Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Chevrolet Impala, 2000-2012

[Autos_Editor]

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Though the Impala sedan has had a few reliability problems, such as leaky gaskets on older 3.4-litre V6 engines, a well-kept Impala is a good value in the used car market, opines Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

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[Gardiner Westbound]

Have you ever wondered how much better GM would be if it spent $10 a car on quality improvements?

[Whofan]

We had a brand new 2003 LS loaded all the way to 2009, it was a great car, specially for HWY travel.

but in 2009 it was time to let it go, spend on repairs or buy a new one, we went for the new one.  (we might have been wrong, maybe we should have keep it, oh well)

got up to 60,000 on stock breaks, better than Ford, that's for sure at the time

[Mike]

For all their faults, these are great highway cruisers.  Now they have 300+ hp in a 3500 package.  For reference, that is more power and less weight than a Maxima

[Blueprint]

For all their faults, these are great highway cruisers.  Now they have 300+ hp in a 3500 package.  For reference, that is more power and less weight than a Maxima

Agreed.  Rented the previous gen a few times, and a basic one with the 3.4 netted me 8.5 l/100km over 1000km of mixed driving in Florida.  Great car for road trips, and the cops think you're one of them (and all the others let you through  ).

[Vanstar]

These cars make excellent used buys if you need a prairie cruiser. Ten thousand will get you a good, low km one off rental in these parts. That is a good deal if you need a big car and don't mind doing a little fixing a couple of times a year. Said fixing isn't hard as parts are everywhere and the basic design is ancient.

The cars drive terribly and the steering is horrid. The rear seat room isn't great for a car of this size, either. However, were I driving from Saskatoon to Regina regularly I would buy one as a disposable appliance.

[chrischasescars]

I rented one of these recently, while I was testing the Scion iQ. Interesting thing was that the Impala (this was a 2012 model) was not noticeably quieter on the highway, at least in terms of road/tire noise.

[Solstice2006]

Nice update.

So we getting any used reviews of the Mazda CX-9, Ford Flex, Volvo XC60 just to name a few..

[drive67]

The Chevrolet Impala was the car that finally made my sister say no more GMC's. She had so many problems that she knew the tow truck driver and the service people by name. Her Pontiac Bonneville caught on fire while driving and she still bought another GMC. Having a car you never knew would start or make it to a destination was to much for her. My brother in law still says they never had a problem with their cars.

[SXT]

The Chevrolet Impala was the car that finally made my sister say no more GMC's.

Me too, a piece of crap, engine cradle creaked, intake manifold leaks on the 3.8L using sawdust to block leaks approved by GM, transmission planetary gear, $3500 repair,  no more GM.  Car should have had little to no problems in the 55,000 km's I had that vehicle and I bought it new, so not a rental abused car.

Funny thing GM was known to build reliable transmission and the 3800 was a so called proven engine, so much for that.

[ArticSteve]

There were 5 decades of various GM 3.8 V6s.  Some where great and some were pure crap.  The units during the period of the GM bankruptcy were crap.  The brakes lasted 1/2 what they should have.  However, in the USA just prior to GM pulling them from the retail market ppl could purchase one new for $22K USD with the usual basics like AC/PW/PD, etc.  PPl also really liked the front split bench seat until they took that away.

[revalations]

Mine is a 2005, I picked it up cheap after my Maxima got written off. I've had it two years with no problems. It's as exciting as plain oatmeal. but its comfy for highway use and gets amazingly good fuel economy.

Nice car to mile out without spending large, no worries about resale or costly repairs.

[hemusbull]

Impala isn't quite different than many GM products. There is a very big percentage of them without more than minor problems. But a small percent are crap with few to several big and costly issues. This isn't just a reliability problem - it is a missing repeatability - one quality phenomenon GM should work vigorously to solve.

[SXT]

There were 5 decades of various GM 3.8 V6s.  Some where great and some were pure crap.  The units during the period of the GM bankruptcy were crap.  The brakes lasted 1/2 what they should have.  However, in the USA just prior to GM pulling them from the retail market ppl could purchase one new for $22K USD with the usual basics like AC/PW/PD, etc.  PPl also really liked the front split bench seat until they took that away.

The 3800 Series I came before 1995 and Series II which I had was 95-03 and Series III after 2004.
Avoid the Series II as they switched from aluminium intake manifold to composite.

Most were crap as in B.C. they were used as taxi's and quickly disappeared.
Rare to see a 5-10 year old Impala in the lower mainland, I'm pretty sure it's because of reliability issues.
Still can see many Camry's, Civic's, Accord's etc that are 10-20 years old, for a good reason.

[SXT]

Impala isn't quite different than many GM products. There is a very big percentage of them without more than minor problems. But a small percent are crap with few to several big and costly issues. This isn't just a reliability problem - it is a missing repeatability - one quality phenomenon GM should work vigorously to solve.

I respectfully disagree, look at consumer reports for 00-05 impala, solid black for transmission problems.
That means it's more than a small minority.

[Solstice2006]

Impala isn't quite different than many GM products. There is a very big percentage of them without more than minor problems. But a small percent are crap with few to several big and costly issues. This isn't just a reliability problem - it is a missing repeatability - one quality phenomenon GM should work vigorously to solve.

I respectfully disagree, look at consumer reports for 00-05 impala, solid black for transmission problems.
That means it's more than a small minority.

Interesting, when I hear transmission issues, some vehicles come to mind.  I wouldn't think the GM sedans of that era would have those issues.  Can't think of anybody I know who has that problem.  Now intake manifold gasket with the 3.4L, 3.5L yes....

[paul246]

My next door neighbour has owned a series of these cars, always buys new, bitches about this and that and invariably comes home with a shiny new one every couple of years. I think GM's strategy is to get guys like him into the dealership with repairs as often as possible so they can interest him in the latest and greatest on the showroom floor. After all, it is common knowledge that the new one is much improved over the old one, is it not?

[SXT]

My next door neighbour has owned a series of these cars, always buys new, bitches about this and that and invariably comes home with a shiny new one every couple of years. I think GM's strategy is to get guys like him into the dealership with repairs as often as possible so they can interest him in the latest and greatest on the showroom floor. After all, it is common knowledge that the new one is much improved over the old one, is it not?

Not me, once I get burned with a bad choice that brand is forever off my list.

I expect a brand new car to be reliable (basic maintenance) for at least 7-8 years and 100K km's.

[rrocket]

^^Not asking too much IMO.

[Solstice2006]

My next door neighbour has owned a series of these cars, always buys new, bitches about this and that and invariably comes home with a shiny new one every couple of years. I think GM's strategy is to get guys like him into the dealership with repairs as often as possible so they can interest him in the latest and greatest on the showroom floor. After all, it is common knowledge that the new one is much improved over the old one, is it not?

Not me, once I get burned with a bad choice that brand is forever off my list.

I expect a brand new car to be reliable (basic maintenance) for at least 7-8 years and 100K km's.

Have to disagree.  Even brands known for good reliability, can have things go wrong.  So if an alternator goes on a Honda Civic on it's 5th year of ownership at 75k, Honda is forever off your list?