Need some info

Hello. First of all I'd like to say Hello. I just registered here tonight. I'm a member of fordpower.net
I'm 20 years old and I live in Clearwater, FL. I have a modified 1998 Ford Mustang GT.

Anyways, I love my Mustang. It gets a lot of attention and looks great. I've put a lot of hard work into it. However, as I'm getting older I think it's time to make more of an adult choice and trade it in for something more economical. Especially with gas prices the way they are currently. My Mustang feels like it's falling apart more and more everyday. Not to mention it has almost 100,000 miles on it. I need something with better gas mileage, more confortable than my lowered (so very bumpy) mustang, and reliable. I really like the look of the 2000-2004 Impalas. I'm thinking about getting a silver or preferably dark blue one. I want to put some nice classy chrome wheels on it, I've seen pics and think they look great. I need some input and advice here on what to look for when buying and what options, etc.
I've seen some of them have floor shifters and some have them on the steering wheel. What's the deal with this? Basically I want leather seats, I guess buckets, and I want the floor shifter. Is this a certain package? Please just give me a lot of detailed info. I don't know much about these cars other than they get 23-32 mpg, look great, and are in my price range. Thanks in advanced. :)

Get ready for that Big American Ride! The Impalas have a ride to die for. It's kind of like rolling along on a cloud the first time you drive. And there is lots of room inside too!

I over spent buying my Impala as a one yr. old car.

If I was gonna do it again I might try to get one of the "Police Package Impalas" that you can see on the I-net for about $5000.00 or so etc.

Good luck.

The only thing about the Impalas/ and a lot of GM the last 10 yrs. is they are going for electronic gismos: Auto-matic head lights, daytime driving lights that can't be switched off, Pass-Lock, -a defective anti-theft thing...

The car is the best of class anyway.

Well if you want a leather interior you most certainly have to go for the LS model, I've never seen leather in other base models. Not sure if you can get the full gage set up otherwise either. However the floor shift is available in some of the more basic models. I would also seriously consider getting the 3.8 ltr rather than the 3.4 HP is 215 vs 210 for the 3.4 but the torque 235 for the 3.8 vs 215 for the 3.4 is the big diff here. Aslo I believe you get better mileage from the 3.8 from what I have been reading here and other sites, the best I have gotten is 23 combined w/3.4 I've read some here say they are getting 27-30 w/3.8 but I cannot verify that figure. Make sure you check the fit and finish of carpet, I didn't check mine and found it was cut short inside back seat area and in the trunk. Fairly good ride but not near as good as my 92 Lumina Euro. Might be because of crappy uniroyal tires?? Bigest or most often complained about area is the brakes, warpage of front rotors seems to be the main issue but then I've noticed no problem and could be driver habits being the main cause.

Well if you want a leather interior you most certainly have to go for the LS model, I've never seen leather in other base models. Not sure if you can get the full gage set up otherwise either. However the floor shift is available in some of the more basic models. I would also seriously consider getting the 3.8 ltr rather than the 3.4 HP is 215 vs 210 for the 3.4 but the torque 235 for the 3.8 vs 215 for the 3.4 is the big diff here. Aslo I believe you get better mileage from the 3.8 from what I have been reading here and other sites, the best I have gotten is 23 combined w/3.4 I've read some here say they are getting 27-30 w/3.8 but I cannot verify that figure. Make sure you check the fit and finish of carpet, I didn't check mine and found it was cut short inside back seat area and in the trunk. Fairly good ride but not near as good as my 92 Lumina Euro. Might be because of crappy uniroyal tires?? Bigest or most often complained about area is the brakes, warpage of front rotors seems to be the main issue but then I've noticed no problem and could be driver habits being the main cause.

LS or SS model will suit you well. Make sure to get the Impala with the 3.8 engine. Its the most reliable and more powerful engine choice for the Impala. As for what ^ he ^ says for gas milage. I average 26 mpg city, 28 mpg highway with my 3.8 that has 165k miles on the clock. Floor shifter is an option I do believe, could depend on whether you order bench seats or not. We have a LS with a bench seat, so it has the column shifter. But the seats are oh-so-nice heated leather.

If your buying a used Impala. Make sure to check the steering and transmission. (Tranny fluid if you can, make sure its nice and clean) I've had virtually a problem free engine, but have transmission issues with both Impala's I own. Thats all I can think of for input.

Thanks for the help everyone!!!
Quick question...I've noticed some have the long rubber piece in the middle of the body that goes all the way around, some do not. Is this an option or only came on certain years? If I buy one with it, can I take it off or what? I don't like it..Heres some pics so you know what I'm talking about.

This one HAS it.
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/7/13/182/623/1610406381.182623109.IM1.MAIN.240x180_A.240x180.jp g


This one DOES NOT.
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/6/27/184/196/1564880972.184196495.IM1.MAIN.240x180_A.240x131.jp g

both of those impala's have it, just one is colored the same as the body, the other is blk rubber...the molding comes on all impalas, the color varies...

Oh okay. How can I make sure the color matches the color of the car? If I get one with it in black, can I buy new molding for it? If so how much would this run me?
Did certain years/models come with it painted the same color?

that i do not know...u'll have to look model to model...i guess maybe the LS package comes int eh same color? just a guess...i have a base 3.4 and the molding is black....i'll say ballpark estimate for new moldings will run $100-200 or so...

Well the base model impalas had the black rubber molding, most of your colored trim packages are in your LS impalas. There are a few Base impalas with the colored trim package, but i believe those had the 3.8 liter engines. The best thing i can say to you I look every carefully for leaks, check the past history of the car, if you are going to be third owner of the car i wouldnt' get it...thats just my preference. I know the 3.4 liter engines have had a bunch of problems as i'm one of those people who have experienced it. I would go with an 03-05 model and make sure you get the LS or SS, do not get one with the 3.4 motor. Check the intermitted steering shaft. If you go on a test drive and you hear clunking in the front end make sure you have them fix it at no cost to you. Check for fluid leaks, make sure the tranny shifts through the gears smoothly. Before you buy any car, make sure you take it overnight and get a feel for the car without the presence of a sales person near by. Also check the catlytic converter also. Take it to a trusted mechanic and have them look it over. Just be careful when you buy on of these. Your either going to get a problem free one or one with nothign but problems.

Let me know if you want more info...

mike

great replies everyone. thanks so much.
my cousin is a mechanic. he has his own shop. so I will definently take the car to him before buying. I'm definently going with the 01-04 LS model with the 3800 engine. :)

Oh okay. How can I make sure the color matches the color of the car? If I get one with it in black, can I buy new molding for it? If so how much would this run me?
Did certain years/models come with it painted the same color?

The molding peices are also removable, if you dig around cardomain, you'll find a few Impala's that had the molding removed alltogether, looks pretty slick.

bump! :)

The molding peices are also removable, if you dig around cardomain, you'll find a few Impala's that had the molding removed alltogether, looks pretty slick.

How are they attached?

How are they attached?

Ones on the door I believe are just glue'd in place. Ones on the bumper is beyond me, I don't really know about those. But i've heard of people taking the side-molding off just with a hair-dryer and floss. Might need to goo-gone though for any residue left behind.

interesting....

make sure you get a AAA account if youre gonna buy it :/. No but seriously try to get an 02-05 with a 3.8L engine. hopefully they got all the bugs worked outta em.

Ya, I plan to definently get 01+.
What should I expect to pay for an 01-04 LS with leather with under 50k miles?

Ya, I plan to definently get 01+.
What should I expect to pay for an 01-04 LS with leather with under 50k miles?

With the current car market, I wouldn't pay more than 10,000 For one. Just a quick search of auto-trader found some LS's for under 15k easy. But after one could buy a new 05 SS for low 20k range, I really would push for the 10k or less mark.