| Author |
Message |
Steve Mackie
Guest
|
 Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:58 am Post subject:
Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
|
|
Well, mom is up to visit for a while, so I get to have a first hand look at
her new 2006 Impala LT. Here's some highlights:
1. We all know about the "passing" function of the turn signal lever, where
you can move the lever a little bit to turn the signal light on for passing.
Well in the new Impala you can just move it for a split second and the turn
signal will come on for a few seconds by itself. Interesting. However,
what's annoying about the turn signals is the volume of the "click click,
click click, click click."
2. The power of the new 3.5L VVT engine is nice. Smooth, consistent power
all the way up to the 6000rpm red line. It's very responsive while driving,
but I find there is a slight lag when leaving from a stop. For now I'm
blaming that on the new "drive by wire." It feels like you push the throttle
and it takes a second for the vehicle to respond. The engine has a weird low
frequency rumble at idle that some people may find annoying.
3. When driving up a slight grade at around 55km/h in OD, there is what
feels like a slight "bucking." It's when the trans should actually be in
3rd, but it's in 4th, know what I mean. This is very noticeable in my '95
Monte and I thought they would have gotten rid of it by now.
4. The stupid airbag lights! Why they thought this was a good idea is beyond
me. There are amber lights above the stereo to let you know if the passenger
side airbag is active or not. It's ALWAYS on, this is stupid. I'm going to
look at the manual to see if this 'feature' can be disabled.
5. The rear window is smaller than the rear-view mirror. Mom says she likes
it better than the previous Impala, but I find it harder to see out the
back.
6. The leather wrapped steering wheel is nice and all the buttons on the
wheel and the dash have a nice quality feel to them. The radio is nice, the
presets have the station frequency displayed above the button.
7. I think someone asked if she got the "flip and fold seat." The answer is
yes, but it's not what you think it is. The flip and fold seat is the middle
seat in the front that "flips" to reveal two poorly placed cup holders and
"folds" down to reveal a nice arm rest + storage area. She didn't get the
rear folding seats.
8. The glove box sucks. In 1993 she bought a brand new '92 Lumina, since day
one we all hated the little tiny, under the dash glove box. In '95 the
Lumina/Monte Carlo got the nice big one. In 2000 the Impala still had a
nice, functional glove box. For 2006, they are back the God awful, useless,
tiny box under the dash, WHY?!?!
9. Not a big fan of the headlights, they protrude like bug eyes. However I
like the fascia grill look. The overall look of the car is clean and modern,
nothing over the top. It blends in nicely with the rest of the cars on the
road. This model reminded me a lot of the Accord in the way that it's kind
of boring, but nice to drive.
10. There appears to be a lot more room under the hood for working on the
engine. This may be in part because they made it possible to stuff a V8 in
there, so there is a lot of extra room when you only have the V6.
11. If I was to get one, I'd opt for the SS and no bench seat. The
suspension in the LT is a little too soft and the bench seat is not very
supportive. I test drove it on a usual route of mine and didn't feel as
comfortable as I do when I take my Z34 through it.
12. I haven't confirmed this, but Dad says there is an incessant 'clicking'
coming from the dash when the vehicle is cold. It annoys him.
Overall, I enjoyed it. It's funny how whatever 'quirks' of the W-Body GMs
that were there 10 years ago are still there though. Like the 'bucking'
feeling and the odd 'clunk' noise that comes from the body when you pull
into a drive way at an angle.
Brakes are still good!
Steve
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Mike Levy
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:15 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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On Thu, 1 Dec 2005 21:45:43 -0600, harryface@webtv.net (Harry Face)
wrote:
| Quote: | I'm the guy that asked about the fold down rear seat. : - )
The turnsignal lever passing feature sounds interesting. I guess you
just tap it and it blinks 3-5 times. Its Probably for safety reasons so
you can keep both hands on the wheel longer.
|
This sounds like a cool feature.
| Quote: |
You said the rear window is smaller than the rear view mirror. Does that
mean you can see the inside of the rear sail panels and the entire rear
window width when you look in the mirror?
|
I think my GP has the same problem. I also have to contend with my
front dome lights at the top of the mirror.
| Quote: |
How did the AC Heater vent controla work? Is it the manual or automatic?
The airbag light that is on all the time is it just lighted dot or does
it light up Air Bag Off / On? Can you disable the passenger AB when no
passenger is present?
|
If it's like my GP is it's a panel that says "Passenger airbag" on it.
There are 3 possible lights, ON, OFF and a seatbelt indicator. No
passenger, the OFF light is on and the airbag is off. Passenger not
wearing a seatbelt, ON light with the seatbelt indicator. Passenger
wearing seatbelt, just the ON light is on.
| Quote: |
These new features on the Buick are starting to sink in. LAst night I
drove the Bonnevile and the dome light went out when I closed the door
and I swore out loud - What the %$# is that light going out for?
I also had to turn the headlights on manually when I got half way down
the block. LOL..
How soon we forget.
Check to see if the Impala hood is aluminum, my Buick hood is.
Thanks for the Impala report.
Harryface
05 Park Avenue, 32,672
91 Bonneville LE 304,656
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Harry Face
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:15 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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I'm the guy that asked about the fold down rear seat. : - )
The turnsignal lever passing feature sounds interesting. I guess you
just tap it and it blinks 3-5 times. Its Probably for safety reasons so
you can keep both hands on the wheel longer.
You said the rear window is smaller than the rear view mirror. Does that
mean you can see the inside of the rear sail panels and the entire rear
window width when you look in the mirror?
How did the AC Heater vent controla work? Is it the manual or automatic?
The airbag light that is on all the time is it just lighted dot or does
it light up Air Bag Off / On? Can you disable the passenger AB when no
passenger is present?
These new features on the Buick are starting to sink in. LAst night I
drove the Bonnevile and the dome light went out when I closed the door
and I swore out loud - What the %$# is that light going out for?
I also had to turn the headlights on manually when I got half way down
the block. LOL..
How soon we forget.
Check to see if the Impala hood is aluminum, my Buick hood is.
Thanks for the Impala report.
Harryface
05 Park Avenue, 32,672
91 Bonneville LE 304,656
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N8N
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:15 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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Steve Mackie wrote:
| Quote: | Well, mom is up to visit for a while, so I get to have a first hand look at
her new 2006 Impala LT. Here's some highlights:
|
<snip>
what I *really* want to know is, does it still have that annoying
program that has the transmission upshift into top gear as soon as you
let off the gas, making you constantly ride the brakes if there's other
vehicles in front of you, or has that been rectified for this
iteration? Coming from a long string of manually-shifted vehicles to
an '05 Impala has made me re-evaluate my driving smoothness... It
seems like some manufacturers resort to messing with the engine
controls to get good EPA numbers, and GM just gave up and put in the
most economy-oriented shift program possible, driving smoothness and
brake longevity be damned. So to *not* use the brakes almost
constantly, you have to be verrrrrrry gentle indeed with the throttle
(and the 3.4 isn't exactly a beast, either...)
nate |
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Steve Mackie
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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| Quote: | The turnsignal lever passing feature sounds interesting. I guess you
just tap it and it blinks 3-5 times. Its Probably for safety reasons so
you can keep both hands on the wheel longer.
|
Exactly.
| Quote: | You said the rear window is smaller than the rear view mirror. Does that
mean you can see the inside of the rear sail panels and the entire rear
window width when you look in the mirror?
|
Yes
| Quote: | How did the AC Heater vent controla work? Is it the manual or automatic?
|
Not sure what you mean. There are no cables or levers operating the vents.
| Quote: | The airbag light that is on all the time is it just lighted dot or does
it light up Air Bag Off / On? Can you disable the passenger AB when no
passenger is present?
|
It's a big amber light that is ALWAYS on. One for the airbag off and one for
the airbag on. You can't manually disable the airbag, it's auto sensing.
Steve |
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Steve Mackie
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
|
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| Quote: | what I *really* want to know is, does it still have that annoying
program that has the transmission upshift into top gear as soon as you
let off the gas, making you constantly ride the brakes if there's other
vehicles in front of you, or has that been rectified for this
iteration? Coming from a long string of manually-shifted vehicles to
an '05 Impala has made me re-evaluate my driving smoothness... It
seems like some manufacturers resort to messing with the engine
|
Ya, I had the same conserns when I went from driving manual to my '95
w-body. Haven't driven this one enough to see if it changed, but I doubt it
did.
Steve |
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Larry A.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:46 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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I rented one recently - I own a 2001 Impala. The 2006 has much less
room for the driver's right leg - finally had to slide the seat much
farther back to compensate, which was an unsatisfying solution. (I'm
6'3"). Love Chevys, but I will *not* be interested in this model.
On Fri, 02 Dec 2005 02:58:16 GMT, "Steve Mackie"
<stevemackie@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
| Quote: | Well, mom is up to visit for a while, so I get to have a first hand look at
her new 2006 Impala LT. Here's some highlights:
1. We all know about the "passing" function of the turn signal lever, where
you can move the lever a little bit to turn the signal light on for passing.
Well in the new Impala you can just move it for a split second and the turn
signal will come on for a few seconds by itself. Interesting. However,
what's annoying about the turn signals is the volume of the "click click,
click click, click click."
2. The power of the new 3.5L VVT engine is nice. Smooth, consistent power
all the way up to the 6000rpm red line. It's very responsive while driving,
but I find there is a slight lag when leaving from a stop. For now I'm
blaming that on the new "drive by wire." It feels like you push the throttle
and it takes a second for the vehicle to respond. The engine has a weird low
frequency rumble at idle that some people may find annoying.
3. When driving up a slight grade at around 55km/h in OD, there is what
feels like a slight "bucking." It's when the trans should actually be in
3rd, but it's in 4th, know what I mean. This is very noticeable in my '95
Monte and I thought they would have gotten rid of it by now.
4. The stupid airbag lights! Why they thought this was a good idea is beyond
me. There are amber lights above the stereo to let you know if the passenger
side airbag is active or not. It's ALWAYS on, this is stupid. I'm going to
look at the manual to see if this 'feature' can be disabled.
5. The rear window is smaller than the rear-view mirror. Mom says she likes
it better than the previous Impala, but I find it harder to see out the
back.
6. The leather wrapped steering wheel is nice and all the buttons on the
wheel and the dash have a nice quality feel to them. The radio is nice, the
presets have the station frequency displayed above the button.
7. I think someone asked if she got the "flip and fold seat." The answer is
yes, but it's not what you think it is. The flip and fold seat is the middle
seat in the front that "flips" to reveal two poorly placed cup holders and
"folds" down to reveal a nice arm rest + storage area. She didn't get the
rear folding seats.
8. The glove box sucks. In 1993 she bought a brand new '92 Lumina, since day
one we all hated the little tiny, under the dash glove box. In '95 the
Lumina/Monte Carlo got the nice big one. In 2000 the Impala still had a
nice, functional glove box. For 2006, they are back the God awful, useless,
tiny box under the dash, WHY?!?!
9. Not a big fan of the headlights, they protrude like bug eyes. However I
like the fascia grill look. The overall look of the car is clean and modern,
nothing over the top. It blends in nicely with the rest of the cars on the
road. This model reminded me a lot of the Accord in the way that it's kind
of boring, but nice to drive.
10. There appears to be a lot more room under the hood for working on the
engine. This may be in part because they made it possible to stuff a V8 in
there, so there is a lot of extra room when you only have the V6.
11. If I was to get one, I'd opt for the SS and no bench seat. The
suspension in the LT is a little too soft and the bench seat is not very
supportive. I test drove it on a usual route of mine and didn't feel as
comfortable as I do when I take my Z34 through it.
12. I haven't confirmed this, but Dad says there is an incessant 'clicking'
coming from the dash when the vehicle is cold. It annoys him.
Overall, I enjoyed it. It's funny how whatever 'quirks' of the W-Body GMs
that were there 10 years ago are still there though. Like the 'bucking'
feeling and the odd 'clunk' noise that comes from the body when you pull
into a drive way at an angle.
Brakes are still good!
Steve
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Spam Hater
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:15 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
|
|
In article <cLOjf.132697$Ph4.4065246@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>,
"Steve Mackie" <stevemackie@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
| Quote: | Overall, I enjoyed it. It's funny how whatever 'quirks' of the W-Body GMs
that were there 10 years ago are still there though. Like the 'bucking'
feeling and the odd 'clunk' noise that comes from the body when you pull
into a drive way at an angle.
|
Doesn't sound much better than the '05 model I rented in Sep.
Although that '05 got very good highway mileage I found it less
driveable than my '95 Concord.
Stayed in top gear too long on up hills, no cruise control downshift
going down hills.
I'll pass again. |
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John Horner
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
|
|
Steve Mackie wrote:
| Quote: | 3. When driving up a slight grade at around 55km/h in OD, there is what
feels like a slight "bucking." It's when the trans should actually be in
3rd, but it's in 4th, know what I mean. This is very noticeable in my '95
Monte and I thought they would have gotten rid of it by now.
|
GM uses every trick in the book to maximize EPA fuel economy test
results both for CAFE purposes and for marketing purposes. The
transmission programming is thus very much in an economy mode.
John |
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Matthew
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:01 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
|
|
John Horner wrote:
| Quote: | Steve Mackie wrote:
3. When driving up a slight grade at around 55km/h in OD, there is
what feels like a slight "bucking." It's when the trans should
actually be in 3rd, but it's in 4th, know what I mean. This is very
noticeable in my '95 Monte and I thought they would have gotten rid of
it by now.
GM uses every trick in the book to maximize EPA fuel economy test
results both for CAFE purposes and for marketing purposes. The
transmission programming is thus very much in an economy mode.
John
Results sound very impressive. Just one thing about the transmission. I |
rented a 04 Impala with the 3.4 and I noticed that it shifts down during
low inclines on the highway. Does the 06 with the 3.5 or 3.9 shift like
the 04 impala.
Also has anyone drove the LTZ with the 3.9 V6. How does it handle in
comparison to the 3.8 v6 or 3.4/3.5 V6.
Thank You |
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John61
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:33 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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|
wife has been complaining about this with our 01'base. much more annoying in
winter now on snowy roads.
"N8N" <njnagel@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133493359.329199.274040@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
Steve Mackie wrote:
Well, mom is up to visit for a while, so I get to have a first hand look
at
her new 2006 Impala LT. Here's some highlights:
snip
what I *really* want to know is, does it still have that annoying
program that has the transmission upshift into top gear as soon as you
let off the gas, making you constantly ride the brakes if there's other
vehicles in front of you, or has that been rectified for this
iteration? Coming from a long string of manually-shifted vehicles to
an '05 Impala has made me re-evaluate my driving smoothness... It
seems like some manufacturers resort to messing with the engine
controls to get good EPA numbers, and GM just gave up and put in the
most economy-oriented shift program possible, driving smoothness and
brake longevity be damned. So to *not* use the brakes almost
constantly, you have to be verrrrrrry gentle indeed with the throttle
(and the 3.4 isn't exactly a beast, either...)
nate
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James C. Reeves
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:16 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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| Why not manually place the tranny in L3 or L2? |
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N8N
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:57 pm Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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James C. Reeves wrote:
| Quote: | Why not manually place the tranny in L3 or L2?
|
That's what I have been doing, when in traffic. Seems to defeat the
purpose of an "automatic" transmixer, however. Just give me a box with
some gears and a lever to stir them with and I'll be happy. :)
I have to say that driving my friend's LHS is much less annoying,
although I realize that that's a more "upmarket" car than the Impala.
This is why I find Vlad the Impala so frustrating sometimes - I know
that a modern automatic can be done much more smoothly and sensibly
(even though I know Chrysler has been having reliability issues...)
I especially like the way the LHS downshifts for long downgrades when
on cruise; when driving Vlad I either manually downshift or (more
likely) tap the brakes on reflex, causing the cruise to disengage
completely...
nate |
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Eugene Nine
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Dec 06, 2005 6:26 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
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N8N wrote:
| Quote: |
James C. Reeves wrote:
Why not manually place the tranny in L3 or L2?
That's what I have been doing, when in traffic. Seems to defeat the
purpose of an "automatic" transmixer, however. Just give me a box with
some gears and a lever to stir them with and I'll be happy. :)
I have to say that driving my friend's LHS is much less annoying,
although I realize that that's a more "upmarket" car than the Impala.
This is why I find Vlad the Impala so frustrating sometimes - I know
that a modern automatic can be done much more smoothly and sensibly
(even though I know Chrysler has been having reliability issues...)
I especially like the way the LHS downshifts for long downgrades when
on cruise; when driving Vlad I either manually downshift or (more
likely) tap the brakes on reflex, causing the cruise to disengage
completely...
nate
We made the mistake of buying a Chrysler once, the adaptive transmission |
would finally figure out how to smoothly shift on the highway once were off
the highway and in the mountains. Then it would stretch the shifts out too
much and wait too long and lug the engine to the point I had to manually
shift it. Then by the time it learned how to shift for the mountains we
would be back on the highway for the trip home and it would shift hard
until just about the time we got home it would start shifting smooth again
just in time for the stop and go traffic.
Going down the mountain in WV it was downright dangerous, even if you
downshifted to save your brakes it would eventually ignore the selector and
upshift to OD again. By the time we got down the mountain and into town I
had to stand both feet on the brake to stop and by the time we got home I
had to buy new pads and rotors. |
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80 Knight
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:15 am Post subject:
Re: Update on 2006 Impala Impressions |
|
|
"Steve Mackie" <stevemackie@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:cLOjf.132697$Ph4.4065246@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
| Quote: | Well, mom is up to visit for a while, so I get to have a first hand look
at her new 2006 Impala LT. Here's some highlights:
1. We all know about the "passing" function of the turn signal lever,
where you can move the lever a little bit to turn the signal light on for
passing. Well in the new Impala you can just move it for a split second
and the turn signal will come on for a few seconds by itself. Interesting.
However, what's annoying about the turn signals is the volume of the
"click click, click click, click click."
|
Sounds like a neat toy. I hear ya about the 'click click click' though.
| Quote: | 2. The power of the new 3.5L VVT engine is nice. Smooth, consistent power
all the way up to the 6000rpm red line. It's very responsive while
driving, but I find there is a slight lag when leaving from a stop. For
now I'm blaming that on the new "drive by wire." It feels like you push
the throttle and it takes a second for the vehicle to respond. The engine
has a weird low frequency rumble at idle that some people may find
annoying.
3. When driving up a slight grade at around 55km/h in OD, there is what
feels like a slight "bucking." It's when the trans should actually be in
3rd, but it's in 4th, know what I mean. This is very noticeable in my '95
Monte and I thought they would have gotten rid of it by now.
|
You know, I never quite realized what that was in my '96 Bonnie until you
posted this. At least I know its supposed to do that.
| Quote: | 4. The stupid airbag lights! Why they thought this was a good idea is
beyond me. There are amber lights above the stereo to let you know if the
passenger side airbag is active or not. It's ALWAYS on, this is stupid.
I'm going to look at the manual to see if this 'feature' can be disabled.
|
I don't know if I could stand that. I love dash lights, preferably with a
nice color (like the 'Pontiac Glow'), but they have to be useful. The dash
of my car must look like a jet fighter, not a school bus on the fritz. Did
you manage to get the light disabled?
| Quote: | 5. The rear window is smaller than the rear-view mirror. Mom says she
likes it better than the previous Impala, but I find it harder to see out
the back.
6. The leather wrapped steering wheel is nice and all the buttons on the
wheel and the dash have a nice quality feel to them. The radio is nice,
the presets have the station frequency displayed above the button.
|
What buttons are on the wheel for the radio? I know in my Bonnie it has the
full range of seek, volume, mute and what not, while on my sister's '97
Cutlass Supreme, it only has volume and seek UP. No seek down, which is a
pain in the butt when playing a CD.
| Quote: | 7. I think someone asked if she got the "flip and fold seat." The answer
is yes, but it's not what you think it is. The flip and fold seat is the
middle seat in the front that "flips" to reveal two poorly placed cup
holders and "folds" down to reveal a nice arm rest + storage area. She
didn't get the rear folding seats.
8. The glove box sucks. In 1993 she bought a brand new '92 Lumina, since
day one we all hated the little tiny, under the dash glove box. In '95 the
Lumina/Monte Carlo got the nice big one. In 2000 the Impala still had a
nice, functional glove box. For 2006, they are back the God awful,
useless, tiny box under the dash, WHY?!?!
|
LOL Very true. I think the little 'pouch' in my old '82 Trans Am held more
then most gloveboxes these days do.
| Quote: | 9. Not a big fan of the headlights, they protrude like bug eyes. However I
like the fascia grill look. The overall look of the car is clean and
modern, nothing over the top. It blends in nicely with the rest of the
cars on the road. This model reminded me a lot of the Accord in the way
that it's kind of boring, but nice to drive.
10. There appears to be a lot more room under the hood for working on the
engine. This may be in part because they made it possible to stuff a V8 in
there, so there is a lot of extra room when you only have the V6.
|
Room is good. I was working on a friends '89 Caviler last week, and man
there is nadda in that thing for room. Then again, there's not much room for
people either. lol
| Quote: | 11. If I was to get one, I'd opt for the SS and no bench seat. The
suspension in the LT is a little too soft and the bench seat is not very
supportive. I test drove it on a usual route of mine and didn't feel as
comfortable as I do when I take my Z34 through it.
12. I haven't confirmed this, but Dad says there is an incessant
'clicking' coming from the dash when the vehicle is cold. It annoys him.
Overall, I enjoyed it. It's funny how whatever 'quirks' of the W-Body GMs
that were there 10 years ago are still there though. Like the 'bucking'
feeling and the odd 'clunk' noise that comes from the body when you pull
into a drive way at an angle.
Brakes are still good!
Steve
|
Sounds like she is happy with her purchase, and I think it sounds like a
good car as well. Might have to take a look at one when I decide to upgrade
someday.
Thanks for the report!!!! |
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