Giaga's Impala SS review! Wooooot!

[giagastormer]

Wow! What a day it has been for me! I was fortunate enough to go car shopping with my dad today. It's just about time to unload his 2004 Rainier CXL.

We drove a Lucerne CXS, and an Impala SS. I will do the Lucerne review later this evening....I have pictures too.

First off, the Impala. We came to the dealership wanting to take a spin in a Monte SS, but the only one they had left on the lot was just being sold. So, with my dad's previous test drive of the Impala SS being on wet pavement, we decided to take it for a spin.

First off, the car had less than a gallon of gas left in it. Not a very good thing.

Our tester was "Laser Blue Metallic", which I'm not very fond of. The interior was ebony with the chintzy looking 'carbon fiber' trim. Very cheap looking. Overall fit & finish was fantastic. The lower dash has the same grain as the Lucerne, and I mean the EXACT same grain. In both vehicles it's hard to the touch, unfortunately. The upper dash is a soft, high quality plastic, again with a nice grain to it.

Ugh, the center console is horrible. Looks & feels cheap. The shifter is big and bulky, looks like it wasn't thought out all that well. Surprisingly the arm rest was leather wrapped, a very nice luxurious touch.

The seats were very comfortable, and the leather was of high quality. The stereo was OK (8-speaker BOSE). I wanted to listen to some hip hop/rap, to see what kind of bass it was pumpin'. But, being in the car with my dad, that wasn't going to happen! So the radio would have to do. Overall I really wasn't too impressed, but I'll reserve final judgement until I hear it cranked up, and tuned to my liking, with a good cd.

First thing you notice when you start the car up, the beautiful rumble of the V8. We pulled out of the dealership, and you could just feel the gobs & gobs of torque. Just out of the dealership, we got onto the highway. As soon as we turned onto the on rap, my dad floored it.......

WOW!!!!

Holy crap! This thing is quick! Both of us were put back in our seat, with a huge grin on our faces.

We weren't on the highway much longer. I could tell my dad was itching to test the handling limits on the SS, but unfortately an AVEO was in front of us on the off ramp. Too bad.

We turned into a church, and we switched seats.

First thing I did when I got into the driver seat, I revved that pumpy up. The exhaust note is BEAUTIFUL!

As soon as I put the car in drive my dad said "Nick, take it easy." :p

Just putting the gas pedal down barely, you can feel the pull of the V8. Torque is VERY abundant in this car.

Making a right turn, I put the pedal down about half way.........can you say TORQUE STEER? Good thing I was paying attention, or I would have nailed the cop coming at us! If anyone has driven this car, and hasn't noticed torque steer, you must be crazy.

So we get back on the highway, and I punch it. Again, back in your seat!! Wow this car is quick! Both of us just had a HUGE grin on our faces. I told my dad he would have tons of fun with this car. He said "Yeah, but I'm sure my gas mileage would be *****."

I get off the highway, sitting at a stoplight, no one in front of me. As soon as the light turns green, I put the gas pedal down about half way, and the tires light up! I left a good 10 feet of rubber on the pavement, could have been longer if I floored it. I was expecting my dad to bitch at me, but he just sat there with a big grin on his face.

We pulled into a Speedway, and we switched seats. I highly doubt the dealership would be happy if we pulled in and I was driving. :p

Overall the car is great. What really surprised me is the ride, even on rough Michigan roads, it rides nice. The car never creaks or moans over bumps, and nothing is really transmitted to your tooshy. Brakes are very tight, no sloppy pedal going on here.

Steering is tight, and on center feel is fantastic. Very accurate.

Positives

• Gobs of torque
• V8 growl
• Nice interior design
• HVAC controls are very direct, and easy to use

Negatives

• Iffy interior quality
• Iffy stereo
• Torque steer

Overall I walked away impressed. I've been dying to get my hands on one, and I finally did. It was an awesome test drive.

Watch out for my Lucerne review later on...

-Giagastormer

[CRBoyd91]

I sat in an Impala SS at the Auto Show and was pleased with most of the interior. I loved the smell of the leather. Wow! It smelled nice. When I touched the dash, much to my dismay, it was extremely hard, but grained nice. It was half as good as the Tahoe though. I'm glad you like the performance of this vehicle.

[AmericanRevolution]

Sounds awesome! Think your dad will end up buying one?

[SobeSVT]

Great review Giaga!! I am still wating for the XLR-V review though

[giagastormer]

Originally Posted by SobeSVT

Great review Giaga!! I am still wating for the XLR-V review though

Yeah, unless I steal one, that's not going to happen.

Originally Posted by AR

Sounds awesome! Think your dad will end up buying one?

I've pretty much talked him into a Monte Carlo SS.

[OzoneGTX]

You know, for being such a hardcore GM fan, I love how your reviews are pretty unbiased and your not afrraid to slam the car where it needs help on.

If your dad gets the Monte, I'll be waiting for you in Orlando with the mom's Seville. Let's see how that plays out.

WTF, did i just challenge you to race before I'm even able to drive (legally)??? :p

[86fleet]

Sounds fun.

[giagastormer]

Originally Posted by OzoneGTX

If your dad gets the Monte, I'll be waiting for you in Orlando with the mom's Seville. Let's see how that plays out.

Bring it on........bitch.

[OzoneGTX]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

Bring it on........bitch.

I can hear it now.

"Discussions on street racing are stictly prohibited on GMI. take your unrealistic fantasies, whether meant as a joke or not, somewhere else.

Thanks."

[jro4566]

It's funny how you mention the BOSE audio system as just OK. I've noticed a recent downward slide with BOSE systems lately, my old G35 included. Unless it's not a BOSE surround system in a car, it will tend to lack in sound quality.

[OzoneGTX]

Originally Posted by jro4566

It's funny how you mention the BOSE audio system as just OK. I've noticed a recent downward slide with BOSE systems lately, my old G35 included. Unless it's not a BOSE surround system in a car, it will tend to lack in sound quality.

I heard my friend say once...

"If it has no highs and it has no lows, it must be Bose! "

[SobeSVT]

Originally Posted by OzoneGTX

I can hear it now.

"Discussions on street racing are stictly prohibited on GMI. take your unrealistic fantasies, whether meant as a joke or not, somewhere else.

Thanks."

No. I already did that somewhere else a few months ago. Just take care. Please.

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by OzoneGTX

I heard my friend say once...

"If it has no highs and it has no lows, it must be Bose! "

GM's new Bose car audio is barely better then no name systems in other cars. If you want good Bose yah need to listin to one of mazda's new ones or other imports. Personally though id stay away from bose these days, their car audio is basically junk (besides the imports) and should stick with their in home and studio equipment.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by OzoneGTX

I heard my friend say once...

"If it has no highs and it has no lows, it must be Bose! "

I like the bose in the corvette, but in the trucks its slightly disappointing, now the suvs are a different story, its OK in them. I really want to try out the pioneer speaker/sub system in the cobat ss supercharged though, now thats supposed to be a kickin stereo

[SobeSVT]

Looking forward to hear about the Lucerne, Giaga.