Thoughts on the new(er) Impalas

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:18 pm

Well, it is almost time for me to get a new (well, used) car. Woohoo!!! This probably won't happen until summer, but I'm starting to look at all my options now. I'm considering the Impala. (Years 2000-2003).

I'd like to get the LS with the slightly bigger engine, but I doubt that will be possible. ($$$)

Anyway, this is going to be for civilian use, obviously. [I'd be happy with a 9C1, but I don't think my chances of find a decent one are all that high.] With that in mind, what can anyone tell me about this car? I've heard some departments complain about them, others think they're great. The most common complaints I've heard are the brakes and road noise (bummer!).

I don't plan on installing all that much in terms of equipment. Probably just an Astro Spectra 800 to start out. I would REALLY like to get a spotlight for the driver's side. I hear these are fairly difficult to install, I don't know if I'd trust myself to do this. Does anyone know if local dealers that sell to public safety will do it?

P.S. I don't want this to turn into an Impala vs. Crown Vic debate. I'd love to have a Vic if I could afford two cars, but I'm probably not going to get one. (To tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind getting one of the '94-96 Impala SS's with the LT1 either.) I want something, well, that doesn't look like such a "grandpa's car." Plus I don't want (or need) the V8 and the extra gas that comes with it.

Thanks!

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:24 pm

I would try to find a '96 Impala if I was you. I would spend a lot of time sifting for one---single owner >55 yrs old. I have see some inexpensive ones that looked ok but was most likely driven by a "hood booger" punk who drove it like when he first stole it.

Still carry a high resale value --- thats good and bad. I almost picked up a 2001 Impala driven by USAF Security-Police (beat to hell but no body damage) for $800. It appeared to have a blown engine (I have sources for cheap replacements) but my biggest concern was the $1300 to ship it from AZ to MI (1300 I didn't have).

USPSS · Post by **USPSS** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:37 pm

$1300.00 to ship it from AZ to MI, you need to find another shipping company. I had a brand new LT1 engine shipped here for my cousin 2 months ago for a CHP restoration on a 1996 caprice, it cost $265.oo on Crete Carrier.

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:54 pm

yeah 1300 was for the whole car...i had 4 quotes

Tech225 · Post by **Tech225** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:00 pm

I know of a guy just below Charlotte that has two very nice 9C1 Caprices.

He has a company called Southern Motors, and specializes in copcars.

[email protected]

I have seen these cars and they really look nice. Will that help you?

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:17 pm

Thanks to all who have replied so far! But at this point, I'm really more interested in the 2000 or newer Impalas. The Caprices/Impala SS's are nice, but not pratical for me right now.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:32 pm

fireradio wrote:I want something, well, that doesn't look like such a "grandpa's car."
Thanks!

Then stay was far away from the whole Crown Vic/Caprices/Impala as you can.

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 7:12 pm

Cam22 wrote:
fireradio wrote:I want something, well, that doesn't look like such a "grandpa's car."
Thanks!
Then stay was far away from the whole Crown Vic/Caprices/Impala as you can.

Well, I don't think the Impalas are bad in that respect... they look much more "sporty" than the Vics/Caprices.

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 7:36 pm

I still have no idea why everyone's so stuck on the LT1 Caprice. The engine has been nothing but a money-pit for all departments that had one. Other than the 265 HP engine, these cars had nothing. They handled like crap, stopped like crap (even with $280.00 OEM brake rotors!) and were severely over weight. It's 0-60 times aren't even that impressive. My Grand Cherokee has the same BHP rating and one liter less displacement- and I guarantee it will get to 100 MPH just as fast as the LT1 Caprice.

I've driven many of these and think they are a terrible car. Every week you had to replace either an EGR valve, water pump, Opti-Spark system, AIR pump, fuel pump, swaybar links, brakes, brakes, brakes, limited slip discs, Part#51 in the steering column, body mounts, rear trailing link points pulling out of the frame, oil cooler lines, more brakes, now rotors, rear axle end seals. These are all common failures on these cars that were experienced by just about every department that owned them. After 120,000 miles, get ready for frame fatigue. These cars were maintenance nightmares compared to the Crown Vic OR the Impala. The garages loved when their local PD owned them!

The big engine meant nothing. If this car came with a throttle-body injected truck engine (like the 91-92 models did), nobody would have wanted them. In fact, the pre-LT1 cars were more reliable.
Granted, the Impalas aren't the best police car, they sure are a more reliable car than ANY LT1 B-body ever built...except for the transmissions when you beat the hell out of them.

I'd take the Impala over the Caprice any day. Then again, I'd take the Crown Vic over the Impala and I'm not even a Ford fan.

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 7:54 pm

Jim - what are you talking about?

I bought my '95 9C1 previously beaten by a highway patrolman and I beat the hell out of it even more when I had it and NEVER had a problem. Well actually one problem......REPLACING TIRES! You could have 4 adults inside, 95 degree heat outside, and the A/C on max and still kick ass. That car today will beat the hell out of your Grand Cherokee. OMG! What-does Chrysler put a "sleeper" engine the cherokees now?

Doesn't the new 5.4 in the F series pickups put out near 300BHP? I would like to see one of those race a '96 USED 9C1. Hey - probably same curb weight, pickup has "more power".....so why does the 9C1 obliterate the strong, more powerful pickup truck????HMmmmmmm.....

I can still remember watching the digital speedo climbing to 150mph...even just breaking into the hundreds the numbers would be racin' higher faster than that "national debt" billboard in NYC (taken down a couple years ago actually).

off of my box now...

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:22 pm

150 MPH?

Gee....that's funny.

The LT1 B-body's PCM initiates fuel-cut at 144 MPH. I guess yours is the "special edition super-duper high speed" model.
Sepaking of digital dash, does your actually work yet? I'm QUITE SURE it has been repaired at least three times if the car reads 6 figures on the odometer. I liked these digital dashes though- they made me a pile of $$$$$ repairing them.

As for my Cherokee.um......I didn't say it would beat an LT1. I DID, however, say that I could get to 100 just as fast as the LT1- especially since I have 3.73:1 axles and all-wheel-drive. The Grand Cherokee cuts at 127 MPH and besides, why would I want to go this fast with a 4x4?
If I want to beat up on an LT1, I have a supercharged 928S4 Porsche (http://85shelby.homestead.com/files/porsche.jpg) that I'm quite sure could do this- espeicaly after dynoing 493 rear wheel HP. And I can stop and corner, too. I also own a four cylilnder that will whip an LT1 Caprice silly...unless your Caprice can run 12.2 in the quarter mile with a trap speed of 118. In fact, the Porsche, STOCK can do 176 MPH, but this isn't what we're talking about.

What we ARE talking about is pure fact. Just beacause YOUR car hasn't failed means nothing. When you deal with three counties' worth of PDs and they all have the same repetitive problems, this show something. In fact, a very good friend of mine (http://www.jimlocke.com) owns the largest police car maintenance and refurbishent facility in Pa. and will tell you the same thing. Pull the maintenance records from any PD that had a fleet of these cars. Not 3 or 5- a fleet, meaning 50+ of these POS cars and they will also tell you the same as per their records. This isn't my opinion or my thoughts- this is based on fact, problems and experience.

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:25 pm

Wow - you must have got the French version. Mine cut off at 154. Time to turn in your UZI.

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:37 pm

Actually, if you own an LT1 Caprice, you need to invest in the Saudi Arabian PCM and camshaft since these are the hottest OEM units. This PCM also was programmed for no catalytic converters, since regular fuel dominates that area. Hypertech also allows more adjustment on this PCM. Last year, I installed a Paxton supercharger on a 95 Roadmaster (same car) and used this setup. with 8.5 PSI boost, 1.6:1 rockers, cold-air intake, no cats, 2 1/2" mandrel bent exhaust and several other small items, the car went a 13.52 ET. Not bad for a heavy boat. It pissed off quite a few 5.0 'Stang owners, not to mention a certain turbocharged Honda owner that got the surprise of his life.

And guess what happened on one pass? It broke! It took out a U-joint about 3 feet into the launch, but no big deal since they were OEMs. A set of aftermarket U's from Jeg's and it was good to go.

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:07 pm

Have you seen any of the newer caprice's they started selling in 2000 overseas? Australian "Holden" sells them with there badge under the with name of the car being "Commadore" (how stupid). I can't remember what model...the Cadillac Catera is similar to a currently sold Holden car...at least its RWD.

I remember visiting the website http://www.caprice2000.com (was taken down in 2002 i believe) that was a genuine GM site. Had all the details. Looked like a super beefed up malibu (and still bigger than the current impala). Had a 300HP supercharged engine...freakin loaded...theres no way that would meet US emission standards.

Anyway to get one shipped over?

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:29 pm

Fuel cut-off was at ~146 MPH on the Impala SS, and I would think on the LT1 9C1's

120,000 miles on a '94 Imppy SS, never had a problem and it smoked plenty of ricer's and 5-point-slow Mustangs.

Out in Montana before the daytime speed limit, we had her at 148 MPH on USH 2 near Havre. We were cruising at 95 MPH and a MHP trooper passed us in his Caprice doing at least 120....he just waved and kept going...must have been the antennas

Charlie, I've got a 02 Impala LS that you might like...38k, reprogrammed PCM, black, sunroof, good stereo and 3 NMO's

I'd rather drive my '90 9C1 anyway.

I've got a spotlight for it, never installed it tho...

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:12 pm

If you wait a little bit you might be able to get an Intrepid...tops out at 136 i believe. My brother visited the tech center and told me a tale about how Kraut-Chrysler is coming out with a Hemi AWD LHS sedan for police use in 2005 or 2006...can anyone verify that?

Gerbil · Post by **Gerbil** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:21 pm

depending on where you are in the country.

theres an outfit in wisconson, and another in san antonio.
Both has used cop cars. Both carry impala's.
I'm looking at both for an 9c1 impala.

And they'll install a spotlight if you want.

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:04 pm

Gerbil wrote:depending on where you are in the country.

theres an outfit in wisconson, and another in san antonio.
Both has used cop cars. Both carry impala's.
I'm looking at both for an 9c1 impala.

And they'll install a spotlight if you want.

Where in WI is this?

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:09 pm

007 wrote:
Gerbil wrote:depending on where you are in the country.

theres an outfit in wisconson, and another in san antonio.
Both has used cop cars. Both carry impala's.
I'm looking at both for an 9c1 impala.

And they'll install a spotlight if you want.
Where in WI is this?

try http://www.usedcopcars.com or http://www.usedpolicecars.com

i think one of those is in WI....

check eBay. There is a newer style impala in the $3500 range.not sure if there was a reserve.

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:16 pm

First one is...may have to take a road trip.

Gerbil · Post by **Gerbil** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:25 pm

theres a nice one they have in stock now.
i think it even has a spotlight on it

Gerbil · Post by **Gerbil** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:32 pm

this one:
http://www.usedcopcars.com/ads/2001iblu ... 1iblue.htm
i have my eye on. I probably wont get it, i'm sure it'll be sold by summer when i can start thinking about a car... but its what i want.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:39 pm

Nice Porsche Jim, I had an friend that had one and got to do a drivers school in one

.

It good to see that someone here has a car that can go fast as well as turn.

You guys all talk about your 9C1's and LS1's,
bonus point for who ever can ID my car from the body code.

E36/4

Ok...GO

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:55 pm

BMW E36....should be an M3-family beemer if I remember right, although the 4 is throwing me since I thought the M3 was a 2 door.

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:03 am

chipjumper wrote:If you wait a little bit you might be able to get an Intrepid...tops out at 136 i believe. My brother visited the tech center and told me a tale about how Kraut-Chrysler is coming out with a Hemi AWD LHS sedan for police use in 2005 or 2006...can anyone verify that?

K-C is retooling the Intrepid plant to make a RWD hemi-powered squad platform for 2005...to be called the Charger I beleive. Should be a hell of a car if the semi-confirmed rumors are true.

GM is thinking RWD V8 platform to replace the FWD Impala for 2006...I'll beleive it when I'm driving one.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:05 am

007 wrote:BMW E36....should be an M3-family beemer if I remember right, although the 4 is throwing me since I thought the M3 was a 2 door.

Wow good job. Your right that most of the M3's were two doors, but there are some of the four door ones out there (like mine

).

Oh and it would be Bimmer with Beamer being the bikes.

1000 Bonus Points to Mr. Bond here (007)*

*Note-"Bonus Points given by Cam are useless and worth nothing

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:17 am

Cam22 wrote:
007 wrote:BMW E36....should be an M3-family beemer if I remember right, although the 4 is throwing me since I thought the M3 was a 2 door.
Wow good job. Your right that most of the M3's were two doors, but there are some of the four door ones out there (like mine ).

Oh and it would be Bimmer with Beamer being the bikes.

1000 Bonus Points to Mr. Bond here (007)*

*Note-"Bonus Points given by Cam are useless and worth nothing

I don't own a BMW, but I've helped restore two late 60's 1600-series cars and have followed BMW closely since the early 90's...I'd give my gene pool fillers to have one.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:30 am

007 wrote:
Cam22 wrote:
007 wrote:BMW E36....should be an M3-family beemer if I remember right, although the 4 is throwing me since I thought the M3 was a 2 door.
Wow good job. Your right that most of the M3's were two doors, but there are some of the four door ones out there (like mine ).

Oh and it would be Bimmer with Beamer being the bikes.

1000 Bonus Points to Mr. Bond here (007)*

*Note-"Bonus Points given by Cam are useless and worth nothing
I don't own a BMW, but I've helped restore two late 60's 1600-series cars and have followed BMW closely since the early 90's...I'd give my gene pool fillers to have one.

Don't see many of those around any more and the ones you do see are not daily drivers. It too bad. I helped a friend restore his round taillight 2002 a few years ago and I most say that I had a great time.

There are some good deals out there on the late 80's/early 90's 3ers. How about a 1989 325is with some /\/\ stuff in it

. Now that would be sweet.

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:46 am

GM won't make any rear-drive Impala. This rumor has been around for a while. GM doesn't like to spend $$$, besides, they already have the Holden platform (aka GTO for the USA) that they can re-panel as a sedan.

Mopar IS indeed retooling the police-only line for RWD and Hemi. Unofficial numbers according to Chysler are "over 300 HP" and a top speed in the area of "155". SInce I work with Warnock Fleet and they are in VERY close with Chysler, I was able to find this out several months ago. This is the reason there in no 2004 model- they are retooling.

The rear body is supposed to be slightly higher to compensate cargo area since the rear floorpan raised upward to fit the rear axle/independant suspension system.

Since Mopar has been teasing the public with the Charger 500 concept car, I'm assuming it will derive from this platform since the Charger 500 is a 2-door version of the LH car and with RWD and Hemi.

Thoughts on the new(er) Impalas

Thoughts on the new(er) Impalas

Re: Thoughts on the new(er) Impalas

Re: Thoughts on the new(er) Impalas