Window Shopping?

[MostMint]

I'm looking at this 08 Impala SS:

Link to Andy's car on dealer's website

If the URL does not work, its at Lambert in Akron, has 14000 miles, asking $19,994. I'm thinking I can get it out the door under $20000. Probably sell the Lumina and the Vette.

Not sure if I'm serious, but wanted to talk about it.

[ttamrettus]

I think you would look good in it.

Here are the reasons.

A. It would be under warranty for a while (unlike the vette and the Lumina), so you wouldn't HAVE to work on it. A/C bearings, etc. etc.
B. It would allow you to work on the firebird, since Dave and Mark will both be going FAST this summer.
C. It's probably as fast or faster than the vette, the gas mileage probably won't differ much. It's an SS, so you'll use the GO pedal.
D. White is the new black.

My vote is pull the trigger.

[MostMint]

always liked white regardless of whats popular.

got more info:

from carfax, this car was a rental, title issued 6/29/07, dealer bought it at auction on 1/24/08

its about .6 faster than the Vette in the 1/4, at least based on this Car and Driver write up for the 06 version: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot ... age-4.html

[Basement Paul]

I've driven a V8 Impala like that and they're pretty cool. The motors are a little too quiet, but the car does pull like crazy and when provoked, can leave 50 ft black marks on the tarmac. The car could use a better gear ratio since first gear will go 50 mph though. I believe that should be about a 14.1 second car according to all I've read, and the motor is bullet proof.
Buick makes a LaCross Super that would be the same drivetrain that might be looking into. $20000 would be a really good deal for that car, and I'm pretty sure the powertrain warranty is 100000 miles on the '08.

If you're going to do it, I wouldn't wait too long, I believe that car will sell pretty quick. Sticker on that car would be about $28500 brand new. Keep in mind though, from a driver of a rental car, nobody treated that car nicely...

-BP

[ttamrettus]

Even though it was rental it still has low miles and the 2008 should have the 100k warranty.

[markss327]

Yea, being a rental, it was probably exorcised quite frequently.
However, in this case, torque management is working to your favor, as it will only allow so much.

I remember a certain test drive with BP, matting it from a dead stop, yields a 4000rpm max until the rest of the car, catches up....

I would describe the Impala SS as a Gentlemans Muscle car.

I'd see if all four tires are worn equally. So, even if rotated.... look for two with significantly less tread than the others

[MostMint]

They have had it for a month now. I am going to look at it here in a short while. Trade in on an 07 w/same miles is 18,500 so it will be interesting to see what kind of deal can be made.

I am hoping the mileage on the V8 and the white color will keep the demand down for this car.

Read a lot on this car last night. Seems it has better gearing than the GXP Pontiac, and is close in cornering, even though the SS suspension does not control body roll as well. There is room for improvement in this area.

Reading owner reviews, lots of people really liked the car. I guess it sounds really good. Main complaints were not enough side support in the seats, not enough visibility out the back with side view mirrors, and a few complaints about not enough leg room in the back.

If I buy it the Vette will be for sale immediately

[markss327]

Pat O'Brien has two white SS's on the lot. (as of 2-21-08) Both rental turn in's. Around the same price.
Worth a look???

[MostMint]

Not worth a look - unless you want one. Though I appreciate the heads up.

I bought this one. They worked me for an extra 673, but the car was spotless. Only flaw I could find was a scuff on one of the rims - someone had curbed it. No dings, no dents, no signs of repair anywhere.

Didn't really stand on it during the test drive, but the suspension felt good to me, and you can hear the exhaust on part throttle accelearation - definitely a good sign.

[ttamrettus]

Congrats.

When I had my 2005 Impala it was pretty trouble free. Boy was I rough on it too, hauling trailers around and stuff. The only failure was a power steering rack at like 60k miles. Everything else was great, seats felt okay, leg room was good, and I had no trouble with the mirrors.

[Basement Paul]

It sure didn't take long to go from not sure if you're serious, to quite serious!

Some pictures?? (and not the ones from the ad)

-BP

[Fred32v]

Just for comparison, the ETC, under the absolute best conditions ran 14.54 @94.96 with 2.193 60 foot.
On a normal day it was 14.80's @ 93mph. On it's worst day that SS will be solidly in the 14's and well over 95mph.
Can spring weather come soon enough. Seems several of us have an itch to scratch.

[MostMint]

I'm picking it up on Wednesday. Just had to "do the deal".

I should've given it one more day - Mark's tip about Pat O'Brien might have given me enough leverage to save the extra $673 - enough for bigger pipes or flowmasters or something.

Never had a FWD with serious power, so I'm sure there'll be some traction issues to address. I'm looking to make low 14's, maybe 14.49, in the cold air.

[Basement Paul]

14.40's will be a bad day. If you do any mods at all it will be in the 13's. That's a pretty easy car to deal with under WOT, but make sure when passing someone that you have both hands on the wheel. Believe it or not though, traction isn't that big of an issue unless you're really trying to make it spin. Those are 18" rims and have a pretty wide tire underneath them, plus the car has traction control (although it's pretty forgiving).

I've heard a Monte SS V8 with aftermarket mufflers and it sounded awesome.

Comparing times with the 32v ETC... this car is lighter than the Caddy, and has about 40lbs of torque more at a lower RPM. No contest...

Congrats again, I never thought you'd do it!!

-BP

[MostMint]

Thanks.

As far as the numbers, I just don't want to be disappointed first time out, so I am going with a number I think is safe.