2001 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

Tons of features for not much money, if you get one that's built solid

Faults:

4,000 miles - loud popping sounds heard from underneath the vehicle when engine is on.

9,000 miles - engine stalls when in drive.

10,000 miles - excessive wear in the driver side seat adjuster tracks makes seat rock back and forth.

11,000 miles - clunk sound heard and felt when steering while driving.

12,000 miles - transmission shudders, slips, makes grinding noises and slams into gear.

General Comments:

Chevy crammed the Impala LS with lots of features for a good price.

The Impala LS, by today's standards, is a bit underpowered. However, the 200 horsepower 3.8L V6 engine is very reliable and, in my opinion, adequate enough for a car this size.

The automatic transmission leaves a lot to be desired. It is the weak point in this vehicle's overall performance, perhaps because it is electronically controlled. Shifts are slushy and slow. Downshifts are pretty lethargic and if you want better performance you'll have to shift manually.

Overall comfort is excellent. tons of room all over. Interior is well thought out.

Overall, the Impala has a pleasing exterior shape, although a bit aged. The only gripes here are the side mirrors don't fold and the ridiculous red plastic piece around the taillights.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th April, 2003

2001 Chevrolet Impala LX from North America

Summary:

Mediocre

Faults:

From the first day I had the car, the brakes squealed. I returned to the dealer the 2nd week, where I was informed it was nothing out of the ordinary. I was provided a GM sheet explaining the new "environmentally friendly" brake pads would make noise. Although I thought it odd, I accepted their explanation. When my brakes began to "grind", I took it to a local auto shop (known for years and would not hang me out to dry). My car had to have new brake pads AND a new rotor on the front. (The original was worn too thin to turn).

Rubber molding along top rear end of car does not lay flat.

Hard plastic cover that conceals the On Star wire above the rear-view mirror, does not fit firmly. It has popped lose twice & I've had to go back to the dealer to pop it back into place.

General Comments:

Although I love my car, DO NOT accept noisy brakes. Rest assured, if you were purchasing a BMW, Mercedes, etc., the brakes would not squeal!

Just because you're purchasing a beautiful, yet affordable sports car, brake quality should be the same.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2002

11th Mar 2003, 13:12

As being a BMW owner, I can honestly assure you that brakes DO squeal on a BMW. They have the same environmentally safe brakes as your car, and they are a pain in the butt. TRUST me... I have always put on my own pads and I bought these REALLY REALLY expensive pads through my local BMW dealer, and put them on myself. Well, sad thing is, I did that two years ago, ever since then, the rotor light in the car has been lit non stop. There are sensors on each of the rotors that let you know if the pads are going bad, or if the rotors are starting to wear or warp. Good idea, bad if you are trying to save money. Turns out, that if you want to get pads put on a BMW, you HAVE to take it down so they can trip the computer to tell it that they have been changed. Due to the overly responsive computer, it also adjusts braking pressure as your pads wear so they will last longer and you never feel a difference in the pedal. But, if you don't get this reset, it messes everything up. Besides spending near $300 on getting this redone, the brakes have always squealed since the day I bought the car. These are also lifetime warranty brake pads, which I have gone through two sets in the last three years that I have had this car. I know my stuff when it comes to cars, and I KNOW that I am not over braking or beating the car at all, so ALL of these new pads now-a-days SUCK!!! So, I totally hear ya on the brakes, they are bad on any car though, trust me...

21st Feb 2005, 20:23

Use ceramic brake pads to stop squeaking and eliminate brake dust... They cost more, but are worth every penny.

15th Apr 2006, 20:04

I have a 29 year old oldsmobile with disk brakes and no they don't make any noise :) Oh and the rotors on my car last about 10 to 15 years.

31st Oct 2006, 19:22

Ditto on the Ceramic brake pads...Don't fool around with the eco friendly brakes, they are junk.

You will never go back to anything, but Ceramics once you have tried them!