I finally got to drive my parents Impala on a long trip - drove it from Green Bay WI back to CO Spgs., me driving the entire way.
My thoughts are that overall it's a decent car. GM seems to be trying to make cars feel more European like - the springs rates on this car are much stiffer then the big GM boats of yesterday, like our Olds 88. I'd say the spring rates are a bit too stiff for the rigidity of the chassis. The steering rate is much quicker as well, almost on par with my Corolla, and therefore, emergency maneuvering (such as around retreads from semi tires) is very easy.
The 3.5L V-6 did alright - I was hauling a$$ most of the way doing 80 to 85 mph tucked in behind semis and it managed a tick over 30 mpg. Power wise - I dunno. Just doesn't seem to have the oomph that the mighty 3.8L has. The electronic drive by wire throttle is just horrid - if you barely touch the pedal, it just doesn't go, but then when you really give it some more gas, it takes off like a bat!
Seats are a bit stiff and a bit uncomfortable for my liking.
The bad news - the radio is busted AGAIN - it won't work when it's cold - has to warm up. This is the 2nd radio, so tomorrow, it's going in for it's 3rd radio.
The overall quality is better then GMs we've had in the past. The doors close nice and crisp and sound heavy. The controls for the radio (when it works) and the HVAC are better. It has less squeaks and rattles and overall feels heavier and more solidly built. Sure wish it had the 3.9L V-6 though!
Oh, one more con: GM STILL can not put brakes worth a [censored] on their cars. The rotors were turned under warranty for vibration about 3,000 miles ago, and all it takes is throwing out the anchors on an exit ramp now to cause vibration again. Repeated stops when ambient temps are high cause moderate pedal vibration.
Definitely will be going with aftermarket rotors when these brakes are used up.
My thoughts are that overall it's a decent car. GM seems to be trying to make cars feel more European like - the springs rates on this car are much stiffer then the big GM boats of yesterday, like our Olds 88. I'd say the spring rates are a bit too stiff for the rigidity of the chassis. The steering rate is much quicker as well, almost on par with my Corolla, and therefore, emergency maneuvering (such as around retreads from semi tires) is very easy.
The 3.5L V-6 did alright - I was hauling a$$ most of the way doing 80 to 85 mph tucked in behind semis and it managed a tick over 30 mpg. Power wise - I dunno. Just doesn't seem to have the oomph that the mighty 3.8L has. The electronic drive by wire throttle is just horrid - if you barely touch the pedal, it just doesn't go, but then when you really give it some more gas, it takes off like a bat!
Seats are a bit stiff and a bit uncomfortable for my liking.
The bad news - the radio is busted AGAIN - it won't work when it's cold - has to warm up. This is the 2nd radio, so tomorrow, it's going in for it's 3rd radio.
The overall quality is better then GMs we've had in the past. The doors close nice and crisp and sound heavy. The controls for the radio (when it works) and the HVAC are better. It has less squeaks and rattles and overall feels heavier and more solidly built. Sure wish it had the 3.9L V-6 though!
Oh, one more con: GM STILL can not put brakes worth a [censored] on their cars. The rotors were turned under warranty for vibration about 3,000 miles ago, and all it takes is throwing out the anchors on an exit ramp now to cause vibration again. Repeated stops when ambient temps are high cause moderate pedal vibration.
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