29th Oct 2010, 14:18

The paint gets oiled every year? Huh?

Also, I find it hard to believe anyone looks at a newer Impala when it passes. These are about as exciting as taxi's.

1st Dec 2010, 11:49

I just purchased a 2003 LS with 141,000 miles on it.

Immediately, I replaced all 4 tires, front rotors and pads, wheel hub assemblies, and rear pads, battery, alternator, plugs, wires, EGR valve, serpentine belt, and right side mirror, because the previous owner left it broken on the car.

My husband changed the oil and transmission fluid, because it was shifting jerky and the fluid was black.

I traded an 02 Taurus on this car, for the simple reason that every time I darken the door to a Ford dealer, I get reamed.

I own a 2000 Camaro with a 3800 in it, and it's still an awesome car with 183,000 on it.

Engine light is still on in this Impala, and we've replaced everything that the code showed could have triggered it. I like the car, but it's getting frustrating.

Having catalytic converter checked tomorrow. It's getting poor fuel economy, and doesn't accelerate like it did the first few days that I owned it. Message center constantly says "trunk Open/Door Ajar" and it isn't...

I miss the old days of cars without sensors -- they create anxiety, more than they've ever helped me solve a problem!

1st Dec 2010, 21:03

I bought a 2003 Impala LS brand new back in '03. I chose the top of the line model with all options and leather seating. The tires were worn out at 19,000 miles and had to be replaced. A short time later, the rack and pinion steering gear unit leaked and had to be replaced. The intermediate steering shaft also had to be removed and replaced at this time. Six months later, the rack and pinion was leaking again, and the intermediate steering shaft was clunking again.

I went back to the dealer who repaired my car, and they told me the front sub frame assembly was cracked at the welds and had to be replaced. At that time, they also told me the rack and pinion broke because of the cracks on the sub frame assembly. The cracks were causing the metal to move, and break the steering shaft at the connector, allowing the fluid to leak out. The dealer replaced the intermediate steering shaft again, and installed a new rack and pinion steering gear unit. The dealer also made GM cover the subframe assembly replacement due to manufacturing defects in the welds. GM agreed to cover the cost of the subframe repair. A new sub frame was installed too.

Three and a half years later after the sub frame assembly replacement, new rack and pinion steering gear unit, and new intermediate steering shaft replacement, the intermediate steering shaft was clunking again. GM was supposed to have installed a new and revised intermediate steering shaft to fix the clunking in the steering problem that had a new design. I went to another GM dealer who told me the rack and pinion steering gear unit was leaking again, and the intermediate steering shaft was also leaking and needed to be removed and replaced. At this time, the mileage was just a hair under 30,000, and I have been through three rack and pinion steering gear units on my Impala LS.

I also own a 2005 Impala, and have had to replace the ABS, and traction control module. This is an expensive repair. I have also replaced the front HUB assemblies on both the front wheels because the service traction control system light was on. ALL in all on my 2005 Impala, I have spent nearly $5,000 during the last six months on repairs. During this time, my 2003 also needed repairs to the rack and pinion and intermediate steering shaft. I was faced with another bill for $1,600.00.

The Impala is junk. Anyone who has one will eventually have problems. Look at the forums on the Internet about Impalas. Problems with the traction control, intermediate steering shaft, catalytic converters, paslock security system, intake gasket on manifold leaking, Powertrain Control Module PCM, and front suspension.

I also own a FORD, and do not have these problems. Also, the FORD has better steering and feels like it is built more solid than the Impala.

I will never buy GM again ever. Chevy has been in our family for over 70 years. MY family is switching to FORD, because they are better, and run longer.

2nd Dec 2010, 06:29

Cars were better in the 1980s than they are now. Even the front-drives of the eighties, like the forefathers of this Impala (such as late 80s Buick Lesabre/Olds 88, and Buick Century/Olds Ciera) were great cars, and the rear-drivers like Chevrolet Caprice/Impala or Oldsmobile Delta 88 (early 80s) were worlds better than anything made today - just a whole higher order of motoring.

2nd Dec 2010, 17:49

100% true! I first drove my grandmas 1984 Delta 88 with the 305. This was in '04 when I was 15. I now have a Crown Victoria, anyway it was like driving heaven. I love my '98 Vic, but General Motors had the best looking and most reliable cars in the eighties, The Body-on-frame RWD ones, that is. It was also that beautiful metallic seafoam green.

3rd Dec 2010, 20:06

Although I do feel that today's domestics are the best cars built anywhere on Earth, I can't help but notice an awful lot of 80's and even 70's large GM sedans around my area. One man in my office tower drives a near mint 1973 Olds 98, and another drives a beautiful 1979 Cadillac. Mid-80's Oldsmobiles and Buicks are very common here.

I recently considered buying myself a very inexpensive small truck. I wanted a very old one, because of the less complicated emission and computer systems. I looked for 80's Tacomas or Nissans, and there were none. I was told that even the bodies rotted away in that length of time. I did, however, find a number of 1st generation Ford Rangers and full-size domestic trucks going back as far as 1959. I've decided that if I get one, I will get a 1969 or '70 Chevy truck with the very simple in-line 6. There are a lot of those around, and I like the styling.

24th May 2012, 09:24

My son wants to pull a trailer with his 2001 Impala 3.1 from Cleveland to Denver, a 5x8, and he needs the hitch installed and wiring. I'm worried about the transmission, etc. He will be moving one room furniture. How was your experience, and how did the car handle this??

Please e-mail - mangano1@wowway.com

25th May 2012, 16:49

I believe the towing capacity is 1,000 pounds, which might be a conservative estimate. I own a Crown Vic; a full-framed car that is basically a truck underneath. Mine is a '98, and the towing capacity is rated at I believe 1,500 pounds. Models prior to this were rated to tow 5,000. So I believe it is just a bean counter or stupid lawyer number. With your Impala you should at least be able to tow 2,000 to 3,500 max comfortably.

25th May 2012, 17:49

Towing a heavy trailer with any vehicle can cause problems. On our mountain vacation we saw several trucks and SUV's (all Japanese) broken down, trying to pull heavy trailers up the steep grades. A medium sized car such as the Impala really should be equipped with a transmission cooler and heavy-duty radiator for a long towing trip involving grades. With that said, GM and Ford are much better for heavy duty towing than imports, so my guess is the Impala will do just great as long as care is taken not to allow it to run hot. If the transmission does start to overheat, you can usually discern a very distinct, sharp odor. If you see wisps of dark smoke coming from underneath the car, that is a major sign you are stressing the transmission too much.