Chevrolet Impala Midsize | Compact
Chevrolet Impala Midsize | Compact
[May 13, 2006]
Hasforthly
Model Reviewed:
Chevy/Impala
Strength:
Comfortable
Weakness:
See above Bought new. Did the usual test drive. Everything OK. Never used the word Cheesy before, but here goes. (Interior) Plastic does grow on you. Plastic Sunshade on pwer sunroof squeeks constantly, been to dealer 3 times, they actually replace it with the original one from the first time.(It had a noticable flaw). "UNFIXABLE" On Humid Hot Summer Nights or Rainy days, Air conditioning, when in floor mode, leaves moisture on the windshield and side windows, which obstruct the view of the side mirrors, due to some bypass. A common ailment on some cars. However this might even border on a safety issue if it wasn't an esstential for driving. "UNFIXABLE". A razor blade was left on the rear leather seat (blade upwards) by the prep people. My 79 yr/old Father might have sat on it, If it wasn't for the alertness of my daughter."LEFT A RUST STAIN WHICH THEY SCRUBBED AND LEFT A BLEACHED STAIN ON THE SEAT" -Some road noise, not much. Leather heated seats great and comfortable/comfortable ride. Acceleration is lacking(needs Wide Open Throttle High RPM for most Passing/Street and Highway).Steering Is Very Bad. Does not have a On-Center feel. Does not snap back to the straight ahead position. You have to constantly adjust and readjust after your adjustment. (Don't bother looking at billboards on the highway. You might find yourself in the next lane)"UNFIXABLE" .Cold Starts make a load Metalllic Ginging noise for 3 minutes(Dealer says it is coming from the Air Intake AND IS Normal)"UNFIXABLE". Pulsating Brakes at 9,000 miles."fixable" Wipers Stuck in the upright positon upon shut off."fixable"
Similar Products Used: 98 Chevy Sileverado/SHRT BED/V8
|
[May 10, 2006]
Phil
Model Reviewed:
LS
Strength:
Roomy, huge trunk, decent gas milage
Weakness:
Underpower, cheaply made, horrific road noise. Rotors out of round, pulsating brakes. Service tech, didn't know arse from hole in the ground. This my second Impala, I had a 2000, that was wrecked and had to be replaced. Since I got both at employee prices I can't complain on price, BUT. This is not a good car. In my opinion it is underpowered, if you must buy one, get the V8. It's roomy, huge trunk, rides reasonably well. I had a problem with the service soon light coming on, and the dealer, after 4 days, and lots of parts changes, finally said a squirrel must have chewed a wire. I could laugh since it happened under warrenty. My main complaint about the Impala and it was the same for the 2000 as well as the 2003, is that is has horrific road noise in the cabin. Thank heaven the radio gets louder, the faster you drive, otherwise you wouldn't be able to hear it.
Similar Products Used: 1996 Camaro
|
[May 03, 2006]
kbkytta
Model Reviewed:
Chevy Impala
Strength:
Comfort. Size.
Weakness:
Sounds from the front end. Bottom out frequently. I have to agree with most of the review I've read. Nice ride, looks great, very comfortable however, I have the same problem with the popping sound in the sterring. No one can figure that out. Problems with breaks and rotors. Just had new plug and wires done. The car is at 115,000 miles but overall hasn't had any other major problems |
[Apr 14, 2006]
angelaofhouston
Model Reviewed:
Chevrolet Impala
Strength:
Ride comfort, room, comfortable seats, smooth, good gas mileage
Weakness:
intake manifold gasket leaks, low body causes front end to hit pavement, popping noise in steering, transmission from park to drive, catalytic converter went out at $40,000. I have owned this car for four years, and it has over 103,000 miles. Overall I like the roominess and comfort, but I have had engine problems from day one. My coolant level light came on just months after purchasing it new. I thought it was just an electrical problem, but I added fluid anyway. It would come on about every 6 months until recently, and now a mechanic says it will cost $500 to have the intake manifold gasket replaced (Canada has a petition out to have this recalled). I also had to have the catalytic converter replaced (recalled already). My brake pads wear fast, and now one of my rotors is damaged (common problem in Impalas). I also have experienced a lot of popping in my steering, and thought it was the CV joints, but research indicates it is a factory miscalculation in the front end. I also have problems getting it to go into drive from park. Also looked online at this, and apparently the cable connection was made to long by GM. I have a check engine light on constantly, and a computer check says it is the alternator, but when I took out the alternator and took it to have it checked, it was fine. Put the alternator back in, and the engine light went off. Mechanic thinks there is a electrical problem causing the miscommunications. Well, the engine light is back on, and I think it is about time to trade the car in. If it weren't for all the mechanical problems, this would be an awesome car. Lots of room, and a comfortable drive. I love the middle console, and bench seat. I have a large trunk, and have been able to take the toddler carseat in and out without any problem. The interior and exterior has held up nicely, and all the comfort controls continue to work properly. I wish Chevrolet would work on the engine problems, and I would buy another one! |
[Feb 08, 2006]
wheels4fun
Model Reviewed:
Chevy Impala
Strength:
Nice driving car, lots of get up and gone, nice stock sound system.
Weakness:
1) Light stalk failure is apparently common but not communicated to the owners...this is a safety issue and could cause a life threatening accident since the lights are supposed to go on automatically at night. 2) Driver's power window switch failed. 3) Intake manifold gasket failed...appears to be a common problem that is not communicated to Impala owners to be on the alert for. Suggest Chevy should provide a recall notice on this gasket failure as the failure is seen quite often. Until 6 months ago we loved the 2002 Chevy Impala 3400/V6 engine, 3 problems came up recently. The light stalk on the steering column had to be replaced when the lights failed to come on (even the automatic lights, checking online I found this condition to be a common issue!!). Then the drivers power window switch panel had to be replaced when the driver's window switch failed to bring the window up. Now the intake manifold gasket failed,(appears to be a common problem according to the GM certified mechanic), the gasket was replaced along with the water pump and all radiator hoses (due to damge from the oil) and a good flush of the oil and water systems for good measure. The mechanic had over 40 failed gaskets he's replaced on Impala's hanging in his garage for the customer's inspection - very impressive!! Seems Chevy could have sent out some advance warning on the light stalk issue as well as the gasket problem. Similar Products Used: '92 Saturn '94 Ford Escort '88 Ford Escort '86 Mercury '82 Dodge '78 Mustang |
[Aug 09, 2005]
disgustedinchicago
Model Reviewed:
4 DR. LS 3.8
Strength:
Gas mileage is good, trunk large, interior roomy.
Weakness:
I have always felt that the breaks seem to wear down quickly and the tires don't last long. I love my car for comfort, size, and being smooth. But mechanically I started having problems as soon as the warranty was up. My 100,000 mile spark plugs only lasted 38,000 miles. I have a clunking that is felt in the steering wheel and I haven't even had that repaired. Suddenly my engine has started making a terrible noice when cold and 2 mechanics have told me that it is the trans. I have only 46,000 miles! I don't know what to do with it. Similar Products Used: Last car was a Ford Taurus and the trans blew at 43,000 miles. I swore I would never buy a Ford again and switched to Chevy. I think I will have to go Japanese from now on. |
[May 24, 2005]
prismice
Model Reviewed:
Base
Strength:
Size without the bulk of a traditional boat.
Weakness:
Small unlighted glove box with an angle that causes contents to fall out when opened. We bought this car used. It has good city mileage and I love the space that the car offers, the trunk is huge. The materials in the interior are rather cheap but you get used to it after awhile. Minor complaints include the need for a larger, lighted glove box and more supportive seats. Also the rear middle seat is really stiff due to the fold down cup holder tray. Overall a great import alternative. Similar Products Used: Ford Taurus, Buick Regal, Toyota Camry |
[May 24, 2005]
formakos
Model Reviewed:
Impala LS
Strength:
All features of the car are excellent.
Weakness:
Transmission failure at 63,000 miles. Liked everything about this car until at 63,000 miles it would not shift into automatic overdrive. Chevy dealer advised it was an internal problem and that it would be just as expensive to repair it as it would be to put in a new transmission. Cost $3,000.00!!!! This is my first Chevy since 1953 and will definitely be my last!!! It is unexcusable to have a transmission failure at that mileage. Can't wait to get back in a Ford!!!!!!!! Similar Products Used: Ford T-Birds |
[Dec 08, 2004]
lemonhead
Model Reviewed:
Chevrolet Impala
Strength:
very smooth ride- the 3800 engine was awesome, great looking car, nice audio system.
Weakness:
TRANSMISSION CRAPPED OUT AT 50,000 miles and GM wouldnt do a DAMN thing to help us! We bought the car at 43,000 miles. Only put 9,000 miles on it and the transmission craps out at on the Kansas turnpike. My dad who is a certified mechanic and I both raised hell with GM but they refused to do help us in any way. WHAT A BUNCH OF A**HOLES, especially the lady that took our case. I hope she reads this. So therefore we traded it out for a Chrysler product even though we were 'upside down' on the loan on the car. I've heard this car at around this type of miles has transmission problems so BEWARE! buy the your Impala after the transmission has been replaced!!!!!! Similar Products Used: 92 Jimmy, 96 Blazer, '85 Toyota Corolla, 91 Chevy 454ss, 99 Chrysler Town and Country LXI |
[Oct 19, 2004]
oompaloompa
Model Reviewed:
Chevrolet/Impala
Strength:
Very smooth ride, roomy, looks good.
Weakness:
rattle in steering wheel, signals not working properly, head gasket repair (already!) We purchased our Impala (base model) based on Chevrolet's reputation (and our past experiences with Chevy) and the room in this car...great size for a family car. About a year ago, I noticed a vibrating/rattling sound coming from inside the steering wheel. Colder weather seemed to make it worse (at first) or if I would hit a bump in the road (also note, the bump would some times make the sound stop!). Not long after the noise began (which isn't present ALL the time) my left signal started acting up...ie. would blink once, then stop. After trying numerous times of putting signal on and taking off, I could get it to work. Eventually, the right turn signal also started acting up in the same way. It got to the point that no matter how many times I turned it off/on, it wouldn't work, so I tried my hazard lights. With my hazard lights on, I could then turn my signal on, then turn hazard lights off and signal would still be working. (short in the wires???) Eventually though...this has stopped working too. I do go through spurts when they work just fine and no noise in steering wheel. Go figure! We recently had to have the head gasket replaced (more than $650 to repair, BUT we did get a 12 month/12,000 warranty since we had it repaired by a Certified GM Mechanic). We were told by one of the "mom and pop" shops that this seems to be a big problem with the Impalas and Monte Carlos @ this time. I was interested in trading my car off, but I decided against it. Take into consideration we just had some work done to it, gas mileage is pretty good and it's roomy...I'll keep it for a while longer. Similar Products Used: 1973 Chevrolet Impala (my 1st car, this baby would fly!) 1990 Chevrolet Lumina (decent car, hubby hated it) 1992 Pontiac Bonneville (very good car, had car accident in 2000 and totaled it) |