PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

sandrock wrote: The seats aren't meant for you to take corners well

The SS nameplate doesnt mean handling, meant for straight line acceleration.

as i recall the impalas have never ever really been one to be the best in cornering or handling period..there quite sloppy and have tremendous body roll..now the new ones arent as bad as the old ones..but again..they were more for straight lines and cruising

there not really meant to handle like a beamer there more like a cheaper caddy

My SS can handle. Handles MUCH better than any of my Bonnevilles. It takes the on-ramp at well over 80mph any time of day (though i don't do it everyday). Even given the fact that the seats weren't designed for that sort of thing, that doesn't mean the chasis isn't capable.

That SS is capeable... and trust me it does handle very well...

maybe my memory of its handling is a lil off..i mean it was 2 years ago..

having driven only one for a few minutes (GM ride and drive at NOPI a few years ago) I noticed that it seemed like the chassis held great but the body kinda bounced around on top of it, if that makes any sense. I also test drove a monte carlo with the same engine setup and WOW it was a nimble little thing by comparison

either way I love the V8 sound in any of the newer SS/GXP models

I am curious as to why they didnt put the tap shift option on these....seeing as it is a top of the line model.

thats an intresting question...i think a SS with a slap stick or tap shift would be pretty badd ass...

and would make for some great fun

Demographics. Who drives Impalas, other than cops and rental agencies? The Grand Prix GXP was targeted to the youngest audience, the Lucerne Super the oldest. The Impala SS was smack-dab in the middle.

The SS can be made to handle much better by taking the GXPs springs and struts, but they are $$$. As for the tapshift....its gimmicky in my opinion. I drove one and was not impressed with the system.

Car and Driver had it up to 150 MPH before, pretty awesome.

sandrock wrote:Demographics. Who drives Impalas, other than cops and rental agencies? The Grand Prix GXP was targeted to the youngest audience, the Lucerne Super the oldest. The Impala SS was smack-dab in the middle.

But government agencies and rental companies are not going to buy a V8 model, i dont believe but could be wrong.

My SS *was* an ex-rental from NJ. So yes, rental agencies have bought them, then sold them off after realizing how much of a pain in the a$$ it was to keep them around. And there are a few Impala SSs around these parts that are either sherriff department or FHP (I saw one in Titusville badged as an SS but had the steelies. I've seen FHP use a white SS that cruises 528. It's been debadged but carries the chrome duals and the 18" wheels). But they're not the common model...the 3.9s are prevalent around here.

sandrock wrote:My SS *was* an ex-rental from NJ. So yes, rental agencies have bought them, then sold them off after realizing how much of a pain in the a$$ it was to keep them around. And there are a few Impala SSs around these parts that are either sherriff department or FHP (I saw one in Titusville badged as an SS but had the steelies. I've seen FHP use a white SS that cruises 528. It's been debadged but carries the chrome duals and the 18" wheels). But they're not the common model...the 3.9s are prevalent around here.

Hmm.

I saw a MN State Patrol SS that was escorting a windmill assembly (takes uber long semis to haul the sections for the stand, and they can't go very fast), but that's the only newer impala SS i've seen as anything but a normal car. The 3.9 is the engine of choice for most, due to fuel mileage, mainly.

00Beast wrote:The 3.9 is the engine of choice for most, due to fuel mileage, mainly.

Insurance reasons im sure too.

None of the above. The 3900 is the ONLY engine available for 9C1/9C3.

I would assume that's because GM figures in the costs of maintenance, fuel mileage, etc and decided that the 3900 was the best engine option for the police package.

I have to agree with the seats and handling. (I actually read this post, went for a spin and came back. haha) Anyway, It does handle well, I do agree, that the car is a cheaper Caddy...people in my family have purchased them, never totally impressed with a Cadillac to be honest.

I test drove a Grandprix GXP but the ceiling was too low, and it felt smaller than the SS, and even the Bonneville for that matter. But holy torque steer! But im happy as punch.

How much money are we talking when upgrading suspension?....just for the heck of it

I've seen USED springs and struts from the GXP go as high as 600 bucks on ebay. The brake rotors aren't cheap either.

Personally, the suspension is almost perfect. I'd replace the rubber swaybar endlinks with urethane, and get those tires changed. Both of those make a huge difference. When the suspension is tired, do the upgrades then.

Various sources have told me to put on a transmission cooler. While I agree that it does need it, my train of thought is "I have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I know I will be replacing this transmission long before then " I'll cool it when it gets a new trans.

00Beast wrote:The 3.9 is the engine of choice for most, due to fuel mileage, mainly.

If your after fuel milage, why not get the 3.5? My grandparents have an '06 with it and I believe it gets 32-33 mpg highway. Mom has an LTZ with the 3.9 and that gets like 26-27.