guionM 07-31-2003, 03:10 PM Driving up I-5 from San Diego a few hours ago, I came up on a black Impala SS with Michigan manufacturer's plates, and about 5 people in it. I'm guessing it was a press drive.
The thing that stands out most about the car is it seems to have very large mufflers hanging under the rear end, and a set of dual pipes that stick out the back. I hate to say it, but the car looks pretty serious!
Black paint & a different grill changed the B-body Caprice from a bloated joke to the ultimate sinister looking car, and a similar transformation takes place with the new Impala SS. It doesn't look sinister, but it does look like "probable cause". That awkward tall skinny look of the Impala changes to a "10 pounds of equptment in a 5 pound bag" look.
The tires are notably wider (though I still don't like the rims), and the big round tail lights work well with the look of the rear portion of the car (amazing what blacking out the rest of the tail lamp assembly does to the overall look!). From about 5 or 6 car lengths ahead, even the thin chrome Chevy spear on the grille looks pretty decent. If Chevy had designed a different grill, got a better set of rims, and reworked those 3rd rear side windows (like they did on the Caprice to Impala switch in the 90s) the transformation from "yuk" to "yea" would be complete.
As I said, I suspect it was a press "ride & drive", so if you open up a magazine in September on the SS, and see a black Impala with Michagan mfg plates that start 054M..., that's the one I saw. :)
IMPALA64 07-31-2003, 06:52 PM You know I cant let this go without saying something like......Its still fwd.:p
It may outrun my 96, but it gets no credit from me until the engine drives the rear wheels.
Z284ever 07-31-2003, 11:07 PM Bookmark this thread.
Six months from now, someone will get an Impala SS in the high 12's.
bigsteve7 07-31-2003, 11:29 PM Will there be any interior highlights on the SS model? Does anyone know if these larger mufflers have any hint of an audible exhaust note?
My last question is, these should run right with the last GTP's right? If so, cant wait to see one. :D
Donutboy97 08-01-2003, 07:22 AM yes these will run with the previous GTP. I don;t know what the difference in weight is, but it is very close. and there is someone that has a street legal GTP running mid 10's, with no NOS. pretty intense.:bow:
Ted 99 TA WS6 Conv 08-01-2003, 07:45 AM For more on the 2004 supercharged engine see:
http://media.gm.com/division/powertrain/products/engine/carengines/2004/2004%20L67A.doc
· Powdered Metal Connecting Rods
· Ultra-Fast Oxygen Sensors
· PO4+ Powertrain Control Module
· Direct-Mount Air Conditioning Compressor
· Improved Sealing
· More Efficient Catalytic Converter
· Improved Accessory Belt
· Dual-Diaphragm Fuel Pressure Regulator
· Improved Starter
· 5W-30 Engine Oil
· Changes for Common Assembly with new series III V-6s
Ted
USHotRod 08-01-2003, 11:22 AM I wish they would put it out in more than black though. It seems whenever they do something right they hinder themselves by offering it up to a limited amount of people. I know down here, nobody is trying to get a black car unless they absolutely love the color. Its just too hot.
Darth Xed 08-01-2003, 05:59 PM Originally posted by USHotRod
I wish they would put it out in more than black though. It seems whenever they do something right they hinder themselves by offering it up to a limited amount of people. I know down here, nobody is trying to get a black car unless they absolutely love the color. Its just too hot.
I agree.
I hate when color choices are limited.
Same thing with Z06... if I want a 2004 Magnetic Red Metallic or Spiral Gray Metallic Z06, I should be able to get one.
guionM 08-01-2003, 06:04 PM Originally posted by bigsteve7
Will there be any interior highlights on the SS model? Does anyone know if these larger mufflers have any hint of an audible exhaust note?
My last question is, these should run right with the last GTP's right? If so, cant wait to see one. :D
I didn't get a chance to see the interior (too many people in the car, we were all doing about 75-80mph, and I was riding in a lower car), but I'm guessing the exhaust note would be the same as a GTP. They looked the size of the flowmaster I have near the tailpipe of my SC, so it should sound decent.
Impala SS is marginally lighter than the GTP. Even though there's about a 20 horsepower difference between the 2, it's pretty insignificant. Torque is about the same, and that 20hp probally has pretty minimal effect of top speed.
Besides, I suspect that like all GM's supercharged W/Midlux cars, it will brobally have a govorner on it. :(
LT-14me 08-02-2003, 01:00 AM I hate the new impala's. I dont mind the front of the car but the rear is dumb. There was like no thought put into it. no styleing, no craftsmanship. I love the B-body impala SS 94-96. The nice grey leather interior SS graphics, Floor shifter on 96 only. And they are large enough to carry all your friends some groceries and hall ass. The new ones are just Sport Compacts. they have no trunk they have 4 doors but the seats are small and uncomfortable. Its like driveing a 4 door civic. I would get a marauder over a new Impala Anyday
Originally posted by LT-14me
The new ones are just Sport Compacts. they have no trunk they have 4 doors but the seats are small and uncomfortable. Its like driveing a 4 door civic.
Are you talking about the 2000+ chevy Impala:confused: ??
Do they sell different ones where you live??
guionM 08-02-2003, 01:19 AM The new Impala's have 18.6 cu/ft of trunk space, and the B body versions have 20. Civics have 12 and even Accords have only 14.
The only issue I have with the new Impala SS is that it's FWD (Imagine having that blown V6 in in that sized car in RWD form!:bow: ). As far as the rest of the ingredients, for being a 4 door sedan, I'm impressed.
Darth Xed 08-02-2003, 10:22 AM Originally posted by LT-14me
I hate the new impala's. I dont mind the front of the car but the rear is dumb. There was like no thought put into it. no styleing, no craftsmanship. I love the B-body impala SS 94-96. The nice grey leather interior SS graphics, Floor shifter on 96 only. And they are large enough to carry all your friends some groceries and hall ass. The new ones are just Sport Compacts. they have no trunk they have 4 doors but the seats are small and uncomfortable. Its like driveing a 4 door civic. I would get a marauder over a new Impala Anyday
Actually, a lot of thought was put into the rear of the 2000+ Impala... it was specifically made to "make people think of Corvette" with the 4 round taillights.
How did you feel about the high-craftman styling of the 92ish era Caprice before they built the Impala SS variant? Not exactly svelt or elegant....
Finally, if you can't fit your friends in a 2000+ Impala, then you are either trying to fit 7 people i nthe car, or everyone weighs in over 350 lbs!
AdioSS 08-03-2003, 01:14 AM Originally posted by guionM
As I said, I suspect it was a press "ride & drive", so if you open up a magazine in September on the SS, and see a black Impala with Michagan mfg plates that start 054M..., that's the one I saw. :)
Are you sure it wasn't 095M40 :) That's the one that was on the Hot Rod Power Tour. I had to go back and look at my video to be sure.
As an owner of a black 96 impala SS, I'm not impressed :(
formula79 08-03-2003, 06:19 AM Sales and money wise the FWD Impala has been everything GM hoped the late B-body would be...
It is funny how everyone hated the B-body because it was so ugly and now the old Impala SS hangs like a big halo over the whole old B-body lineup...
The New Impala SS I am willing to bet is as fast if not faster than the old one stock..
guionM 08-03-2003, 02:38 PM Originally posted by AdioSS
Are you sure it wasn't 095M40 :) That's the one that was on the Hot Rod Power Tour. I had to go back and look at my video to be sure...
I was pretty sure about the license number, but there was a few hours that passed between the time I saw it & the time I wrote about it here, so it's possible I transposed a number or 2. :think:
Did that one have a gray interior and a navigation anntenna at the top of the rear window?
Originally posted by LT-14me
I hate the new impala's. I dont mind the front of the car but the rear is dumb. There was like no thought put into it. no styleing, no craftsmanship. I love the B-body impala SS 94-96. The nice grey leather interior SS graphics, Floor shifter on 96 only. And they are large enough to carry all your friends some groceries and hall ass. The new ones are just Sport Compacts. they have no trunk they have 4 doors but the seats are small and uncomfortable. Its like driveing a 4 door civic.
You're obviously thinking of a COMPLETELY different car. Maybe the Sunfire or Grand Am?
The newer impalas have a HUGE trunk. HUGE. The seats are great, and you can easily fit 5 people comfortably. Driving the car it feels like a nice big car, not like a "sport compact" by any means. It's a mid-size car, not compact in any sense of the word. The interior is well appointed, although it is afflicted by GM's "Plastic is High Class!" way of thinking, and the exterior is very nice, provided you have an LS model and the small spoiler on the back.
Originally posted by formula79
It is funny how everyone hated the B-body because it was so ugly and now the old Impala SS hangs like a big halo over the whole old B-body lineup...
Excellent point. I think the 91 Caprice was far more unloved than the 2000 Impala when they each debuted, but now everyone remembers only the good things about the B bodies. Actually, the same goes for the original Impalas too. Everyone thought GM was desecrating a holy name when they resurrected the Impala moniker for 2000, but most people forget that the majority of the old Impys were slow, gutless family cars. Again, people only remember what they want to remember.
The only thing I don't like about the new SS are the tailights. I thought the original ones were just fine, but adding the plastic over them to reveal only the four lights looks like crap. It's almost like someone took some shelving paper, cut four holes, and applied it to the Impala's arse. Very amateurish, IMO, like something you'd buy at Pep Boys.
PacerX 08-03-2003, 09:55 PM 1) GM can't build Impalas fast enough now. Sales are terrific.
2) Glad GM did all that wonderful stuff to the Gen III - but it looks like they missed the real problem with the motor - the pistons.
3) GM's gonna sell every one of them they make.
4) Selling Impala SS's means good things for us.
5) I'm still a little bit confused about why the GTP got the extra 20hp and the Impala SS didn't. I'd be screaming bloody murder if I worked at Chevrolet.
Donutboy97 08-04-2003, 07:24 AM 5) I'm still a little bit confused about why the GTP got the extra 20hp and the Impala SS didn't. I'd be screaming bloody murder if I worked at Chevrolet. [/B][/QUOTE]
Because GM makes Pontiac it's excitement division and Chevy it's bread and butter division. if everyone wanted hp, they would be buying GTP's left and right, but that isn;t the case. hey you should be luckey it's only 20 hp, it use to be 40. but the 20 hp can easily be reversed with a few simple mods.
Eric Bryant 08-04-2003, 08:49 AM Originally posted by formula79
It is funny how everyone hated the B-body because it was so ugly and now the old Impala SS hangs like a big halo over the whole old B-body lineup...
Yep - it was a fine example of how a few detail changes on a flagship model can change the whole personality of the line-up, and a lesson that one would have thought GM would have been smart enough to apply when the Wimpala was introduced for '00 (ya know, considering that stuffing one with GTP hardware would seem like a no-brainer).
Guess it takes them about fours years to relearn a lesson that isn't even a decade old yet.
PacerX 08-04-2003, 09:05 AM Originally posted by Donutboy97
Because GM makes Pontiac it's excitement division and Chevy it's bread and butter division. if everyone wanted hp, they would be buying GTP's left and right, but that isn;t the case. hey you should be luckey it's only 20 hp, it use to be 40. but the 20 hp can easily be reversed with a few simple mods.
Still doesn't make any sense. Amoritizing the changes over the GTP volume alone is silly, especially since the GTP volume itself isn't that high and the Buick and Chevrolet can help out.
Regardless of what Pontiac sells, Chevrolet will sell more. Might as well make more money rather than less in the case of these cars.
Now, if someone wants to argue that Corvette and the Cadillacs need some separation, fine - it makes sense. But trying to separate mid/large size, mid-priced sedans is taking this a bit too far.
Eric Bryant 08-04-2003, 01:43 PM Originally posted by PacerX
Still doesn't make any sense. Amoritizing the changes over the GTP volume alone is silly, especially since the GTP volume itself isn't that high and the Buick and Chevrolet can help out.
I'm guessing the difference is something small, like a blower pulley - I'm sure it still isn't cheap by the time you run down two different paths of validation and certification.
I still can't see why they think that a minor difference in HP rating is a great way to differentiate the brands unless they still assume that us consumers are idiots; it's really quite a silly line of thought and damn frustrating if you decide that there's some feature of the Impala that really wins you over.
formula79 08-04-2003, 02:13 PM From all Corvettes are Red-
"Chevy's are for people who have trouble paying thier bills"...
Darth Xed 08-04-2003, 02:20 PM I drove through my local Chevy dealer at lunch... they had 2 Impala SS's coming off the truck and 3 Monte Carlo Supercharged SS's already unloaded...
guionM 08-04-2003, 04:32 PM If I'm not mistaken, they are the same engine.
Just add a smaller pulley, or better yet, a different computer chip. Both cars are speed governed anyway, so may as well kill 2 birds with one stone.
HAZ-Matt 08-04-2003, 06:50 PM Originally posted by PacerX
Still doesn't make any sense. Amoritizing the changes over the GTP volume alone is silly, especially since the GTP volume itself isn't that high and the Buick and Chevrolet can help out.
The new GTP is debuting the 3800 Series III supercharged motor. The Monte Carlo SS and Impala SS get a revised 3800 Series II, which had parts changed so it could be built alongside the Series III. Maybe they could not or did not want to build enough Series III motors to be able to put them in the Impala.
mcsslover1987 08-04-2003, 09:01 PM I saw one at Super Chevy New England this past Saturday. I didnt like the tail light section either. I cant believe Chevy is selling every one they make but they are. I dont really like the looks of them either and dont think I would buy one. I'm just waiting and hoping that they make them rear wheel drive again. But if they are making a killing on the way they are now..why would they switch back?
guionM 08-05-2003, 05:06 AM Originally posted by mcsslover1987
I saw one at Super Chevy New England this past Saturday. I didnt like the tail light section either. I cant believe Chevy is selling every one they make but they are. I dont really like the looks of them either and dont think I would buy one. I'm just waiting and hoping that they make them rear wheel drive again. But if they are making a killing on the way they are now..why would they switch back?
Which brings up my suspicion that the RWD sedan in 2007 may wear a different name, while Impala continues as a revised FWD "mid-lux".
jawzforlife 08-05-2003, 04:07 PM here is the SLP page for the Impala SS, if anyone cares (I know it has been posted before)
http://www.slpeng.com/vehicles/impala/index.shtml
PacerX 08-05-2003, 04:52 PM I think those are the old packages, aren't they?
AdioSS 08-06-2003, 05:16 AM Originally posted by guionM
I was pretty sure about the license number, but there was a few hours that passed between the time I saw it & the time I wrote about it here, so it's possible I transposed a number or 2. :think:
Did that one have a gray interior and a navigation anntenna at the top of the rear window?
They all have grey interior. It had seveal antennas as did the other cars that GM brought so the drivers could talk to each other and stuff.
By the way, why does everybody have to dis the 91 Caprice's looks? Mine looks pretty good to me with a billet grille and impala wheels :)
Donutboy97 08-06-2003, 07:26 AM Originally posted by jawzforlife
here is the SLP page for the Impala SS, if anyone cares (I know it has been posted before)
http://www.slpeng.com/vehicles/impala/index.shtml
thats not the SS, thats the LSX which is a package from SLP that is added to the LS Impalla. It just adds wheels, body changes, bigger breaks and cold air intake. I thought I saw some small engine mods, but I believe all it does is add 20 hp to the L36.
guionM 08-06-2003, 01:11 PM Originally posted by AdioSS
...By the way, why does everybody have to dis the 91 Caprice's looks? Mine looks pretty good to me with a billet grille and impala wheels :)
That's the thing. It doesn't take alot to change the perception of some cars. In the early 90s the press & public ripped the Caprice, yet since the Impala came out, no one has said much bad about them. People have also realized how easy it is to make those cars head turners.
Not every car is popular while it's still around. :)
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