Overview:
Nice styling and handling with reasonable price tag was my first impression of this Y2K Chevrolet Impala LS. Impala is available in two trims: Base and LS. It is considered a full size car but it has a smaller look and feel while retaining the roominess. Its name has been around for over 40 years since its introduction in 1958.
It became Chevrolet’s best-selling car in its second year of production. More than a million were sold in 1965 alone—a record that still stands for a single brand name.
I really did get a good feeling driving this car. It’s the kind of car you’d guess the price to be much more than it is. But moreover it has a feel of more expensive cars. Solid ride and comfortable seating and other interior features to enhance the perception. The interior is not only well appointed, the fit and finish is high quality for the price. I had just come out of a big top of the line Mercedes so the mere fact that I didn’t sense a huge step down speaks volumes of what the car is like.
Brother John had a black 1958 Impala that he wrapped around a telephone pole when we were in our late teens. I remember that car well and can still recall that awesome indentation of what that phone pole did to the drivers side door. With a whack like that you had to be in your teens to survive the blow. This 2000 model doesn’t look like that car but has the same unique character. Perhaps the only similarity is that it has round taillights like those on the Impala’s of the 1960s. But unlike earlier Impalas, the 2000 model features front-wheel drive.
In addition to having a great looking interior it is also very roomy. Friend Ilona thought the back could seat four big people, but it really isn’t made for four. Only three seatbelts. The trunk is also very spacious, but I bumped my head on the latch when I reached in to get my golf clubs. That smarts. Either I’m a klutz or the design lacks something. It doesn’t fold out of the way as well as it could. The door handles also bothered me. You know, the kind that your fingers slip off as you pull it up and out. I’ve always liked the look of those handles, but I’ve never liked how they operate. However, the design if modified slightly can work very well. For example, the Chevrolet Camero handle operates on the same principal but it is much better. In spite of these complaints I could see buying one of these and would recommend it to my kids. They have young families now and developing careers so the looks coupled with the economy make this a great car for the times. It would be great for the working mom or dad. Less expensive to operate than that yuppie BMW and still looks great. For the mom who takes the kids and being a mom a little more seriously I still like the minivan line, like Venture from Chevrolet.
The competition:
Buick LeSabre $23,235 – $27,340, Dodge Intrepid $20,120 – $22,965, Ford Taurus $17,560 – $29,115, Honda Accord $15,200 – $24,300, Mitsubishi Galant $17,357 – $23,757, Nissan Maxima $21,049 – $26,249, Oldsmobile Intrigue $21,640 – $25,020,
Subaru Legacy $19,195 – $24,295, Toyota Camry $17,098 – $25,058, Volkswagen Passat $21,200 – $28,150.
Good News:
Rich styling, very roomy, good performance and great mileage, feel of more expensive foreign cars with reasonable American prices.
Bad News:
Difficult door handles, trunk lid opening could be better.
Standard Equipment:
3.8-liter V6 200 horsepower engine, 4-speed auto trans, includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, intermittent wipers, rear window defroster, theft-deterrent system, AM/FM stereo system, cruise control, center console, power driver’s seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, split-folding rear seat, traction control, dual airbags, a driver’s side airbag, daytime running lights, child safety locks, and anti-lock brake system.
Gas Stats:
20 City and 29 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $22,365
