I love this car.

ryannel2003 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 05:52 PM

Well today my grandpa told me I could take his car, an '06 Chevy Impala SS. It's a really great car, reminds me of the '98-'03 Seville STS. This particular car is rare: Sport Red Metallic with Neutral Cloth. I believe Chevy dropped Sport Red in 2007 and Leather was also made standard (at the the price of a $2000 rise in sticker). He's had it for year and a half, and its had no problems so far. Unfortunately, it seems like the transmission hunts in gear while going down the road, but he doesn't notice it. A much needed upgrade from his previous car: '98 Monte Carlo LS. What a hell-hole if there ever was one. Anyway, here are some pics:

93DevilleUSMC · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 06:24 PM

She's beautiful!

**Jesda** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 06:30 PM

I like the clean, simple interior. Nice place to relax and go fast.

**Rolex** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 07:05 PM

Those are a great car and that one's a beaut. What hp are they rated at, and what times do they run? Slap some forced induction on it and it would be a great sleeper.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 07:15 PM

Nice looking car in that shade of red, and take it from a Chev service adviser, cloth seats in an SS are *VERY* rare.

They'll do 0-60 in the mid five second range, and the 1/4 mile is finished in the low-mid fourteen second range.

ryannel2003 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolex

Those are a great car and that one's a beaut. What hp are they rated at, and what times do they run? Slap some forced induction on it and it would be a great sleeper.

They have have the 5.3L DOD (Displacement on Demand) V8. 303hp and 323 ft-lbs of torque. The damn thing will fly, but you'd better hold on to the steering wheel. Torque steer is pretty bad, but not bad as some cars I have drivin. 0-60 is around 5.6 I believe (according to Car and Driver), and it'll run the quarter at 14.2 seconds doing 101 mph. I got it up to 100mph today, and it was effortless.

TexasCadillac · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 07:27 PM

man thats a good looking clean car. how many miles?

ryannel2003 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 07:32 PM

He bought it in August 2006 with 450 miles (it sat on the lot for 6 months) and right now it has 13500. Half of that mileage is from me driving it!

TexasCadillac · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 07:53 PM

it's probably only had 4 or 5 oil changes on the engine since new. It's barely broke in. I was looking at picture 5 with the SS decal on the door, it looks like the door fit at the bottom is slanted in a bit and I am sure it is a factory fit. That car should last you a long time. That is the kind of used cars I like to buy in that condition. Good luck with your car. TexasCadillac

ryannel2003 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

Nice looking car in that shade of red, and take it from a Chev service adviser, cloth seats in an SS are *VERY* rare.

They'll do 0-60 in the mid five second range, and the 1/4 mile is finished in the low-mid fourteen second range.

Would you happen to know if there are any main issues I should keep a look out for? Something about the front-end feels loose, and everytime I go over a bump it feels like the front doesn't get any traction. That, and the transmission hunts a little to much.

Destroyer · #11 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 08:49 PM

Now if Caddy stuck that drivetrain in the Deville's.................I would buy a Deville again. Then again I'd probably be happier in the SS anyway.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #12 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Would you happen to know if there are any main issues I should keep a look out for? Something about the front-end feels loose, and everytime I go over a bump it feels like the front doesn't get any traction. That, and the transmission hunts a little to much.

This looseness you're feeling in the front end, can you describe it to me? It might be the intermediate steering shaft, a very common problem on the Impalas (all W bodies actually) and the full size trucks and SUVs. Basically, the I-shaft slides back and forth, and if it's faulty, it'll click or clunk, and you'll be able to feel that when you're turning. What's happening is this sliding shaft is sticking. GM first said to lube the shafts, but now they're just replacing them right and left.

Otherwise, we see a fair amount of issues with the Tire Pressure Monitors, but that's a fairly easy and common fix, and the RKE Transmitter (Keyfob) problem. Where they'll only work if you're like standing on top of the car...we'll have to get you a new module, and a few new transmitters, and maybe the TPM's.

Oh, and there's a recall (or is it a TSB?) for the power steering hose recall...Basically, you'll lose power steering. We see this fairly common on all 06+ Impalas, and with the 5.3L V8 wedged in there, it's pretty time consuming to do.

ryannel2003 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 11:18 PM

I can't really describe it. I'll be driving the car down the road and when I go over a small bump or an uneven patch in the road, the front end shakes a little bit and just feels extremely loose. Almost like talking bald tires over a really rainy patch, feels like you aren't in control of the car.

Wow... the steering wheel does make a clicking sound every once in awhile. Its kinda like a "pop" sound, and its really noticeable. As for the TPM, my grandpa has had the car back at the dealer twice for that problem. It's been fixed for about 6 months and fine ever since. As for the RKE, I've noticed its started to loosing power and you have to press the lock/unlock button 2 or 3 times before it registers. Guess I'm gonna have to take it up there to get that fixed, because its really annoying trying to start the car up on a cold morning with a remote that just doesn't work. Thanks for all the help!