[Ccddfergt]

I used to have a 96' ford ranger but it was starting to eat all my cash. So I decided instead of dumping $300+ into it randomly I would much rather just spend $185 a month to make sure my vehicle didn't break down. So Here it is... my 2006 Chevy Impala LS.
Nothing fancy, but a hell of a lot better than the truck in more ways than one. I did consider buying a foreign vehicle but the parts cost $$$$.


•
3,510 cc 3.5 liters V 6 front engine with 99 mm bore, 76 mm stroke, 9.8 compression ratio, overhead valve, variable valve timing/camshaft and two valves per cylinder LZE
•
Unleaded fuel 87
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Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 31 and EPA city (mpg): 21
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Multi-point injection fuel system
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17 gallon main unleaded fuel tank
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Power: 157 kW , 211 HP SAE @ 5,800 rpm; 214 ft lb , 290 Nm @ 4,000 rpm

[MeverikcNils]

Nice man. I too owned a 96' ranger, as it was my first car. Drove it to about 250,000 miles until the transmission started to go. Enjoy the new ride.

[Aleenkagirlla]

The exterior is so....boring.

However, those cars will run forever, and like you said, are much more economical to have fixed. The interior isn't too bad either (maybe its just Luigi).

'Grats on the new car.

[ChyFDjfed]

Too bad they didn't give it the new 3.6L V6 thats found in the camaro and CTS cars. 300hp/300lb/ft and it'll get even better mileage.

However, I like the new cars impala's. GM really does make some nice cars, its too bad the union costs add about $2,000 to the cost of every car GM produces right now.

The president of my car club is getting Camaro #4 off the line! SS/RS package 6spd auto. Can't remember what color though. He was part of the Camaro focus group so he saw and drove the cars long before the public did.

[JonDopl]

That is why they gave it the 5.3L V8 instead! Though I know that you know that.

303hp and 323ft.lbs of torque. Same HP, but like 50ft.lbs more torque, as the 3.6L DI doesn't get near 300ft.lbs of torque. The V8 still delivers some pretty decent economy at 16/26 (18/28 Old EPA). Because of the DoD, I don't think that the V6 would offer any better economy, and would just be slower as well.



Congratulations on the Impala. I drive those things all the time at work. At first, they were ok, but now I always am looking forward to driving the Impala, or Buick Cousin. I really do like how these things are laid out. The Impala is ok outside, the Buick is a little better, but the interior is very nice and I love the OHV V6's and GM has some of the best 4-Speeds. You should also get some decent economy. I drove one, and the computer was reporting 26mpg average. Not bad for a large car, mid-sized V6 and 4-Speed. I am sure that number could be even greater with the right driving.


That is a nice low payment you got! Enjoy your new ride. I am sure that you will get to have a ton of fun, especially since it is a cops car and you might be able to get away with freaking people out a little since it is silver. That is always a ton of fun to do.

[ChyFDjfed]

That is why they gave it the 5.3L V8 instead! Though I know that you know that.

303hp and 323ft.lbs of torque. Same HP, but like 50ft.lbs more torque, as the 3.6L DI doesn't get near 300ft.lbs of torque. The V8 still delivers some pretty decent economy at 16/26 (18/28 Old EPA). Because of the DoD, I don't think that the V6 would offer any better economy, and would just be slower as well.



Congratulations on the Impala. I drive those things all the time at work. At first, they were ok, but now I always am looking forward to driving the Impala, or Buick Cousin. I really do like how these things are laid out. The Impala is ok outside, the Buick is a little better, but the interior is very nice and I love the OHV V6's and GM has some of the best 4-Speeds. You should also get some decent economy. I drove one, and the computer was reporting 26mpg average. Not bad for a large car, mid-sized V6 and 4-Speed. I am sure that number could be even greater with the right driving.


That is a nice low payment you got! Enjoy your new ride. I am sure that you will get to have a ton of fun, especially since it is a cops car and you might be able to get away with freaking people out a little since it is silver. That is always a ton of fun to do.

The 3.6L v6 does pretty good. 300hp @ 6400rpm, and 273lb/ft @ 5200rpm. Sure, its not the grunt of a V8, but gears and this is a solid low 13's car. Just as fast as the previous generations V8. I'd love to see it as the standard V6 engine in all of GM's cars.

This engine in my TransAm would probably produce the same performance as I currently have with the LT1, and a good boost in handling as there would be about 150lbs less up front at the minimum.

[WebDocMan]

Pff Impala,..

I got myself a sweet Lama




Just kidding, nice car, tbh i´ve never seen one around here

[Ccddfergt]

Really?
This sounds kind of strange, but what American cars do you commonly see over there?

[Jimambol]

Really?
This sounds kind of strange, but what American cars do you commonly see over there?

Fords


GM has Opel covering Europe and tries to establish Chevrolet as cheap brand (which is a crappy move)

[invasuant]

Auto? Psh.

[WebDocMan]

Really?
This sounds kind of strange, but what American cars do you commonly see over there?

Tbh were i live i barely see US cars,
The US guys from the Base, they enjoy sporting around in their SUV´s, but other than that,
I´d say there are far more Asian/French/German cars here.
Ford´s would have alos taken my bet as the most seen US cars where i live (Focus, Mondeo, Cougar, Puma, Escort being those i see the most)

[LillyPlay]

Auto? Psh.

Manual transmissions aren't even an option, so psh on you.

Who would want a manual transmission in a daily driver/family sedan/freeway cruiser anyway? Manual transmissions aren't even available on the 303hp V8 in the SS model.

Congrats on the purchase OP, I have the previous body style Impala (2000 model year). It's been a great car until recently when the tranny acted up (around 75k miles) and set me back $3000. Otherwise it's just been regular maintenance (new tires, brake rotors/pads, struts, oil, plugs, etc.).

[invasuant]

Manual transmissions aren't even an option, so psh on you.

Who would want a manual transmission in a daily driver/family sedan/freeway cruiser anyway? Manual transmissions aren't even available on the 303hp V8 in the SS model.

Aren't even available? *gasp* That's a shame..

I'd want one - I want to be able to shift when I want, how I want, and not at all if I want to. I don't have a problem using my left leg while driving, and occasionally my right hand, no matter if I was on the freeway, or driving a family.

But that's just me, and I know most American's don't drive manuals anymore anyways. But I say automatics are for minivans, and people with one arm. (No offense to anyone.)

[POMAH_K]

Who would want a manual transmission in a daily driver/family sedan/freeway cruiser anyway? Manual transmissions aren't even available on the 303hp V8 in the SS model.

Me. I've never owned an automatic.

The newest impala is just so... bland. At least the previous generation had a tiny bit of originality to its looks. Now it's just "insert generic 4 door sedan here".

[Ccddfergt]

Driving it is rewarding. After about a week with it I must say it handles extremely well, the steering wheel is thick. That's a plus for people like me with big hands. The power curve is also very good for passing and stuff. The brakes are a tad touchy but good. The interior is much better than what I seen in many cars when I was looking. Seats are very comfy and have plenty of space for tall people (like myself). The gas mileage is also very good in this car. I average ~24mpg @ 80mph on the expressway. At about 55-60mph it moves to about 28-35 depending on if your on a hill or something like that.