Tale of the '01 Chevy Impala 'Lady Catcher' name by the CAR WIZARD’s daughter

Cars get interesting names and this 2001 Chevy Impala is no different. The CAR WIZARD 🧙‍♂️ will share how it got its name and how it's connected to his daughter.
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[@paddle_shift]

3.8 super reliable, easy to repair, cheap to maintain, well loved by mechanics and owners. Now i know why GM no longer builds and sells them!

[@captinbeyond]

I had one of those 3.8 in a 87 Buick Regal T that had a turbo and it was not reliable by any means. Worst car I've ever owned and in the shop all the time from day 1 till I finally dumped it. I think every part on that car was replaced, every nut and bolt came loose or broke, just a trashy car. I've never owned a GM since and never will.

[@21Piloteer]

@@captinbeyond The 3.8 and the 3800 are not the same engines

[@captinbeyond]

@@21Piloteer Yeah, it made me go look up what came on the Regal and not a 3.8. But it still was an endless money pit.

[@johng.4959]

Nailed it! Too long in ownership and not trading-in every 3 years... I love my 3.8!!!

[@MitchZero9]

Yeah sales of timing chain guides and ECU's are through the roof of these junk 3.6s. (From an Australian view at least). Long live the dumb but reliable 3.8!

[@johnwillome1840]

My in-laws passed a ‘98 Olds 88 to us in 2010. I called it “the widow catcher” because the older ladies really liked it.

[@100PercentJake]

A fresh set of headlights absolutely transforms these things. Really good looking cars, I personally believe.

[@johnwalsh7256]

Totally, I have done that on several old cars.

[@vhsmemories504]

I think new headlights on any car make them pop

[@-jimmyjames]

Indeed. I like the Taiwan headlamps that modernize and blind the competition. Lol. Put some in my prelude. NoiCe. Two thumbs up

[@nick1822]

When I bought mine that was the first bit of money I put into it. $100 from a junk yard they were absolutely flawless, I put brighter sylvania bulbs in them too. Completely changed the look of the car.

[@west-texas9806]

I recently restored the headlights on my Buick Regal and it made a huge difference. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find many aftermarket headlights for it. Or else I would have gone that route. Either way they ended up looking pretty good just being restored I clear-coated them with 2K clear coat. My plan is to hopefully find some nice aftermarket ones that I can install some demon lights on.

[@tylerharris1085]

I ditched my truck payment and picked up a low mile 02' Buick Park Avenue for $2k a couple years a ago, best decision I ever made. Worry free reliability that I can put tons of miles on and not care.

[@west-texas9806]

While back ago I was looking for a new used car I had about a $5,000 budget. I looked at several cars most of them being 2010 with a bunch of miles. Eventually I got lucky I found a 2002 Buick Regal Joseph Abboud Edition with 22,000 miles. I bought it from the original owner he's had it since brand new. The car was in mint condition had a fresh paint job. You could tell this guy loved the car, it had Firestone Tires all around brand new. . And the two-tone chestnut brown leather interior look like no one had ever sat in it. He also had just recently tinted all the windows. So the car looked great basically a brand new car. Best decision I've ever made I basically bought a brand new car for 5 grand . It's good to know this car is going to last a while. Yesterday I found another Buick Regal this one was a 96 with 65000 miles. Paint was pretty beat up and it had the cloth interior but for 1,500 bucks it was a steal. Thinking about it I think I might just jump on it today.

[@theoneoneguys]

Gotta love the reliability and cost of running these cars. Not having a payment is the best!

[@frankajello]

I put a 96 Buick lesabre back on the road to beat on😂 2k into it with the coolant elbows, new rad and hoses full spark plugs and coils and valve cover gaskets and runs like a charm

[@tylerharris1085]

@@frankajello yup, the metal coolant elbows are a must!

[@Blue-moon12]

Great cars. Strong and reliable

[@ChevySpeedAddict]

I still have my first car: a 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo with the 3.8. It's a fantastic automobile and I'm never getting rid of it. Truly. The rockers are rusted out, but they will be fixed and she will soldier on...over 10 years since I've owned it.

[@lawsonburris1761]

Wild, I had a 2002 ss with the 3.8 and it caught fire 6k miles after I bought it. Dead at 103k

[@gustavbaltes27]

You hit me in the heart when you said that the car will Rust away before the engine as I have a 2002 Grand Prix that is on its way to rusting out with only 165,000 MI. Runs like an absolute dream but that's the cost of living in the Rust belt

[@emersonbiggens1502]

I hear ya. Have an 06 Freestar with the 4.2L Absolutely no problems with it, in 6 years ! Bought it with 52K on it, now has 140K miles. I'm in Michigan, and I'll be lucky to get 2 more years out of it, before the rust will make it unsafe to drive. Crying shame, as I would love to see how many miles I can get out of it.

[@SuperBigdanno]

@@emersonbiggens1502 get them under coated, helps a lot, with oil not a rubber coating as that speeds up the rust

[@samholdsworth420]

That sucks I drive a 99 Chevy Blazer with 261,000 MI zero rust anywhere not even surface rust. But then again I live in Southern California and not near the beach 😂

[@darthdarthbinkss]

Good thing I live in Texas, 143k miles on my LeSabre and the frame is still perfect

[@MOE-db8oc]

Yep. Had a 2001 SS Monte Carlo. Rusted nearly in half and had to junk the car. 265k miles. No major engine or transmission issues, no radiator, no alternator, no spark plug coils. Live in the Midwest. Peppy and gets 20+ mpg.

[@MrMillertime289]

In the shop this semester we have one that due to body damage and interior deterioration was taken out of service. The car was maintained for over three hundred thousand miles. I put some students on engine disassembly for practice, and when they got the head off bank 1, I was planning on giving a quick learning moment talk about ring ridge and using a ridge remover tool. I had to make the students use their imaginations as the ridge was maybe .002 of an inch, barely visible.

[@whatareyoudoingyouidiot342]

The GM 3.8L V6 is one of the most reliable engines ever made. Didn't sound too bad uncorked, either.

[@badazz2969]

I laughed so hard at this comment because of how true it is I once built a 3.8 in a 99 firebird cammed ported and polished heads made 325 hp when I was done the engine before I took the heads off had 255k miles and it had no ridge at all and the main bearings were still like brand new with a micrometer measurement I planned on a full rebuild instead I put it back together and ran 12.9 in the 1/4 mile when I was done no headache

[@torres3800]

I still have my first car, A 2000 Camaro with a 3800 V6 I bought from my dad (original owner) back in ‘05 with 60k miles. 17 years later, It still starts no problem and passes California smog. Im currently restoring it. 150k miles on it.

[@andrewinaustintx]

GM W platforms with 3800 were a very conservative long lasting build. A perfect mid-west cruiser.

[@kyliewhitlatch]

Two best engines I've had, a 3800 and a Toyota 3.5 V6. My 97 LeSabre got side swiped hard. Saved my life, engine never skipped a beat

[@brendanmatthys3788]

Fun fact: for a long time in Australia, the Holden Commodore V6 came with the same 3.8L that's in that Chevy. Here, we call them mang machines, because when P platers (teenagers with probationary licenses) drive Commodores and limiter bash them, it makes a mang noise and sounds awful

[@nukenuked5749]

mang mang mang

[@MartinJones123]

It's a shame that P-Platers have ruined them, as they were great reliable engines!

[@yoranw4608]

Met those Holdens in Brazil, sold as Chevy Omegas. They were very popular among upper middle-class at the turn of the 21st century.

[@MartinJones123]

@@yoranw4608 That's kind of hilarious because in Australia, these cars were never really owned by rich people, unless it was a more expensive model...

[@canadianintheukbrian]

I remember my friends Dad had a 87 Park Avenue with the 3.8 around 2002 he had already 475 000 KM and the car still run smooth as silk, 3.8 is bullet proof

[@nick_nt7574]

I've driven 19k miles on my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3.8, still going great with the exception of fixing common issues! 148k miles and counting...

[@jaydeeee668]

Mine got to 230,000 before rust killed it. I miss it

[@tylerhough9124]

This young man is lucky he has you to ensure his (and your daughter’s) safety!

[@gregholman2930]

BAM!

[@yougottowinsometime7470]

Slamming

[@felixsoto9110]

Wizzard this 17 year old kid needs to have his butt there helping learning how his car works and learning to appreciate the work it takes to keep a car running

[@joshuagibson2520]

Big facts

[@vw5056]

No kidding. This guy sounds like a loser.

[@swh1123]

Loved my 2002 Impala, it had 315,00 miles when I sold it.

[@Celician83]

As someone that previously worked at a Walmart Autocare Center, I can tell you they are a tire and lube station only, and are not equipped to do any repairs, and if a lug will not budge with a impact gun, the workers are encouraged to deny service to the vehicle. They do not have the tools required to even take the brake calipers off, let alone replacing studs in a hub. If they snap a stud, they would have to go to the local parts store and rent the tools they need to replace them. However, at the center I worked at, we had a breaker bar and a pipe in case of stubborn lugs, because we are on the coast, and most trucks put boats over into salt water, and the studs will seize sometimes.

[@JoshDTech]

Walmart doesn't have a set of rachets.

[@Celician83]

@@JoshDTech they dont have a press, which is required for some modern vehicles to take the hub out of the spindle to remove the studs.

[@Celician83]

@@JoshDTech they are not a repair shop, they are tire and lube only. They do not do brakes, they do not do alignments, they do not replace your alternator or spark plugs, they just change your oil and tires ONLY. Not that the people there couldn't, it's that they are not equip and the company does not want to be liable for any major repairs done to vehicles.

[@thearcher1740]

This is by design and exactly as intended. Their goal is low hanging hanging fruit. As soon as a car gets into "problematic" territory it is simply not worth it for this business model. All of life's problems come from the 5% of cases.....if you set yourself up to avoid that 5%....you can coast on the easy 95%.

[@Izzymeyokee1]

I have 178273. It's a 2002. Drive to work everyday. Hour drive! Great reliable motor. Just keep up on your oil changes. And put some ZZP coils and wires. 😱 Fast

[@sonnymoon9851]

My first car was my mom's 1992 buick regal custom 4 door with the 3.8 v6. It was a surprisingly powerful and extremely reliable. Very comfortable car with plenty of room for another first in the back seat!

[@42luke93]

Front Split Bench Seating and Column Shifter is my favorite setup for the front seats! I wish that option was still offered on sedans.

[@blkpopeye]

That's cool man!

[@alanmoncus2331]

4sho lmao :D

[@dupajasio4801]

Agree, what's the point of putting auto shifters in the middle ? Make some storage or something and keep shifters at the column !

[@MrManniG]

European here: man I'd love to have that setup... but since center consoles are getting more and more massive by the year the hope of ever getting a car like this dwindle. Also having something like this Impala as a daily driver would be way more expensive over here since replacement parts are scarce and fuel prices reaching 2euro per litre (about 8.50 per galleon).

[@dhparadox0974]

In the late 90s, I had a 1992 Lumina with the 3100 engine, and I loved that car. It was reliable, cheap to maintain, and I got good gas mileage. Eventually the same issue happened, the alternator needed replaced. That was really the most serious issue I ever had with that car. When these Impalas came out I really wanted one, badly! Esp with that 3800!

[@yogisfriend7869]

I had to chuckle when you mentioned insurance for a teen. My Dad sold cars for 30 years starting with Ford and ending with GM. He had a father and son show up. "I'm going to buy my boy a Corvette for his 16th birthday". Dad's response was "I'll not show you this car until you call your insurance agent". The kid ended up with a Malibu

[@GixxerRider1991]

Your daughter has a great sense of humor. On a side note, I am soon getting a 370Z, but my 2008 3800 Grand Prix is just about to turn 80k miles and has been nothing but good to me. I plan to continue to use it as a daily driver for years and years to come.

[@timbullough3513]

It is refreshing to see a mere Chevy in the shop. Enjoy the exotics don't get me wrong. But the regular sedans with Detroit styling always pull my eyes.

[@jjlegend3922]

"Detroit styling" It looks like a fucking Opel 😅

[@davydigger708]

@@jjlegend3922 I think it looks cool!

[@timothyh.1460]

I owned a 2001 Impala with the 3800 engine. It was one of the best investments I ever made. The car handled like a European touring car with stiff suspension. It had a great ride, was quiet, comfortable, and got crazy good milage. Had it for ten years, then sold it and bought a Cadillac CTS. The Caddy was superior to the Chevy in many respects, but not the engine. The 3.6 in my CTS was not as good as that 3800.

[@chubbysumo2230]

That lug nut story with Walmart is almost exclusively due to the fact that they do not want their tire and lube techs doing anything that resembles repair work. Even if that means that they turn down business because of a seized or broken lug nut. Worse yet, if they do break a stud when your vehicle is in their care, I'd only will they not replace it, but they will not let you drive it away to a shop to fix it, they will force you to tow it. Find another place to get tires, there are better deals.

[@andrewdonohue1853]

Fluid film, if the bottom side isnt already rotted. I love the buick v6, the supercharged ones are also a blast to drive. Lightly modded they wake right up

[@airdromeaccount7922]

I've got a 92 Buick Park Ave that I acquired from an elderly gentleman with 44k original miles. Everyone who loves their 3.8 I love you!!!

[@jdangberg]

The 3.4 and 3.8 Impalas are great cars. Good call on getting those headlights reconditioned.

[@mightydavid100]

3.4 has head gaskets problems, there is a video about it that carwizard made

[@jamesross350]

@@mightydavid100 not an issue if you can turn a wrench. Once you do that you have a solid engine. I love the 3.4s.

[@skippybuilt]

My father bought one used from a older lady thinking he was going to have no problems, later found out it had a water leak from the hvac box and the front control arm dropped out at a red light! No signs of rust leading up to it, lucky it dropped AFTER coming to a stop

[@DUMBERTHANYOUTHINK]

Took my car to get an oil change at a Sears years ago. My work was next to them and I expected to pick it up on my lunch break but I never got a call. I get there before they close and they told me my filter was stuck so they wouldn't do my oil change. Honestly, they just didn't want to do it. I stopped taking my car to stores to do the work after that

[@therealwillie2024]

Had this happen at a tire shop. I took it to a local backyard mechanic that fixed it and also didn't advise that if I wanted it lowered not to go more than 3 inches. Looking back I am impressed.

[@nellayema2455]

That platform of GM cars was really good. They had a nice ride, and held up well. I had a 2001 Olds Intrigue that served me well for 225K miles until the 3.5L "short star" motor started overheating. I would have gotten many more miles out of it if it had been equipped with the 3.8L. Mine had nearly all of the luxury creature comforts, and still rode like a dream until the day I gave up on the engine. I actually still miss that car.

[@richardclarke376]

Always liked those cars. Great looking solid vehicles. When I first came over here in the early 00's, every other one of those was an unmarked cop car. Our neighbor was a wine salesman and had that exact vehicle in the same color.

[@ashleycastle9286]

My mom bought one new in 02 and drove it 200 miles a day (basically) until 2011 and it had 220k on it and just gave it to me. I drove it for 4 years. I must say it was well worth it, even though it had the 3400. And the suspension had to often be replaced.

[@TheWombat2012]

This Aussie fan of yours is happy to see a platypus on your shirt!! That same V6 was used here in Australia in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s in the Holden Commodore (driving the rear wheels). We had three of those cars with that engine in it back then and they were great engines.

[@sethisnotnightowl]

I have a ‘03 Chevy Impala LS with the 3.8 and I love that car and haven’t had a lot of problems out of it. Been a very good reliable first car, unfortunately my alternator went out a couple days ago in it, thankfully I work at an auto parts store so I had my discount to help and I’m also a mechanic too and it’s been on of the easiest alternators I’ve replaced. Had it swapped out in about 20 mins or so

[@oncenterline]

LOL! I love your shirts man! Please keep it up. Love your content. Love even more to see a mechanic who knows his worth and has integrity. Excellent.

[@evalonious]

2:57 Lets lead this kid to a reputable "locally" owned tire shop, that actually appreciates the business & KEEP the money in Kansas. Refusing to replace lug nuts is nutz! Great video, by the way. I had a 98 Monte Carlo with the 3.8 v6.... amazing engine. The pedal is like an on off switch. Not fast but quick enough to get in trouble.

[@21Piloteer]

Wizard didn't send him to Walmart. 🤔

[@evalonious]

@Hvy Chvy G20 you are correct. I rewrote my comment.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

These were such great cars and powertrains. Not for those wanting spirited driving or to cruise the mall, but for getting to work and school, great vehicles and fairly cheap to repair.

[@AK-wg8xn]

I like this teenager. He has the Atlanta Falcons front license plate. Cool to see that.

[@maxxmich]

love to see them together at the shop... male him fix it and then help him

[@jamesmisener3006]

When I was 22 I bought a 72 Belair 350 2brl with 60,000 miles. Most dependable car I ever owned. At 140,000 miles I sold it to a woman who drove it for 6 more years! That impala of your future son in law is the 2001 equivalent of the same car. Lucky dude having you as a warden in law! Cheers 🇨🇦

[@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic]

Upper intake manifold is plastic. It cracks and coolant gets into the block. Happened to me doing like 70mph. Drain and flushed the motor and a new upper intake manifold and gasket. Good as new. The back 3 plugs on this motor though! I figured it out myself. This motor with the blower made 240 horses and 280 on the torque. At the end it made 260 horses in the Grand Prix. These motors with the blower, SLP headers, exhaust, intake, INTERCOOLER, pulley and a tune? Super sleeper! Will put down serious rubber. Had a friend with a 2004 Park Avenue Ultra and did all of this to it. Car would smoke the 5.3 small block Impala SS that came after this car.

[@keltechindustries20901]

Those were great motors. A friend of mines worked at the Chevy dealership told me that the engine with a 3.8L have the letter K the Vin plate and it was called the Kake (Cake) motor because it was super easy to work on.

[@izzy-monkey7112]

I’ve noticed that a lot of those 3.8’s also have electrical issues. I myself have also experienced that and some oil pressure annoyance but it’s been the most reliable car I’ve ever had

[@gregholman2930]

Tell me about it I have a 2000 LeSabre & the turn signal switch needs replacing, $1,000k for both the part & labor!

[@KaiPonte]

Ahh, the 3800. Even though it is FWD, what a brilliant engine.

[@MartinJones123]

In Australia, we had RWD versions!

[@bubblelex5051]

@@MartinJones123 what cars ? Sounds interesting

[@abbysapples1225]

The 2.8 l V6 3.8 l V6 and the 4.3 really good engines. When this platform came out I was about 16 I didn't really care for these kind of cars because they replaced the V8 rear drive models or big six cylinder rear drive models but I like your drive cars and the performance of them but now I look back on that this is a good car I would drive that today no problem.

[@morrij01]

I've dealt with headlights like these on my father-in-law's car and they need to be wet sanded before polishing. Sadly it had the 3.4L engine, which blew a head gasket at 250k miles.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

No shame with blowing such as gasket, at 250k!!!!!....move on to another car, you got your money's worth!

[@jamesross350]

3.4s are just a reliable and that's a fact.

[@coronadome7860]

I've owned 3 cars with that 3800, and although the '02 Impala was my favorite to drive, the '99 Olds Intrigue felt more powerful. I still own the '90 Buick Reatta with the LN3.

[@v8dude609]

Why was the impala your favorite to drive? (I have one, im curious of what makes it stand from other 3.8 cars)

[@coronadome7860]

@@v8dude609 It had the smoothest ride, more creature comforts (like heated leather seats), a better stereo, and I just generally like the styling of that generation Impala. I bought from a friend, who had got it from a family member new, then I sold it to my mom. It drove 250k as part of two families.

[@v8dude609]

@@coronadome7860 nice!

[@whatareyoudoingyouidiot342]

Gotta love those 90s-early '00s GM alternators. My family owned multiple GM cars from that era, and EVERY SINGLE ONE had an alternator fail right around 60,000 miles. The full list: A '94 Cavalier RS 3.1L A '98 Cavalier 2.2L A '95 Cutlass Supreme 3.1L A '98 S-10 Blazer 4.3L A '93 Beretta 3.1L A '93 Camaro Z-28 5.7L A '95 Sunbird 2.2L A 2001 Cavalier 2.2L

[@DonRRicks]

My wife bought a new 03 Impala but unfortunately it had the 3.4. It was an awesome car; until it wasn’t. Those engines have a design flaw that causes a couple of head bolts to fail and blow the head gasket. So at about 150 thou we had the heads rebuilt and installed new head bolts. My bride put another 30 thousand miles on it, and sold it to a friend. She bought the dreaded Traverse, put almost 175 thousand miles in it, and bought a 2019 GMC Acadia. I know, Wizard. I know. I lobbied for the Toyota Highlander, but after 48 years of marriage I learned that once she sets her mind on something, that’s it. We made a deal though. She buys the Acadia, and I would do absolutely nothing maintenance wise. 😁

[@Mogul345]

The 3.4 was a good motor pre Dex-Cool. My mother had a 95 Lumina that had it, the year prior to the Dex-Cool switchover. Never had a single coolant problem. The issue boils down to the intake manifold gasket. They eventually had to redesign it for Dex-Cool, and it took them something like 5 years to get around to doing it, so by then there were millions of 3.4's out on the road ready to grenade.

[@waverunner7063]

I love this story. I know stubborn GM fans too. I used to love GM myself until the taxpayer bailouts in '09 and murder of Saab.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

She's going to break down on her way to your funeral.

[@gregholman2930]

@@jefferyepstein9210 Haha!

[@DonRRicks]

@@jefferyepstein9210 probably so. But I’m having a 8 1/2 x 11 plaque on my chest so that when the mourners, or celebrants depending, pass by they will read my final words, “I TOLD YOU TO BUY THE TOYOTA”.

[@jeffzekas]

Former Walmart employee here, yeah, the auto tire dept really sucks, at our Walmart the worst people worked there

[@biggiefitz6275]

You know it's a great engine when you can keep it running with a simple zip tie. Dammit Wizard, now these will skyrocket even more in price! lol

[@randybills3848]

JAGELLE sittin up there in the king of the hill position lmao

[@tymf8]

Truly enjoy your channel, wish I was close to your shop because you would be the only shop I'd trust. To bad other businesses don't have you and the Ms. Wizard's ethics. On my bucket list as one of the places I want visit...hope Hoovie was there. Thank you Wizard team for calmness.

[@sentryfe74]

My parents have owned a few of these GMs with 3.8s. They still have their 2004 Buick LeSabre. Runs great, but I wish GM had better instrument panels. Speedometer and fuel gauge don't work..

[@foch3]

I love Pushrod engines. With hydraulic lifters and simple timing chain there is literal no maintenance for hundreds of thousands of miles.

[@TuanLe-ko5rm]

I always enjoy the story more when it involved family and friends. Thanks for sharing wizard.

[@yamaha226]

Got 11 yrs out of one of these before i sold in off when the intake exploded off the engine from a half start .

[@nick1822]

01 Impala with the 3.4 was my first car, paid $700 for it in 2015 with only 110k miles. It didn't need much, about 300 in stuff (fluid exchanges, brake pads, end links) and it lasted 3 years and 30k miles before the tranny completely gave out beyond repair all of the sudden. I had 2 big studio speakers in the back seat bugged into the rear speaker system, the car was a concert on wheels, I miss that thing. Made me fall in love with land yachts.

[@hexicalcat4937]

Ahhh the gm transmission, I work at a Chevy dealership and we have cars with under 20k miles brought in because the transmission slips

[@nick1822]

​@@hexicalcat4937 Yep. Local mechanic to me went through it completely and said the tranny was gone beyond rebuild and my dad who has been a mechanic for over 30 years verified. The shop quoted $1100 for a junkyard one with installation. At the time that was not worth it, but in todays economy thats well worth it. Funny how the car market can change practically over night.

[@ddcraun]

Hard to get parts.....ooof. I can't believe how hard it is to get parts for something as common as a Dodge Ram Promaster. My shop is at least 3 months out on a pressure side power steering hose. Unbelievable. I don't know how a business running these can afford to keep a fleet going.

[@dukesnugglez]

I've owned my '01 Buick Park Avenue for over a decade and I've had minimal maintenance done to it. With only 90k miles on it I have no desire to purchase a new car. For me its the perfect car.

[@wurly164]

In 1981 my first car was my grandfather's 65 Cadillac. First year without the fins. 429 under the long hood.

[@brucesahroian1482]

Wizard!! You are always telling us about what repairs to get done and what cars to stay away from! My question has to do with some of these WARRANTIES that someone can buy and are they worth the $$ and are some better than others?

[@Gosh_Josh]

I have a couple warranties that I like and that I use personally as a technician The owning a Honda warranty, and owning a Toyota warranty

[@jefferyepstein9210]

Nobody ever does an honest review of those companies

[@unstablebobgable]

The Car Wizards has the coolest walk on KZbin! I'd love to see a continuous loop video of him just waddling around on his stubby little legs with Pantera's WALK as the background music!

[@connor3288]

Please stop

[@williamserver4332]

Polesmoker you must be

[@SplosionMovies]

Bro don’t I remember u from saying you like to roll up a fat woolford for kilmer’s videos? Icon, love your work in the comments section

[@unstablebobgable]

@@SplosionMovies Tank que very mush!

[@dr.detroit1514]

An alternator bearing just started making noise on my '92 Dodge Shadow, so going to be working on that this week. A few years ago, I polished down my headlamps to a dull haze so it still had some tooth for paint to stick, and sprayed them with Krylon clear. So far, so good, they haven't oxidized again. Once the Shadow is no longer viable to keep running, a GM 3.8 is in my future, thanks to the advice of this channel.

[@zachs6879]

As a Diy mechanic, and a Walmart TLE employee, what I can do and what we're allowed to do are very different things. Unfortunately,We're not allowed to replace studs, and if one breaks they send the customer to a local shop and pay the bill to replace it. In a situation like that Impala we'd talk to the customer and if we know the stud will break, and the customer approves it, we'll go ahead and snap it off, do the work, and recommend they get the stud replaced.

[@user-tl2xh5ft3s]

Mr and Mrs wizard keep giving us theses great informative videos and tips 👍you have a great channel , my favorite along with hooves . always look forward to the car updates. Eugene Oregon 🏔

[@gregholman2930]

Howdy, just down the road in GP, OR!

[@michaeltutty1540]

I love the old tech pushrod engines. I just cannot stand front wheel drive! My first experience with a 3.8 was in a 78 Buick Skylark, way back when the things were odd firing. Horrible thing. Insanely thirsty, too. That Skylark used more gas than my 78 Buick Electra with the Buick 350. My favourite engine for fuel economy, performance, and durability is the late 80s 351W as fitted to Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car. That did even better than the 3.8 on this Impala.

[@crazyeyez1502]

Murder Log.... Duck Puppy.... 🤣🤣 love it

[@bmartin7828]

Another great Wizard video. Thanks so much.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

Would you Please show the headlight clearing?Almost every used vehicle has this problem,and people just keep driving them that way because new lights are so expensive.

[@garthlundquist3623]

The buick 3.8 liter motor has been around forever. My 1971 Jeepster had an early version in it. Great motor but GM usually mated it to a weak automatic transmission that was only good for 115K or less. I had several rebuilt before I lost interest in that powertrain. There were manual transmission versions that were stronger but they were usually only available in trucks or the Buick Gran Sport turbo coupe.

[@west-texas9806]

So far with my Buick I haven't had any problems but then again I'm only hitting 30,000 miles. So far it's been a pretty reliable car has a supercharger on it.

[@kharnthebetrayer1575]

My step dad had the 67 with the Buick V6.

[@alanmoncus2331]

A 350 turbo hydromatic Trans would bolt right up to it

[@garthlundquist3623]

@@alanmoncus2331 That would work on a rear drive platform. GM’s front drive automatics used for intermediates didn’t last long. The TH 350 was a much better transmission designed to handle V8 power.

[@alanmoncus2331]

@@garthlundquist3623 yep, that's the shame of it

[@peteracton6360]

Great to see an American car Wizard. Used to love seeing American cars in US cities in films and TV, where and why have they gone?

[@zachmiller4930]

This channel is so relaxing!

[@DollarKLX250]

A couple videos ago, Car wizard confirmed for me that my pickup, an F150, has one of the worst motors ever made, 5.4 triton. I agree as I’m on my third or 4th one. But, today I feel redeemed because my car, 05 lacrosse, has one of the best engines available…from GM at least. Lol. And I’ve already done the coolant elbows and replaced the water pump so I might be good 👍🏻

[@gregholman2930]

What engine, the 3800? I don't think so, didn't Wizard say the Lacrosse was to be avoided?

[@DollarKLX250]

@@gregholman2930 yes, he didn’t.

[@Goodsense215]

@@gregholman2930 The Lacrosse and Lucerne have the 3800 engines up until 09.

[@scottmiller8791]

Had a 2004 Impala SS that I bought new with the supercharged 3800. Loved it! Lasted me 14 years before it rusted out. Had a handful of cars with the 3800.

[@joshuaday3980]

Got 05 Lacrosse and we love it. We bought it and it had an old buy here pay fuelpump cutoff switch that caused all kinds of intermittent crank but no starts. It was hidden very good but the wiring was bad when they installed it which caused a lot of resistance in the under hood fuse box at the fuel pump relay. Took forever for me to discover it. It would stall and you'd jiggle the fuel pump relay and it would restart, haha. Used 35 dollar under hood fuse box replacement and I was good to go, plug and play, very easy.

[@mobilecommunicationsnetwor5268]

3800 V2, Test for coolant leakage with lower intake gasket. Check for rusted brake lines from ABS front to rear. Check subframe bushings, four total, two inside pull through allowing subframe to drop.

[@DjDestinyChicago]

I’ve had a lot of cars and my favorite 6 cylinders are this one and BMW M54. Super simple and reliable. Yes, I said BMW and reliable in the same sentence 😉

[@Big31sky]

Wizard doesn’t like M54s because you have to take things apart to access other things while doing repairs, just like other cars……..🤔

[@DjDestinyChicago]

@@Big31sky I love BMWs. I currently have an N54 E60. Pretty simple as well… until a turbo fails lol

[@wheretheredferngrows14]

Imagine having wizard as a dad

[@seanm3ify]

My dad doesn’t love me

[@nomadcowatbk]

what about a father in law? ask that kid that

[@elmarko9051]

I get a lot of 3800 parts - coil, alternator, EGR valve, from the scrap yard. I even pulled a factory plenum and bought the gasket. It was easy to find a good plenum, no dampness/weeping around it and you know it is good. Surprising how many junkers there are where the engine and trans (yes, even the maligned 4T65E) are still perfectly serviceable, components too.

[@mohammedabbas7264]

I remember my first time I drove my friend car it was holden commodore VT 1999 ( Chevy lumina in Saudi arabia ) 3.8L V6 ecotec engine it was great and beautiful very comfy and smooth from that day I decided to buy one . Luckily I bought a holden commodore VY wagon 3.8 V6 a year after my friend sell his car as scrap because the body and the interior was failing. I still remember his dad was sad when he was driving the car to the scrap yard . I hope I can keep my car for a long time

[@robitaill3]

Impalas (of that Gen especially) seem to be the best Chevy sedans of the OBD-2 era.

[@craigmorgan4676]

Doubt it very much!🤔👁👀🤯🤔

[@chapinsolitario1980]

Hello everyone

[@craigmorgan4676]

Wot bot ?🤯😮🤯

[@charlesmoore2485]

3.8s are great! Wizard, He sounds like a good kid, and he’s lucky to have your sound advice 🇨🇦👍

[@Paulman50]

Its a good kid that listens to you, and takes your advise.

[@colchronic]

I swear Walmart doesn't even want to sell tires when I try to get tires for the front they're like oh no they have to go on the back and the back ones are brand new they literally won't install tires on the front unless you're getting all four new tires even if the rear ones are brand new and Costco is even worse

[@yalantyr25]

I think they'll let you do a carry out which means you buy the tires from their store and take them to any tire shop to have them installed, it really depends on where you live

[@digitalrailroader]

it really depends if the manager is a real stickler for the rules; at the walmart I work at, we install tires on the front all the time, we just have the customer sign the acknowledgement waiver that they are going against policy. the one tire policy my store WILL NOT budge on however is walmart's 4WD/AWD policy. and I actually got to use one of the Wizard's videos to explain to a customer why that policy is in place.

[@LMacNeill]

The simplicity, ease-of-service, and reliability of this 3.8L V6 engine proves that GM *can* design good stuff -- so why don't they do that ALL the time?!! Some of the CRAP they produce is just awful -- but we *know* they can produce great stuff like this engine! One wonders why it's so hit-or-miss with them.

[@theyweredeadwhenigotthere1391]

I dont wonder that at all if you truly knew their whole history

[@theyweredeadwhenigotthere1391]

I know why the japanese automakers have been dominating the markets since the 80s lol

[@Ecchier]

Because they’re an American car brand All of them are like that Ford, Chevy and Dodge are all hit or miss.

[@alfairsoft]

you've never been more right my entire exhaust on my old impala fell out completely from rust but the engine was amazing still at 200k miles haha

[@mph5896]

Those dorman metal elbows are decent, the o rings dorman uses melts into jello after a year though.

[@TheRangerdriver]

Walmart did the same thing to me several years ago when i had Chrysler 300M they wouldn't put tires on it all. Took to a local shop and they had no problem

[@Celician83]

It's a accountability thing. If they do happen to snap a stud, they are not equipped to replace them, and would have to go to a parts store and rent the tools required. To avoid that, if the impact wont take it off, they dont touch it

[@TheRangerdriver]

@@Celician83 I completely understood, the tech at Walmart explained that it's a liability and they just aren't set up to deal with it

[@markiangooley]

I would buy an Impala just so I could name it Vlad the Impala.

[@christopherlaflam6383]

These are terrific cars, highly underrated because of Toyonda drones

[@fredmyers5453]

Love all your videos you do a great job explaining every little thing in detail I appreciate all the things you talk about makes it easier for all of us that art ain't mechanics full-time to find a good deal and a good car, I was going to buy a 2005 Buick Lacrosse till I watched one of your videos and saw how bad it was now I'm looking at buying a 2002 Chevy Impala

[@captinbeyond]

Would love to see the before/after the headlights are cleaned or replaced.

[@gelfyd1]

Why didn’t mrs wizard do an interior review?

[@roydrink]

Probably too many McDonalds wrappers…

[@alanmoncus2331]

Had a one owner '80 regal back in the day, wit the original 3.8, Trans was swapped from the 200 to a 350 hydro, loved that car and drove it along time (was still running great, when I sold it to a buddy of mine) lmao :D

[@mattmayo3539]

As someone who is 6’5”. There is nothing more comfortable than a bench seat. My Grammy’s park avenue was the best seat I ever sat in.

[@michaelcaratzas2383]

Hey, just wanted to say that it's really nice to hear you talk about your daughter's boyfriend in such a generous, understanding way. It would be easy to come on here and make jokes about what an idiot the boyfriend is and how he has no money, but everything you said about him was kind and positive. In a KZbin world of faux macho BS, you're a class act and a breath of fresh air, Car Wizard. Everyone disparaging the younger generation as a bunch of snowflakes could learn a lot from you.

[@agenericaccount3935]

ok