Used 2008 Chevrolet Impala Consumer Reviews
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Did it’s job while she lasted!
Steph, 09/23/2020
2008 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought in 2013 with 78,000 miles. 3.5L V6 with leather and sunroof. Had literally zero mechanical problems until about 120,000 miles, then of course a few normal things- bushings, a wheel bearing, some weird actuator thing in the wiper area that made a loud noise (replaces twice). Then about at around 140,000 power steering pump went but plenty of warning, then as time went on it needed some wires replaced that went from the shifter to the ignition, they were simply worn out and stopped connecting or whatever they do so they key wouldn’t come out of the ignition (thank you Lord it wasn’t the actual ignition I needed to replace). Then the windshield cracked on its own, twice. Just kind of bizarre stuff. Eventually she developed an oil pan gasket leak and a transpan gasket leak at around 150,000 ish. But I noticed nothing different with the performance and just kept an eye on the fluids every month. Keep in mind that I have a VERY HEAVY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. Last week I was going to work and driving about 45-50 and huge doe leaps out in front of the car from a ditch. I am very cognizant of deer while driving but this was unavoidable. It literally bounced off the front and flew up in the air and into someone’s driveway. Dead on the spot. I can honestly say that I really didn’t feel much. No airbags went off, but the car took it like a champ. I even limped her to work but had to have it towed to shop. Car ended up being totaled only due to the hood being pushed in so far that it killed the radiator and whatever else is right in front. Headlights, etc. Body shop said it was a shame the insurance totaled it because besides the front, rest of it was perfectly intact. I can honestly say I felt very, very safe in the car despite the mechanical and odd things like tire pressure sensors needing replaced multiple times- it actually never left me stranded once. Plenty of power to pass on the highway and huge trunk too.
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Extended Warranty Needed
debrajmsmith, 05/20/2014
2008 Chevrolet Impala LS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 17 people found this review helpful
We have had a lot go wrong with this car (after the warranty went off), and we are still paying car payments to the bank. Besides expected things, like brakes and tires, the following things have gone wrong on this car so far: --1) emissions vent solenoid, 2) rear defogger, 3) front wheel barrings (both), 4) window washer pump, 5) air conditioning air-vent actuator, 6) key-less door lock units (all four) It is hard to feel comfortable driving a car that can have something go wrong so often, as well as hard to find any fun in it.
Love this car
A Cossick, 06/06/2010
2008 Chevrolet Impala SS 4dr Sedan (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for 2 yrs, put 24k on it so far. Love this car, the power, torque steer. Averaging 21.7 mpg on 15 mile ea way commute to work and all my other driving, including some passes on the 1/4 mile. I think this is excellent for a 300 HP full size car. It corners and stops pretty good, though it has quite a bit of understeer when you push it to the limit - overall not bad for a full size car. Also needs to side support in the seats like the Grand Prix GXP has - these seats are too bench like. The drive by wire has some limitations as it will cut the throttle at times when I don't want it to - sharp movements that it thinks the car is out of control. I plan to own 10 yrs+
Run, run, run....away from buying this car.
Debi, 10/22/2015
updated 04/26/2021
2008 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 18 people found this review helpful
Our 2008 Impala has less than 80,000 miles on it, for a seven year old car that is low mileage........right now it's undergoing almost $3,000 of repairs. Our mechanic said that he's never seen a vehicle with so few miles have such problems. And of course, one of the problems seems to be another infamous GM defect........an anti-freeze leak. I Googled it and there are A LOT of complaints about that problem. Also has severe paint "crazing" on the black trim/paint by the windows. Started very shortly after purchase. I complained to GM, was told that "it's not a safety issue" so basically they were saying "tough &%*$". Won't EVER buy another GM. 10/23/17 I got an email to update my review......well, here goes. This Chevrolet Impala has been a nightmare. The worst car I've ever owned. Most recently there was a horrible squeal/scream, finally took it to a friend's shop, he found the problem. But, prior to that I spoke with GM (totally useless) and the dealership's mechanics (also totally useless). The dealership mechanic asked me to call them back to tell them what our mechanic finally found......well, heck no, they didn't help me.......I'm not about to help them!!! In spring of 2018 we will be buying a new vehicle, IT WILL NOT BE A CHEVROLET!!!!
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Stay away from this vehicle
Jason, 10/24/2015
2008 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
A nice looking vehicle, very comfortable, lots of storage space, rear seats will not fold down all the way making that feature almost useless. Spent over $5,000 in repair work, Including transmission work, before the car had 60 thousand miles on it. I am extremely disappointed with this vehicle having now dumped over $23,000 in a car that I bought used with 17000 miles on it. I shudder to think what is next. Two other GM vehicles in the past had their motors go bad not due to anything I did. Will not be buying another GM vehicle.
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Car with many many problems
Jake, 01/16/2019
2008 Chevrolet Impala SS 4dr Sedan (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Having now gone through two of these vehicles, I would advise anyone to avoid it at all costs. The problems with this car are substantial. Initially I spent 12k on an 08 Impala SS LS4 from the dealerhsip. Ran great at first and was very well taken care of. After about a year the car was plagued by coolant and oil leaks as well as transmission problems, which are very common. After repairs in the thousands, the cars problems persisted. Oil and coolant leaks are a big problem with this car. It simply doesn't seem like it was designed to stay cool and run properly. Eventually had to replace the engine because of all the cooling issues which led to a head gasket being blown. (keep in mind, I replace oil more frequently than is advised because of the issues with this car) With no other options I had to do it. This was VERY expensive. Now the car is giving me the EXACT same problems. I would advise anyone to avoid this nightmare of a vehicle. It is a comfy ride, has good space but the mechanical problems are simply too much to handle. You are much better off avoiding any year of the Impala. I only wish I had taken my friends advice before spending an arm and a leg.
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Awesome Car
JS, 09/22/2010
2008 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is a great car to drive recently bought this car. It is very fun to drive and I have ad nothing but great times in this car. I took this car from Philadelphia to New York City with some friends( 104 miles) and we started on a full tank of gas and using cruise control we got to New York City with approximately 3/4 of a tank left so its great on gas. There have been no problems at all with this beautiful car. Remote start works well and truck space is awesome. There is a safety precaution when there is severe wet weather it sounds like a a loud muffler but it protects the car from flooding the undercarriage
Good looking car
puffrooster, 05/17/2009
2008 Chevrolet Impala SS 4dr Sedan (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Originally I set out to buy an loaded LTZ with a bench seat, BOSE sound system and sunroof in mocha brown. But after taking the SS model for a spin, just to see what it could do, I was sold. Before purchasing this car I did test drive other sport sedans, all of them costing much more $$, and nothing was funner to drive than the Impala SS! The Jewel (dark cherry) monochromatic, red compliments the car and is worth the extra cost. I added low profile tires & wheels and tinted the windows all around. It's a good looking car and inexpensive to decorate.
24,000 Miles later
Anthony, 08/10/2008
2008 Chevrolet Impala SS 4dr Sedan (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have had the car for 10 months now and have 24k on it. So far oil changes only and rotating the tires. This car is the most underated car out there! For all the torque steer issues all you have to do is turn off the traction control and the car tracks straight! The traction control applies the brakes on acceleration and pulls the car all over the place. Fuel mileage has been an avg of just shy of 20mpg and I just got under 25 on a recent highway run to Va. Sure you can knock a couple of things on the cheapness of certain things but turn the key and listen to the American muscle! It compensates for everything else! For the money it is still a great value and I get tons of compliments on its looks!
2008 is Great! Chevy Impala
Deb, 07/10/2019
updated 01/11/2022
2008 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car is a great value! If you need a car that's not too pricey but gives great gas mileage and low repair bills, this is for you! I bought this car in 2013 and have had NO major repairs. I do standard maintenance pretty religiously (oil changes every 4,000 miles) and just had the transmission serviced (flush/fill) at 120,000 miles. The body is holding up well (Wisconsin winters); and the trunk space is amazing (plus you can fold down the rear seats as well). I love this car!
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