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2006 Chevrolet Impala

3634 messages,  Last post on Mar 10, 2013 at 12:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan

    

Messages Page 53 of 364

#514 of 3634 2006 Impala SS by frankf3

Aug 16, 2005 (6:01 am)

I had a great ride today!! While on vacation in York, Pennsylvania with my family my 2001 Impala LS started to give me problems. Whenever I wanted to accelerate on the interstate the gas pedal would feel spongy and there would be nothing there. Not good when you pull out to pass someone. It got so bad that I started to hear ratchet wrench type noises from under the hood. I pulled into a larger Chevy dealer in York PA (Apple Chevrolet) to get it checked out. I was amazed at their efficiency. They found that the catalytic convertor had failed and was preventing the engine from reving up. It was so bad that the engine would not allow the transmission to downshift to pass.
       While I was there getting the car repaired, I noticed they had a Black 2006 Chevy Impala SS with the 5.3L V8. The salesman asked if I wanted to take it for a drive - I told him I would love to. I think the salesman was itching to take it out also. As they put a plate on it and my family packed in, the salesman asked where we were going on sight seeing. We told him and he drove us out about 20 minutes away to find our next stop. We then switched and I got to drive it the 20 minute trip back. WHAT A SWEET RIDE!! As you accelerate you can hear the mellow rumble of exhaust. The engine is as sooth as silk. There is no perceptible difference in the number of cylinders being used as part of the "Displacement on Demand" system as it switches from 8 to 6 to 4 cylinders. As we just idled along the back roads, we could not tell it was running in 4 cylinder mode. The window sticker listed I think 24 - 28 mpg for mileage.
     Reality set in when we finished the trip. The dealer gave us a quote for our 2001 Impala LS with 54000 on the clock. They offered us 7000 for our Impala and took that off of the window sticker of the 2006 Impala SS. They said we would be one of the first people to own one on the Eastern seaboard. Although it had lots of options, 8 speaker BOSE sound system, sunroof, leather seats, heated seats, XM radio and of course the 5.3 L V8, I could not go for the deal. Maybe another one will come my way.
         The emissions warranty took care of the catalytic problem and I was on my way free of charge after just 1 1/2 - 2 hours at the dealer!

#515 of 3634 2006 Impala by charts2

Aug 16, 2005 (6:49 am)

Over the years I have owned 6 Impalas......1 almost from every generation. I have seen the transformation of this car from the getgo. I plan on buying a 2006 Impala SS in January or February. I am not concerned about the price of gas, even if it keeps going up! my 64 SS 327 (5.3 V8) gets terrible gas mileage, about 12 miles per US gallon, or 14 1/2 miles per Canadian Imperial gallon. Don't care. Not an issue.
 
   Vanmann, for months you have posted about this 2006 Impala. You have never owned an Impala, but indicated you were looking at purchasing an LTZ or SS.......OOPS!! sorry!......but if gas prices go any higher I will now be looking at a 4 banger or Pontiac G6 your post #502. I guess if you are on a tight budget, I do understand.
 
   Reminds me though, of someone who is an expert on a certain baseball team. Knows all the statistics, knows all the players, the wins/losses but never played, or been to a game. Never owned an Impala. Are you planning on buying a 2006 Impala? A couple hundred $$ a year difference in gas on a $30,000 car.....not an issue. The Impala has a lot more going for it (even you have stated that) then any 4 banger or Pontiac G6.
 
  I guess you also refer to pricing always in US funds, Canadian funds are for older people. It makes it look like we are getting a better deal.
 
  I am curious, are you in or out on purchasing a 2006 Impala?

#516 of 3634 charts by vanman1

Aug 16, 2005 (7:29 am)

Although I don't think I need to be buying or own an Impala to be in this forum (or any other) as you seem to imply.. I am in fact looking at it for a replacement for my Intrigue in about 2-3 years.
 
My comment about the 4 banger G6 was a bit of a joke. You know.. if gas prices keeping up I may have to cut back. Haha.
 
I'm sorry you have taken a dislike to me for what ever reason. I think we are both interested in the 2006 Impala and rather than critiquing my use of gallons and dollars, maybe we can discuss the car.

#517 of 3634 frankf3 by vanman1

Aug 16, 2005 (7:31 am)

Sounds like you enjoyed the car. I am looking forward to some road tests and comparos from some of the big car mags.

#518 of 3634 '06 Impala already in the rental fleets by gearjammer62

Aug 17, 2005 (9:08 pm)

Showed up at Avis yesterday and there was a new '06 Impala LT in my space with 1,256 miles on it.
 
My first impression is that it was well put together, rode fairly smoothly and was very quiet.
 
Performance was O.K, brakes seemed a little grabby, the A/C and radio controls seemed unnecessarily fussy to operate. The cloth interior felt nice, but the beige color was very light shade and looked like it would show dirt fairly well over time. The glove box latch is in the middle of the glove box door door and hard to reach. One thing that bugged me was the steering wheel felt cheap - just a big circle of plastic. Would go for the leather-wrapped version myself.
 
When I returned it back to Avis, I pulled up right next to an '05. Seeing them side-by-side, the '06 has a much more "natural" flow to it's design than the '05. The '05 just plain looked "old" by comparison.
 
Anyway, I drive a Ford Five Hunderd as a company car (I'm not a huge Ford fan - I just drive it cause it's free ), and I'd say I prefer the Ford. Performance seems about the same, but the controls, layout and interior materials look and feel beter, the driving position is better and seats are more comfortable. Sound system is better in the Ford, and the overall platform feels more solid and rigid than the Chevy - I was told it's based on the Volvo, so I guess that would explain why.
 
My .02.

#519 of 3634 Re: '06 Impala already in the rental fleets [gearjammer62] by imidazol97

Aug 18, 2005 (5:59 am)

Replying to: gearjammer62 (Aug 17, 2005 9:08 pm)
The layout that you're used to in a car affects how you perceive a different arrangement in another car. I used to have Fords and whenever I sat in GMs they didn't feel right because of a difference in their arrangements. After I owned GMs and got used to them the Fords don't feel right. I believe in both cases there are individual quirks that are not ergonomically best but are compromises.
 
The automakers use psychologists for their car exterior designs and I assume for their interior designs as well. I sat in an 06 Impala and it looked great and felt like things would work for me.
 
I like the 06 style--it does have a visual flow.

#520 of 3634 well.. by vanman1

Aug 18, 2005 (6:52 pm)

Ford 500 MSRPs are a little more than Impala. Further, a LTZ or SS Impala would have significantly more power, 500 has no power upgrade.
 
You are right though, the new Impala flows much better than the 05. I'm not surprised you would find one at an Avis though, this is a high volume car. You will see them as cabs and police cars also. It's also a good thing as people can try them out. I see Camry rentals also at Enterprise and Thrifty rent a car.

#521 of 3634 Questions Re. 2006 Impala SS by priggly

Aug 18, 2005 (11:19 pm)

For anyone who owns or has driven the new 2006 Impala SS, is there much wind or road noise at highway speeds? How does the BOSE audio system sound?
 
Thanks.

#522 of 3634 Impala's specs by cartwright

Aug 18, 2005 (11:49 pm)

Am I the only one who’s confused here? For the last few weeks, I’ve noticed websites/blogs list diff sets of specs for the 3500 engine. Some have said 214 4000, others: 220 2800. Now GM is adding to the confusion. On the US site (finally shown!), it states 214 4000 and 21/31 mpg. On the Canadian site (preview only), it’s 220 2800. Which is it? Do we Canadians get to have the better package? Plus, what happened to the 3500 having the Malibu’s fuel economy of 22/32 mpg? And don’t tell me it’s another metric issue between us neighbors.
 
When you click on the LTZ model on the GM site, it states 31 highway miles. On the specs section, it’s 27. I’m sick of these damn typos or are they just mind games.
 
Another thing I’ve noticed go awry today was when I visited the Toyota site. It appears as though the specs for ’06 Camry and Avalon’s engines have been watered down a bit. If you have time, visit their site. Incidentally, they’ve jacked up the price for the Camry LE (and no changes for 2006), #$%. It’s either that one or Impala LS for me. If I wait too long, GM may raise the price of the base Impala as it’ll likely do well. By then the newly-designed ’07 Camry will be out. hmm….
 
PS. I thought the Impala would have electronic brake distribution (EBD), like on the Ford 500 and Camry; apparently not.

#523 of 3634 as to the varying horsepower figures by johnclineii

Aug 19, 2005 (3:45 am)

Especially as to the differences in Camry, this may help (I don't know if early publications for the Impala's new engine were affected by this):
 
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/19/A01-283759.htm

Messages Page 53 of 364

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