I traded my 01 GT for $3K for new 08 Impala

[Langning]

My 01 Grand Prix is still looking new inside out. Because of the 118,000 miles and 7-year age, plus the fact that I am constantly "working" on the car (both maintenance and repairs), my wife is affraid that the car might die and we be stranded on a deserted road...

So last Saturday I took my wife on a trip to the Chevy dealership to check out the Impala (I did take her to see the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu weeks before at a different dealership). Well, the sale guy was too eager to make a sale and I was too impressed with the look and feel of the new Impala; I agreed to purchase the Impala GT (w/ luxury package) for $25,270 (MSRP) less than $4,300 (rebates+discount).

I also applied add'l $2,000 in GM Card rebate. So the brand new Impala GT is net of $19,000 + tax+fees... Then time came to negotiate about the trade-in value on our 01 Grand Prix GT (w/ leather), the sale guy offered $1,500 which we promptely rejected. At tne end, he raised to $3,000 and we reluctantly accepted the deal.

So I closed the deal yesterday afternoon and picked up our brand new Impala. My feeling right now is ambivalent. One hand I liked the exterior look of the GP and sad to turn in a car I grew fond of. Also I am sad about the low resale value on my car. I liked to keep 2 cars but my wife vetoed the idea... Then on the other hand, I love the Impala w/ XM radio, onstar, heated seat, nicer interior, and much better feul economy.

I won't be checking the Grand Prix forum anymore (but will be checking the Chevy Impala or Equinox forums). In the past years, I have been reading the messages weekly (if not daily), I learned so much that I am able to perform all of my maintaince and repairs. I thank anyone here giving me skills and encouragement of not affraid to pick up the wrench and repair the problem myself.

The new Impala won't need my self repair in 3-5 years. My wife's 05 Equinox just had the front struts leaked fluid, upon telling her that dealership wanting $850 to replace them. She gave me the OK to fix myself. I put in a set of Monroe struts for $135 the same morning I bought the Impala. Her car is just out of warranty. I will be very busy applying my car repairing skills because we have so many of GM cars.

[BNaylor]

Sorry to hear that.

Impala GT? For '08 I thought there was the LS, 1LT(3.5L VVT), 2LT (3.9L VVT), LTZ and SS models.

I wish you all the luck with it. Hopefully Chevy improved on the quality of the '06 and up models 'cause the '00-'05 models left a lot to be desired. My wife's '01 Impala LS left her stranded at least two times and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. The only car that we ever owned that was truly a lemon. Good riddance!

Also, IMO you gave in too much on the trade-in value of your GT. How was it appraised? Even with the high mileage according to the NADA book value you should have seen at least $1K-$1.3K more.

Anyways, it was nice having you participate and contributing at this forum and good luck.

[Highbeamz]

Well, not to sound negative, but on the resell value note, don't expect the Impala to be any different....

Unfortunately (in my experience anyway) GM seems to be the better built vehicles out of all the domestics (or at least used to be) but their resell value is always very poor. I've personally considered the new Cobalt SS Turbocharged to replace my GTP, but I know after 5 years of payments are up, I'll be lucky to get 1/2 of what it was originally worth.....even being a limited production model.

But the new Impala's are pretty nice...if they kept making the Monte Carlo til now I'd get one of those *wink*

[grandprixgtx00]

my input...you paid too much. i paid $21595.00 out the door for my '06 Impala SS. it had 8K on it when i bought it. but then again...i know people

your also gonna regret getting rid of your GP. for what you got for it...i woulda kept it

[JonJon68]

118,000 miles? Your GP was just getting broke in. Sounds like perhaps this particular GP was problematic. My 1997 GPGT has 127,500 and still looks great, runs great, and rides wonderfully. I paid cash for it in full back in 04 and besides "normal" maintenance, this has been one of the most reliable cars I've owned. Nevertheless, it always feels great to purchase a new car so enjoy it and good luck.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Highbeamz

Unfortunately (in my experience anyway) GM seems to be the better built vehicles out of all the domestics (or at least used to be) but their resell value is always very poor.

You think? It is obvious American cars don't have the resale value of its Japanese or European counterparts, if any. Actually GM cars have better resale value than its US counterparts. Order of ranking in resale value is GM, Ford and then Chrysler. Chevrolet models normally rank lower in resale below equivalent Buick and Pontiac models or even Oldsmobile (rip). Excluding Corvette, etc.

I think the best suggestion made was to keep it otherwise for 3K you are just giving it away. Of course, unless it was problematic and then it becomes someone else's problem. For appraisal purposes the 118K miles is considered high mileage and basically it takes about a $700 cut for that mileage. But if it was kept and driving it minimized it probably would have increased in value over the next few years when the 118K miles becomes acceptable or maintained an acceptable resale value considering but you never know for sure.

[Langning]

Sorry, the car is an 08 Impala LT (w/ heated leather + XM + onstar). Having driven the new Impala 2 days, I fall in love with the new Impala. It handles like a Honda Accord V6. The ebony leather seats makes it feel like my co-worker's 03 Cadillac STS. The suspension is stiffer. All dials/controls/dash /trim have better feel/look.

Despite of higher HP rating on the 3.5L engine, the car doesn't accerlarate as fast as my GT's 3.8L could. Then the MPG is 27 thus far (vs 22-24 on my GP). On highway when I drive gently on level surface, the intant MPG goes up to 40-45.

I am not that concern with the quality of the car as GM will be responsible for fixing it the next few years (thanks to 5 yr/100K warranty). And by then, I will be more familiar with the 3.5L engine and to perform all minor to medium repairs myself.

[BNaylor]

Not concerned with the quality? Now it becomes obvious since you weren't concerned about getting ripped off by the dealer on the trade-in. I'd read the fine print on the so called 5 yr/100K miles warranty whichever comes first. The 5 yr/100K miles part is engine/drivetrain only. The basic bumper to bumper is still only 3 years or 36K miles, whichever comes first. Just a gimmick to get people to buy them versus making a real quality automobile. That is why the Japanese car sales are so much higher now in the U.S. and GM is going to pot. Toyota will soon be the number 1 car maker in the U.S passing GM. As much as I hate to admit it but my next new car will be Japanese this time around.

With all due respect to you. You may think it handles like an Accord but the Accord is a superior automobile period and really no comparison! IMO comparatively speaking the '04 and up Grand Prixs have an excellent dash and interior layout to include all the amenities that you would be willing to pay for. Doesn't look like a rental car either although I am not fond of the exterior design or looks of the latest Grand Prixs.

Plus you are comparing apples to orange attempting a comparison between the 3.5L VVT engine and the SIII 3800 engines which is more realistic or even the SII 3800 engines for that matter. The 3.5L VVT is a GM high value engine and technically it replaced the 3400 SFI V6 not the 3800s. The VVT stuff is there so the engines pass LEV II emissions standards. Also, keep in mind the GM cars with the Series III 3800 may only have 200 hp but have 230 lb-ft of torque so that explains the superior power of the 3800. And don't forget the supercharged SIII 3800 engine puts out 260 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Meaning even the 3.9L VVT found in the Impala 2LT is a dog in comparison.

The bottom line is as long as you are happy with it is all that matters. Good luck!

[Highbeamz]

Well on the topic of build quality, is anyone familiar with the Cobalt? Honestly, for me it's a toss up between the new SS (turbo) Cobalt and the Mazdaspeed 3. Now from a build quality perspective I'm sure the Mazda would win hands down...that car is just impressive (granted I still have yet to drive the Cobalt). The problem is the Cobalt comes in two door and has a sunroof option, both of which are large appealing factors for me. Is the Cobalt all bad, or is it a big step up from the Cavalier?

[wlkjr]

I think we tend to neglect older cars when we buy a new one, so getting $3000 for it might have been the best deal. Sometimes they sit and don't get driven and eventually you can't give them away. Been there before.
I could have given it a nice home.