Test Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Impala LTZ E85

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

It's a very good looking car, ZZZZZZZ all you want, it's bread and butter sedans and their profits that make the low volume stuff like the CTS V and ZR1 possible. Dream about the glory days all you want, yes there were 396 and 427 Impala SS available but the car that made Chevrolet money and that the majority of customers bought was closer to todays Impala that some might care to imagine, or "whats so exciting about a 4 door 283 2 barrel 2 speed Powerglide Impala sedan that they sold millions of through the 60's"

Add also, some rare Impala including the Super Sport trim with ...the 6-cyl engine who was more popular in the Biscayne and Bel Air line-ups. (Ford and Plymouth also had once a 6-cyl version in their Galaxie/LTD and full-size Fury around the same era)

Odd that this Canadian publication makes a big deal out of the E85 compatibility. There are only 3 stations in Canada and they're all in Ontario.

maybe a big push to boost the popularity of E85 in Canada

[chevydlrmn]

This car is a great value. It is possiblt that there is no better value than this. This Loaded LTZ that was tested can be bought new for around 25k!

[logansowner]

Originally Posted by chevydlrmn

This car is a great value. It is possiblt that there is no better value than this. This Loaded LTZ that was tested can be bought new for around 25k!

Musty be some hefty rebates on that puppy then, because that car loaded is almost 29k in the US.

Of course it's 36 grand here, even though our money is worth more... oh well.

[regfootball]

Originally Posted by chevydlrmn

This car is a great value. It is possiblt that there is no better value than this. This Loaded LTZ that was tested can be bought new for around 25k!

wait a year and you can get it for half that!

j/k ,)

[dindak]

Originally Posted by osv_alero

The Impala is even more compelling when buying used. As a new car, well . . . The depreciation is pretty steep.

I may go for a 1 year old low mileage. Problem is, if you need a loan you get 0% for 60 with new and 6-7% for a used so you gain nothing unless you can get a really good deal.

In Canada you also still get a $1000 government rebate for 2008 flex-fuel cars, Impala included.

[dindak]

$1000 government rebate on the 3.5L and 3.9L

http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environ...ligibility.htm

[SAngelo]

After looking at the photo of this LTZ's interior, they either changed it or I have second thoughts because I think it does look very nice. The dash looks much better in Ebony as opposed to the lighter colors. The brushed aluminum looks good with this color and so does the faux wood. However, I think the center stack would look better if the radio was also silver so the whole stack is one color but it still looks good. One thing they do need to add though and this was definitely the work of the beancounters and that is the lack of a gear indicator on the shifter. You have to look at the gauges to find your gears. Why the hell does GM continue to do this. Its almost like they put the interior together and forgot to add gear indicators to the shifter. PLEASE ADD THIS GM FOR 2009.

The other thing they mentioned is this car needs a 6 speed automatic which would improve gas mileage and smoothness. Since the new Impala is up in the air, please, please for 2009 add the 6 speed automatic to atleast the LTZ and the SS trim. Also, maybe the LTZ could get the 3.6 DI engine with cylinder deactivation too. I would also give this car Navigation as an option and maybe improve the crs turning circle. These changes will keep this car competitive with its smaller wonderful Malibu. Come on GM !!!! Please commment all.

[Gm786]

Definitely a solid car. No wonder why its still one of the top selling cars on the road.

[5.3Avalanche]

Originally Posted by logansowner

He mentions it, hardly "making a big deal". There are no hydrogen stations here either, but that shouldn't stop development of the cars.

The title of the article. "E85 LTZ" and the means that the impala engine was better than the accord was that it had E85 capability - in the first paragraph. If this was an american article it would make more sense to me that E85 was an advantage. I'm not denying that E85 is great but it would be nice to at least have the option to buy the fuel. As for your comment about hydrogen stations, I totally agree with you but that comment is irrelevent with respect to this article. The article was reviewing a vehicle for the average consumer. It's like buying solar panels for the roof of your house and never having the sun shine. It may be great technology, but absolutely useless if the sun doesn't shine (like northern Canada in the winter). That was my point. E85 capability is useless in Canada right now, which I figured out after I bought my truck and then couldn't find a station.

[DMD]

There is really nothing to be disappointed about with this car. I love the modern sophisticated engine with E85 capability, cyclinder deactivation and variable valve timing. There are those people that will want a car that gets mid thirties or higher gas mileage but this car offers many benefits without the omission of anything. I love the looks. I love the sophisticated engine. I love the room inside the cabin and trunk, also the fit and finish is really really nice. Reasonable price, good power, well equipped. It does all things very well. If I didn't have the needs of a medium sized crossover I would get one without thinking twice about it. I have driven one a couple times while on vacation. A friend of mine bought a 2007 with my advice. She loves it.

I wish more people would consider a really nice car like this instead of a Japanese car. If people would just look at something like this seriously for a half hours time in a show room GM would be gaining marketshare instead of losing it.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

2008 Impala LTZ

[dindak]

Originally Posted by SAngelo

After looking at the photo of this LTZ's interior, they either changed it or I have second thoughts because I think it does look very nice. The dash looks much better in Ebony as opposed to the lighter colors. The brushed aluminum looks good with this color and so does the faux wood. However, I think the center stack would look better if the radio was also silver so the whole stack is one color but it still looks good. One thing they do need to add though and this was definitely the work of the beancounters and that is the lack of a gear indicator on the shifter. You have to look at the gauges to find your gears. Why the hell does GM continue to do this. Its almost like they put the interior together and forgot to add gear indicators to the shifter. PLEASE ADD THIS GM FOR 2009.

The other thing they mentioned is this car needs a 6 speed automatic which would improve gas mileage and smoothness. Since the new Impala is up in the air, please, please for 2009 add the 6 speed automatic to atleast the LTZ and the SS trim. Also, maybe the LTZ could get the 3.6 DI engine with cylinder deactivation too. I would also give this car Navigation as an option and maybe improve the crs turning circle. These changes will keep this car competitive with its smaller wonderful Malibu. Come on GM !!!! Please commment all.

A 6-speed and the 3.6L will almost certainly be part of the new Impalas, front or rear drive.

The one thing I don't care for in the current models is the steering wheel, kind of ugly in my opinion. Malibu has it right.

[joemac]

Originally Posted by tallpaul

I have a 2008 ltz. love the car but the fuel mileage stinks.Hi way driving and around town doesnt meet
the mileage requirements that gm gives these w bodys. But i do like the better ride since the ltz has 18 inch tires.

GM doesn't provide the city/hwy MPG ratings, the EPA (your tax dollar) is responsible for that.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by joemac

GM doesn't provide the city/hwy MPG ratings, the EPA (your tax dollar) is responsible for that.

Although GM doesn't provide the mileage estimates, the company features the EPA estimates in their advertising.

My 2008 Impala LTZ (using regular gasoline, not E-85) does not get close to the estimates provided on the window sticker - despite the fact that 2008 models received revised, lowered mileage estimates.

[ponchoman49]

Originally Posted by 1999 White C5 Coupe

Although GM doesn't provide the mileage estimates, the company features the EPA estimates in their advertising.

My 2008 Impala LTZ (using regular gasoline, not E-85) does not get close to the estimates provided on the window sticker - despite the fact that 2008 models received revised, lowered mileage estimates.

My buddy had a 2007 3LT that he purchased used with 30K miles which features the same 3900 engine and 3.29:1 gears as the LTZ with the only differnce being the 18" rubber vs his 17" tires. He usually saw 22-23 as an average and up to 28 on pure highway runs and that was with the engine seldom in 3 cylinder mode going 75-80 MPH. Give yours time to break in more and see if it gets better. Are you in a high altitude area or does your gas contain higher levels of Ethonal?