Imapala 3.4 and 3.8 mpg

Im thinking of getting a used Impala. Somewhere between 03-06. I noticed some of your posts talking about getting better mileage. So What kind of mileage do you guys see on your impalas? The website says 19 city and around 29 highway. What are they realisticly.

Thanks guys.

This is not what you asked but I have an 07 with a 3.5 with about 4000 mi so far and getting 23 around town and 32 on the highway.

If you want an Impala, get the 3.8. It's just as fuel efficient as the 3.4, and MUCH more reliable.

I have a 2002 base 3400, in town combined best is 16 mpg...@equal miles....on highway only no stops I get 34....measured equally over 8 350 mile trips. This was last two year period. Also...940 mile round and daily travel from parking to hotel trip to US Open at Oakmont, PA....(NE Pittsburgh) avg. was 28 mpg. Starting point Dayton, OH.

I agree that the 3800 is at least as efficient as the 3400 and is much more reliable. I've seen 3800's averaging from 24 mpg with all city driving to 35mpg mostly highway.

I can't speak to the reliability issue but I know the 3400 is certainly a noisy engine, sounds like valve train clatter but some say it is piston slap...I would have to do a teardown myself to confirm either...can be downright annoying. Have a hard time understanding why GM thinks this a normal OK quality. Along with all the gasket issues over so many years on several engine lines. They are getting better as of late but good grief it's a slow get to it.

Tailight, do you have the 3.5? I forgot about the 3.5 does anyone have any realistic mpg on this motor?

Mine is the 3.5

I found a 2006 LT with the 3.5 with 45k miles. I pulled the carfax and it used to be a rental car before this dealership bought it at auction. They want $14,950.

What do you guys think? Im not sure about it for being a rental.

What do you guys think? Im not sure about it for being a rental.[/quote]


youtube type in impala rally and watch the video that might help with your question

I've got an 04 w/3400
Just went through my second tank. 90% interstate highway 70-80MPH driving. 29.8MPG on 100% gasoline

I bought an 05 rental Impala last year (1 year old) w/ 32k miles and paid $12K. I get average of 24mpg combined driving city and HWY. OK car for the price - I got nickeled and dimed a bit over the last year- had to replace the water pump, thermostat, and a heater actuator.

If you buy a rental, look for lower miles and newer model. I'd recommed asking the dealer to flush the cooling system off the bat and replace with Universal coolant, not Dexcool before you transact. Also, remeber the dealer is picking up 1 year old Impalas from rental cars dirt cheap via a GM contract. I'd walk in with a price in hand that you think is fair, and tell the salesman you price is not negotiable. He'll decline, then you walk. Float the offer to a few dealers and eventually you will get a taker.

I get excellent gas mileage with my 2002 impala. Im ready to sell it if anyone is interested in it. You can email me at pctech1526@yahoo.com

If you buy a rental, look for lower miles and newer model. I'd recommed asking the dealer to flush the cooling system off the bat and replace with Universal coolant, not Dexcool before you transact.
That really isn't necessary. If you keep up the maintenance on the Dex Cool it shouldn't give you any issues, especially with these newer vehicles. I run Dex Cool in my GM vehicles that require it and don't have any problems. I change out my coolant every 2 to 3 years and 30 to 40,000 miles, which is the same interval I used for the ethylene glycol(green) based coolant.