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2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala
13618 messages, Last post on Mar 19, 2013 at 11:54 AM
You are in the Chevrolet Impala Forum.What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan
#12427 of 13618 by drivinisfun
Feb 04, 2004 (9:16 am)
Well, well, well....its been months since I last post anything here in Impala world..LOLAnyway, for those of you not in the know, I used to own a 2001 Chevy Impala LS (4/01 build) which I kept for about 27 months and 22K miles. The car was pretty solid and reliable and the only major problem I experienced was the warped upper intake manifold which was replaced under warranty when the car had 18K miles. Never had any ISS issues, brakes, suspension electrical or transmission. car never had any rattles or noises.
I enjoyed while I had it, but since buying a new MINI Cooper back in 2002, I totally rediscover my "love affair" with small, excellent handling, fun to drive and cool looking cars.
The Impala went to a new loving home back in July for $14K. I think I did extremely well. the car was an absolute "cream puff" inside and out. The new buyers fell in love with the car in about 15 minutes...easiest private used car sale in history.
I still see the car around and talk to the new owners....they still love the car and thank me every opportunity they get for having sold it to them. the car was good to me and I hope it continues that way for them.
Right now I am the proud owner of a 2004 MINI Cooper S with a 6-speed Getrag gearbox, 1.6L Supercharged 163HP engine (0-60 in 6.9 secs), Harmon Kardon stereo, automatic rain sensing wipers, self dimming rearview mirror, 16" rims with runflat tires, rear spoiler, fog lights, trip computer, multifunction steering wheel, etc.
Most fun car I ever owned! And the best part, the MINI Cooper is the only car in the market that does not depreciate a single penny when driving it off the lot (hear that GM???). My other '02 Cooper has only depreciated $250 off MSRP in 17 months of service.
Anyway, it was nice to see my old Impala friends still hanging around here and hope that your cars continue to provide reliable service as mine did.
#12429 of 13618 depreciation by pluto5
Feb 05, 2004 (4:30 pm)
My LS is over a year old now and I still haven't gotten a bill for depreciation. If you are worried about taking a hit by selling a 2-3 yr. old car you should probably lease.#12430 of 13618 Impala/Mini depreciation by charts2
Feb 06, 2004 (3:55 am)
Well we heard all the positives about this Mini...The current Impala gets better highway mileage even though it is much larger and heavier, much smoother ride, does not use premium gas,Impala price is not inflated, if you are over 5'5" stay out of the back seat of a mini..if you can get in!... and no dubious english quality as stated by a few reviews....and for safety if you run a mini into an Impala head on.......well the Impala always wins everytime..The mini is more of a novelty car.....its a car with mostly British background loyalty. Why would anyone in their right mind by a 2 model year old Mini for $250 less then original Manufactures retail price from you, with thousands of miles on it when they can buy a brand new 2004 mini like you did with 000000.0 miles for only $250.00 more! were not getting the whole story here!....#12431 of 13618 by johnclineii
Feb 06, 2004 (4:42 am)
...because the used one is available NOW. The new one will take months to get.Eventually, the Mini-mania will fade and new ones will be available the day you want to pay.
#12432 of 13618 impalamania by charts2
Feb 06, 2004 (8:13 am)
.... January 93, the first 94 Impala SS was introduced at the Detroit Auto show.....people lined up to pay thousands over list price to be the first person on their block to own one........and then a few sold a year later telling everyone they sold it for near list price....but not stating that they paid a hefty premium over list to start with...considering the 94-96 SS cars ones with low mileage still command a pretty good premium.....the 94s were all black......the 96's are the most popular.....Beatlemania started 40 years ago this week....I remember it well!!#12433 of 13618 by drivinisfun
Feb 06, 2004 (7:49 pm)
Well, before taking cheap shoots and seemingly ignorant comments at the BMW MINI Cooper, I would suggest for you to educate yourself a bit more about this wonderful car, that by the way, has collected more national/international awards and accolades in the automotive industry than any other GM product could ever dream of.You have the typical north american mentallity..bigger somehow has to be better. Well not quite, and I am glad that you don't get the MINI's point and possibly never will, which is good for me because they are much fewer of them in the street hence keeping my residuals very high.
BMW only imports 25K to 30K a years of these cars, meanwhile the Impala is selling in the 100K-150K range...two very different cars.
The MINI is all about true HANDLING prowess and true motoring fun, something that I doubt the regular Impala driver ever knows anything about.
Your comparisons of the Impala vs the MINI are truly laughable. At least I have owned and live with both cars extensively, you on the other hand, have never ever owned a MINI before, and probably have never driven one, so please spare me from your armchair reviews.
And here is some food for taught regarding MINI safety vs Impala safety: (I can copntinue knocking down all the myths you can throw at me regarding small cars):
From IIHS.org
http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0222.htm
And here is the Impala:
http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/99014.htm
The MINI protects its occupants much better than the heavier Impala. Embarrasing for GM. A 2,700 pound MINI Cooper received the "best pick" classification from the institute while the 3,400 pound Impala registers the likehood of severe right foot/leg injury in a 40 MPH crash....
#12434 of 13618 by drivinisfun
Feb 06, 2004 (7:54 pm)
The "MINImania" has not gone away, in fact is growing by the minute. 24 months after the car's introduction in the US market there are still long waiting lists at dealerships for new made to order MINIs.GM has to move the Impala off dealer lots with rebates and incentives. MINIs fly off the showroom on MSRP and above.
#12435 of 13618 by hvan3
Feb 07, 2004 (12:31 am)
Forget what the IIHS says about the MINI and the Impala. How about a demolition derby between your MINI and my Impala? You can use all the airbags you want, lets see who comes out alive? Wouldn't that be a better test result than what the IIHS says it is?As far as I know, the law of physics still applies. Mass vs matter....
While I sat and drove the MINI at one time, it's a "neat" car if you're a teenager....
#12436 of 13618 by drivinisfun
Feb 07, 2004 (5:01 am)
Well I am not going to waste my time engaging into a debate with such a narrow minded/ignorant group of people. Anyway enjoy your cars. The Impala is a great value for the money but there are better things out there and again bigger is not always better.Well I am off motoring!
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