2001 Impala LS Traded

[Corvette Owner]

Well I traded my 2001 Impala LS (135,000 miles) in on my 2013 Buick Enclave for $1880 (Blue Book $1800-2800).

It was the worse car I ever owned ! I put over $6,000 in it. Transmission went out at 50,000 miles, other failures included: radiator, electric window, electric radiator fan, camshaft and lifters (partly covered under warranty), numerous constant velocity joints, and many other things. It was the first year of a new model.

Still, it was a nice car to drive. It had plenty of pickup (3.8 liter) and handled nicely. I prefer cars to SUV's, but my wife likes SUVs.

 

[Azeem]

Congratulations on the new vehicle!

 

[Dave Hess]

I always stay away from a first year model car, too many bugs.
Congrats on your new ride.

How much do you want for your Vette ?

 

[mechanicx]

Seems like '01 Impala would be worth more than that with today's high used car prices, but I guess it depends on miles and condition. But if your state is like mine you don't have to pay sales tax on the amount of the trade in and it sounds like you are just glad to be rid of it.

Impalas did have a few issue areas, but you seemed to have a lot of problems with yours that aren't that common. Technically I think '00 was the first year but close enough. The Impalas are funny. They are pretty durable cars if you get the bugs worked out. I personally think it was one of the worst cars GM offered considering the time period. The platform was a mix of modern and older design. Pontiac and Olds did a much better job on tuning the ride and handling and styling of their versions.

 

[GMBoy]

I appreciate you giving GM another chance in buying that new Enclave. They are very nice vehicles!

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx

They are pretty durable cars if you get the bugs worked out. I personally think it was one of the worst cars GM offered considering the time period. The platform was a mix of modern and older design. Pontiac and Olds did a much better job on tuning the ride and handling and styling of their versions.


But that's just it -- why should you have to sink thousands into the car to bring it up to "average" reliability? Why didn't it just come that way? Seems like an odd justification..."oh well if you just replace parts X, Y, and Z for $5000 it's a good car."

 

[Nick R]

The enclave is basically the same as the Traverse, but with a nicer interior and suspension tuning iirc. So far we are loving the Traverse, more than the equinox. Feels like we have the expedition back! Nice one on the new car

 

[oilmaven]

It's funny...my nephew's wife has a 2003 Impala that she bought new when she graduated from college 10 years ago. The car has over 170,000 miles and still runs great. She was never much for maintenance and the car has only seen infrequent oil changes (thanks to her father previously...my nephew sorta takes care of it now...he's no great shakes on maintenance either) and normal repairs over it's life (she claims that the transmission, power steering and radiator fluids have NEVER been serviced...hard to believe considering it's age but I have no reason not to believe her...it's possible her dad had some of the fluids changed out when she was home and wasn't even aware of it). The car has the 3.4L V6 and never developed the intake gasket issue. It has really been a great car (I recently bought a set of tires for it as they were driving around on baldies...and she's expecting their first child...). OTOH, my 2008 Impala was not so lucky...blew it's head gaskets at 60K miles (a common problem I was told with the "improved" 3.5L engine). I got rid of it after about 18 months. GM products seem to be hit-and-miss.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Well I traded my 2001 Impala LS (135,000 miles) in on my 2013 Buick Enclave for $1880 (Blue Book $1800-2800).

It was the worse car I ever owned ! I put over $6,000 in it. Transmission went out at 50,000 miles, other failures included: radiator, electric window, electric radiator fan, camshaft and lifters (partly covered under warranty), numerous constant velocity joints, and many other things. It was the first year of a new model.

Still, it was a nice car to drive. It had plenty of pickup (3.8 liter) and handled nicely. I prefer cars to SUV's, but my wife likes SUVs.


Sounds like my parents 2000 Impala. By far the worst vehicle they've ever owned and that included the Voyagers they had previous.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: mechanicx

They are pretty durable cars if you get the bugs worked out. I personally think it was one of the worst cars GM offered considering the time period. The platform was a mix of modern and older design. Pontiac and Olds did a much better job on tuning the ride and handling and styling of their versions.


But that's just it -- why should you have to sink thousands into the car to bring it up to "average" reliability? Why didn't it just come that way? Seems like an odd justification..."oh well if you just replace parts X, Y, and Z for $5000 it's a good car."


Who says it's thousands of dollars in parts? Typically more like under $200 for an intermediate steering shaft and intake gasket set. Less than other makes timing belt change. And it's not like other cars don't have problem areas. The automatic transmission issues are probably way less comon and minor than Hondas. But people don;t call Hondas bad cars usually.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: mechanicx

They are pretty durable cars if you get the bugs worked out. I personally think it was one of the worst cars GM offered considering the time period. The platform was a mix of modern and older design. Pontiac and Olds did a much better job on tuning the ride and handling and styling of their versions.


But that's just it -- why should you have to sink thousands into the car to bring it up to "average" reliability? Why didn't it just come that way? Seems like an odd justification..."oh well if you just replace parts X, Y, and Z for $5000 it's a good car."


Who says it's thousands of dollars in parts? Typically more like under $200 for an intermediate steering shaft and intake gasket set. Less than other makes timing belt change. And it's not like other cars don't have problem areas. The automatic transmission issues are probably way less comon and minor than Hondas. But people don;t call Hondas bad cars usually.



$200 in parts. How many people actually do the repairs themselves? They'll make repeated trips to the dealer and get frustrated, then never buy that make/model again.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: mechanicx

They are pretty durable cars if you get the bugs worked out. I personally think it was one of the worst cars GM offered considering the time period. The platform was a mix of modern and older design. Pontiac and Olds did a much better job on tuning the ride and handling and styling of their versions.


But that's just it -- why should you have to sink thousands into the car to bring it up to "average" reliability? Why didn't it just come that way? Seems like an odd justification..."oh well if you just replace parts X, Y, and Z for $5000 it's a good car."


Who says it's thousands of dollars in parts? Typically more like under $200 for an intermediate steering shaft and intake gasket set. Less than other makes timing belt change. And it's not like other cars don't have problem areas. The automatic transmission issues are probably way less comon and minor than Hondas. But people don;t call Hondas bad cars usually.



$200 in parts. How many people actually do the repairs themselves? They'll make repeated trips to the dealer and get frustrated, then never buy that make/model again.


The point is there were just a few problem areas on average that aren't that expensive to fix or cause any kind of immediate breakdown. Not too different from any other makes and no more than maintenance items like timing belts and valve adjustments some makes require. Some people liked the Impalas and the price they got them at. If they to want maybe pay more for a car that possible cost more and has the about the same or more maintenance and repairs needed they could do that, but doesn't mean it's a good choice.

 

[daves87rs]

Not a fan of that vintage Impala...see very few of them on the road here.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Well I traded my 2001 Impala LS (135,000 miles) in on my 2013 Buick Enclave for $1880 (Blue Book $1800-2800).

It was the worse car I ever owned ! I put over $6,000 in it. Transmission went out at 50,000 miles, other failures included: radiator, electric window, electric radiator fan, camshaft and lifters (partly covered under warranty), numerous constant velocity joints, and many other things. It was the first year of a new model.

Still, it was a nice car to drive. It had plenty of pickup (3.8 liter) and handled nicely. I prefer cars to SUV's, but my wife likes SUVs.
Originally Posted By: oilmaven
It's funny...my nephew's wife has a 2003 Impala that she bought new when she graduated from college 10 years ago. The car has over 170,000 miles and still runs great. She was never much for maintenance and the car has only seen infrequent oil changes (thanks to her father previously...my nephew sorta takes care of it now...he's no great shakes on maintenance either) and normal repairs over it's life (she claims that the transmission, power steering and radiator fluids have NEVER been serviced...hard to believe considering it's age but I have no reason not to believe her...it's possible her dad had some of the fluids changed out when she was home and wasn't even aware of it). The car has the 3.4L V6 and never developed the intake gasket issue. It has really been a great car (I recently bought a set of tires for it as they were driving around on baldies...and she's expecting their first child...). OTOH, my 2008 Impala was not so lucky...blew it's head gaskets at 60K miles (a common problem I was told with the "improved" 3.5L engine). I got rid of it after about 18 months. GM products seem to be hit-and-miss.


Although the same vehicles, 2001 was a mess for repairs compared to the 2003.
A friend of mine had a 2001 Impala that he couldn't keep out of the shop. Even the Reliability reports show that the 2003 was a better, more reliable vehicle.

 

[04SE]

Our 2005 Impala LS was a MONEY PIT. We traded it with 70k and a slipping transmission for a 2009 Camry. Best upgrade ever.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: 04SE
Our 2005 Impala LS was a MONEY PIT. We traded it with 70k and a slipping transmission for a 2009 Camry. Best upgrade ever.


I do know some folks that have exceptional reliability with their Imapla. And I have drive the last 2 generations of Impala's from family/friends. They're nice to drive and quite comfortable. Not quite my kind'a car but, nice just the same!

The ownership experience can be a disaster though for those who do have problems. And the problems are throughout the Impala line, year after year. Some years are just better than other years.

Yeah sure, anyone can get a less than desireable Accord or Camry but, you can't argue their reputation for reliability over the last 30 years. Their quality & reliability is "that" consistant from year to year. And when Hon-Yota has a bad year, it doesn't seem to hurt them too badly.

 

[Tzu]

We have a 2000 Impala LS with 218,000 miles on it and it is holding up pretty good. The A/C quit working 3 years ago and the transmission has a surging feel to it when it goes into OD that is annoying, but overall it is not a bad car. Considering it was made in Canada and our '91 Camry was made in Tennessee, I don't know which car is more American? You just cannot beat the durability and mpgs of the GM 3800. If it weren't for that engine, it probally would not be in our driveway right now. Congrats on the new ride!

 

[tightwad]

Bought a 1981 Caprice new. Horrible car, lousy quality control. Built in the old Janesville plant. After two years of misery, traded it for a 1983 Olds Delta 88 built in Kansas City. Excellent quality. All the doors and fenders fit properly, unlike the Chevy. Drove that puppy for 17 years with nothing changed but an intake gasket and an idler arm. Just normal maintenance. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice. "Hit or miss" certainly describes the old GM.