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But, based on that experience, I've made it a point to NOT use cruise control during the first 500 or so miles, and if I'm making that same trip to my parent's house I'll go back roads (which are more fun when driving a new car anyway!!).
This is two new Chevrolets in a row that I have had significant problems with. I don't think I'll try for 3 strikes! Too bad. I've been a loyal GM driver and auto enthusiast for over 47 years.
One thing is 100% certain about the tint - reception for AM band stations dropped by a HUGE amount. Fortunately I don't listen to AM radio very much.
It's really quite nice - accelerates a lot better than previous generation 3.4/3.5, it's very quiet, and handling is even better than the LS models from former years that I test drove. Certainly worlds above the former "base" model with wallowy suspension.
Thanks Lutz, for improving the looks, engine, and suspension! And keeping the "occasional use" extra seating spot on the front seat!
Thank you
Quig
TIA
How is this done? Where there mechanical changes?
On a side note, I decided to keep XM but was charged an activation fee, probably in part because it was a second XM radio for me. I simply sent an email at my convenience and they credited my account with no hassle. I would say that proves XM isn't free of errors but their customer service is truly service oriented.
Also, is anyone else with an 06 3LT or LTZ just a little concerned about longer term parts availability for such a short run with this 3.9L engine? It's almost unheard of. I was planning to keep this one for quite a while, no major complaints so far.
Now lets hear everyone say: Union Concessions work!
Hopefully by 2009, all of the V6's will be alluminum. One of GM's problems is that most of its cars are heavy for there class. Weight kills fuel economy. It is the weight of GM's liabilities of course, that adds weight to the car, they can't afford expensive and light weight materials on the same level as the Japanese. This is changing slowly, but the japanese are also improving.
I think GM needs some vertical integration to shield itself against market changes for its basic parts, like rubber and steel. For now, however, they MUST focus on liability elinimation, if you look at there balance sheet your gonna want to scream.
The changes to the impala are a great sign of progress. There is a story on edmunds that says GM will introduce many new engines and transsmission options, including significantly revised ones, for the comming year.
Can't wait to see this improved impala. I am not sure how the RWD thing is going to play out. It will be fun sure, but lets not forget the camry has been FWD for a long time and it is on top. GM needs to see if there is something esle wrong with its product, because clearly the drivetrain is not it.
I am not saying its a bad thing, and clearly GM will sell a boat load of the 2009 impalas, but FWD is not the reason its lagging behind the Camry.
Good thing GM is making the nessesary improvements to the Impala, does anyone know if you will be able to see DoD kick in, on your dash, like in the GXP? These cars should not be carbon copies of one another, but some features are common sence.
The Chrysler 300 is priced at $30K+ range and is not high volume vehicle eventhough it has been a very sucessful vehicle. GM should not be chasing the small volume with car like Impala. If the Impala moves upscale, and the Malibu does not take up the slack on size and performance as well as styling, Chevy will repeat the path of Oldsmobile : designed themselves out of the market with the elimination of their volume leaders (Cutlass and Eighty Eight)in favor of the pricier Aurora. Also with gas price heading up North of $3.00/gallon, the demand for ultra powerful engine in midsize vehicle could be limited.
FWD is not what is limiting Impala. It is its aging platform (dated back to 90's)and conservative styling. Toyota and Honda are sellling their Camry and Accord with more than 40,000 vehicles/month vs. 25,000 for Impala.
jt
I don't know why we compare the Impala to the Camry/Accord. Both are a foot shorter and the same size as the Malibu. The next genration Impala should be in the large car catagory.
Quig
20082006 Impala owners with nagging problems vow never to buy again.You might want to read
blackexv6, "Honda Accord (2003-2006) Maintenance & Repair" #791, 23 May 2006 5:11 am
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.eeca4bd/3387
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ee9e739/18956
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.efe9635/456
Note transmission showing up as a common discussion...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I agree with you -- I don't like hearing the same 3 cyls will be deactivated, as that should cause uneven wear over time. I was hoping it'd be like the V8, and would only deactivate a different set of 2 cyls each time to keep it balanced. I'm now thinking that perhaps you don't see any real fuel savings until you deactivate half the cylinders. Running on 3 cyls just sounds odd.
Since I generally keep my cars for 100K+ miles to get my money's worth, I'll gladly trade 1-2 mpg (even at $3+/gal) for an engine that sounds like it may provide the better long-term reliability. DOD is still pretty new, at least in this incarnation. I'd like to see the repair histories on those engines 5-7 years down the road.
I'm not knocking GM for trying to increase fuel economy, but I'm not convinced it will provide the best overall customer economy once an expensive engine repair is factored in over the marginal fuel savings. Admittedly, this is all speculative on my part since they're so new. Who knows, perhaps GM will surprise us all as they generally build pretty good engines, even if they're not the quietest or the smoothest.
If you take care of your car it will last. Chevy engines last a long, long time.
I can understand your skepticism but your negative speculation doesn't help anything. Why not give it a chance and see what happens?
As for Chevy starting and discontinuing model lines, it's all about the names; the same models continued on. The Celebrity was a transition to a smaller six passenger car. It evolved into the Lumina (never understood why that thought that name would sell) and later into the Impala. I would guess part of the reason they took away the famous old names was due to the backlash from traditionalists when the Nova name returned on a rebadged Toyota Corolla, the Cutlass Supreme was switched to FWD, etc. The revival of those once grand model names is a testament to GM's confidence that the newer versions do justice to the famous nameplates of old. I think they still have a way to go but I do believe they'll get there with the new RWD platforms. I would love to see new Chevelles, Camaros, Impala/Caprice Classics, even a nice new Cutlass Supreme (although it probably wouldn't work as a Chevy). Those cars really inspired people to love and bond with their vehicle, wash and polish them, etc. These days, the personal pride of ownership seems to have faded from most people. Cars are more like appliances to them and I think that's a major reason why Toyota and Honda have done so well. Chrysler has managed to tap into that old passion to a degree with the new Charger. Ford has managed to maintain it with the Mustang (although I am unsure how they managed to do it through the last couple generations). GM tapped into a bit of it with the new GTO but took the lazy approach they are known for and simply rebadged a lack luster model from Australia. The SSR is truly original but appeals to a limited segment. A more mainstream power house will sell much better and hopefully we'll get one or more in the next few years.
That is how the Japanese improve their products: small increment improvement every year. After 5-10 years, the difference is startling.
jt
Although I think I understand what you mean by that statement, I believe that GM is actually doing all they can, from a product standpoint. I don’t think that, realistically, they can do a lot better – right now.
Meaning: I don’t see how even investing more $$s more quickly will bring the production capacity for their 6 speed automatic transmissions (FWD & RWD) on line any more quickly. The ( long ) R&D cycle is done, but production capacity for such complex and heavy and expensive components as make up modern transmissions takes time to do properly.
I doubt if anyone outside GM knows exactly what models are due for the FWD 6 speed automatics, in what order, as capacity ramps up. But I expect that GM would LIKE to put one in the Impala. Today. But I am not sure where the Impala is in the waiting line. Or even if the Impala is on that list.
On the RWD side of the GM house, for example, the Caddy STS for 2007 is offering a new version of the six speed automatic. Only on the V8s. And to replace a pretty darned good 5 speed. ( I have driven a couple & reviews have been almost universally positive. ) Not a 4 speed. One could certainly argue that the V6 versions of the STS would take better advantage of the additional ratio and the substantially wider spread ( between first and sixth gear ) in ratios, given the lower HP & TQ ratings of the V6 vs the V8. But Caddy (apparently) reasons that the V8 is more premium and deserved the most premium ( ? ) transmission - first. Or something like that. I will be very interested to see what GM \ Caddy says about this in their marketing of the 2007 STSs.
In the Impala context, my point is:
I just don’t believe that GM right now has any more money to spend ( or that they could reasonably borrow more money, at their current debt ratings ) to throw at new product development or at increasing capacity for such component manufacturing enterprises as the transmission plants. They have clearly been badly burned by excess capacity issues. And continue to be burned. And even if they had more money to invest here, ramping up ANY production capacity any more quickly probably looks rather risky & fraught with potential peril.
Would I like a six speed trans. in my FWD 2005 GP GXP? Assuming it was well sorted & durable, possibly. ( Clearly right now there is no reliability history at all for the FWD six speed automatic. At least one version of the RWD six speed has been used now for nearly a complete model year in the Corvette, with minimal reported issues. )
Would I have preferred a V8, RWD, 300+ HP \ TQ sedan for my $27,000 when I bought it last June? Quite possibly – but GM certainly does not make such a beast, since the demise of the GTO. And I had issues ( including the old 4 speed automatic, with no manumatic function ) with the GTO beyond 2 doors vs 4.
And, who does now market one in or near that price range? (Rhetorical question.)
Would I trade my 2005 in on a 2008, if a FWD version of the six speed with sufficient HP \ TQ capacity was developed & available? Possibly.
Public introduction of a RWD Impala is likely quite some time in the future. And more effort ( $$s ) may be thrown at the RWD Camaro. Again, no one outside GM likely knows the timing here.
I am not convinced, based on what I’ve seen in the 2007 Order Guide, that the upgrade to a six speed for the STS V8s will prove sufficient ( and it looks like almost the only significant upgrade for 2007 ) to improve the STS’s sales numbers appreciably.
We’ll see.
If the new Saturn ( Aura ? ) with the first application of the FWD six speed is a huge sales success, will that be attributed largely to availability of the six speed? If it proves to be a slow seller, will that allow production capacity to be utilized earlier \ sooner for other candidates, like the Impala?
Or will the Impala be considered not worth the time and effort to engineer this combination – as it will (apparently) be replaced by a RWD model – sometime?
Dunno.
My crystal ball is a little foggy. Humidity in the Atlanta area is rising, as Summer approaches . .
But I do think we live in interesting times, automotively speaking.
- Ray
Watching & waiting . . and pretty happy with my current ‘ride’ . .