny fluid and it was all bubbly but full. Went to start it and put it into reverse. Nothing. Put it in drive, Nothing!! So we had to tow it 80 miles to the dealership. As of right now thats where my car is!! I couldn't even get a loaner vehicle. So here i am driving around in a 1995 dodge minivan with over 200k on it. As my 01 impala with 55k is sitting in the exact place i bought it! The machanics took it apart today. they found that the planetary gear combusted inside of the transmisson and tore it all up in there. Needless to say my tranny is shot at only 55k!! After reading reviews seems like this is pretty popular to happen with these cars. So far i'm very thankful i made the decision to pay for an extended warrenty up to 100k and if everything goes according to what they said, it should be covered under warrenty. i'm a single mother I don't even have 3000 in the bank to pay for this. thats why i bought this car was because i thought it was "Dependable" well it looks like the good old minivan is more dependable than my "smart investment" Hopefully once the new tranny is in i'll be able to get more than 55k on it!!

Similar Products Used:

I've only used chevy's. I had a nova and beretta. All were great cars, never a single problem except for routine maintence.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jul 16, 2006]
Campinnsuch
Model Reviewed: Chevrolet Impala

Strength:

Great HighWay Manners
Great Fuel Economy ( I don't have a job either )
Decent Passing Power
GREAT HANDLING it always feels stable.
Five star crash rating.
Nice factory stereo.

Weakness:

Strange popping noise when you turn the wheel sometimes. It has done that since I got it. Doesn't feel stable in the rain. Lacks ABS.

I'm a sixteen year old boy. I bout this car when it had 89000 miles on the odometer. It now reads 136,000 nine months later. I drove this car, then drove it. Last but not least I drove it. And other then replacing the tires. And changing the oil. Haven't done a single thing to it. Then I wrecked it. Let me tell you safe car. I totalled some guy's Mitsubishi Lancer when he pulled out in front of me. It was very reasonable to repair as well. This car has never let me down. And I haven't always been nice to it. I'm going to have the transmission repaired and keep driving it. I think GM may have made one hell of a car.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 07, 2006]
Priggly
Model Reviewed: Impala SS

Strength:

Incomparable acceleration, superb handling, excellent Bose audio, quiet cabin, superior fit and finish, excellent headlamps, wonderful-sounding true dual exhaust, superior ergonomics with ability to engage either metric or English units for speedometer, smooth, seamlessly shifting 4-speed automatic transmission, smooth engine with imperceptible transitions from 4 to 8 cylinder and vice versa.

Weakness:

At night the blue lettering of the DIC could dim a bit more, lack of availability of an OEM Navigation system.

This car is simply the best automobile Chevrolet has offered for sale in a very, very long time. It is a grand example of sports sedan combined with high quality highway cruiser with its powerful engine, superior fit and finish, quiet cabin interior, awesome BOSE sound system and excellent gas mileage for its engine size (29.5 mpg at a steady 65 mph on the highway).

The interior is a very pleasant place to be with its high quality controls, gauge cluster, comfortable, quality leather seating, and general ambiance. The headlamps at night are excellent with a truly comprehensive illumination pattern for both high and low beams. With the fogs on the combination of fogs and low beams is virtually identical to H.I.D. Xenon beams without the theft worries.

The interior is very functional with fold-down rear seats and truly cavernous trunk which comes in very handy for long trips. Plenty of storage is at hand with a generous center console, map pocket in the front of the driver's seat and rear-seat pockets for both driver's and passenger's seats, not to mention the usual in-door storage compartments. Three power points provide plenty of access for powering accessories like an aftermarket navigation system or radar detector if you are so inclined.

The handling is excellent for a car this size as it combines the attributes of a sports sedan with a long-distance highway cruiser.

If you are looking for a quality sports sedan be sure to consider the new Chevrolet Impala SS as it embodies truly excellent quality with desirable features at a very fair price and is more than capable of competing successfully with the best of the German and Japanese competition.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 08, 2006]
Mr. Bill
Model Reviewed: Impala SS

Strength:

Very smooth, quiet running. Very lo wind noise. Great sounds from Xm radio & Bose sound system. Seamless transistions btwn 4 and 8 cylinder operation. Well thought-out controls for heat, radio, lights, etc.

Weakness:

Perhaps one for those who encounter a lot of winter snow & ice: The righthand windshield wiper parks on the far right side of the glass. That fact combined with the defrost outlet located in the center of the dash causes a lot of show/slush to go to icy buildup on the passenger's side of the windshield. Not enough heat from the defroster gets there to sufficiently warm the glass.

Couldn't resist all the GM offers that took $4,156.00 off the sticker - no price dickering. Overall this is a very refined vehicle in all regards by comparison to previous models. I like performance vehicles that are also practical (4 doors!). The SS gives you both 'in spades' and with the sweetest exhaust tone imaginable. Worst MPG i've gotten is 17 (first tank, cold weather, Christmas shopping); 24MPG on short trips with some cruise control set at 70mph. All on regular gas too. Approaching 4K miles on the odometer, all totally satisfying times.

Similar Products Used:

Most driving fun i've had since my 87 Buick Grand National.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 38  

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