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2008 Impala Owner Experiences

72 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 5:35 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan

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#25 of 72 2008 LTZ by norbnancy May 19, 2008 (4:04 pm)
Reporting in. Purchased new 7-30-07. all options except sun roof. Great car in all respects. Never returned for any work. I do my own maintainance. Gas mileage since new 25.88 mpg using regular unleaded over 13400 miles. The driving is a mix of hyway at 65 - 70 mph. and some short runs of 5- 8 miles. Ths short runs kills the mileage. I had a 2000 Impala LT with the 3800 engine which gave me 28.4 mpg over 41000 miles. I suspect the performance gearing results in less MPG. In any event, I am well satisfied. The mileage beats my 1972 Monte Carlo 350 CID, 3- speed stick which gives me 17.2 MPG. Enjoy the ride.
#26 of 72 Expect a 30% drop in mileage with E85 by givemeabrake May 24, 2008 (6:44 pm)
One of the main reasons I traded my 2003 Impala for a 2008 was the ability to utilize E85. My in-city mileage was 22.4 with regular gas but only 16.6 with E85. Thats more than a 30% drop in mileage. I am finding that my mileage cost is 18 cents per mile on E85 and 16 cents per mile on gas (for in city driving). E85 is now $3.19 in Atlanta. Only when the price of E85 is 30% less than gas will we break even. Since I have to fill up more often on E85 and it costs me more per mile I am going back to regular gas. I will wait until E85 is MORE than 30% LESS than gas. Replies to this message: quietpro (May 27, 2008 12:19 pm)
#27 of 72 Re: Expect a 30% drop in mileage with E85 [givemeabrake] by quietpro May 27, 2008 (12:19 pm)
Replying to: givemeabrake (May 24, 2008 6:44 pm) Thanks for the info on E85. I am curious if you are driving stop and go or is there more gridlock/idling. Is there any performance increase with E85? I haven't read as to whether the engines are tuned to take advantage of the higher octane. Regardless, the costs outweigh the benefit. I consider myself a "green" person but have not jumped on board with E85. If you look a little deeper, your expenses are higher still once you figure in farm subsidies and tax credits for the producers of ethanol.   Happy motoring with regular unleaded.
#28 of 72 Re: compass [axinut] by rwessels Jul 07, 2008 (1:39 pm)
Replying to: axinut (Jan 03, 2008 11:15 am) axinut,   I have a similar problem with my compass. I live in the middle of zone 3 and 4 and so i calibrated for zone 4. I recently drove 100 miles south so i am definitely in zone 4 at this point and my compass worked perfectly.   I am haven't tried to set it to zone 3 yet, but will report back... do you think that you are in a weird calibration zone? Replies to this message: axinut (Jul 07, 2008 2:52 pm)
#29 of 72 Odd sound in the engine compartment by rwessels Jul 07, 2008 (1:52 pm)
I hear this sound in the engine compartment from time to time. The dealer has put over 160 miles on it and 'cannot replicate' it. So I made a recording and they still say that they cannot do anything about it till it happens.   The sound can be downloaded clicking here (and is annoyingly loud).   Has anyone else noticed a high pitched whine happening occasionally with a pitch that varies with RPM? Replies to this message: ryster (Jul 26, 2008 8:45 am)
#30 of 72 Re: compass [rwessels] by axinut Jul 07, 2008 (2:52 pm)
Replying to: rwessels (Jul 07, 2008 1:39 pm) No, I don't think so, I was able to set mine by following the instructions in the owner's manual, it worked like a charm. If you can find an empty parking lot or cul de sac it will make the job much easier. Five or six circles should do the job.
#31 of 72 16inch wheels vs 17 inch wheels by sylviae Jul 22, 2008 (1:24 pm)
Please tell me---which size tires/wheels would be the best on a 2008 Chev Impala for the best ride or driving and handling. I was supposed to have 17 inch wheels on it but they put factory 16 inch instead---I am not happy with the dealership not honoring my request in buying this new auto---is there any difference in the ride with the 17 inch wheels and will it give me a better ride???? Please give me some advice. I also requested a 6 CD Changer and got one called an aftermarket---a Pioneer in the trunk and it has to be tuned to an FM signal. Is this the best I can do????? Replies to this message: ryster (Jul 26, 2008 9:22 am) sylviae (Jul 26, 2008 10:45 am) ryster (Jul 27, 2008 6:14 am)
#32 of 72 Re: Odd sound in the engine compartment [rwessels] by ryster Jul 26, 2008 (8:45 am)
Replying to: rwessels (Jul 07, 2008 1:52 pm) My '06 Impala developed this exact noise when it only had 7500 miles on it. It is most likely the power steering.   My car had blown a high pressure line in the power steering system, which caused the fluid to start leaking out. There was a TSB for this, so the dealer performed the recommended procedure and it has been fine since (my car is just about to hit 30,000 miles). It is amazing that this may still be an issue in the '08's.   Check your power steering fluid and make sure it is at the correct level.
#33 of 72 Re: 16inch wheels vs 17 inch wheels [sylviae] by ryster Jul 26, 2008 (9:22 am)
Replying to: sylviae (Jul 22, 2008 1:24 pm) As far as the CD Changer is concerned, Chevy offers a CD Changer that is integrated into the head-unit as an option. There is no reason the dealer could not order this part and install it in place of your current head-unit. If it was the dealer that installed the Pioneer in the trunk, they took the cheap way out.   With regards to the wheels, the 16" wheels/tires will give you a floatier, softer ride. The 17" wheels/tires will reduce some of the float that you get with the 16" and will still be very comfortable. If you like a softer, floatier ride stick with the 16". If you want less float and a more controlled feeling ride then you may want to try for the 17". Keep in mind when it comes time for new tires, 17" tires tend to cost a little more than 16".   Which trim Impala did you get? It sounds as though the dealership may have given you a trim line that did not incorporate some of the things you wanted. For example, for 2008 Chevy made the 17-inch wheels standard on the 2LT model only. LS and 1LT models come with 16-inch wheels. LTZ and SS both got 18" wheels standard in 2008. 17" wheels are available for the LS and 1LT as dealer installed accessories. The factory head-unit that includes the CD changer is optional only on 2LT, LTZ, and SS models.   So in order get you the 17" wheels and the CD changer, the dealer should have steered you towards a 2LT. The 17" wheels would have been standard and the CD changer in the head unit would have been optional.   It sounds like you were sold either an LS or a 1LT. That being the case, the dealer should have been able to honor your request for 17" wheels by ordering and installing the 17" GM accessory wheels and tires for the Impala through the parts department. This, however, would have easily added another $1500 to the price of the car. They could have also ordered the upgraded head-unit with the CD changer in it. Again, this would have been $500 or so. So the options you were looking to do would have added at least $2000 to the price of the LS or 1LT. At that point, you would have been better off going with the 2LT. The 2LT would have given you the 3.9L V6, standard 17" wheels, standard ABS/traction control, and the ability to add the factory CD changer for an additional $300.00.   Not sure what recourse you have at this point. GM Accessories is your best bet for 17" wheels. Your other option is to check eBay and look for some OEM take-offs. Many times you can find complete factory tire/wheel sets there for less than $1K (for example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-CHEVY-IMPALA-MONTE-CARLO-OEM-WHEELS-RIMS-193B8- _W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66483QQihZ025QQitemZ380048034721QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZW- DVW).   The CD changer you have did give you a solution although it is not the most convenient or best solution from a sound quality standpoint. If they used the option where the sound is patched directly into the FM antenna then that is better than if it is using a basic FM transmitter. Replies to this message: sylviae (Jul 26, 2008 10:45 am) ryster (Jul 27, 2008 6:14 am)
#34 of 72 Re: 16inch wheels vs 17 inch wheels [ryster] by sylviae Jul 26, 2008 (10:45 am)
Replying to: ryster (Jul 26, 2008 9:22 am) Thank you so much for your expplanations and suggestions---I am facing the issue that I was screwed on this car---the sales manager said three times that he would put 17 inch on it but did not and then said that he did not agree to tht at all---of course, since this was my second time to lease from this dealership I felt that I could put my trust in them as I had before. They just got out as cheaply as possible and because this car was the ONLY Impala they had and it was the color I wanted then I felt that with the few adjustments that it would be ok. It is supposed to be an LT 1 but it only says LT---neither a 1 or 2---it has some packages that the LT2 has---leather seats heated) and all controls on the wheel and I felt they would do me right but have found differently-----this will be my last GM car as the GM division would not even assist me in dealing with this dealership----so as far as I am concerned----GM does NOT care for the customer---just the sale----. I am stuck for the next three years. Thank you for your reply. Replies to this message: ryster (Jul 27, 2008 6:14 am)

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