2005 Chevrolet Impala

Huge trunk, plus rear seats fold down. We gain 5 years, went from a Caddy SLS to a Chevy. We did gain 4 to 5 MPG. Ave. over 26 MPG in the mountains. But we do miss the little Caddy things. Esp. the compass and outside air temp.

I've owned the 2002 from 30k, it now has 210k. My driving condition is generally interstate but I do travel in town often. I average around 21 mpg city and 27-31 hwy. These cars are more than reliable. I have never garaged the car and IL. winters are sometimes brutal. I had to have the trans replaced around 40k under warranty. Other than a slight problem with the dash lights and a replacement cat converter, no other real problems. The key to a long life is slick 50 with every oil change, the Impala's love this stuff. I've just purchased an '05 SS so suffice it to say, I really dig these cars. The SS is very responsive as well as style conscious and sporty. You really can't go wrong with this American icon. Good luck.

THIS IS MY SECOND "W" BODY IMPALA. I WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL LATE OCTOBER OR EARLY NOVEMBER TO PURCHASE A 2007 PROGRAM CAR BUT THIS WAS JUST TO GOOD ADEAL TO PASS UP. I BASICALLY PAID ONE HALF OF WHAT THE CAR COST NEW INCLUDING THE shipping TO GET IT FROM MY 2002 HAS 180,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND STILL RUNS VERY WELL. MY REASON FOR BUYING THE 2005 IS I USE MY CAR FOR BUSINESS AND THE 2002 IS FULLY DEPRECIATED FOR TAX PURPOSES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. I NORMALLY GET 21-24 MPG AROUND TOWN AND 26-32 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. I DID REPLACE A TRANSMISSION AT 79K BUT THAT WAS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED SEPERATLY. THE CATYLITIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AT MY EXPENSE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST ONE WAS A REMAN UNIT WITH A 12K WARRANTY (IT WENT OUT WITH 30K ON IT) AND THE SECOND ONE IS A NEW PART WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY. THE RACK AND PINION WAS ALSO REPLACED WITH THE NEW POWER STEERING PUMP AT 174K. FOR ADDED PERFORMANCE AND FUEL ECONOMY I ADDED A COLD AIR INTAKE, DUAL EXHAUSTS WITH 40 SERIES FLOWMASTERS, MSD IGNITION COILS, IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS, AND TAYLOR 8MM HIGH PERFORMANCE IGNITION WIRES. I HAVE ALSO ADDED 17" WHEELS ALONG WITH DRILLED AND SLOTTED ROTORS WITH EBC RED STUFF BRAKE PADS. THESE MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HOW QUICKLY THE CAR STOPS. NO FADING AND BEST OF ALL THE ROTORS HAVE YET TO WARP UNLIKE THE STOCK ONES DID EVERY 12-15K. I GUESS I WOULD ADD THAT THE BULK OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY MILES SO I CAN NOT SPEAK ABOUT HOW THE CAR WOULD HOLD UP IN DAILY STOP AND GO DRIVING.