[MikesZ]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

The only Impala version I would rock would be one spec'd for police duty...I find them cool for some reason. Same with the Charger. I like the steelies.

Absolutely!

 

[spd98]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

Generally "cop car parts" aren't what people imagine. While there can be some goodies that we performance minded people would like, for the most part they are there to improve the cars reliability and longevity during "severe" police usage. But that is not generally about high speed chases (very rare) or even better handling or stopping. Making a car better for police service usually means making it better able to tolerate idling for long periods at the side of the road (you license and registration, please) and space around the driver for your duty holster, laptop, etc. It also is very useful to have a cheap vinyl back seat that is easy to hose out after that drunk you transported urinates all over the seat.

Generally speaking the xtra cooling is true. But GM has been putting larger sway bars and brake rotors in most of them as well. It can make a noticable difference at a decent price. I run the Police package W body sway bars on my GP as a DD.

 

[Neanderthal]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

Generally speaking the xtra cooling is true. But GM has been putting larger sway bars and brake rotors in most of them as well. It can make a noticable difference at a decent price. I run the Police package W body sway bars on my GP as a DD.

I've been following PP cars for a long time. I owned a 1992 Taurus P50 Police Package.

Typical promotions over the civvie versions often include some or all of these: Firmer anti-roll control (commonly and erroneously called "sway bars"), greater shock/strut jounce/rebound control, HD springs, bigger and/or stronger wheels, additional ATF cooling, PS cooling, HD radiator, HD trannie components, HD diff, HD alternator & battery, and a GPS programmed to locate the nearest donut shops and cops-eat-free chow parlours.

 

[AMERICA 123]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

Generally "cop car parts" aren't what people imagine. While there can be some goodies that we performance minded people would like, for the most part they are there to improve the cars reliability and longevity during "severe" police usage. But that is not generally about high speed chases (very rare) or even better handling or stopping. Making a car better for police service usually means making it better able to tolerate idling for long periods at the side of the road (you license and registration, please) and space around the driver for your duty holster, laptop, etc. It also is very useful to have a cheap vinyl back seat that is easy to hose out after that drunk you transported urinates all over the seat.

Hmmmmm..... well....... sigh........ yes, and yes and no - and yes but.

That is a bit over generalized and is missing an aspect or two.


Problem is for comparison , is it depends - if you want to get down to the nitty gritty - and some of what you need is rarely if ever discussed or really put out for 'consumption'.

I do not want to over generalize either nor do I want to type what is required here.

So the one that I have personally appreciated more than once that fits into what you're saying but kinda' left out is about 'body' / body frame ... structural reinforcement.

Big topic and again, it depends on this and that about a particular vehicle, configuration, year, and program ande then in comparison to what - exactly.


Here is the thing.

If you have access one way or another...... they are extremely tough to beat in an all around sense especially for long term ownership under typical civi usage.

You cannot ( usually ) begin to touch them on a per dollar spent basis - for 'their' given level of performance within their own product types - and even sometimes outside of that. Especially and in particular with a full spectrum use of the word 'repeatability'. That's what helps to really separate the men from the boys and these products from much civi side stuff.


Btw, as you said, the engine and other durability mods have to handle all the 'extreme' idle requirements - but that is by no means the end of it.

They are always held to a higher standard for their tougher cycle longevity and they most definitely are held accountable to higher durability standards concerning high load high speed pursuit work.

In fact, it used to also include combining the two together essentially for a useful third aspect - idling for an hour or two under arduous circumstance - immediately followed by an arduous high speed 'pursuit' or 'hot call' simulation.

I'll put it this way.

Many would be surprised at the largely negative variance a bunch of civi side product would display if tested the same way or for the money actually run in service the same way. ( They would also likely be surprised by what did 'well' in a sense. )

Well, some will say so what, nobody civi side really runs them or can run something that way.

For the sake of argument - lets just say true enough.

However, essentially what that over looks among some other things is how they will run out longterm - and how they will age.

I want to make clear I'm limiting the above ( somewhat arbitrarily to keep things simple) to those products that are formally pursuit rated........ or....... 'similar' in the better sense. And from within at least a decent or strong program....

A strong program may also get to cherry pick some things as well, and typically has lots of little things not necessarily covered in the typical presentations.

 

[spd98]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I disagree the qualty standards are the same and the engine package is identical. There are not huge difference between them. It's generally "bolt on" features such as coolers, and heady duty suspension parts. When the first generation impalla was created it was designed with extra durability in the engine cradle that was also applied to the civilian verson as regular productions. They DO NOT design police packages to be largley different from regular production. The cost would never justify it, instead they use bolt ons for extra durabilty that often make them simular to taxi cab models.

 

[KingElvis]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

If they are going to use the Bionic Man tag line please get it right. "Better, Stronger, Faster" Nerd hissy fit over.

That review is more affirmation that the business end of this car really was improved a great deal.

Better...stronger...faster. You beat me to it. I own the complete DVD collection. In 1975, if you were six years old, Steve Austin was pretty much your God.

 

[ponchoman49]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

My buddy has a 2012 silver LT with moonroof and no rear spolier for the entire week. We spent the day in it Sunday. Compared to my 2008 3900 LT is feels like a totally different car. There is no way on earth the civilian Impalas for 2012 have the same brakes that the 2006-2011 models had. They feel much more powerful and fade resistant. The steering also feels much firmer and heavier and the suspension is firmer but amazingly not harsher on bumpy roads. The other surprise was how refined this car was. My 2008 is pretty quiet but the 2012 was Buick LaCrosse quiet! Some of this is from the new refined engine and tranny but I'm wondering if Chevy is using quiet steel on the Impalas now becuase it was really impressive in this area.

We averaged 28.1 driving around most of the day with a few stops and most of the miles on the open road and several full throttle runs. This DOHC engine when combined with the fuel economy 2.44 gears does not impress from 0-20. In fact both the 3900 and 3500 feel quicker. But that ends when the revs start climbing. This thing really moves once past about 20 MPH. Passing power has to be experienced to be believed. 0-60 times are far quicker than the reported 7.5 seconds from this test. My 2008 does the 0-60 run in 7 seconds or so and this car feels way faster once past 20. We clocked it at about 6.2 seconds and that was with but 800 miles on the clock. Also noted was that Bluetooth in this car worked better than previous models with much better voice recognition and now shows up on the indicator when in use. The radio is still crap in this car. With the moonroof open you litterally have to turn it up all the way. It is one of the weakest sound system I have ever ecountered along with my 2008. My other buddies 2006 LTZ with the Bose is better but still nothing like a Taurus or Chrysler 300 sound system. It's also hard to believe that this car is still not available with a USB port, telescoping wheel, Bluetooth streaming or automatic climate control to name a few. The leather package is also gone as an LT option so now you have to pony up for the rather expensive LTZ to get that and thr suspension is even harder on that car, something I could never live with in crappy city streets on a day to day basis.

 

[gm4life08]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

My buddy has a 2012 silver LT with moonroof and no rear spolier for the entire week. We spent the day in it Sunday. Compared to my 2008 3900 LT is feels like a totally different car. There is no way on earth the civilian Impalas for 2012 have the same brakes that the 2006-2011 models had. They feel much more powerful and fade resistant. The steering also feels much firmer and heavier and the suspension is firmer but amazingly not harsher on bumpy roads. The other surprise was how refined this car was. My 2008 is pretty quiet but the 2012 was Buick LaCrosse quiet! Some of this is from the new refined engine and tranny but I'm wondering if Chevy is using quiet steel on the Impalas now becuase it was really impressive in this area.

We averaged 28.1 driving around most of the day with a few stops and most of the miles on the open road and several full throttle runs. This DOHC engine when combined with the fuel economy 2.44 gears does not impress from 0-20. In fact both the 3900 and 3500 feel quicker. But that ends when the revs start climbing. This thing really moves once past about 20 MPH. Passing power has to be experienced to be believed. 0-60 times are far quicker than the reported 7.5 seconds from this test. My 2008 does the 0-60 run in 7 seconds or so and this car feels way faster once past 20. We clocked it at about 6.2 seconds and that was with but 800 miles on the clock. Also noted was that Bluetooth in this car worked better than previous models with much better voice recognition and now shows up on the indicator when in use. The radio is still crap in this car. With the moonroof open you litterally have to turn it up all the way. It is one of the weakest sound system I have ever ecountered along with my 2008. My other buddies 2006 LTZ with the Bose is better but still nothing like a Taurus or Chrysler 300 sound system. It's also hard to believe that this car is still not available with a USB port, telescoping wheel, Bluetooth streaming or automatic climate control to name a few. The leather package is also gone as an LT option so now you have to pony up for the rather expensive LTZ to get that and thr suspension is even harder on that car, something I could never live with in crappy city streets on a day to day basis.

I would agree. The 2012 Impala LTZ sitting in my garage is a much improved car over the 2006-2011 models. I had been kicking the tires on a new car to replace a 2001 Impala. I always liked the current generation model and had spent alot of time in a friends 2008 LTZ and liked it as well. I was tired of waiting on the on/off again RWD Chevrolet SS and went ahead and got a 2012 LTZ last month. The motor in it is so smooth and it really books. The ride and handling are much improved also. I would have liked dual zone automatic climate control along with a telescoping steering wheel just as you mention. A USB port on the radio would have also been a nice addition. Then I consider what I paid for a large family friendly sedan in 2012 and can live without those extra toys. If you don't mind a "plain" car you really should test drive it. I think it drives as nice as a Malibu with the 3.6. I did drive an LT model and actually liked the ride in the LTZ with the FE3 better than the FE2 on the LT. Just like 2011 GM HD Trucks all of the Impala improvements happend under skin where they really matter most. It is without a doubt the best W-platform car GM has ever built.

 

[Neanderthal]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I was by the local Chev dealer yesterday responding to a come-on con. I didn't win the 52" TV, I did "win" what appears to be a fitty cent webcam.

There were four Impalas on the lot. You can still get a bench, BTW. I think I like the LT, it has dual zone and the flip/fold back seat. Delete the wing and you still come out ahead, as they charge $195 for the bench and the wing is a $250 delete IIRC.

What sort of cash on the hood does GM have these days?

I recall with fondness the deal I got on my 2004 Impy. $24,000 sticker, 16 grand out the door. That included about $1500 for GMAC (now ally) financing, which against all logic you were required to carry for only 90 days.

 

[Hitman1970]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

Better...stronger...faster. You beat me to it. I own the complete DVD collection. In 1975, if you were six years old, Steve Austin was pretty much your God.

I was four for most of 1975 and yes he was. Still have about half of Season Five to go in my DVD collection and the 1990s TV films.

 

[KingElvis]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I was by the local Chev dealer yesterday responding to a come-on con. I didn't win the 52" TV, I did "win" what appears to be a fitty cent webcam.

There were four Impalas on the lot. You can still get a bench, BTW. I think I like the LT, it has dual zone and the flip/fold back seat. Delete the wing and you still come out ahead, as they charge $195 for the bench and the wing is a $250 delete IIRC.

What sort of cash on the hood does GM have these days?

I recall with fondness the deal I got on my 2004 Impy. $24,000 sticker, 16 grand out the door. That included about $1500 for GMAC (now ally) financing, which against all logic you were required to carry for only 90 days.

I wonder how awesome-saucy the next Impala will be considering it will have four fightin' cylinders (with E-assist!), cost an extra $4 grand and weigh like 600lbs more. Suddenly the current one looks like a great deal if you consider lbs/hp and base price.

 

[All Star]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

What sort of cash on the hood does GM have these days?

When I was car shopping in January, it was somewhere between $3,500-$4,000...plus I had a $2,000 top-off offer. They were practically giving them away.

 

[T'Cal]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I look at the current Impala like I do a hammer. It's useful, uncomplicated, cheap, and reliable. It's a good-looking, nicely equipped, economical, and safe car for a low price making it a great value, something Ford and Dodge have gone perhaps too upmarket from. The Impala is far from state of the art but with its new drivetrain and revised suspension, it's not what you'd call old tech either. I understand why so many people like it.

 

[Neanderthal]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I wonder how awesome-saucy the next Impala will be considering it will have four fightin' cylinders (with E-assist!), cost an extra $4 grand and weigh like 600lbs more. Suddenly the current one looks like a great deal if you consider lbs/hp and base price.

So...heavier, more complex, more costly, more sluggish...WHERE DO I SIGN UP???

When I was car shopping in January, it was somewhere between $3,500-$4,000...plus I had a $2,000 top-off offer. They were practically giving them away.

That's six grand off sticker for starters. I'll have to check these out. Still like the RWD Charger/Chally though.

I look at the current Impala like I do a hammer. It's useful, uncomplicated, cheap, and reliable. It's a good-looking, nicely equipped, economical, and safe car for a low price making it a great value, something Ford and Dodge have gone perhaps too upmarket from. The Impala is far from state of the art but with its new drivetrain and revised suspension, it's not what you'd call old tech either. I understand why so many people like it.

When we get relocated to the Motown-Mud Hens metroplex area I'll have to go test driving.

 

[moebiusfactor]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I look at the current Impala like I do a hammer. It's useful, uncomplicated, cheap, and reliable. It's a good-looking, nicely equipped, economical, and safe car for a low price making it a great value, something Ford and Dodge have gone perhaps too upmarket from. The Impala is far from state of the art but with its new drivetrain and revised suspension, it's not what you'd call old tech either. I understand why so many people like it.

Maybe it's a state of limbo the Impala has been in for the past decade. I completely agree with your "hammer" example T'Cal- because it is what it is and that's why it still sells well- but I think it's a double edged sword because as basic and value for money as the Impala is, it's still missing that "wow" factor that some of its competitors provide (albeit, for a much higher price). I know I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but Hyundai developed its Genesis line in only a few years- their current sedan boasts a RWD V6 as well as a potent V8. But it's not special- it doesn't have the spirit and the history like the Impala has. Or, at least, had.

But it's understandable why the Impala always seemed to have an identity crisis. Some people only care about cost and economy and space, regardless of how it looks when it all gets squashed together. Others however, care about performance, refinement and specialty. Proof of this conflict was the last SS, which despite its fine lines and modest V8 powerplant, felt like it was created out of obligation instead of passion- to please the masses and to satisfy the few. But maybe I'm wrong, since that may be the goal in the first place.

I can definitively appreciate the current Impala- but I hate hearing the term associated to it like "making the most of it"- Instead, I'd rather hear "making the best with the most."

 

[spd98]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

It's GM's version of the Camry.

 

[mikmak]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

Interesting article. The sidebar on the 3.6L engine mentions that lower powered versions of the 3.6L did not have VVT on both intake an exhaust, and cites that as a reason for less power, which I had never heard before (the gains from ~250 to ~300 were generally always attributed to SIDI and the higher CR it allowed). this article from 2003 states that the 3.6L varies cam timing on both intake and exhaust, so I'm inclined to believe the author made an error there. Still an interesting read about the new Impala's improvements.

The HFV6 which debuted in the 2004 VZ Commodore, came in 2 specs: The 175kW with variable valve timing on the intake only, and the 195kW which have variable timing on both the inlet and outlet valves.

The 195 was fitted to the SV6 models and Calais only, backed by either 6 Spd Manual (SV6 only) or 5 speed Auto.
Poverty Spec 175 version ran the 4 spd Auto right up until introduction of the Direct injection (SIDI) 3.0 and 3.6 in 2009.

There were a few little errors though. Elizabeth is in South Australia, not New South Wales, and Holden is not the "performance arm" of GM Australia.

 

[T'Cal]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

Maybe it's a state of limbo the Impala has been in for the past decade. I completely agree with your "hammer" example T'Cal- because it is what it is and that's why it still sells well- but I think it's a double edged sword because as basic and value for money as the Impala is, it's still missing that "wow" factor that some of its competitors provide (albeit, for a much higher price). I know I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but Hyundai developed its Genesis line in only a few years- their current sedan boasts a RWD V6 as well as a potent V8. But it's not special- it doesn't have the spirit and the history like the Impala has. Or, at least, had.

But it's understandable why the Impala always seemed to have an identity crisis. Some people only care about cost and economy and space, regardless of how it looks when it all gets squashed together. Others however, care about performance, refinement and specialty. Proof of this conflict was the last SS, which despite its fine lines and modest V8 powerplant, felt like it was created out of obligation instead of passion- to please the masses and to satisfy the few. But maybe I'm wrong, since that may be the goal in the first place.

I can definitively appreciate the current Impala- but I hate hearing the term associated to it like "making the most of it"- Instead, I'd rather hear "making the best with the most."

If this new Impala is moving up market and will be demanding a higher selling price (fewer rebates from manufacturers and less off MSRP from dealers), then that might be its biggest hurdle. By the time the new one arrives, the current Impala has been around in one skin or the other for 14 years. People are used to it being a large but not fullsized, nicely equipped but not luxurious, reasonably priced sedan. If it goes up market, people who were buying them might not be interested in a car that's demanding a lot more money than the one they bought. And others might not consider it because of its boring reputation garnered from the last iteration. GM has to be very careful how it prices this car.

 

[58482]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

I wonder how awesome-saucy the next Impala will be considering it will have four fightin' cylinders (with E-assist!), cost an extra $4 grand and weigh like 600lbs more. Suddenly the current one looks like a great deal if you consider lbs/hp and base price.

I highly doubt they will be dumping the new drivetrain after 1 model year. I am sure it will have at least 1 V6 option, maybe if we're super lucky a 3.6TT SS version. Not counting on it, but it is possible if the XTS is slated to get one.

 

[Neanderthal]

Re: Review: Chevy Impala Police 9C1/9C3 For 2012: "Better, Faster, Stronger"

It appears there's a $5000 military and $750 USAA discount on some new 2012 Impalas now.