2oo5 impala with 3.4 engine

Am considering purchase of 2005 Impala w/3.4 engine. Would appreciate comments as to member experience with this car in terms of reliability and general overall performance and satisfaction when used as a family type car. Also, how does the 3.4 stack up against the 3.8--have heard that the 3.4 has some negative points but can't find any definitive writeup on exactly why this engine has this reputation, or is this a bad rap against this engine. Thanks to any who respond. Tugboat Sailor (ATF 91)

The only thing i can think of off the top of my head are high intake gasket failure records.

i have a 2000 3.4L w/ just over 54K on it. I have had the car for a yr and a half, got it w/ 34K on it. I have had no problems except a water pump failure (fairly common on any car. I have upgraded my intake, exhaust and throttle body a little, and performance-wise I know it'll outrun a stock 3.8. So there, ur not far off the premier package (minus the supercharged SS)....I have heard a lot about the intake gasket issues, haven't had that problem yet. Otherwise, I haven't heard of any major issues that don't happen on any impala (common to all 00-05 imps are the intermediate steering shaft issue, several exectrical issues, etc). If this impala has, lets say, under 20K on it, and the asking price is at or lower than the blue book (www.kbb.com), I'd pick it up if I were you...5 years and 54K miles later, mine is still running GREAT. It's a smooth ride, handels well, and is a car that I know will start up and get me to work EVERY morning. For the 1st time, I don't worry about having a reliable car. I think the neg-hype about the 3.4L is just a bunch of trash talk. It is a LONG running GM motor (back to the mid 1980's i think). So like I said, if the price/milage/condition is right, I say go for it, u'll be happy and get ur $'s worth.

-Tim

Check out how it starts when it is dead cold, open the hood start it and listen for a knocking sound, it could be very slight but it will not get better with milage, it will go away when the car is warm. Check around throttle body for signs of oil seepage and coolant seepage, check recovery tank to make sure there is no dirt in it at all. If you have any of these signs walk away from it , or be prepared to do expensive engine work around 75k. I am told the 3.8 is much more reliable and thats what I have now. 3.4 are known for piston slap and gasket issues.

Do yourself a favor and skip the Impala.... I had a 2000 with a 3.4... I put more money into maintaining that car than any car I've ever owned before.... On top of the intake manifold issues, I've had a plethora of other headaches with it. Intermediate steering shaft, ignition switch and window regulators... just to mention a few....

Personally I prefer the 3800 over the 3.4. But there is nothing wrong with the 3.4 compared to the 3800. IMO - It is easier to maintain. In a lot of situations it gets better gas mileage too.

You begin to appreciate stuff like rear spark plug changeouts. Items like the power steering pump is easier to access. Replacing valve cover gaskets is easier including a PCV valve changeout. It is a PITA on the 3800.

Although the intake manifold gaskets are a problem, the 2005 will have the revised gaskets. I like the aluminum intake manifold of the 3.4 over the plastic UIM of the Series II 3800. The 3800 is prone to intake system problems too.

Do yourself a favor and skip the Impala.... I had a 2000 with a 3.4... I put more money into maintaining that car than any car I've ever owned before.... On top of the intake manifold issues, I've had a plethora of other headaches with it. Intermediate steering shaft, ignition switch and window regulators... just to mention a few....

totally agree... similar experience with my 01 3.4. but many of us like its styling and maybe ride.

what many people forget to say is that the impala was the most popular car for a few years and there are a ton of them, there a dime a dozen, and with any car prodused that wisely you will find people have have no prblems and people that have nothing but problems. I would say test drive it a couple times, morning, night, cold, warm, city, highway. if you nkow much about cars look at stuff like coolant leaks, oil leaks, rusty exhaust. problmes that you nkow you might run into. but being a 05, you wont find much. is it new or used.

I too would recommend getting something else. The impala is nothing but a pile of junk. I have had NUMEROUS problems with mine. I just got rid of it and I'm one damn happy person to have it gone. I will probably not own a GM for a long time. I can't believe all the problems i have had...i can give you a quick run down of everything that failed...
-fuel pressure regulator 3 times
-intake gasket
-radio because of the airbags
-both lower control arms
-both tie rod ends
-blower resistor relay twice
-brakes with what seemed like every oil change
-master cylindar replaced twice
-something with the blinkers
-intermitted steer shaft, one lube, then replaced
-spark plugs at 50k
-overheating problems, thermostat
-new ignition because it wouldn't start

I'm sure I'm missing a few things but it just drove me nuts, left me stranded five times, I have been in nine rental cars from it getting fixed. Had two no starts.

Oh, I forgot about the BCM, catalytic converter, thermostat control sensor or something, makes the cooling fans come on.

Just do yourself a favor and get something else. I bought a 2005 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS and it's just AWESOME!!! It's great in the snow, fast, and 34 mpg, all wheel drive...

Get something else!! Oh, by the way, i had a 2000 3.4 liter and it had only 95k on it when i got rid of it and had all those problems....