In the annals of classic Chevrolets the Impala stands proud. Though one would be hard-pressed to find anything in common with the current model, when my editor Aaron Gold at "About Cars" asked me to "test a 2007 Impala" I accepted the challenge. Except that GM Canada, whose enthusiasm for the Impala must be similar to Ford's for the late, unlamented Taurus, didn't have one in its press fleet.

I live across the highway from Victoria International airport so it was an easy matter to rent an Impala for 24 hours; cheaper, too, than bringing one back to Vancouver Island by ferry from GM's fleet on the BC mainland. Frankly, I prefer testing rentals as opposed to media cars. The latter are inevitably loaded with costly extras (and maintained in perfect condition) whereas rentals are the vehicles most people purchase and even with the best of intentions often get trashed by careless customers.

Much to my surprise the base 2007 Impala was a pleasant ride. Better performance than anticipated, better handling than expected. Though fellow automobile journalists described the styling as bland, I found it more attractive than many of the so-called aggressive designs of its competition. Nevertheless I had one serious beef with this Impala. Indeed, my thoughts on three-abreast seating so enraged a viewer that he "dissed me hard in an About Cars comment". Sorry, old boy, but I insist such seating creates serious accident hazards. The rain, at least, made for a classic photo-op.