- sedan 95,899
- 6,895 overpriced
- DeBary, FL
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- autoshopper.com
- sedan 95,899 red automatic
2004 chevrolet impala review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. More performance, more nostalgia with new impala ss. introductionthe chevrolet impala is a roomy and practical car, a mid-size sedan that handles well, yet rides more like a big luxury car. Acceleration with the optional 3. 8-liter v6 is more than adequate. But for those who want more, chevrolet has added a supercharged impala ss model for 2004. the chevy impala is calculated to push the nostalgia button. By any other name, it would be an impressive, significant car. But chevrolet chose to honor an icon of the 1960s, not only with the impala name, but with key visual cues. from 1958-65, the impala was the flashiest full-size chevrolet, a real working-man's cadillac, tame transportation in its base form, with performance options available to match its sleek styling. Among those performance options, starting with the '61 impala, was the ss, or super sport, package, featuring unique, sporty trim inside and out. The supercharged 3. 8 that comes with the new ss model makes it quicker still. In any form, the impala feels more responsive than the six-seat sedans from toyota, dodge, ford and buick. The base impala runs with a 3. 4-liter v6 rated at 180 horsepower. The more up-market ls comes with gm's proven and highly competent 3. 8-liter v6, producing 200 horsepower. Abs is available as a stand-alone option 600) with the base 3. 4-liter engine. A driver's-side side-impact airbag 350) is available on all impalas. Xm satellite radio 325) is optional on all impalas. Onstar is available as a stand-alone option 695), but comes with several packages. walkaroundthe 2004 chevrolet impala looks bigger than it is, thanks to its upright windows and roof pillars and relatively long greenhouse. The impala is shorter (by about 4 inches) than a dodge intrepid. The impala matches the intrepid in most front-seat dimensions, but comes up a little short in the rear. the impala's most distinctive styling cues are its headlight and taillight clusters, which use a unique combination of round lights clearly visible from behind trapezoidal covers. Body-color side moldings (new for 2004), aluminum wheels and a small deck lid spoiler help distinguish the ls from the base model. on the ss model, the rear light covers are masked in body color, so only the round lights show through. This conjures memories of the 1960 ('62-'63 particularly) impalas whose round taillights were set in bright metal panels. the reborn ss also wears a lowered front fascia with integral fog lights, unique 'diamond-cut' wheels, dual stainless exhaust tips, and a racy airfoil on the rear deck lid. Again, credit the high roofline with relatively vertical sides. The impala's designers also carefully shaped the rear bulkhead, and moved the front seats slightly outboard. The noticeable distance between the driver and the front-seat passenger contributes to the impression that the impala is huge inside. the seats have been re-styled for 2004, with new upholstery for most models. Base models come with a three-passenger split bench seat in the front, with individual seats and a console offered as an option. They feel like bucket seats. Ls and ss come standard with the individual seats and console. Exclusive ss instrumentation includes a boost gauge to monitor the supercharger, and the ss instrument panel is trimmed in graphite. in all impalas, individual temperature controls allow the driver and front-seat passenger to create their own microclimate. The controls have been redesigned for 2004 for a more contemporary look. Chevrolet claims that airflow is better, too, in both heat and air-conditioning mode, although we hadn't noticed that it was lacking before. the impala's rear seating position is comfortable and relatively high, which makes it easy to get in and out. The impala has good shoulder room in the rear seats, but doesn't have as much headroom or legroom as a ford taurus or dodge intrepid. There are three shoulder belts in the rear, as well as latch child-seat tethers. Press the button and a human operator responds, to provide directions and other assistance. The toyota avalon feels bland by comparison. the view out of the impala is good, helped particularly by the small quarter windows that split the rear pillars. The creases on the hood are useful for judging just where the front of the car is, which in turn is handy for parking a big car in compact spaces. The rear deck lid seems high, however, so care is required when backing up. handling is surprisingly quick and sharp. This is not the wallowing, live-axle barge from the 1960s. Yet the ride is well-damped and does a good job of filtering noise, vibration and harshness. One reason is the impala's extruded aluminum engine-cradle subframe, which isolates vibration while allowing for a more rigid structure. A monster dashboard bulkhead made of light and strong magnesium further enhances to the impala's rigidity, giving the car a robust feel. The engine cradle and dashboard structure lock the steering shaft down tightly, so there are no excess wiggly movements. Chevy says a novel link between the steering column and the steering gear contributes to better on-center feel at the wheel. All impala models benefit from anti-roll bars front and rear, hardware associated with sports sedans. on the road, the steering provides good feedback, better than the toyota avalon's steering. The ls we tested felt particularly precise, with its quicker steering ratio. likewise, the brake pedal feels firm and responsive. Chevy claims the impala ls can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7. 7 seconds, quick for this class. There's just enough torque steer, fe. Bucket Seats✔ Power Locks✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ AM/FM✔ Cruise Control✔ Navigation System✔ Leather Seats✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels
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