How are 06+ Chevy Impalas?

[alphatarget1]

I'm thinking of buying a car for my dad. I drove a 06 Impala as a rental and actually liked it a lot. Do any of you have experiences with the car... Gas mileage, etc?

I like the Pontiac G6 too but the interior doesn't do it for me. If only they'd change a few minor things (like having the e-brake lever on the driver side, rear seat center console, and a little better interior design) I'd buy it.

 

[MovingTarget]

No problems yet with our '07 Impala. I haven't seen anyone with an '06 complain about theirs yet though. Maybe thats because it is too soon to tell.

 

[bruceb]

Should be fine. GM powertrains are very reliable. I have a 1999 Grand Prix 3.8L
with 170K on it .. still in perfect running order.

 

[alphatarget1]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
No problems yet with our '07 Impala. I haven't seen anyone with an '06 complain about theirs yet though. Maybe thats because it is too soon to tell.

Did you buy it new? What kind of mpg are you getting?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The 3.8L and 4spd ATX is amazingly reliable.

Parts are cheap and mechanicals are far from complex.

 

[PandaBear]

As long as it is the later model (2003+ I think) that has the improved intake manifold gasket, or else it may have coolant leaks that can cause problem later.

 

[Budmantom]

Does it have the 3.5L?

 

[alphatarget1]

I think it has either the 3.5L or 3.8L engine. Is the 3.5L reliable? I figure it probably sips less gas compared to the 3.8L

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: alphatarget1
I think it has either the 3.5L or 3.8L engine. Is the 3.5L reliable? I figure it probably sips less gas compared to the 3.8L

It should be a 3.5 (if it was a six) and they are reliable but they don't have a long track record, they are good on gas 28-30 hwy and have a bit over 200hp.

 

[thecritic]

The 06+ models have the "LZ4" version of the engine, which has the metal intake manifold gaskets and have proven to be very reliable. Great economy for an engine of its size. The 4T65E should be fairly reliable now as well.

Not sure how well the rest of the car will hold up though. I'm sure a lot has changed since the late 90s, but my experience with GM cars is that the accessories (alternator, starter, etc) tend to fail quite often.

 

[PricklyPete]

It's a pretty solid car...very boring...but solid. Great car for a parent if they just want something comfortable to get them from A to B.

Another car worth comparing it to just to make sure you feel you're getting your money's worth would be the Toyota Avalon as it is the benchmark in the class. I don't think the Impala is as nice...but you can probably get one for a lot cheaper and it will likely be as reliable if not more reliable.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I'm with P-Pete on this one. Avalon>Impala.

 

[f1r3s1d3]

Great cars, I'd rather have one than an Avalon too. They're both boring cars, and they're both sickeningly reliable (actually, I'd think the Impala would be more reliable, the drivetrain is old as hell). Plus, the Impala is American and it looks sportier too.

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I'm with P-Pete on this one. Avalon>Impala.

Avalon is also very powerful (under 7 sec 0-60 and under 15 sec 1/4 mile), but it is a lot more expensive that an used Impala.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: thecritic

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I'm with P-Pete on this one. Avalon>Impala.

Avalon is also very powerful (under 7 sec 0-60 and under 15 sec 1/4 mile), but it is a lot more expensive that an used Impala.

Yep, Chevy depreciation FTW

 

[lurk3r]

There's tonnes of em out there and they're a solid car, be careful though, most of them were rentals.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: thecritic

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I'm with P-Pete on this one. Avalon>Impala.

Avalon is also very powerful (under 7 sec 0-60 and under 15 sec 1/4 mile), but it is a lot more expensive that an used Impala.

Yep, Chevy depreciation FTW

Thus a good used car value. I've driven lots of Impala rentals and a few Avalon rentals. Personally prefer the Impala's exterior AND interior, and also its road manners. I don't know what Toyota was doing with the Avalon . . .

 

[owlface]

Impala has a bench seat: Impala > It's competition

EDIT: are all 3.5s from all years flexfuel? Is only the 3.8 available with cylinder deactivation, does this make a large difference.

And, like older great chevy's, does the engine turn at very low rpms at highway speeds? A friend's LeSabre did this and got amazing mileage at 65 mph, better than my 4 cylinder Camry, and it's a V6!

 

[Sureshot324]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: thecritic

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I'm with P-Pete on this one. Avalon>Impala.

Avalon is also very powerful (under 7 sec 0-60 and under 15 sec 1/4 mile), but it is a lot more expensive that an used Impala.

Yep, Chevy depreciation FTW

Thus a good used car value. I've driven lots of Impala rentals and a few Avalon rentals. Personally prefer the Impala's exterior AND interior, and also its road manners. I don't know what Toyota was doing with the Avalon . . .

I'd rather have a Maxima than either one.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: owlface
Impala has a bench seat: Impala > It's competition

EDIT: are all 3.5s from all years flexfuel? Is only the 3.8 available with cylinder deactivation, does this make a large difference.

And, like older great chevy's, does the engine turn at very low rpms at highway speeds? A friend's LeSabre did this and got amazing mileage at 65 mph, better than my 4 cylinder Camry, and it's a V6!

My 05 Malibu has a 3.5 and it's not flexfuel. Gets very good MPG for a car this size,
26-27 mixed, 23 city, 32 hwy. Yea, the new 'bu has tons better styling and a 260+HP
OHC engine but only gets 17 MPG/city. To me the GM pushrod engines are a better
fit with gas so freaking expensive plus, they make their max torque way down in the
powerband so can still manage am onramp without problems..

 

[IronWing]

At the office we have an 06 Impala pushing 40k miles, mostly highway. It is popular with employees needing to road trip. I don't think it has needed any repairs yet, just routine maintenance. The ride is very comfortable.

 

[Squisher]

Consumer Reports - Impala Reliability