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2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

13620 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2013 at 7:08 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan

    

Messages Page 1157 of 1363

#11556 of 13620 Initial Impala Encounter by ab348

Mar 16, 2003 (5:48 am)

On Friday I had to drive about 500 miles round trip and got a 2003 Impala with about 3000 miles on it as a rental from Avis. I have never been a fan of this car, mostly because of the styling, but looked forward to the experience of actually living with one for a day.
 
This was a base model Impala apparently (no LS badges), but I was confused because it seemed pretty loaded up. I couldn't replicate the car on Chevy's website. Alloys, cruise, steering wheel radio controls, leather-wrapped wheel, etc. I presume it had the 3.4 although I didn't check. It was an odd shade of blue (Superior Blue?) that was lighter than navy blue, and which looked vaguely institutional to me, like it should have some sort of corporate logo painted on the doors. Reminded me of the color the RCMP used to paint their cars. It had the dreaded gray interior (I hate gray interiors) with two slightly different shades on the dash.
 
I was prepared not to like the car but I can't complain about the experience of driving it. It was great on the highway, had decent pickup with only some rough engine sounds when you put your foot in it, and had good handling and brakes. The seats seemed comfortable at first although after several hours the bottom cushion seemed to give up and my back began to bother me a bit (I have back trouble). Driving at 70 mph the car was quiet and felt secure. Most controls and instruments were logical (didn't like the wiper control all that much though) and I found it a bit tough to get enough heat inside (it was a very cold day and I had the temp on max - maybe I needed more indoctrination into those controls). The dash has a lot of cutlines but didn't look too bad to me. All in all not a bad car. If only the styling was better.

#11557 of 13620 reply ab348 by pluto5

Mar 16, 2003 (7:36 am)

You should try an LS which is much better in the respects you commented on. They are really two different automobiles.
 
The blue with tan is a nice combination IMO and contrary to a previous post all the sheet metal is painted, e.g., inside of gas tank cover. The current blue is not quite as dark as the earlier navy.
 
As far as the styling I find it way above Honda and Toyota--MO.

#11558 of 13620 by atbear

Mar 16, 2003 (11:23 am)

"It had the dreaded gray interior (I hate gray interiors)"
 
Me too, man... me too! I have a 2002 Impala LS with a NAVY Blue exterior and a TAN interior... I love it... and if you like the 3.4, you should try the 3.8! Thanks for posting!

#11559 of 13620 2001 LS by josh210t1

Mar 16, 2003 (5:59 pm)

I own the 2001 LS, Galaxy Silver with the GRAY interior. I happen to love the GRAY interior. I happen to love the car completely. Great car, completely loaded, great gas mileage (especially highway driving -- simply fantastic). The Tan inteior known as the neutral color, isnt so friendly keeping clean. I had the neutral color in my 98 Lumina and cleaned that interior everyday to keep that new look. Wasnt fun. I LOVE GRAY.

#11560 of 13620 by atbear

Mar 16, 2003 (6:45 pm)

Not dissing Gray, Josh... just saying we prefer Tan.. ; )

#11561 of 13620 by johnclineii

Mar 16, 2003 (7:14 pm)

I have a white LS. I really wish some other colours of interiors HAD been available. I have the gray, which I consider non-objectionable and boring. Navy wasn't an option. The 'tan' in 2000 looked more like baby poop, to be nice about it. Orangey. I would have loved a black interior!
 
GM interiors had a reputation, deserved, IMHO, for being substandard and boring. Supposedly this is one of the first things Mr. Lutz was in charge of fixing.

#11562 of 13620 GM interiors by pluto5

Mar 17, 2003 (4:50 pm)

Everyone has a complaint, but what is great about Toyota's interiors? The new Impala interior is fine with me and I would be hard pressed to improve it.

#11563 of 13620 by johnclineii

Mar 17, 2003 (4:52 pm)

Get thee in an Acura or Volkswagen. Then say that again. I would begin by greatly improving the quality of the LS cloth seats. And then that headliner. What is that stuff? Mousefur?
 
ICK!

#11564 of 13620 LS cloth seats are fine, like the pattern, too. by pluto5

Mar 17, 2003 (4:57 pm)

Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead driving a VW or Acura aka Honda. Give me a Chevy, any day. Or even a Ford if there's no other choice! But nothing euro thank you very much.

#11565 of 13620 by johnclineii

Mar 17, 2003 (5:11 pm)

We aren't talking about DRIVING them. You asked about interiors, and I just told you two makers who are widely acknowledged both by auto industry insiders and by consumers as having world class interiors. If Chevy and even GM wants to succeed, they have to do more than just satisfying current customers.

Messages Page 1157 of 1363

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