9th Gen Impalas - NOT THE SAME - Can You Spot The Differences?

A 2009 Impala and a 2012 Impala walked into a bar...
This is a "bet you didn't know" video for SuperNerds of the 9th Gen Impala. I've owned my 2012 for over 4 years, and after just purchasing and fixing up a 2009 for my Stepson, something was bothering me but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Finally had my AHA moment and decided to share with the Impala community.
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#IllBeDipped #ImpalaSuperNerds #SpotTheDifferences

[@da_poopoo_dealer3152]

I have an LT, an LTZ, and an SS all in matching silver. I love them, they’re deceptively fast, insanely agile, and plentiful. I like my v6s more than the SS, but they’re all fun.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

That's awesome! Would love to see some pics of your fleet! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnKnmH5udtSAnLM

[@TheShornak]

Very Subtle differences. Kinda amazing GM would spend whatever money it took to retool to make that minimal difference. But it is a nice little difference. I understand the SS Impala has a different cluster too.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

Yep, the SS had a completely different font: www.ebay.com/itm/124197645081?epid=1911146947&hash=item1ceac1ab19:g:m~EAAOSwWPleyVgK The later Buick Lucerne's had a similar font: www.ebay.com/itm/373290519764 I've contemplated harvesting the gauge face from one of those Lucerne clusters and swapping it over to the 12 Impala. The face appears to be identical in shape to the Impala, however the warning lights are laid out a bit different, so it's been a non-starter..

[@TheShornak]

@@CertifiedShadetree huh. Thought they were more different than that. Maybe I'm thinking of a different car, maybe the Monte Carlo SS have a different one.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

The 06-07 Monte SS cluster is physically different (and has the cool "recessed pod" style lense) but the overlay will interchange with the Impala cluster. www.usspeedo.com/product/aqua-edition-custom-gauge-face-for-2006-2009-chevrolet-monte-carlo-gas/ www.ebay.com/itm/224345511331 The 00-05 Impala and Monte share the same exact cluster, so you can freely swap between models. The only hiccup is if you swap in a 4-gauge cluster from a 3800 vehicle into one with a 3400, the oil pressure gauge won't work (there's no provision for it in the PCM, so the gauge won't work even if you swap in the correct sender.) impalahq.naioa.com/HowTo/MCSSCluster.html

[@ViperJay5]

@@CertifiedShadetree That they do, although there are even other subtle differences between some of the available clusters. There's the standard 3 gauge without the tach, then there's the LS 4 gauge including a tach, then there's the SS version 6 gauges I believe and goes up to 140mph. But then there's a base version that goes up to 140mph and is "certified" which is the police version. But then there's also several variant SS versions that either include the signature of Dale Earnhardt Jr and substitutes the battery gauge with a "PSI Boost" but I'm not sure if there's a real PSI boost or if it's just decoration, and there's also a Tony Stewart edition that actually has a completely different font for everything but the "Trip" and "Message Center". And then there's one that says "limited edition". And you are absolutely correct with the oil gauge although there was none on the 4 gauge cluster, but rather the 6 gauge is what you're thinking. I swapped over from the base 3 to a 6 SS Limited Edition so I know for a fact that the oil gauge does not work in an 3400. Another fun fact, if you do not reconnect your hazard flasher switch, your standard blinkers will not function either.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

@@ViperJay5 Nor will your brake lights!! Yeah, by "4 gauge" I meant the fuel, oil, volts, and temp in the leftmost section, versus the LS model with only fuel and temp. US Speedo still sells custom gauge faces for the 8th Gens: www.usspeedo.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=2004-monte-carlo-chevrolet I always dug the font on their gauge face for the LS style clusters (120 MPH speedo, tach, temp & fuel gauges.) Sucks that they only sell an overlay for the 06-08 SS models (it's not a replacement gauge face, it sits over the top of the stock face) and it's BLUE..

[@harveyhamilton4510]

2012 trunk is color matched to paint previous years have chrome on trunk. The 2012 has dual exchaust.car won't have impala emblem on side of rear pillar

[@CertifiedShadetree]

All correct answers!

[@michaelmohrle1773]

They have very different models even though they look very close to each other. The LS is base model 3.5 engine , LT upgrade interior and could have 3.5 or 3.9 engine. The LTZ had a 3.9 and leather heated seats, moon roof, bose stereo. The SS model had all the bells and whistles and the LS4 5.3 V8 engine.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

That was true until the 2012 mid-cycle enhancement (MCE) when they ALL got the 3.6 liter LFX engine (except the SS, of course, which was discontinued after 2009.) The MCE also brought the SS mesh grilles and body-colored trunk trim strip to every model (LS & LT grilles were grey, LTZ & 9C1 grilles were black.) Also the SS spoiler was the only spoiler available with the MCE models..

[@michaelmohrle1773]

@@CertifiedShadetree I have the 2009 black impala SS, rebuilt tranny and it runs great. It's the last Impala SS ever made they only made a few thousand in 2009. Lately I've been getting alot of compliments on her, people say they use to have one like it wish they didn't trade/sell it.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

Nice! Cherish every second you have with 'er, it's certainly a unique piece of history!!

[@michaelmohrle1773]

I do, think the entire run of this SS was around 40,000 all colors 2006-09. That's pretty rare they sold over a million of this style.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

@@CertifiedShadetree "She's real fine, my 2009".....

[@Gmcenvoy2002]

The grill and the chime is different

[@CertifiedShadetree]

The chime being different was my doing - I swapped in a MyLink radio from a 2013 Traverse..

[@Gmcenvoy2002]

Sounds better then stock one

[@Gmcenvoy2002]

Sounds better then stock one

[@CertifiedShadetree]

@@Gmcenvoy2002 For sure! It's got an old school American car sound to it..

[@joseboyd4563]

6k vs 7k redline also

[@CertifiedShadetree]

Good catch!

[@impala1330]

Would you ever get a 9th gen SS?

[@CertifiedShadetree]

🤔 Hmm, if I had to be honest, as cool as it would be to own an SS, I'd much rather have a '16 Limited LTZ (last year of the W-Bodies.) Guess I'd rather deal with the LFX engine's shortcomings than the issues that crop up on the SS's 4T65-E transmission..

[@ViperJay5]

@@CertifiedShadetree The SS sounds cooler but in all honesty, the 5.3 and 3.6 are pretty evenly matched. If you really wanted to, you could probably swap some parts to give it the look of an SS.

[@impala1330]

Yeah probably smart, the V8 is cool and sound great 👍

[@impala1330]

I really like my 2013 LTZ

[@CertifiedShadetree]

@@ViperJay5 ImpalaLFX13 got his 2013 Impala LT into the high 12's with a few mods. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6quh2Oljb2jZsU Smoked an SS as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmPGXmtshNl-ftk

[@fandechavalones3022]

They look the same just different grille engine and spoiler

[@CertifiedShadetree]

Oh but there's more!! 😁

[@CertifiedShadetree]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqfVg4eDachnZ6s LOL, he calls it an 8th Gen...

[@brightonmusic]

I stand corrected. I have belonged to an Impala forum for many years and they identified this generation as 8th. I just checked a few online reliable sources and indeed these are 9th Gen.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

@@brightonmusic Yep, even GM themselves call this the 9th Generation, and the 2014 to 2020 the 10th.

[@charmaineranford935]

I have the one without the spoiler

[@CertifiedShadetree]

The one in the middle?

[@charmaineranford935]

Yes

[@CertifiedShadetree]

@@charmaineranford935 Sweet!