Bought an 04 Impala

[Stomis]

Thought I did fairly well. Brought my father, which was a huge mistake but none the less walked away with it for $4000. Its an 04 base model but optioned. Has the aluminum wheels like the earlier 90s Impalas SS's, nice grey color, cloth gut, 90,000 miles. Unfortunately the car has a 3400 but Ill live with it. The 3.8 raises the cost of the cars by so much I was shocked, let alone the SS with the super charged motor. Plus I kinda figured Im gonna run this car into the ground commuting and going to Virginia so I might as well like it but not love it.

I have to say this is one of the few FWD cars Ive actually liked. Its spacious, comfortable, decently quick, and 30mpgs w/o driving a slow turd 4 banger.

Shots from the ad that will probably get taken down.

So it needs front brakes and more than likely struts. Parts are cheap and available, probably because it was a fleet chassis. Are there any common issues with these motors/cars I should address off the bat?

 

[79rustyk10]

Intake gaskets is a common issue. I've had two 3400. Will not have a third, but the two I had were higher miles, and not maintained very well.

 

[Stomis]

Intake gaskets is a common issue. I've had two 3400. Will not have a third, but the two I had were higher miles, and not maintained very well.

The lower to upper intake gasket was the only issue I knew of.

 

[Cili]

Head gaskets are an issue too

 

[Bowtie85]

Intake and head gaskets are just a gm thing.


Parents run a 01 impala, loaded right up. Great car, great on fuel, 3.8 as well.

I run a 2010 Imapala, lovin it so far

 

[Stomis]

If the head gaskets go I'll take the heads to the machine shop, have them decked, and run MLS gaskets in replacement. Never to be an issue again then.

 

[Blue85]

Sorry to hear you got the minivan motor instead of the king of V6s. Hopefully you found one of the rare ones that doesn't shake in its mounts at idle. I had a 2001 3400 and it needed a front head gasket and intake gaskets before 100,000 miles. Then it ate the rear head gasket and was ready for intake again at like 140k. Other than that (and the shaking) it was trouble-free and got decent mileage. I constantly dreamed of trading it for an L67, so at least something about the minivan wouldn't suck.

Those are like the best wheels you can have on an impala. They kind of remind you that the nameplate has some history.

When does the turbo conversion start?

 

[jekquistk5]

I love the 3400 motor. It does really well in that car with a single passenger. Load it down and it struggles a bit. My mom had that same car, averaged 26mpg for the most part. My dad sold it for 1200 bucks a few years ago with 250k trouble free miles, just needed brakes and struts.

 

[Stomis]

Sorry to hear you got the minivan motor instead of the king of V6s. Hopefully you found one of the rare ones that doesn't shake in its mounts at idle. I had a 2001 3400 and it needed a front head gasket and intake gaskets before 100,000 miles. Then it ate the rear head gasket and was ready for intake again at like 140k. Other than that (and the shaking) it was trouble-free and got decent mileage. I constantly dreamed of trading it for an L67, so at least something about the minivan wouldn't suck.

Those are like the best wheels you can have on an impala. They kind of remind you that the nameplate has some history.

When does the turbo conversion start?

If it turns out to be trouble it will get an L67 swap. Already read about what it takes. My car is an 04 so its the easy year wiring wise from what I understand.


Apparently the reviews are hit or miss lol.