2001 Chevrolet Impala Base review from North America

A few weeks after it was purchased, I didn't have good traction in the back (older tires) and the brakes were making a lot of grinding noises. The brakes were replaced, as were the tires. Total: $675.

In December, in a heavy snow/ice storm, my right windshield wiper must have stripped something, because it stopped having full rotation and seemed really loose. After a couple weeks of heavy snow it just stopped working, but I haven't gotten it fixed because it hasn't presented a problem because its on the right hand side. Its probably the transmission arm, and should cost me 150 or so to replace.

Overall, I am very happy with this car.

It is somewhat powerful, drives like a boat but can handle windy back roads like a sports car.

It is great in snow, mostly because of its high weight and power coupled with the traction control.

It has a great sound system, I have 4 speaker system (2 5&1/2 3 ways in front, and 2 200 watt 6x9s in back.) Coupled with an aftermarket Kenwood radio, they are perfect, with great low levels for the rap songs, and great high levels for the other stuff.

It is a very strong car, meaning I have gotten into a couple smashups in it that would have totaled any other car, basically because of the aluminum frame. One was a 45 degree hit on a curb with the left front wheel, going about 30 mph. Frame protected the whole thing, but the wheel, tie rod, control arm, knuckle, basically the whole suspension was done. Without the aluminum frame it would have crumbled.

It is a great highway driver, easily getting up to speed to merge onto a fast freeway, and cruising comfortably between 90 mph and 110 mph. Top speed from my experiments is at least 120 mph.

Only qualms I have about it are the automatic transmission basically sucks, in the winter and on way back roads (e.g. hills, tight turns) I have the transmission in either 1/2/ or 3 because the tranny does not know how to downshift when it needs to. So I do it.

Also, the lights will not turn off when the car is on, just a pet peeve of mine that I can't sit somewhere with my car on and lights off at night.