Chevy Impala 2004 Redesign - READ ONLY

233 messages, Last post on Sep 10, 2003 at 7:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan

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#111 of 233 regfootball et al. by formersuver1 Feb 27, 2003 (10:20 am)
I've just finished over 3 years with the 3.5l. dohc in the Intrigue--never had a problem with the car itself, almost 40,000 miles. I've had Acura Legends (Sterling), Volvo, Mercedes turbo diesel, Camry, etc. etc. I've now gone to the Buick Regal, largely because of the 3.8 engine. It's very torquey, utterly reliable (I've no idea where you get the alleged manifold problems--GM did have a problem, according to my brother-in-law for part of the 1999 model run, with the sealant used in the gasket installation, but that was relatively limited and quickly fixed, although I suppose some could still be showing up--usually happens at around 15-20,000 miles (my brother-in-law is a service manager at a large Buick-Pontiac dealership). He said the very few problems he's ever seen have happened because people paid no attention to coolant level....anyway, I prefer the pushrod because of it's very flat torque curve. I do a lot of merging from around 30 mph and need to get up to speed (around 50-60) fairly quickly. The 3.8 is a nice even strong pull-- The dohc would do it, but only when I stomped on it. If I wanted to accelerate from 75 mph to 85 mph, dohc wins hands down--but let me count the times I ever wanted to do that....never! Remember, it could be a lot worse, we could have bought a Taurus!!
#112 of 233 this topic by vcjumper Feb 27, 2003 (6:10 pm)
Isn't it kind of obsolete since the only "redesign" is sticking the 97-03 GTP motor in the 04 Impala? Whats all this engine talk? There is always going to be a small vocal minority of people who prefer large displacement pushrod engines just as there are people who prefer cruising in Harleys over zipping around on a crotch rocket. Is flooring an automatic car and driving in a straight line the complete measure of car's performance? What about the twisties!
#113 of 233 by atbear Feb 27, 2003 (6:28 pm)
You are correct on all points, vcjumper.
#114 of 233 by 02lssport Feb 28, 2003 (5:03 am)
Just to show how reviewers can have such different views and numbers... From New Car Test Drive... "Since you can get the big 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 as an option in the lower-priced base model, the Impala becomes the least expensive GM car powered by this gutsy pushrod engine. Chevy claims it will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is quick for this class." "When the Impala was introduced as a new model in 2000, Chevrolet was aiming for a car to carry the heritage behind that famous name. The result is a capable, quick, and fun car that drives nothing like Impalas of old. And that's good news. You can bet there was debate whether to dredge up the image of old ill-handling Impalas by resurrecting the name, but for younger generations who never knew the older versions of the car, "Impala" will mean something entirely different. The Impala delivers excellent value among mid-size sedans, with decent handling, immediately recognizable design cues, and a long-list of amenities."
#115 of 233 vcjumper and others like you by 02lssport Feb 28, 2003 (5:34 am)
Go learn something: http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-gmmot- ors4dec04.story GM will continue to use OHV engines and continue to improve the design to keep up with OHC engines. These OHV engines from GM will continue to produce more HP (as in the Corvette V8 compared to the likes of the Mustang V8 or BMW v8) and continue to be less expensive to produce, lighter, and more fuel efficient. Why don't you head over to the Vette forum and inform them that the engine design in their #1 rated sports car is old outdated technology and that they are part of a small minority. Huh?
#116 of 233 02lssport by vcjumper Feb 28, 2003 (7:17 am)
The 3800 motor is a far cry from the Z06 motor. I've driven 3800, 3100 and 3400 equipped cars on cold winter mornings and I do most of my driving from 55-85mph. I cannot afford a z06. For these reasons I prefer OHC. If GM has decided OHV is better than OHC, why have they been replacing many OHV motors with OHC ones (2200 ecotec, 4200/3500/2800 vortec, 260hp 3.6L global v6 3.6l)
#117 of 233 by regfootball Feb 28, 2003 (7:47 am)
"He said the very few problems he's ever seen have happened because people paid no attention to coolant level" That's complete and utter bullcrap. Why are the manifolds popping off in the first place. Checking your coolant level every other day is not gonna prevent the damn thing from breaking. "Is flooring an automatic car and driving in a straight line the complete measure of car's performance? What about the twisties!" Well in that instance, the Impala fails even more miserably. "Isn't it kind of obsolete since the only "redesign" is sticking the 97-03 GTP motor in the 04 Impala?" The topic is not obsolete, the car is. Exactly the point....why is it even worthy of news that it takes them 4 years to put a supercharger in the car when it was available before the car was even released? HOW CLUELESS CAN GM BE? ITS EMBARASSING FOR THEM TO MAKE A PRESS RELEASE ON IT. Besides, in the article, Ford says their cost to build those engines is the same, because of the other efficiencies they realize from commiting to the OHC design across the board instead of having a buttload of engines all with different designs. vcjumper....I think what it is is that the world arm of GM is producing sophisticated powertrains but GM as a company is still reluctant to go global with their engine development programs. The North American arm stubbornly refuses and would prefer to develop a large number of their own engines, who knows why. It can only cost GM millions of extra dollars to have world GM and North American GM going their own separate ways like they do. I am very interested in the new world GM v6's DOHC, but now I already see they won't offer the 3.2 in the Malibu, instead a pushrod motor. That kills that one for me. LOL if GM is so against OHC why do the trailblazer and new pickups have OHC.....why were they forced into putting them in all the small cars? Face it...GM was caught with their pants down. The public does care. GM had better get some OHC motors in their midsize offerings soon. Go to the Intrigue boards and you will see there are more who prefered the shortstar than those who were like formersuver who appears to never take his vehicle out of town on the interstate or out of the city streets and urban environment. In the article Ford claims they build the engines for the same cost because of all the efficiencies related to having common and modern designs.
#118 of 233 by 02lssport Feb 28, 2003 (8:56 am)
OHV and OHC engines both have their pros and cons and both have their rightful place right now. Perhaps at some point the OHV design will be obsolete but we have not reached that point yet. All I care about is durability, reliability, power, and efficiency. I don't care if the original design of the engine is over 20 years old and why should I or anyone else. There have been many advancements in the OHV design and there will be more to come. GM's OHV beats many of its competitors in those categories above. The 3800 has better gas milage and power then a good number of its competitors and the v8 OHV puts out more power then just about ever other engine so what the hell are you taklking about. That is all that matters in the end. To say the Impala is obsolete is pure nonsence. As far as power, performance, comfort, looks, cornering it is in the middle of the pack. There are a few cars in its class that are slightly better and there are a few cars that are below it. Most people would agree with that.
#119 of 233 great timing! by alpha01 Feb 28, 2003 (9:18 am)
From today's USA Today test drive (James Healy) on the 2004 Grand Prix (which got a very favorable review, and its darn good looking, if you must go mid-size GM, here is my choice.) "All GP models use GM's hoary 3.8-liter V-6, lineal descendant of the shake-and-shudder six-banger that made its debut in early '60s Buicks. GM's refined it beyond reason over the years, and now it's quite a good power factory. " ~alpha
#120 of 233 alpha01 by vcjumper Feb 28, 2003 (9:54 am)
I sat in the 04 GP at the auto show. The disappointment for me was rear headroom. Was pretty cramped back there for a large midsize (well for a small midsize too!) and I need to stick adult passengers in the rear quarters pretty often.