Considering purchasing a used 2011 Chevrolet Impala 3.5L V6 LT package. Very nice car, amazing condition, etc.. 42k miles.

Anyway, while driving I feel a very strange and continuous bumpiness - as if I'm feeling every single imperfection in the road. Now granted, it's not horrible. It's just slightly noticeable.

There is -zero- mechanical noise of any kind, beit while turning or otherwise. The suspension does not feel loose, the steering is not loose, the alignment seems to be dead on, etc..

I could always test drive another one but I'm not really sure I like silver more than I do charcoal grey. Plus, it has a BRAND new set of tires on it...which gets to my next point..

Could cruddy tires cause this? It's got Goodyear Integrity tires in the front and Kelly Charger tires in the rear. As I understand it, the Goodyear Integrity tires are very hard compound.

Of course I tried altering tire pressure, and I've inspected the CV joints, struts, and other parts for any signs of damage or wear - all look brand new.

Are you sure the tyres have been balance correctly as this can cause what you are describing.

Quote from: codajastal on October 14, 2012, 10:23:38 PM
Are you sure the tyres have been balance correctly as this can cause what you are describing.

Not a clue.

Quote from: Kijona on October 14, 2012, 11:18:16 PM

Quote from: codajastal on October 14, 2012, 10:23:38 PM
Are you sure the tyres have been balance correctly as this can cause what you are describing.

Not a clue.

Lol maybe you should check

42k miles in one or two years is a shaZam! ton. don't buy it.
oh, and its a chevy.

was it a taxi or delivery /cop car?

Yeah check the tires to see if their are weights on the wheels/rims. I find it odd a car with that amount of mileage would only have 2 new tires, maybe the previous owner neglected to rotate the tires so was forced to buy a pair to make a sale (or possible alignment issue?). If thats the case it would make me wonder about any other neglected maintenance. Is a service history available? TSB's for the problem you speak of? My grandparents have a 2003 s-10 with 25,000 miles and a 2007 impala with 42,000 miles. Both cars drive like shizam! and I wouldn't trade my nissan for both their vehicles. My mom had a monte carlo w/ around 60 k on it at the engine gave up the ghost (3.4 v6). Bad luck in my family with chevy's. Walk across the street to a ford dealer and check out a fusion instead.

Sorry. Should've specified. It was a fleet vehicle. Rental. Maintained regularly. Also, all 4 tires are new.

Ok gotcha your call man, but I for one have beat the p*ss out of every rental I've had, as I assume most people do, which could account for the "great deal" price. Did you check the tranny fluid and see if it smells burnt/discolored? Could be a great deal, could end up bring a money pit down the road

Quote from: Kijona on October 15, 2012, 07:10:29 AM
Sorry. Should've specified. It was a fleet vehicle. Rental. Maintained regularly. Also, all 4 tires are new.

the impalas are nice cars, if you don't have to pay for em.... I like em....


but, no way would I buy a rental. I've used and watched others abuse rentals like there is no tomorrow.

I'd lease a car before buying a rental. (hate leases)

one of my dirt biker buds was a fleet mech for unnanmed rental business... the cars get serviced very sporadically. a car that comes in smoking and empty oil pan, will be filled , washed, and back on the lot in an hour.

almost aceppted one with three bad tires for a trip to NYC, in November. when I pointed out the bald tires and squealing brakes, they upgraded me and put it back in the same parking space. lady rented and drove it away while I waited for the upgrade minivan to be washed.

nope, no rentals for me!

do you feel this "bumpiness" at a certain speed? where is the "feeling" coming from, thru the steering wheel?, accelerator?  floor? 

Quote from: yellow99 on October 15, 2012, 12:48:52 PM
do you feel this "bumpiness" at a certain speed? where is the "feeling" coming from, thru the steering wheel?, accelerator?  floor?

or/and as others have said or mentioned alignment  and or tire pressure. 20k per year is a bit above average ( normally around 15k. ) my crown vic was a retired cop car. had 142k when i got it, and 199,997 on it when it met Mr. oak ( tree) i dont care for the 3.4gm engines if anything like the older ones. If anything have it looked at by a tech locally ( a tech of YOUR choosing  )

Nothing parties like a rental.

I'd pass. But it sounds like tires.


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Thanks for all your help guys.

I decided to pass and/or the financing fell through. I'm not paying 18% interest on something that's got that many miles.

Probably going to end up with a 1999 Chevy Suburban. Not my first choice but at least I know who's been driving it (uncle has owned it since it was new), and what's been done to it (transfer case, new transmission, front gearbox, few other odds and ends).

May not be any high-tech 2011 car, but at least it should last a while and be reliable.

Wise choice

agreed the american v8's are nearly bullet proof. and fuel mileage is decent as long as the right foot presses on the go pedal lightly . if it has the 700r4 transmission, maintain it/ take care of it, it will take care of you