2000 Chevrolet Impala Review

Specifications

Bulletproof

Here in North America, were blessed with one amazingly diverse climate. On the west coast we get rather temperate weather marked with year-long rainfall in the north and desert-like sunshine in the south, while the prairies get bone-chillingly cold in the winter, and shoe-meltingly hot in the summer. Even further east in the mid-west things get even more bizarre - can you feel the humidity? And the east coast… the perfect storm in waiting. As a result, America is simply not a car-friendly nation. In the snowier regions cars have a habit of simply rusting their way into oblivion, while the prairie summers can melt a cars dashboard into goo. In other words, for a car to function well all across this vast nation, it has to be hardy, dependable, resilient, and just generally tough.

The 2000 through 2005 Chevy Impala is all of these things. From Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine, Chevys Lumina-based sedan has been the choice of rental fleets, the government, the RCMP, and just about every other fleet buyer that needs a simple car that simply works, day in and day out.

Available in only two trim levels until 2004, when a supercharged SS model was added, the Impala won customers over with its simplicity: it came with a V6 and an automatic, and it didnt have a bunch of technical doodads to go wrong at forty degrees below zero, and best of all it had a decent amount of space; a very endearing quality for those folks that live outside metropolitan areas and must thusly spend hours behind the wheel. After all, who wants to spend two hours folded up behind the steering wheel of a Toyota Echo - let alone be seen in one?

The lowest model, or rather the lower trim designation, is known simply as the “base” model. Underpinned by the same chassis as the its Lumina predecessor, as well as the Buick Century and Regal, Oldsmobile Intrigue, and venerable Pontiac Grand Prix, the Chevy Impala made no sporting aspirations. As such, the base model came equipped with a 3.4L V6 that produced a meager 180 horsepower; just enough not to be completely embarrassed when taking off from the stoplight. Thankfully, the rather archaic OHV V6 still managed to crank out 205 lb-ft of torque, meaning it had enough twisting force to carry a driver and full load of passengers (often perps) up any hill without complaint.

Accompanying this base engine in the base car was a base suspension that accented softness over feedback, so you can expect any base model Impala to have certain “floaty” tendencies, although they still supply decent grip, even when pitching and rolling around on uneven pavement. Also worth mentioning is the fact that this, along with all Impalas, received new wiring harnesses that are, once again, simplified in both their manufacturing process and final product. This simpler, more effective electrical system is a big part of why these cars are so resilient to all our different climes.

Standard 16-inch wheels and tires help supply a modicum of road feel through the steering wheel, and the brakes are rated for heavy duty use (as they are used in the RCMP cruisers), so you can bet that they perform fairly well too. Another nifty carry-over from police models is a coolant-loss recovery system that allows you to run for an additional 50 miles even if youve lost all coolant. A tire inflation monitor, traction control, ABS brakes and an upgraded suspension were also optional on the base level Impala in 2002, and all came with the 3.8L V6 engine option.

Inside, the base model is quite different from the LS in that it seats six thanks to a front bench seat. Rolling out the factory door with power windows, locks, and more in standard trim, the base model can also be optioned out with many of the same features as the LS, including a cassette player.

The standard model comes with an AM/FM radio that changes the clock time automatically as you traverse time zones, power seats, and a sunroof. A leather interior was optional on both models, and that included a split folding rear seat, giving the already-large trunk even more room for excess baggage. A stiffer chassis blesses both the base and LS with a quieter ride that is less rattle-and-squeak prone that previous Chevys, although tire noise on rough pavement is pronounced.

OnStar made its appearance in 2001 as an option of base models (and was made standard in 2004 on all models), and 2002 saw the addition of dual zone climate control and a cassette player as standard equipment for base models.

The last change worth noting in the base Impalas lifespan is the addition of keyless entry to the list of standard features in 2003; something to consider when shopping for one, given keyless entry has been known to help a car maintain its resale value better than you would think.

The upscale LS model is really not all that different from the base. The powertrain is largely identical, with the same four-speed automatic transmission (which coincidentally is known for being stuck in park due to having an interlock cable thats too long, so check this on any potential cars before checking anything else), although the LS did include the same 3.8L V6 that was optional on the base model as standard equipment.

As a result, the LS also came standard with the 3.8L base model goodies; tire inflation monitor, traction control, and ABS brakes. Also, the LS came standard with the aforementioned upgraded suspension system that the 3.8L base model received as well. This upgraded suspension basically firmed up the cars connection to the road by quite a bit, lending the 3,400 pound sedan more confidence when cornering by reducing the amount of bobbing and wallowing experienced.

Although be warned, while the Impala is considered to be quite reliable overall, if youre entertaining the thought of purchasing one of the 3.8L Imps, be sure to check for smoke, as the engine design was faulty in that leaky seals occasionally allowed coolant to enter the intake manifold. Also, for parents out there, consider that its usually the floating, wallowing, and bobbing motions of a car that can cause a child to suffer from motion sickness, so reducing these movements could potentially help you make those long vacation trips without needing to stop and rest while Junior quiets his stomach down. OK, Im groping for things to say that might be deemed negative, as there isnt much newsworthy (i.e. wrong) about this car.

Interestingly enough, Chevy never felt the need to improve on the LS model dramatically, so it remained vastly the same throughout its production run, and thats excellent news for pre-owned buyers as it means that while the price for a 2000 may be drastically different than the price for the 2004, the car isnt.

Finally we get to the most exciting of all these, the first of the 21st century Impalas: the Impala SS. Added to the Impala model lineup in 2004, the Impala SS took the standard issue Buick-sourced 3.8L and supercharged it, netting 240 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, turning the bland sedan into something of a sleeper. Beyond the blower motor, the SS received monochromatic black paint all over, and special 17-inch wheels and tires that mount to a lowered suspension. Inside, all SS models were outfitted with leather interiors, making fakes easy to spot. Like all models, the SS was and is a safe car, with regular as well as side curtain airbags that are actually optional on base models but standard on LS and SS models.

All in all, the 2000 through 2005 Impala is, excepting the SS model, not terribly exciting. Its competitors from Ford, Dodge, Honda and Toyota outclass the Impala is most regards, and all are built “better,” drive better and go faster. But, for all the ultra-close panel gap tolerances youll find in a comparable Toyota Avalon, they simply cannot compare with the brute strength and overall gumption of the Impala. Itll start on days you wont, and will run reasonably well with even just minimal maintenance, making it a great pick for those looking for a sensible car. And for the more exciting drivers out there, the SS offers most of the same rewards (although logic dictates a supercharged motor will be less reliable than a naturally aspirated mill) in a more sporting package that could actually be described as fun.

Finally, while the competitors may be effectively “better” cars for those not needing nuclear-holocaust-survivability, none of them can come near the Impalas price tag. Well-used ex-RCMP cars have gone for mere hundreds of dollars, and although they have often been abused, they were also quite well maintained, often making them great deals. For those that find the push bar on the front ugly, civilian models are also excellently priced. Hey, can every fleet buyer in the country be wrong? Not likely. The Impala is good, reliable, basic transportation.