LS4 car as a DD?
07 GXP 220k miles.
3rd trans
2nd engine
Just completely redid the entire suspension and steering (which I feel I got my money's worth out of)
Other than that no complaints and still DD it every day and still puts a smile on my face every time.
3rd trans
2nd engine
Just completely redid the entire suspension and steering (which I feel I got my money's worth out of)
Other than that no complaints and still DD it every day and still puts a smile on my face every time.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
07 I-SS.
Bought new in 07. Daily driver and road trip car. Deceptively fast, comfortable, lots of room in the trunk. It's a good family car and quite unique set up. I now have 125K relatively care free miles - minus the ubiquitous transmission issues.
Issues (no surprises):
-TC rebuilt at 69K (under warranty)
-Transmission rebuilt last year at 110K
Odd issues:
-Eats through batteries. On the 4th one now - and they are not common ones.
-Alignment very sensitive - of course it usually due to driver error.
Suggestions:
-Tires make a HUGE difference. Do yourself a favor and get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 2 or 3 Plus tires, you will feel the added traction in all cases.
-Don't modify too much...just a K&N filter if you want and oh, did I mention the Michelin tires
. More extreme mods are serious $$$, and the platform is not ideal for such things... but that's just me, I like the factory sleeper thing.
Finally:
I really like my Impala SS. It's comfortable, fast and unique. I plan on keeping it for a while or at least until the new transmission's warranty runs out in (3yr/100K). Don't let the transmission thing worry you though. The car is probably priced accordingly - and keep the savings and a few grand extra in a "transmission savings" bank account just in case.
Bought new in 07. Daily driver and road trip car. Deceptively fast, comfortable, lots of room in the trunk. It's a good family car and quite unique set up. I now have 125K relatively care free miles - minus the ubiquitous transmission issues.
Issues (no surprises):
-TC rebuilt at 69K (under warranty)
-Transmission rebuilt last year at 110K
Odd issues:
-Eats through batteries. On the 4th one now - and they are not common ones.
-Alignment very sensitive - of course it usually due to driver error.
Suggestions:
-Tires make a HUGE difference. Do yourself a favor and get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 2 or 3 Plus tires, you will feel the added traction in all cases.
-Don't modify too much...just a K&N filter if you want and oh, did I mention the Michelin tires
. More extreme mods are serious $$$, and the platform is not ideal for such things... but that's just me, I like the factory sleeper thing. Finally:
I really like my Impala SS. It's comfortable, fast and unique. I plan on keeping it for a while or at least until the new transmission's warranty runs out in (3yr/100K). Don't let the transmission thing worry you though. The car is probably priced accordingly - and keep the savings and a few grand extra in a "transmission savings" bank account just in case.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota FL
I own 2 as DD's...bought my girlfriend an 06 ISS with 36k a year ago (just hit 60 today), and my DD is an 06 GXP I bought with 26k 10 months ago (has 43k on it now).
My advice? Tune out DoD immediately (GXP was fine, but Impala was smoking frequently when going from 4 to 8 mode and was burning a quart every 500 miles), add a trans cooler immediately (lowered operating temps over 50 degrees in GXP, ISS doesn't have a gauge), change all your fluids and proceed with caution.
The ISS needed 3 HVAC actuators changed (common), 2 tie rod ends just changed today, a water pump (not so common) and an alternator (quite common). Other than that, its been decent.
The GXP has been a bigger pain in the ***, needing a door lock motor (uncommon), 2 rear calipers (common), HUD replacement (common) alternator (common) and a bunch of niggling small stuff.
In general, they are your normal W Body in terms of reliability IF you tune out DoD and IF you take religious care of the transmission. If not? I wont call them shitboxes, but they aren't great...even my low mileage cars have been problematic.
My advice? Tune out DoD immediately (GXP was fine, but Impala was smoking frequently when going from 4 to 8 mode and was burning a quart every 500 miles), add a trans cooler immediately (lowered operating temps over 50 degrees in GXP, ISS doesn't have a gauge), change all your fluids and proceed with caution.
The ISS needed 3 HVAC actuators changed (common), 2 tie rod ends just changed today, a water pump (not so common) and an alternator (quite common). Other than that, its been decent.
The GXP has been a bigger pain in the ***, needing a door lock motor (uncommon), 2 rear calipers (common), HUD replacement (common) alternator (common) and a bunch of niggling small stuff.
In general, they are your normal W Body in terms of reliability IF you tune out DoD and IF you take religious care of the transmission. If not? I wont call them shitboxes, but they aren't great...even my low mileage cars have been problematic.
I own 2 as DD's...bought my girlfriend an 06 ISS with 36k a year ago (just hit 60 today), and my DD is an 06 GXP I bought with 26k 10 months ago (has 43k on it now).
My advice? Tune out DoD immediately (GXP was fine, but Impala was smoking frequently when going from 4 to 8 mode and was burning a quart every 500 miles), add a trans cooler immediately (lowered operating temps over 50 degrees in GXP, ISS doesn't have a gauge), change all your fluids and proceed with caution.
The ISS needed 3 HVAC actuators changed (common), 2 tie rod ends just changed today, a water pump (not so common) and an alternator (quite common). Other than that, its been decent.
The GXP has been a bigger pain in the ***, needing a door lock motor (uncommon), 2 rear calipers (common), HUD replacement (common) alternator (common) and a bunch of niggling small stuff.
In general, they are your normal W Body in terms of reliability IF you tune out DoD and IF you take religious care of the transmission. If not? I wont call them shitboxes, but they aren't great...even my low mileage cars have been problematic.
My advice? Tune out DoD immediately (GXP was fine, but Impala was smoking frequently when going from 4 to 8 mode and was burning a quart every 500 miles), add a trans cooler immediately (lowered operating temps over 50 degrees in GXP, ISS doesn't have a gauge), change all your fluids and proceed with caution.
The ISS needed 3 HVAC actuators changed (common), 2 tie rod ends just changed today, a water pump (not so common) and an alternator (quite common). Other than that, its been decent.
The GXP has been a bigger pain in the ***, needing a door lock motor (uncommon), 2 rear calipers (common), HUD replacement (common) alternator (common) and a bunch of niggling small stuff.
In general, they are your normal W Body in terms of reliability IF you tune out DoD and IF you take religious care of the transmission. If not? I wont call them shitboxes, but they aren't great...even my low mileage cars have been problematic.
2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon. Beautiful. Has about 14lbs of oil pressure at idle, worst transmission I've ever encountered, can't use the panoramic sunroof because the weatherstrip falls off every third time you do. Shitbox.
2002 Transam. Never gets driven. Have gone through two AC pulleys, car has no miles on it. Fake as S leather seat bolster is showing WAY TOO much noticeable wear. Hood rubbed from the factory. Praying door panels don't crack. Radio cuts out occasionally and the gauges go nuts while this happens. Stock Monsoon. Shitbox.
2000 Silverad. Pretty godam dependable. Tailgate handle and rods havent worked right in 5 years. Rusted to ****. Most dash lights are out. Shitbox. (Not really)
1968 Suburban. Wish the paint was better. Wish it had a tach. Wish AC worked better. **** box.
10-20 year old cars are shitboxes. Trucks have always been ok.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: hagerstown,md
bought mine brand new 252k 3rd trans, bust trans ams asses all day long along with chargers and suburb and anything else that pulls up, just did it to red trans am reeled him in like i was fishing,said i had nitrous lol,and like u all my cars have been black, except for 66 cheveile which was green 08 gxp
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
bought mine brand new 252k 3rd trans, bust trans ams asses all day long along with chargers and suburb and anything else that pulls up, just did it to red trans am reeled him in like i was fishing,said i had nitrous lol,and like u all my cars have been black, except for 66 cheveile which was green 08 gxp
[QUOTE=AnotherWs6;19671353]Let's face it, GM made a lot of **** for a long time. I can say that. I own four GM vehicles currently because at the end of the day we often end up sticking with what we grew upo with and/or like. /QUOTE]
Truth. Agreed, the trucks platform do seem better than the cars.
Coincidence or not, but I have had several of each domestic manufacturer over the last 20 years. GM's always gave me more issues, especially electrical.
Truth. Agreed, the trucks platform do seem better than the cars.
Coincidence or not, but I have had several of each domestic manufacturer over the last 20 years. GM's always gave me more issues, especially electrical.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I'll add my two cents . . . own an '07 GXP ~ 135K on original engine, rebuilt tranny around 110K. I'm the second owner, but first owner was my father, so I have helped with just about every maintenance item other than oil changes.
Obviously the tranny is the Achilles heel. The factory brake rotors don't seem to last very long, but there are plenty of good replacements out there. Car burns oil at about 2 quarts in 5K miles or so, and that's with the DoD deactivated. Wife's GMC truck with 5.3L burns about the same amount, so it's not unique to the LS4. Tires are a bit of a pain because you can't rotate front/back. Mine had the fuel pump replaced and some other stuff while they were chasing the transmission issue, as many mechanics aren't that familiar with the GXP/MC SS models.
I've had a an electrical system failure message that I can't seem to remedy, but the car still operates just fine after a new battery/alternator. Just dealt with a few sensor issues here and there. I just dropped $500 on front suspension to replace the factory Bilsteins.
In summary: it's a fun car as a DD, but the GM vehicles, especially cars, don't seem to age well past 100K or so. Lots of brittle electronics and normal items will need to be replaced (brakes, suspension, alternators, water pumps, belt, coils/plugs/fuel injectors). So, I'd plan on spending around $2K over the first year or two in order to "refresh" many of the wearable items that weren't done for any car at 100K or over.
Obviously the tranny is the Achilles heel. The factory brake rotors don't seem to last very long, but there are plenty of good replacements out there. Car burns oil at about 2 quarts in 5K miles or so, and that's with the DoD deactivated. Wife's GMC truck with 5.3L burns about the same amount, so it's not unique to the LS4. Tires are a bit of a pain because you can't rotate front/back. Mine had the fuel pump replaced and some other stuff while they were chasing the transmission issue, as many mechanics aren't that familiar with the GXP/MC SS models.
I've had a an electrical system failure message that I can't seem to remedy, but the car still operates just fine after a new battery/alternator. Just dealt with a few sensor issues here and there. I just dropped $500 on front suspension to replace the factory Bilsteins.
In summary: it's a fun car as a DD, but the GM vehicles, especially cars, don't seem to age well past 100K or so. Lots of brittle electronics and normal items will need to be replaced (brakes, suspension, alternators, water pumps, belt, coils/plugs/fuel injectors). So, I'd plan on spending around $2K over the first year or two in order to "refresh" many of the wearable items that weren't done for any car at 100K or over.