Chevy Impala?

[MissKatie]

Would like some opinions on this car. Years 2005-2008. Looking at one RF child, one FF harnessed child, and one child in a seat belt (probably center position).

[Tonya48615]

I had an 06 before my envoy that I have now and I LOVED it!!! Its the only car I'd ever go back to after having the envoy. But with have said that it was a tight squeeze with all 3 kids. I don't miss that lol. No one could ever ride with us because we took up the whole car. It is a really nice car and rides nice. I just felt like everyone was cramped up. When my kids move out (only 18 yrs to go lol) I would buy another! Or even if I only had 1 or 2 kids.

[MissKatie]

As of right now I'm looking at three kids in an OLD Honda Accord... so anything is an improvement in that respect, LOL. So far I'm really liking the Impala.

[TerisBoys]

I had 3 across in a Corsica, which is smaller.

After the Accord, the Impala should feel huge!

[jessclear]

I drove one from Texas to Arkansas earlier this year and was very impressed with the RF install I got with MA in the center - with LATCH. I loved that it allowed LATCH for all 3 positions. Back seat was very roomy, with two adults on either side of the car seat. It also got great highway mileage. I made it from Fort Worth to Hot Springs on one tank of gas. I think it would be a good option for you if you find a good deal.

[mommaon112903]

Hubby has an '04 Impala, and if you lived close enough we would gladly sell it to you :D

Highway driving is a DREAM but we do not do much of that, so it is a gas guzler for us. The stupid thing only gets 24miles/gallon here in town, where my Accord can get 30-32 in town.

I drive an '05 Accord, and I do agree that the Impala is MUCH roomier than my Accord.

We could be Honda spoiled as we have owned a CRV, Civic, Fit and the Accord. Hubby was in a pinch and needed his own car, the Impala was available in our price range so the Impala it was.

[NannyMom]

I had 2008 and 2009 as rental cars. I loved it :) If I were to buy a car today, that would be it. It's a dream for 3 across. Nice big flat seat. 3 sets of LATCH. Side curtain air bags. I had the Scenera pretty reclined behind the driver and still had plenty of room (Sofi is in the impala in my avi pic).

After fighting with 3 across in DadBoss' 2009 Accord (whichw e still haven't finished), I wish he'd bought an Impala.

I've had:
GN/FF RN/ RF Scenera
GN/ PW/ RF Scenera

[Jeanum]

FYI, the 2006 model was the first year of the Impala's current design with standard side curtain airbags if you're aiming to get a car with side curtain airbags: http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?logtype=6&section=summary&aff=national&call=&makeid=9&modelid=89&year=2006 We also drove an 2007 Impala rental on vacation a couple years ago and found it quite carseat friendly for our RF Scenera and Safeguard Go we used as travel seats, although I remember fishing around a bit to reach the lower LATCH anchors in the bight. The rear headrests in the 2006 and newer Impalas might also pose a challenge for some FF installations so definitely try before you buy if possible.

[MissKatie]

The rear headrests in the 2006 and newer Impalas might also pose a challenge for some FF installations so definitely try before you buy if possible.

Are they the kind that tilt forward a bit? Not removable? I have A in the GN so I could see that being a problem since it adjusts so high. I'd love side curtain air bags though. I'll definitely try my seats in anything I consider buying... although I think A is going to go into a Vivo after the GN, and I don't have one of those right now.

[Jeanum]

Yes, IIRC, they're tilted a bit forward and fixed but not to the degree of say the headrests in a Jeep Commander. :twocents: Nannymom did post earlier in the thread about Nautilus and FF Radian installations in '08 and '09 Impala models, so that's encouraging. :)

[NannyMom]

Are they the kind that tilt forward a bit? Not removable? I have A in the GN so I could see that being a problem since it adjusts so high. I'd love side curtain air bags though. I'll definitely try my seats in anything I consider buying... although I think A is going to go into a Vivo after the GN, and I don't have one of those right now.

The headrests do tilt forward slightly and are not moveable. But, they are very squashy. I didn't have a problem with the GN, RN, or PW. I had the GN installed outboard. RN center and PW center. But, I think all the headrests were the same.

The LATCH was a PITA to get to now that ya mention it. But that may have been because last time I had a badly injured finger I didn't want to make it worse (try doing deep lower anchors w/o using your index finger).

[rxmommy]

We had a 2005 Impala before our current car (Rendezvous). We upgraded when we got a dog lol.

It was plenty roomy for an adult between a RF and FF seat. But when DH really, really wanted #3 we needed more cargo room. For trips and such. For driving around town (better gas mileage!) my Impala was perfect. Sometimes I miss driving a car (mainly because my vehicle now has the same engine and it's so much heavier, so it's a dog!).

My SIL has had a few problems w/ their Impala, but it was an '07.

[MissKatie]

We had a 2005 Impala before our current car (Rendezvous). We upgraded when we got a dog lol.

It was plenty roomy for an adult between a RF and FF seat. But when DH really, really wanted #3 we needed more cargo room. For trips and such. For driving around town (better gas mileage!) my Impala was perfect. Sometimes I miss driving a car (mainly because my vehicle now has the same engine and it's so much heavier, so it's a dog!).

My SIL has had a few problems w/ their Impala, but it was an '07.

Do you happen to know what problems your SIL had? What year I want is still kind of up in the air based on pricing, but I had always assumed newer is better.

[Morganthe]

DH & I rented a Chevy Impala twice in 2006 & in 2008. If I liked big heavy American cars, I'd buy it :) First Maxi-cosi Priori, then Radian ff without any trouble in center rear. Two adults sat on either side in comfort.

HUGE effing trunk! :eek: It would be the perfect Yakuza car if it was in black. Plenty of space for bodies in the plural in that thing. ;) Which is good because we had loads of stuff.

Handled Seattle traffic & freeway interchanges without much issue. The one thing I had in common with both models was a hesitation and then forceful accelleration to reach merging speeds. Probably had a lot to do with being rear wheel drive. My mom in the back seat thought I was lead footed on the gas pedal, when I really wasn't. It was just how everything worked in it. :shrug-shoulders:

Have to say that it continues to be my favorite US model & make to drive. :thumbsup:

[Jeanum]

Psst, the Impala has been a front-wheel drive model since the 2000 model year. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Impala

[Morganthe]

Psst, the Impala has been a front-wheel drive model since the 2000 model year. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Impala

Interesting. :D I had absolutely no idea. (obviously :rolleyes: )


Then the two separate year Impalas really had no excuse for those pause/surge incidents other than design. :(

[Jeanum]

I didn't notice the hesitation in the '07 model we rented in Orlando, but then again I didn't get that much of a chance to really punch it in traffic there, either. ;) Perhaps the SS version would resolve the problem. :D Then again, I really wouldn't recommend an Impala SS for the OP due the climbing gas prices and additional insurance premium the Impala SS would surely cost her. SS=$$ in more ways than one. :o

[NannyMom]

I didn't notice the hesitation in the '07 model we rented in Orlando, but then again I didn't get that much of a chance to really punch it in traffic there, either. ;) Perhaps the SS version would resolve the problem. :D Then again, I really wouldn't recommend an Impala SS for the OP due the climbing gas prices and additional insurance premium the Impala SS would surely cost her. SS=$$ in more ways than one. :o

What's the SS?

I don't remember noticing hesitation in the Impalas I rentsed (08, 09).

[Jeanum]

It stands for Super Sport, it's a performance version of the Impala with a V8 engine (300+ hp) and sport tuned suspension, etc.: http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-impala-ss.html Other Chevy models are available in SS versions, too, like the Cobalt and HHR but GM is phasing out most of the SS versions according to this article: http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009/05/gm_drops_ss_versions_of_the_im.html