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Sedans Chevrolet Impala 2008 Impala Owner Experiences
67 messages, Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 8:14 PM
You are in the Chevrolet Impala Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
I traded (down) from a great Trailblazer (2005) to an Impala LT (2008)----the 3.5 engine is very good----picks up well from a stop and gets up on the Interstate just great with plenty of power and I do get good gas mileage in town and on the road. The road noise is awful and I have to crank up the radio to high----it also has a lot of wind noise too. These things I did not notice in the rented or the demo I drove so I do not understand the difference. The dealership where I purchased screwed me on the tires as the deal (verbal, of course) was 17" tires/wheels and I got 16's and they would NOT budge nor did they believe what I told them was the verbal agreement between myself and sales mgr----so---maybe it's the tires--But since I am leasing---this will be my last GM product---time for a new product in three years. I also have the dash noise which is driving me crazy--I am very tuned to car noises and the dash clips (from what I have read in this forum) is probably to blame---now they say I may trade this noise for another. I had absolutely no noises in my Trailblazer at all when I let her go-----guess they just don't make the cars very well.But---it is only three years to go-----I really would like to have the dealer check the dash out---but now am scared to do so---one noise is enough!!! They don't take too kindly to an older woman bringing her car in for "noises" !!!
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Replying to: sylviae (Oct 07, 2008 8:44 am) the tires were 'integrity', which i think is a goodyear. maybe the dealer will swap them out for you. also, try checking the tire pressure.
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Replying to: sylviae (Oct 07, 2008 8:44 am) The Integrity's on my '06 Impala were done at 26K miles. I got rid of them and replaced them with General Altimax RT touring tires. The difference was like night and day. The Generals are quiet and ride very well. I have 6,000 miles on the Generals now and they continue to outshine the original Goodyears. If you think the Goodyears are noisy, you should have heard the Pirelli P6 Four Seasons that came on my parents '07 Mercury Montego Premier. They were so loud it was almost dizzying. They dumped those at 20K miles and replaced them with Cooper CS4 Touring tires. The noise level was immediately reduced. You will get used to the dash noise. I have been living with it for 27months/32K miles now and barely notice it anymore. However, now that the car is "older", I am trying to learn to live with all of the new rattles that are showing up in the dash, doors, windows, and suspension. It is really kind of depressing that these cars are not built to a higher standard. I have started casually shopping for a replacement vehicle, but not sure I want to deal with the hassle that goes along with car shopping. Having traded/purchased almost a dozen new cars in my life so far, it just gets really old and is not enjoyable. My Impala goes in this week for a long list of things to be looked at. Hopefully the dealer will resolve them and make life with the Impala a little more enjoyable for the time being...although I am not excited about having to sink any money into a car with only 32K miles on it (front brake pads, four-wheel alignment, etc.) The warped front brake rotors and my steering issue, which I believe to be the infamous Intermediate Steering Shaft debacle, should be covered under warranty. If I end up keeping the car, then before it hits 36K miles I need to get it in to have the popping seatback on the front passenger seat (for which GM has issued a service bulletin) fixed and the peeling exterior pillar trim pieces replaced under warranty. Plus, whatever else would crop up in the next 4,000 miles  As much as I am a GM fan, I will admit that the vehicles I am currently researching are not GM products. One vehicle is a domestic brand, the other 2 are import brands. |
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Oct 07, 2008 2:04 pm)
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Replying to: trucker49 (Oct 05, 2008 6:38 pm) I find it to be more than adequate. I can easily spin the front wheels on dry and wet roads (my '06 does not have traction control...didn't want it). The engine is quiet when cruising, and only makes itself known under heavy acceleration. Oh! Make sure you test it with the A/C engaged. The 3.5L does bog down slightly with the A/C on. Also, if you drive up hills regularly (or through mountain passes), make sure you test it on an uphill climb to make sure you would be happy. I have also owned cars in the past with the 3.8L V6, and find the 3.5L to be a close match...although the 3.8L has a litttle more low-end "grunt". |
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Replying to: sylviae (Oct 12, 2008 7:25 am) From what I have read, and based on my personal experience, Impala owners tend to replace the Integrity tires around the 30K mile mark. That seems to be the point where their wet weather handling and ride/noise become intolerable. At 26K miles, I simply could not live with them anymore. They would have passed state inspection for another year, but my safety and sanity was more important than the price of the replacements. Don't be surprised if you need to put at least 2 new tires on your lease car before you give it back.
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Thanks guys for the input on the 3.5. I see it's rated a little higher horsepower wise. We have an '00 with 103k on it and it's been a very good car. No rattles as a lot of people seem to be experiencing with the newer version but it has a lot of small things going wrong with it now and it's time to buy. The road/tire noise. Ours came with Goodyear Eagles and if you didn't know better you would swear there was something wrong with the car they were so noisy. We replaced them with Goodyear Assurance ComforTred and the difference was amazing. The car is super quiet and the ride is better. I don't know, I was leaning toward another Impala because of the good deals now and because it's my wifes care and she's always loved it but I'm gonna check into a few other cars. It's nice saving money but as you can see I get my money out of my cars so might as well buy something you really want if you're gonna keep it. I like the new Mazda6 and Altima.
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Replying to: ryster (Oct 12, 2008 7:38 am) |
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Replying to: trucker49 (Oct 13, 2008 8:00 am) I opted to stay with the Impala line. I have an '08 LT (had an LTZ) and now remember why I loved the model when I bought the first one in '02. I have not had the first problem with it. (Knock on wood here.) It rides wonderfully and is an all around great car. |
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Replying to: trucker49 (Oct 13, 2008 8:00 am) The dealer just called me about my '06 Impala. At 32K miles, I will be paying a nice $450 bill for what needs to be fixed. Four-wheel alignment, tire rotation, and all four brake rotors need to be turned. The Intermediate Steering Shaft is also bad, but that is being covered under warranty (thank goodness). I have a copy of a Technical Service Bulletin where GM says that brake rotors are covered under the standard vehicle warranty, so I may have to take that with me when I pick up the car tomorrow and see what the dealer says. The dealer also tried to sell me over $400 in additional "recommended" services, which I promptly refused. MAF cleaning, Fuel Injection system cleaning, and transmission flush and refill. Thanks, but that can wait until 50K miles like the manual says. Besides, I probably won't keep the car much past 36K miles as it is. |
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