13618 messages,
Last post on Mar 19, 2013 at 11:54 AM
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Chevrolet Impala Forum.
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Chevrolet Impala, Sedan
#12930 of 13618 Theft Deterrent Systems
by nixd=ed
Feb 13, 2005 (9:43 pm)
I just purchased my 2003 Chevy Impala LS, and I've been loving it. The one question I have is in regards to the factory theft deterrent system. I know this car has it installed in it... The blinking light on the radio, and the Carfax stated it was present at the time of the second inspection. However, when I go into the car setup, I am not given the option to change the Alarm setting. It's not present on the menu. I can change all the other settings but not the alarm setting.
Could this be because the previous owner had the theft deterrent system installed after he purchased the car? If so, how can I make sure it's functional? Is there a way to set it off by accident?
-Nixed
#12931 of 13618 Hello Impala owners...
by autonuts
Feb 18, 2005 (8:38 am)
I have a question about the 3800 engine and transmission compared to the 3100 engine and tranny. Which one of these two are the most trouble free - if you 've had the experience of both? I'm interested in possibly buying either an impala or a century which I understand comes with these engines, respectively. What kind of problems are most apparent with either of these two whether it be engine or tranny? I would really like feedback because I've never driven anything from GM. I currently drive an old Honda accord with 145,000mi. and it's dieing slowly. I'm wanting to give American cars another shot but I don't want to get burned like I hear so many people talk about. Besides the fact that I can purchase a newer American made car for a lot less than the imports. Please supply me with any of your's experience. Thank You!
Feb 18, 2005 (4:47 pm)
I wouldn't recommend the Buick Century. I drive a 2001 impala 3.8 and my father has a vehicle equipped with the 3.1L (3100) engine and let me tell you about piston slap. That 3.1L engine sounds like a diesel when running cold. The transmissions are the same in both cars (pretty good transmission) and the 3.1L engine has intake manifold issues and so does the 3.8L but not to the same extent. JohnCline (regular poster) had a 2000 impala 3.8L with no problems for almost 200K miles.
If you really want a Buick instead of a Chevy then you might want to look at a LaCrosse since it has the same 3800 engine or better yet a 3.6L DOHC engine.
Feb 18, 2005 (5:36 pm)
And before that Impala (173,000 virtually trouble free miles when I traded it) I had a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with the supercharged 3800 (78,000 miles on it when I traded it)...
Feb 18, 2005 (10:27 pm)
batista and johnclineii for your replies. When you say intake manifold problems can you tell me exactly what they are and if repair is expensive? Also, I'm not swayed one way or another on Chevy vrs. Buick and I even would consider other American brands. Can either of you comment on Pontiac Gran Prix or the Ford Taurus? What do you think about these car's V6 and tranny? Thanks again and for replying so quickly!
Feb 19, 2005 (4:54 am)
Take a wander over to the Pontiac Grand Prix forum here. As for the Taurus, be aware it is being discontinued soon. It will depreciate much more rapidly than almost anything else you can buy. Good if you are buying used...They were great cars, other than the really oddball styling in the generation before this one, but they also had a lot of small mechanical problems that drove some people nuts...
#12936 of 13618 Dashboard Lights-Out
by frankf3
Feb 19, 2005 (6:58 am)
I finally made an appointment to have the dashboard light problem looked at. I should have brought a violin along to play as I listened to all the excuses that the service manager made as to why he would be unable to find the cause of the problem until it became a "solid" fault. Is there a TSB I can reference to get him started in the right direction for this problem on my 2001 Impala LS?
Feb 19, 2005 (10:33 am)
johnclineii for your reply. I'm looking at newer used cars so maybe I'll be able to get a good deal on one of these makes. I'm really glad I have access to these forums.
Feb 19, 2005 (8:06 pm)
Hello all..
I have a 2004 Impala and could not find the tire pressure on the owners manual. Would anybody be able to inform me?
Thanks.
#12939 of 13618 Re: Tire Pressure [blendeng]
by yurakm
Feb 19, 2005 (8:31 pm)
Look at the label inside the trunk lid. Used to be 30 psi all around, with 60 psi for the spare.