96 Impala SS....

[Aurorav8]

I am seriously looking into getting a used 1996 Impala SS, with 26,000 miles on it. Exterior is in PERFECT condition, very beautiful!!!!

What are some of the things I should look for when buying a used car like this.

Any ways for me to get a lower asking price out of them...or getting more for my trade in?

I really want this car, I just want to get the best possible deal I can...any help would be appreciated!!!!!!!

[bretfraz]

I don't know much about Impala SS's but there are some common sense things to check before buying any used car:

1) Have the car inspected by a mechanic or repair shop. There are lots of shops who do pre-purchase inspections for a fee. Some are even mobile. Look in your yellow pages for starters.

2) Go to www.alldata.com and look for TSB's and recalls on that year of car.

3) Go to www.carfax.com and run the VIN to determine some of its history. Carfax is not definitive but it is helpful.

4) As for price, these cars have a cult-like following so there's a solid demand for them. Condition is everything so if the car checks out clean then you'll have to pay market price for it. You need to do some research locally to find what the market price is. It doesn't matter if people in Arizona or Vermont are paying thousands less for these cars; if people in your area are paying $xx,xxx for them, that's the price.

5) Last thing I'd do is find some Impala SS online clubs and read some posts. There may be things on this particular model of car that need attention. You might find the owner of the car you want has made some important fixes or you might find the owner has ignored some of the well-known trouble areas.

Good luck.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

The car I drove in as my driver's ed vehicle was a 96 Impala SS...... the DCM color (Dark Cherry Metallic)...... what color is this one?? DCM, Black, DGGM?? (Dark Green-Grey Metallic??)

here's a really great resource for info on Impala SS', as well as some great appearance mods, etc......

http://www.naisso.com/ Thats the National Association of Impala SS Owners..... specializing in the 94-96 B-Body version......

what's the guy asking for the car, if you don't mind me asking??? I love those cars, they're my absolute dream as a family-sedan cruiser.


Good luck gettin a great deal....... also dont hesitate to ask questions about the car...... I did a ton of research into the platform (and specifically these vehicles) awhile back when I was looking into trying to get one.....

[Aurorav8]

I believe it is the Dark Green grey metallic...I'm not positive, it's almost looks like a light green though. As far as the price, I'm going to talk to the guy this morning, actually here in about 10 minutes.

I will get all the information from it and get it checked out today.

I have a feeling I'm going to get screwed on my trade in. I'm trading in my 95 Olds Aurora (90,000) miles on it. You can find a first gen Aurora for dirt cheap anymore, so I may be taking a loss on it...which is fine with me, I have had my eye on these Impalas since they came out.

I can live with losing a little money to get this car.

Thanks for the responses.

[blkZ28Conv]

The only thing I can add is to check things like floor mats(driver's side), seat wear ( especially side boosters), condition of paint and wear on the steering wheel. With only 26,000 miles all these items should be in like new condition. Any excessive wear of any of these items will lead one to question the authenicity of the odometer. If new driver side floor mat question why?
If everything checks out you have found a great cruiser and/or project car.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

yup....... the trade in may screw ya....

yea, the DGGM does look kinda like a light metallic green..... very slick.

One note about pricing - you'll be less likely to talk him down if the car has the CD player, changer, (those were actually rare options on the 96 models), as well as the floor console shifter (not on the column like some were), and the non-digital dash (the one with a tach). Those are the "preferred options" - surprisingly people seem to think that the digital dash is too much like the 9C1 caprice, as with the column shifter. The "performance aspect" of the cars is presented more with the other combo. Just some words of advice.

Also, look to be sure the car hasn't had an LT4 conversion done. This also will boost the value. That conversion usually consists of either just a hot-cam, or a hot-cam, heads, and sometimes bored cylinders.

[jochumr]

Aurorav8

Good luck on getting the car. Once you get it and you know you will checkout this site.
www.impalassforum.com/

A buddy of mine eats, sleeps and breaths this stuff and he recommends this site.

[Aurorav8]

Well, I talked to the dealership about the Impala...it was a 95 (it was dark out when I looked the first time, couldn't see the year too good). And it has 32,000 miles on it, quite a few rock chips in the front and some on the hood. Interior is in excellent shape.

BUT, they are asking 19,500 for it, so I told them if they can't bring it down to a reasonable price I wasn't going to even consider it.

A 96 SS with 25,000 miles on it is going for around 17,900 around here, so I will wait until a 96 pops up!!!

On the other hand, I did test drive a 2000 Trans Am with the WS6 Performance Package...and man can that thing fly!!!!!

:scared ...unbelievable power out of that machine, may be looking into getting that too.

Thanks for the replies though!!!!!!

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

I can definitely vouch for Trans Am power....... they're great if you don't mind laying down to drive (about my only gripe with the f-body)

[Aurorav8]

One thing I did notice about the Trans Am is that my head was almost touching the T-Tops. I'm not a real tall person (6'0")....but it didn't seem to have much head room.

Loved the Ram-Air hood though! Although it would be a pain to detail, no place to use the PC on that hood.

[samiam513]

Thats the way most muscle cars are. I'm somewhere around 6 ft, and in the mustang I can catch full sunvisor unless I tilt the seat.

Just a compromise I guess.

[KEVO]

I am pretty knowledgable about this kind of car, the 96 would be worth more IMHO as 96 was the only year (out of 94,95,and 96) to have the shifter in the floor and the tach.

First thing I would want to know about a car of this type would be is the car stock or does it have any kind of mods.

Here is a pic of mine (it has many, many mods)

http://www.transam02.com/ls1/kevinss/