Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison
6844 messages, Last post on Mar 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
I just drove a rental 2008 white Chevy Impala LT with about 4300 miles on it for two weeks in New England on vacation. Put about 700 miles on it. Having not driven this generation of Impala before, I was curious about what GM's latest version was. For the record, I drive a 2000 Ford Taurus SES with the DOHC 3.0 V-6, with 75K miles on it. I have not read any of the 6700+ posts here. My impressions: On the plus side it was quite quiet, had a smooth ride, shifted and braked well, and had a large nicely shaped trunk with linkage hinges so as to make most of the trunk space useable. On the minus side, handling was somewhat remote, and road noise at times seemed higher than my Taurus is, though both were acceptable in my mind. What I really did not like were the outside rear view mirrors which were small, oddly triangular shaped, and the white body color housing was very distracting. The center console dash lights reflected in the top of the windshield at night, and the other gage lights behind the steering wheel reflected in the drivers side door window AND in the rear view mirror! Also the cupholders were way too far back in the console, and the armrest on the console was also too far back and poorly cushioned. The rear seats on this model at least, didn't fold down. Front seat comfort was not as good as my Taurus. My rear ached after anything longer than a 1 hour drive. The visors were too small and did not block sun in the upper corners. I detested the fake burled wood on the dash. It looked cheap. Most of these negatives would not be deal breakers for me, except for the poor outside mirrors, the reflections of the dash lights in the glass, the cupholder placement, the center armrest problem and the less than ideal front seat comfort. These items would definitely make me shop elsewhere. |
|
|
Replying to: badgerfan (Nov 06, 2008 9:17 am) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: berri (Nov 06, 2008 5:40 pm) CRAMPED Driver's Legroom? I'm 6'5" (with a short torso, long legs) and find there to be plentiful legroom front and back (I tend to sit with the seat all the way back in every car or full size truck I've driven). The real aggrivating thing is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, although I think the Impala lacks this also, right?
|
|
|
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 06, 2008 7:55 pm) Every car is different for some people. For example when I drove the Genesis I felt it wasn't as roomy as my '06 Avalon, but the #s would say it is. Just my body type I guess.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 06, 2008 7:55 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: tjc78 (Nov 07, 2008 4:31 am)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: allmet33 (Nov 07, 2008 6:43 am) Don't get me wrong though, you guys know I'm not so hard-headed as to believe where I'm comfortable, others may not be! 
|
|
|
Replying to: ronsmith38 (Jun 24, 2008 10:16 am) You said it way back in June. Helluva good call, Ron. |
|
|
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 07, 2008 7:42 am) I also think some of it has to do with perception. If the driver's cockpit seems cramped, then you will feel cramped no matter what. Some automakers do a good job of making the driver's area seem spacious. In today's world with adjustable pedals, tilt and telescoping steering wheels...I don't understand how leg room can be an issue. Not unless someone just has abnormally long legs. You are right on one thing...your driving position may not be comfortable to someone else and vice-a-versa.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: allmet33 (Nov 07, 2008 10:00 am) Well, if you have a car that doesn't have those features, it CAN be. Even if it does, sometimes, automakers just don't put in a lot of front-seat travel (such as the Honda Fit, just not enough legroom for me up front). I drive a 1996 Accord about every-other day. It's a little lacking in actual legroom, but the whole interior is so open (low dashboard, cowl, lots of glass), the car doesn't feel cramped to me at all. It happens to have excellent steering wheel placement for me; it doesn't telescope, but it is a good distance away... unlike our old Odyssey, or vehicles like the old Corolla model, which was the biggest pain in the arms to drive. By the way, with an inseam that is very nearly 35", I'd probably qualify for those "abnormally long legs" comments! |
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Buick Lucerne
2010 Chevrolet Impala
2011 Dodge Charger
2010 Ford Taurus
2010 Hyundai Azera
2010 Toyota Avalon
2010 Nissan Maxima
2009 Pontiac G8
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
