Thinkin about an Impala
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
Thinkin about an Impala Hello everyone.. im thinking about getting an impala ss, most likely an 07. How is the ride quality, how is gas mileage...if anyone could gove me a general opinion of the car, that would be great. Ive been a memeber for a while here and have always got great advice.
Thanks
Thanks
Ride quality, imo, is pretty good. I've installed STBs and am in the process of upgrading the front sway bar and rear sway bar bushings to get better handling out of it.
My mileage sucks, but that's due to where and how i drive. I'm a city-dweller, and i rarely get on the highway, so the mileage suffers. That and the fact that i like to drive hard contributes pretty heavily to my 11-12mpg. On the highway, when i DO get to go anywhere, i can manage 23mpg at 70-80mph, which is pretty good, given the speed.
The seats suck for lateral support...would love to upgrade to something else. Although i love (most of) the rest of the interior layout, I could do without the plastic inner door panels...a leather-like material would have been a bit nicer. The "cockpit," while nothing like the overdone (imo) GXP, is refined and sporty at the same time.
Overall, imo, the car is still great and i wouldn't do it differently if i had a second chance...well, with the exception of the dealer choice
.
My mileage sucks, but that's due to where and how i drive. I'm a city-dweller, and i rarely get on the highway, so the mileage suffers. That and the fact that i like to drive hard contributes pretty heavily to my 11-12mpg. On the highway, when i DO get to go anywhere, i can manage 23mpg at 70-80mph, which is pretty good, given the speed.
The seats suck for lateral support...would love to upgrade to something else. Although i love (most of) the rest of the interior layout, I could do without the plastic inner door panels...a leather-like material would have been a bit nicer. The "cockpit," while nothing like the overdone (imo) GXP, is refined and sporty at the same time.
Overall, imo, the car is still great and i wouldn't do it differently if i had a second chance...well, with the exception of the dealer choice
. Awwwww....c'mon....do it! Even if you buy a pair of Flowmasters or MF's and have them installed with stock tips...it'll be worth it! Keep the stock mufflers just in case you don't like it.
Overall I like mine but as others have noted, the seats can't keep up with the suspension. I slide all over the place. I'm still thinking of swapping some Grand Prix seats in if I find a nice set. Fuel economy for me sucks (15 average) because I drive a lot of traffic and am heavy-footed. I really don't like the heavy torque steer. I wish it were RWD. Interior is nice but a lot of plastic that I'm not used to (my previous car was a DeVille) and the heat isn't thermostatic. You have to always be adjusting the temp & fan which is a PIA. I was used to setting it and forgetting it. Call me spoiled.
I'll keep it for a while.
I'll keep it for a while.
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Brett Foote
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Goldsboro, NC
Why not get a GXP? Same everything as the Impala but plus on everything. Better handling, seats, rims, brakes and the interior is alot more fun with the HUD, DIC and is alot more driver oriented. Plus I've only seen maybe 4 other GXPs since I got mine a year ago and have seen like 10 or so of both the SS cars. Price for price the GXP has alot more bang for the buck as far as goodies.
Tate
Tate
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
If you like your T/A, you NEED to drive the MCSS. At least promise me you will drive the two to compare.
Mine does 85% of what the Z can do, seats are way comfortable in cloth, no slipping, etc. Plus you can drive it year round. Interior / handling does not give you the TOPGUN feeling like the F-Body, but it's WAY more comfortable and rides 2X better. Slower, but it's my D/D that can hang with a Mustang GT, what more can you ask for?
Damn good car! Sweet daily driver w/ a V8 - not even thinking of getting rid of it now that they are killing it off. If quality is good, I will drive this one into the ground, or until GM tempts me again.
Gas milage sucks though, like the others say. I drive 40K / year, V6 S/C Regal GS got 24.5 lifetime avg; MCSS is 22K and 19.6 LTA and dropping ....
Mine does 85% of what the Z can do, seats are way comfortable in cloth, no slipping, etc. Plus you can drive it year round. Interior / handling does not give you the TOPGUN feeling like the F-Body, but it's WAY more comfortable and rides 2X better. Slower, but it's my D/D that can hang with a Mustang GT, what more can you ask for?
Damn good car! Sweet daily driver w/ a V8 - not even thinking of getting rid of it now that they are killing it off. If quality is good, I will drive this one into the ground, or until GM tempts me again.
Gas milage sucks though, like the others say. I drive 40K / year, V6 S/C Regal GS got 24.5 lifetime avg; MCSS is 22K and 19.6 LTA and dropping ....
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
I love my Imp SS. It rides awsome. And handles very well, for a DD.
I must be a freak becasue i do 85 - 95% highway and if i fill up and get on the hwy and fill up getting right off, i have gotten a best of 29.3mpg(that is calculating it from the miles and gallons pumped not the dic). But in town it sucks becasue i have a very heavy foot.
I must be a freak becasue i do 85 - 95% highway and if i fill up and get on the hwy and fill up getting right off, i have gotten a best of 29.3mpg(that is calculating it from the miles and gallons pumped not the dic). But in town it sucks becasue i have a very heavy foot.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
not a big fan of the GXP or MCSS in regard to styling...love the Impala SS tho...if i get it, im gettin M&N and mangaflow ss catback...and some nice wheels..not big on the stockers....but i do have to admit, after looking at pics of the GXP for a while, it was kinda growing on me, especially the interior.
The pontiac is, ummmmm, unique. You really have to have owned Pontiacs at some point in your life to, ummmmm, appreciate the perspective from the drivers seat. I was never a fan of the red backlighting, and i owned a bonneville 2cars previous to my SS. It's definitely an "acquired" taste.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Choice. Thank goodness there are enough different models and options that gives each one of us the ability to choose just the one that is right for us. Just think how it would be if all we had to pick from was a Volvo!
I'm thankful there are choices.
I'm thankful there are choices.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
That interior looks rice
The vents remind me of an GSX Eclipse I had in 92. The shifter looks a little out of place though. Maybe a metallic or brushed aluminum ball would work better. I can see how it would grow on you.
I'd vote for almost anything with a V8.
The vents remind me of an GSX Eclipse I had in 92. The shifter looks a little out of place though. Maybe a metallic or brushed aluminum ball would work better. I can see how it would grow on you.I'd vote for almost anything with a V8.