pondering buying a newer car... Impala or Regal maybe

Welcome Guest, we hope you find what you're looking for. Take a few seconds to register for an account and participate in the conversations!

ALL FORUMS ARE OFF-LIMITS FOR 0-POST USERS
CLICK THE SIGN AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF

[Dstanic]

I'm getting fed up with fixing my GP, it's getting time for a newer car.

I like the idea of a 2005 Coblalt/G5, but they're too expensive and insurance is alot due to it being so new.


So I'm thinking about something in the 2001-2003 range...

-Impala LS (or whatever has a 3800, I don't care if it has bench seat..might actually PREFER bench seat )
-Regal LS

...possibly a GS, but one of the main reasons I liked the Cobalt is due to better fuel econemy.. and with a 3800 I can always turbocharge it later.  I plan on buying a REAL sports car in the future, just need a good daily driver.

I'm not interested in a Monte Carlo cause they're too expensive, and just plain sick of Grand Prixs.


Anyways between the Impala and Regal, what is there to look for in the 2001-2003 models?  Any specific problems, or features that were added/dropped?

[AWeb80]

if you get an impy, get the LSS ones that have the body colored rear facia between the tail lights....those are hot.

[TurboSedan]

as for the Regals '99/'00 was the best i think but that might only be a GS thing.  i think they dropped the performance shift button in '01 or something like that.  Impala LS came with the 3800.  although base model 9C3/9C1 Impalas came with the 3800 as well, along with HD stuff and a steeper FDR.  and of course that cool SURV MODE button and some came with A-pillar spots  9C1 Impalas can be found CHEAP on ebay.  that's what i would do.  a black one with dual A-pillar spots would rock.  Impala LSs are usually alot more expensive.  '97-'00 Regals seem to go pretty cheap, even the GS.  personally i like how the Impalas look a little more than the Regals on the outside, but i much prefer the Regals interior.

i agree on the Regal LS thing.  you can always turbocharge it later without custom fabrication like a 3400 Impala would for example.

what's your price range?  are you looking for a car with something like under 50,000 miles?

[AWeb80]

i like the impy's too....but for an overall car....Regal FTW.

interiors are sweet and the styling is not "grandpa'y" like some claim buicks are.

[Dstanic]

Yeah I'm looking at something under 100,000km (60,000miles).  
I don't want a cheap project car (ie ebay), I want a good "inexpensive" but reliable car with a warrantee.... well that's the route I'd like to take but I'm not sure how it would work getting it for wholesale price from the GMAC auction (used car manager can get me a deal).

So I take it the Impala LS would be the way to go.  I'm impartial to cloth/leather, however I would get them converted to heated seats if they don't have it.  I've never owned a car with a sunroof so with WORKING A/C all is good.

As far as ride goes I do like the Impala, a little more comfortable than the Regal (might just be my imagination).  I also like the Impala interior better than the Regal-  it looks too similar to the Century. I like the Regal exterior better than the Impala though  

Theres tons of shit I could buy for any Impala to make it look however I want, so I'm not too worried about it.  Hmm.. wonder what it would look like with black x-lace LOL

[Dstanic]

One thing I'd like to point out (and I'm really not sure).... with the Centurys the bottem of the doors (on the inside) tend to rust.  Even newer ones, or ones that have been undercoated.  Mainly a problem with the rear doors.   The Regal appears to have the same door as a Century (to my eyes anyways) but I can't recall seeing rusty Regal doors?  Then again we sell like 10x more Centurys (dirt cheap, old people buy them) so I'm not sure.

I hate rust... something I want to avoid at all cost.  For example, if I was buying a Grand Am I would get a 2 door over a 4 door, because they also have the rear door rusting problem. (And I'd prefer it in a 4 door...)

[TurboSedan]

One thing I'd like to point out (and I'm really not sure).... with the Centurys the bottem of the doors (on the inside) tend to rust.  Even newer ones, or ones that have been undercoated.  Mainly a problem with the rear doors.   The Regal appears to have the same door as a Century (to my eyes anyways) but I can't recall seeing rusty Regal doors?  Then again we sell like 10x more Centurys (dirt cheap, old people buy them) so I'm not sure.

I hate rust... something I want to avoid at all cost.  For example, if I was buying a Grand Am I would get a 2 door over a 4 door, because they also have the rear door rusting problem. (And I'd prefer it in a 4 door...)

the Century is just a base model Regal really; there really isn't much difference besides the front bumper cover.  i don't think they would rust any more than a Regal would.  it all depends on the the climate and where it came from.  thankfully i ended up with a completely rust free Arizona car.  personally i would just go a slightly older GS/LS and one with right around 100,000 miles.  you'll pay almost twice as much for a slightly newer car with only 40,000 more miles.  they do depreciate fast being a domestic car, but that doesn't mean it will have more problems.  these cars will go to 300,000+ miles if taken care of so 100,000 miles is nothing.  just find one that's been taken care of.  as for the Impala obviously the oldest you could go is 2000 model year, but the LS typically tends to cost alot more....at least that was my experience.  btw, not all Impala LS got the body colored rear tail light surround.  you can spot an LS immediately by seeing if it has fog lights.  if it doesn't have fog lights, it's either a base model or an L36 9C1/9C3.

when i bought my car my bank approved the loan (a collateral loan) just from seeing one pic of the car online and the car was 400 miles away in another state.  i'd look around on canadatrader.com or autotrader.com and visit every dealership in your area.  take your time and find something you are absolutely SURE you like.  the lowest priced Regal LS i could find was a '99.  it was black with around 115,000 miles, and absolutely loaded with heated seats, power moonroof, chrome wheels, etc for $5600 USD IIRC.  i almost bought it but thankfully i found my GS with less miles for over $1000 less than the LS.  i didn't have much luck with Impalas in my area.  every Impala i looked at was either a rental car or priced above $7000.  the local Impala LS i looked at were more like $8-9k.  i did find one but it was a white 9C1 Impala with 108,000 miles and the interior was kinda shitty.  they wanted $5200 for that.  i was getting really frustrated and finally found the perfect car on autotrader.com from a GM/Toyota dealership in Montana.  after checking the carfax and seeing that it was in Arizona from the time it was sold new up until late 2005, i knew it had to be rust free so i decided to go for it despite the long drive.

i can't seem to sell my Regal GS for $4500 no matter what (online).  if i don't do the cash/trade for the SHO i'm looking at i'm going to try selling it locally for $5000/obo.

[AWeb80]

 Hmm.. wonder what it would look like with black x-lace LOL

LOL

[Euro]

if you get an impy, get the LSS ones that have the body colored rear facia between the tail lights....those are hot.

you mean the LSX?  The SLP modded ones....those are sweet, but good luck finding one. Out of all the SLP w-bodies..i've NEVER seen an LSX for sale anywhere

[99RegalGS]

My Regal has a SMALL about or rust bubbles on my front doors.

BTW. Wouldn't you really rather drive a Buick.

[DiscoStudd]

if you get an impy, get the LSS ones that have the body colored rear facia between the tail lights....those are hot.

you mean the LSX?  The SLP modded ones....those are sweet, but good luck finding one. Out of all the SLP w-bodies..i've NEVER seen an LSX for sale anywhere

It's not that hard to make your own LSX clone.  You can find the grille, emblems, and wheels on eBay, and there are a few places that sell the spoiler and tail light panel.  GMPartsDirect sells the dual exhaust setup...

[Euro]

that could work too haha...aren't you making your IMPALER!!!! a LSX clone?

[DiscoStudd]

that could work too haha...aren't you making your IMPALER!!!! a LSX clone?

Yeah, I was going to do the whole LSX thing (I even still have that LSX tail light panel,) then I thought about making it an SS clone.  We might be trading 'er for an 08 Impy next year so any future mods are up in the air right now...

[Dstanic]

I was talking to Larry today (used car manager... 30yrs experience and a really nice guy) and I asked him about a 01-03 Impala and he said they'd go for around ~$8000(CND) at the auction for a good low mileage (under 100,000km) loaded up one.  He says there are thousands of cars there, as far as the eye can see.. lol.  He said when I'm ready to buy a car he'll take me to Toronto (he goes to the auction every Tues) and we'll find me a good car, and at wholesale price.   Hell, even a base model 2004 style GP might be reasonably priced, and I love those cars.  All the GTs have are dual exhaust and fancy rims... wow.  So basically I'd be getting a good newer car and I would take it somewhere else to get safetied (not the dealership, too much $$) and save money by not having the GM Optimum warranty (he says it jacks up the price by about $2000).

[Euro]

thats cool man. you got the hookup!!! hope you find something good