My article yesterday said that I returned Accord and picked up an Impala and I’ll write a report on Impala separately (for Accord
click here ). Now I have a little time so to make it happen.
"Impala”, the name sounds like very strange, some may haven’t heard of it. I remember in early 90’s, I was just out of school and started to work in a company. One day the entire team went out for a lunch as a “team building event”, I was new to the area so I rode on the manager’s car. My first impression to his car was, “wow, this is big”, comparing to my Toyota Tercel. Of course I was impressed and started to pay attention to it on the road. I further researched the car, and found out that it had been famous since 60’s (
click here).
Now back to the topic:
The one I am driving is a 07 model, with 14000 miles on the clock. I’ll list it piece by piece for your easy reading:
(1) Engine: V6 gas engine; I don’t know the horse power (can somebody check?) but engine never needs to roar hard even in sharp pick up; it’s just smooth. The feature: When car is going downward slope, or as only as car is moving and gas pedal was not pressed, 3 cylinders are cut off; when gas is given or car is stopped, 6 cylinders are on. This is very unique.
(2) Interior: Leather with wood trim. Center panel is well designed; all buttons are showing fine workmanship. This is particularly contrary with Ford Taurus on which all buttons appear so raw.
(3) Space: Full size car with big head room and shoulder room. Big trunk.
(4) Diving: When this big car is on the road, it’s smooth, quiet, very comfort. Especially on highway, you really don’t feel it was running on the speed.
(5) Safety feeling: No need to say, you figure
(6) Other nice features: Front Panel provides rich info: each tire pressure, instant economy, miles to go and compass zone. Of course trip mileage AB and auto light are standard
(7) Gas mileage: I refilled it on Friday, 22.5 mpg. This is significant as it is a huge car.
(8) Nice to have: The gas tank lid is round – this is very common on American cars. Maybe in US nobody steals gas therefore it does not have a latch on it, I still prefer to the square one with a latch so it can be locked.
This week I still have it. I just went out to take a pic, here it is: