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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#128 of 233 by jpstax Mar 01, 2003 (9:39 am)
I posted this same message in the Buick Regal forum (I own a '98 GS and wife owns a '00 GSE): I see where the '04 Pontiac GTP engine is now rated at 260 HP instead of 240, with 280 ft-lbs of torque. Has anyone heard if the '04 Regal GS will be getting this same improved version of the S/C 3800? I wonder though why the engine torque stayed at 280 ft-lbs, instead of increasing to say, 300 ft-lbs? They must have improved the exhaust flow and/or are using a smaller pulley to get 20 more HP. Does anyone have an answer to my question?
#129 of 233 jpstax by atbear Mar 01, 2003 (11:15 am)
It's a new engine (well, sort of!). It's the Series III 3800, instead of the Series II 3800 in the new GTPs. There is a new higher efficiency supercharger, throttle by wire, and a few other features. The HP goes up as you see and the torque probably does to cause they're related (it's probably underrated), but the tranny is rated at 280 ft/lbs of torque, so instead of designing a new tranny, they just "didn't" raise the torque numbers. The new engine should rock!
#130 of 233 atbear by regfootball Mar 01, 2003 (10:55 pm)
"It is a very rare problem." please review drivinisfun's post #11498 on the chevrolet impala topic in sedans.....even the owners admit it is an issue.
#131 of 233 by atbear Mar 01, 2003 (11:10 pm)
It is a very rare problem! It happens in about 2% of cars.. if that.
#132 of 233 by johnclineii Mar 02, 2003 (3:16 am)
Regfootball, SOME owners (who have had the problem) claim it is a very common problem. NOT "THE" owners. I am an owner. I also post over there. My 2000 LS has 113,000 miles on it, with only a headlight switch and brakes replaced, the latter at over 80,000 miles! Please don't put words in "the owners" mouths. If ONE Impala owner steals a dog, that does not make me a dognapper. And one or two or even six dozen people on the internet in what is often a complaints forum posting about a problem does not necessarily mean the problem is widespread.
#133 of 233 To atbear by jpstax Mar 02, 2003 (10:13 am)
Thanks for the info about the new 3800 Series III. Why in hell didn't Chevy install this same engine in the '04 Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS? Could it be some GM exec (Bob Lutz?) didn't want the '04 SS Chevys competeting with the '04 GTP? I sometimes wonder what their marketing people are thinking!
#134 of 233 by regfootball Mar 02, 2003 (12:16 pm)
i'd bet its more than 2%...... considering how it is a design flaw it may happen to all who own that engine. hell, if my father in law in the town of a thousand says his mechanic told him he's already fixed three of them before his, and he's not even a dealer mechanic........ heck just go to google.com and type in "3800 manifold problem".....tell me its rare then.
#135 of 233 by atbear Mar 02, 2003 (4:39 pm)
Yeah, we don't like that it didn't get the Series III, but the reason is the same that it didn't get the S/C 3800 til now-- they didn't want to step on Buick and Pontiac's toes. reg, the manifold problem is rare, and it doesn't affect a high percentage of 3800s.
#136 of 233 johnclinelli by alpha01 Mar 02, 2003 (5:11 pm)
You drive 56,000 + miles per year? Wow. ~alpha
#137 of 233 Manifold by garnes Mar 02, 2003 (6:00 pm)
I suspect is does happen too much and is a weak point. It happened to me. But so what? It's not the end of the world. I love our Impala. It's been an overall great car to drive for the money. Nice solid ride, decent power (sorry, I don't give a rat's ___ about how a car performed around the pylons - I haven't seen any on the road yet), comfortable, room everywhere, incredible mileage, very high safety....... To be as objective as possible - the car may lag a bit in reliability, but you have to put that into context. Most everything on the road is greatly improved over 10 years ago. How many more problems does the Impala have over a Camry or Accord? 20 per 1000 cars? 50??? 75??More??? I don't really know, but I'd guess somewhere in that range. But for me (this is just me now) 2, 5, 7 or 10 cars in a 100 that have more problems don't exactly outweigh the "more car for the money". Just MHO. There is no right answer here. I drove (back in 2001) the more reliable imports in that same price range and I'll go with the Impala for what seemed to be a more pleasing car as described above. If you will not compromise reliability at all - nil, then an import may be the way to go. Also, if your ego is totally subject to what the pin-head magazine reviews say, go with an import.