1996 Chevrolet Impala SS 5.7L from North America
Summary:
In my opinion, it is the best car out there, good looks, fast, and luxurious
Faults:
Alternator: I’m on my fifth alternator, the first four were warrantied. The bearings went bad, but they charged fine.
Right Taillight bulb: I replaced the bulb a couple times, then brought it to the dealer. They replaced the bulb. Yeah, OK, that lasted about a mile. Went back three or four times, and they finally replaced the whole taillight assembly.
Oil cooler lines: Replaced twice.
Transmission: It died with about 50,000 miles on the clock. Should have upgraded, but my wife was ready to have our daughter soooo…
Differential: Replaced with about 60,000 miles.
Optispark distributor: Replaced at about 63,000 miles.
Rear caliper pins: Just replaced them last week-end. The lower ones were rusted up good! I broke one and had to order a whole new caliper bracket.
General Comments:
I love the car!
For its size, it is amazingly quick, especially with a few mods. The last time I raced it at the quarter mile dragstrip, it ran 14.63 seconds. Since then, I have installed a Dynomax UltraFlo cat-back, 160 degree thermostat, and a homebuilt look-a-like RAISS cold air intake. Haven't raced it since, as I have conceded it to "cruiser" status.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 18th May, 2005
9th Mar 2005, 13:33
The suspension in the 94-96 Impala SS is the same as the 9C1 police package Caprice because it's all based off the same B-body chassis, but the Impala got lower different rate springs and DeCarbon shocks, where as the 9C1 got taller different rate springs and Bilstein shocks. From late 1995 into 1996 the 9C1 Caprices got upgraded 5/8" Cadillac Limo lower ball joints, but the Impala still came with the regular 9/16" lower ball joints. Also it's closer to a 4300 lb. car, definitely not 3400 lbs. I love these cars and hope to own a nice low mileage Impala SS in the future, but for now I'm happy with my Caprice. Good luck with your Impala SS.