I too would not pass this by as a used car. It's reliable, powerful, comfortable, pretty good fuel economy considering what it is, and since its invisible the insurance would be pretty decent as well.

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My mom has an SS, and I gotta say, it's a great car for what she paid for it. It is a little bland, but she loves it.

I've driven it on a few occasions, and the first time, I wasn't expecting much, because everyone seems to rag on it so bad, but I was pleasantly surprised. It does feel a bit heavy, and it isn't the best handling car, but it it fun to romp on the gas and hear that mellow V8 rumble!

It doesn't quite stack up to it's main competitors, but it is a good car, and a bargain if you can find a good, low mileage used example.

At about 70,000 miles, she hasn't had any problems with hers. I'm not sure about the gas mileage, never bothered to check.

It is a very solid, reliable car though. The styling is a bit bland, but the SS trim does spice it up a bit. It's also very well put together (which also surprised me). The interior does seem a bit cheap, but everything is holding up very well, considering how much she abuses the car.

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@Pokey : Someone who is putting on 40-50miles a day on the hwy -- good commuter car I take it ? The gas mileage is going to be terrible compared to a compact or midsize obviously.

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I driven this car, on the street and track.

I found it pretty disappointing, but I have a bias to either rwd or firmer setup cars. The G8 is far more compelling. That said this car does offer a nicely plush ride so if thats a preference you might find this a good buy.

It does have noticeable torque steer, especially noticeable on a track. Overall it reminds me of a softer Cadillac Seville STS. If you can live with the styling inside and out, and the price is right this might be a decent cruiser. Oddly, in the Buick Lucerne it feels firmer and more controlled. If the price spread was close between the two used, I'd opt for the Buick.

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PEP2 pricing on new ones right now if you have a GM employee pin. Stupid cheap!

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I've driven it on street and track. There are two good things about this car: the woofly V8 noise and having lots of space for your elbows and legs to dangle around in.

The bad thing is that it is exactly the sum of its parts: 1) an Impala, which is honestly the most anonymous, flavorless couchmobile you've ever driven, and 2) lots of engine between the front halfshafts.

I'd say it's pretty fast in a straight line, except it doesn't really go in a straight line at WOT. The numbers sound fun, but it actually isn't because of the way it pitches around and goes all floaty at the nose.

Pontiac did the low-budge-Charger concept much better with the Grand Prix GXP, which had the same engine, a much better tied-down suspension, and seats that don't feel like Teflon and slide you into the doors at every turn.

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I had this car as a rental about a month ago. The low-end grunt of that V8 is nice. Slamming on the right pedal is fun, but this big thing behaves like a boat if your wheels are turned even slightly in any direction. The interior is quiet and comfortable. I got 17MPG in the week that I drove the car.

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My friend has one as his winter/commuter vehicle, and I've driven it a few times.

Good
- comfy, quiet ride
- excellent V-8 engine sounds and acceleration, especially on the highway
- mundane styling surprises the uninformed when they get whooped by a lowly Impala
- roomy
- good price point used
- reliable and safe

Bad
- too easy to spin the tires, even on a lot of dry roads (don't try to gun in, roll into the throttle instead)
- the 16-17 mpg average is equally bad as the heavier and much more powerful G8 GT and Charger R/T
- four-speed auto in a five/six-speed world

Good car though. I'd recommend it.

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I actually bought a used Chevy Monte Carlo SS in January. It had 17k on the odometer and at a tick past 21k miles I've had one issue. A slight oil leak, which was fixed under warranty. Service was great too, as they had the fix done days before they originally thought they would AND they gave me a courtesy car, which happened to be a surprisingly pleasant Chevy Malibu (1LT, 4 cyl, 6 spd auto).

Honestly, I have to say I'm a bit dissapointed with the fuel economy. Really, I expected to take a hit going from my Buick Regal LS (3.8L V6), but not quite the hit I've taken. I'm currently averaging just under 16mpg. Which IMO, is a far cry from the EPA estimates for the car.

That aside, its a 5.3L V8, and its fun to wind it up. Its an LSX series V8 after all.

So far, I'm enjoying the car and its proven to be pretty reliable. For the money, it strikes a good balance between cruiser and sports car, which I guess makes it a bit of a GT technically speaking. I've taken Mustang GT's in the car and stayed with Charger SRT-8's, and I've cruised Woodward the way Detroit Muscle was meant to. So in a nutshell, if you don't mind paying for gas and want a car that is just as ready to cruise as it is to break 100mph, (and you can find one that hasn't had the crap driven out of it by some 20 year old), I'd say its definitely worth a look. That said, I'm envious of the guys driving around in G8 GT's, so I'd give that a look too were I in your shoes. Heck, I live on the snowbelt myself, but if you know how to drive, RWD doesn't matter what with all the technology available on cars today.

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I have a 2008 SS. Suggest new Michelin product. Stock tires drove me crazy in Wisconsin weather. Stabilatrak tries to take over and Goodyears were horrible. Googe Impala SS Oklahoma State patrol chase for a real laugh....

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Tbh I got no idea, I thought with the new malibu the outdated and archane impala met its death.

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The Impala is a full-size car compared to the Malibu which is a mid-size. Been that way for decades from Chevy.

Same as the Fusion to the Taurus, the Avalon to the Camry, the STS to the CTS, the G8 to the G6, etc. etc.

Are the supposed "car enthusiasts" on this site really that dense?

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I thought that was the Crown Vic/Town Car/Grand Marquis

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For once GM is laughing all the way to the bank. The Impala is cheap to build and remains one of the best selling vehicles in North America. I think a lot of it is older folks but hey they have money. Add in it's popularity as a fleet vehicle and it isn't going anywhere. The G8 might be more exciting but it doesn't sell nearly as well and it costs more to build.

The Grandma is another similar situation. Retail car buyers under 60 wouldn't dream of buying a new one but the police and other fleet buyers just love them and it is ridiculously cheap to build. So while it doesn't help the Ford image building it certainly helps the bottom line.

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@ waiownsyou:

Wrong Matt.

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You obviously haven't seen Scion.

It's not ugly- just bland.

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