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2000 Chevrolet ImpalaChevrolet revived a famous old name when it issued a modern version of the Impala for 2000. The new front-drive midsize sedan was smaller...
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Chevrolet revived a famous old name when it issued a modern version of the Impala for 2000. The new front-drive midsize sedan was smaller in dimensions, sharing its basic understructure with the Buick Century and Regal, Oldsmobile Intrigue, and Pontiac Grand Prix. A 3.4-liter V6 engine was standard in the base model. The upscale LS sedan got a 3.8-liter V6, which was optional on the base Impala. Both had a four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, power windows, and power door locks. A side-impact airbag for the driver was standard in the LS and optional in the base Impala. Also standard in the LS were antilock braking, a tire-inflation monitor, traction control, and a firm-ride suspension. Each of those extras also was included with the bigger-engine option for the base-model Impala. Leather upholstery was available for both models, including a split folding rear seatback.
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102 Reviews from Epinions.com
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2000 Chevrolet Impala
Author's Review
The title of this is Millie and Me, Millie being the short form of millennium (guys name cars; we just do). For the first Chevrolet series of the new century, this car is a great representation of the efforts of GM.
In looking for my new car, there were many models I looked at, including the Taurus (great off the line, cramped back seat) and Malibu (also great off the line, but interior treatments felt cheap). I didn't even realize that the Impala was being resurrected until, at a dealer, I walked into the showroom. I saw a silver car sitting there that just looked aggressive as could be, and my first comment was, "They weren't messing around with this one!"
I took a look at the car, then a salesman came over and started showing me the features. I went along with it, thinking the whole time that I'd never be able to afford a car that was INSIDE the dealership on the floor, since those tend to be the most expensive and fully-loaded. I then got the shock of my life when I found that the showroom Impala was a couple thousand LESS than the Taurus I saw on the other lot. I signed the papers and got the car less than a week after the very first shipment of the 2000 Impalas hit the dealerships.
There is an old adage that you should never buy a car in its first model year, but this car has provided everything I could hope to get out of a car. It is now a year and-a-half old, and has not had the first problem. It gets about 26 miles per gallon in the city and about 38 on the highway, which is surprising given its size. The trunk is generous, and by eyeballing it it looks like it's about 10% larger than the Taurus' (I keep comparing it to the Taurus because it was a close second, even though I come from a GM family). The radio uses the RDS technology, which radio stations are just now starting to use.
As for performance, when I floor it at a standstill (only accelerating to legally-accepted limits, of course ;) there is no torque-steer, and it flies. The steering is sharp, and is not slushy anywhere in its travel.
Now for the negative. I don't find anything wrong with the form or function of the car (before thinking I'm glossing over anything, take a test drive and you'll see what I mean), but I find a real problem with the advertising. This car looks similar to the Nissan Maxima, both in performance and basic shape (including demo color silver), but the Impala is being marketed to the grandpa who is looking for a safe, reliable car to drive across the country in. The Maxima is being marketed as the preferable refuge for guys whose wives wouldn't let them buy that Trans Am or Mustang. I know the Impala is safe - it looks safe. The biggest problem is that the ads don't touch on the beast inside (they must have saved that for the Monte Carlo ads). It's okay to market to the sedate segments of society, but this car is a kick in the pants to drive, and that needs to be known as well. Plus, I think it'd take a Maxima off the line.
Millie and Me - Finally comfort with teeth
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Design, comfort, good mileage, electronics, curb appeal
Cons: Weak advertising
The title of this is Millie and Me, Millie being the short form of millennium (guys name cars; we just do). For the first Chevrolet series of the new century, this car is a great representation of the efforts of GM.
In looking for my new car, there were many models I looked at, including the Taurus (great off the line, cramped back seat) and Malibu (also great off the line, but interior treatments felt cheap). I didn't even realize that the Impala was being resurrected until, at a dealer, I walked into the showroom. I saw a silver car sitting there that just looked aggressive as could be, and my first comment was, "They weren't messing around with this one!"
I took a look at the car, then a salesman came over and started showing me the features. I went along with it, thinking the whole time that I'd never be able to afford a car that was INSIDE the dealership on the floor, since those tend to be the most expensive and fully-loaded. I then got the shock of my life when I found that the showroom Impala was a couple thousand LESS than the Taurus I saw on the other lot. I signed the papers and got the car less than a week after the very first shipment of the 2000 Impalas hit the dealerships.
There is an old adage that you should never buy a car in its first model year, but this car has provided everything I could hope to get out of a car. It is now a year and-a-half old, and has not had the first problem. It gets about 26 miles per gallon in the city and about 38 on the highway, which is surprising given its size. The trunk is generous, and by eyeballing it it looks like it's about 10% larger than the Taurus' (I keep comparing it to the Taurus because it was a close second, even though I come from a GM family). The radio uses the RDS technology, which radio stations are just now starting to use.
As for performance, when I floor it at a standstill (only accelerating to legally-accepted limits, of course ;) there is no torque-steer, and it flies. The steering is sharp, and is not slushy anywhere in its travel.
Now for the negative. I don't find anything wrong with the form or function of the car (before thinking I'm glossing over anything, take a test drive and you'll see what I mean), but I find a real problem with the advertising. This car looks similar to the Nissan Maxima, both in performance and basic shape (including demo color silver), but the Impala is being marketed to the grandpa who is looking for a safe, reliable car to drive across the country in. The Maxima is being marketed as the preferable refuge for guys whose wives wouldn't let them buy that Trans Am or Mustang. I know the Impala is safe - it looks safe. The biggest problem is that the ads don't touch on the beast inside (they must have saved that for the Monte Carlo ads). It's okay to market to the sedate segments of society, but this car is a kick in the pants to drive, and that needs to be known as well. Plus, I think it'd take a Maxima off the line.
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