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2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
And largely for that reason and that reason alone, I have now driven a Ford lately...in fact, it just brought me home!
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GM has made this car accessible to a lot of people by keeping the base price low and not loading it up with leather and such. I like that.. and I think that's what Chevy is all about. Performance for everyone, value and fun.
I would wait and buy an 06, it is a much improved car in every way and even worth paying a little more if you have to.
The Impala satisfies the needs of many across the spectrum but mostly owners over 40 who need a large roomy family sedan that can seat 5 or 6 comfortably. It will continue to do well if they keep it fresh......6 years was too long with the original style 2000-2005 models. The freshening of the 2006 Impala was way overdue.
I personally like some of the retros PT, Bug, 300, Mustang etc.......cudos to those manufactures that have given us something more then the melting pot blandness of whats been on the roads for the past 20 years. These manufacturers took a business chance and it has been successful....If you don't take a chance you don't get a chance! The PT & Bug have sold well and will soon be refreshened. The 300 they can't make them fast enough...The Mustang is a huge hit and the Shelby Cobra GT 500 next year. These Halo cars also bring consumers to the showroom to see these cars and see the other models that the manufactures offer........A WIN WIN situation...The SSR from Chevy is a lame duck too heavy, to expensive, not practical when you can buy a Corvette for a few $ more.
There is a huge segment out there that want the Impala to go RWD in its next format, or revive a Caprice type vehicle. Hopefully Chevy will check the pulse of the consumers and if it is warranted...... DO IT!!
Back to the Impala... yes, there is currently a battle inside GM going about the next-gen. Rumors are of a new "Chi" platform for FWD vehicles (high-end replacement for the W-bodies; low-end will be the forthcoming Epsilon2 FWD/AWD vehicles (G6, Malibu, maybe a LaCrosse replacement). There is some discussion of a new RWD platform (cheaper Sigma or Americanized Zeta), rumored to revive the Caprice name...
--Robert
Your right about the Mustang......it will do OK on its own.
Personally, I too like a couple of the retros. I've had my dad's Impala and my grandfathers Caprice. Nice roomy rides for those cross country trips. Too much money is being spent by the manufacturer's on the interiors forcing the overall price of cars into outer space. Give me a sound, large, powerful and well-built car. How about those flat bench seats. Cheap to make and plenty of room to stretch out on for all the right reasons.
If the Impala ever goes RWD, and I hear it will soon, then there'll be one less to choose from. Otherwise, I'll wait for the Cadillac DTS to go and I'll be there instead unless someone comes out with an acceptable equivalent. Hopefully, it's before GM and United go bankrupt.
I don't care for RWD though for a 300 hp SS is would be better I suppose. Still, living in the northern climates, I prefer FWD in general.
I'm 36 and well aware of Chevy's heritage and I still prefer the classics to redone retro vehicles. Mustang was well done but in general, BLA. I don't mind classic styling cues, but retro vehicles like the PT don't really do much for me.
Yes, there are rumors of a new large RWD sedan for Chevy, but we are not talking until 2010-2011 at the earliest. Whether or not this is named Impala or (more likely) Caprice, is yet to be determined... at today's GM, nothing is set in stone until you see the show car (look what happened to Zeta)...
--Robert
Reliable information is much harder to come by...
Personally, I don't care that much but a 5 or 6 speed is what some people want these days and they do have their advantages.
What I heard was that they will make it in England using French cream cheese initially, then move the production back to the US using Wisconsin cream cheese.
Ford said that the Wisconsin cream cheese factory just is not ready yet.
I think I will get one of the early production models to get the French cream cheese.
The current trend is horsepower and styling to make cars look unlike each other so much. FWD has limitations as to how much hp you can get.
Don't listen to rumors. Do a head count of the number of FWD's and RWD's two years ago compared to today. Do the same for horsepower. Do the same for body styles. Automakers signal their trends gradually but just like when they changed to so many FWD's your now seeing the beginning of their turnaround.
I would not be surprised if it stayed FWD at all since most of the sedan world competition is FWD.
In my opinion, it is a slick car. The styling looks much better in person than any pictures that I've seen to date. It is understated, with clean lines and a little bit of a sporty look. There are a few nicely placed chrome inserts in places around the windows and framing the grill that add a touch of class without being "showy".
The rims are a bit chunky but they seem to go well with the car. The interior is OK. A little nicer than what you would expect from a Chevy, but not what I would consider fantastic. I absolutely hate the look of the new radio. Looks like an 80's throwback with the green lights. However, it has some awesome features.
The model that I drove had a 6 disk in-dash CD changer that will play MP3's. Very nice considring that you can fit a ton of MP3's on a single disk. It also has an aux jack so you can plug in an MP3 player. Add XM and the Bose Premium sound system and it has everything that you could ask for. The steeringwheel controls are well placed and functional. It has a button that will turn the volume off when taking a call on youor mobile phone. The trunk is HUGE. Plenty of room for 2-3 sets of golf clubs and a small cooler. The back seat has enough room for 2 adults, but I wouldn't consider it "roomy". I had the driver seat pretty far back and was still able to sit behind it without my knees touching the back of the driver seat.
Now for the good stuff, the drive. Wow! This car has zip. As with all FWD cars there is a bit of tourque steer when you step on it, but it isn't as bad as I thought it woud be. When you step on it, it goes. I zipped around traffic with ease and was surprised at how fast I was going when I finally looked down at the speedometer. (80 in a 45 yikes) It handled well while cornering, but I wish it was just a little stiffer. Freeway driving was a breeze. It has great passing ability. Again, I was surprised at how fast I was going when flying past cars. This car has more than enough power for most people and certainly has enough zip for aggressive drivers such as myself.
All-in-all, it is a great car for the price. Sticker for one with sunroof, XM radio, homelink, and Bose premium sounnd was around $31k.
Comparisons to other cars I've recently test drove:
05 Grand Prix GXP: Handled a little better than the SS and has the same power. The interior is too crammed. I'm not sure what the specs are, but it felt a bit too tight for me and the back seat was noticably smaller than the SS. Also, didn't have the aux jack for the radio. The styling is a bit old. This GP body style has been around for a while and it doesn't do much for me.
05 Charger RT: HUGE in size compared to the SS. I loved the RWD. Great, powerful engine, good handling. However, they sticker at $36 and don't have homelink, or an aux jack for the radio. Also, they want a fortune for a 3 year lease. (you can get a Caddy STS for about the same lease price) CRAZY!
For the money, you can't beat the Impala SS. I'd encourage anyone looking for a fast sedan to take one out for a drive. You will be pleasently surprised.
I don't think this car can be beat by anything on the street in terms of bang for the buck. A loaded 303 hp sedan for around $30K, amazing. My dealer has an SS at the front, wonder how fast it will be sold.
The Specs for each are ~104 cubic feet of passenger space.
This is based on a rather quick look inside a parked car. Didn't even sit in it.
I currently have an '02, and while it took some "warming up" on my part to get used to the huge tail lights, now I kind of like them, and they're distinctive. You can tell right away you're behind (or in front) of an Impala, and that's what I grew to like about the 00-05 Impalas.
I just think the Impala has become too "mainstreamed," and has subsequently lost its retro slant. I think Chevy should have kept (or perhaps even increased) hints of Impalas of years gone by. Now, there's very little in the way of reminincing of the Impala namesakes
Correct. The RWD won't be here until the 2010 - 2011 time-frame; was initially 08, then pushed to 09, current '10 - 11. It won't be called Impala or Caprice. That's all I can say.
Haven't heard too much on the Holden Buick that's to make its way over here. Not sure about the "Zeta-Lite" (or whatever it's being called today - name changes every 8 hours it seems). That thing's been changed so many times and the program turned on/off more times than I can count. :confuse:
Even when the show car comes out, it's still not set in stone.
Ed Cole, Harley Earl, GM needs you.
The Lacrosse uses the 3.6 L (3564 cc) LY7 version was introduced in the 2004 Cadillac CTS sedan. It has a 10.2:1 compression ratio and produces 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 ft·lbf (342 N·m). The bore is 3.70 in (94.0 mm) and the stroke is 3.37 in (85.6 mm). In some applications, including the Buick LaCrosse and base Holden Commodore, the LY7 has an ouput of 235 to 240 hp (175 to 179 kW) and 230 ft·lbf (312 N·m). They call it a GM High Feature engine.
Any thought on which is better from a reliablity standpoint? I also wonder why GM doesn't use the same engines in both car. You would think its cheaper/more profitable to have only 1 version of a similar size engine.
When is this forum moving to the sedan section?
-Seats are firmer more padding used. Interior materials are better, seats could still be a little longer for thigh support
-Gauges are more modern.(little smaller) information centre is in with the speedometer. outside temp etc.....no gauge package with oil pressure/ampere like on the 04 and 05SS
-the rest of the dashboard is ok but plain. black interior looks richer then the two tone gray thats offered.
-heater/AC controls are confusing, and small compared to our current Impalas
-exterior mirrors are smaller
-glove box a little deeper but still narrow 20% larger
-there is an airbag light thats on all the time on the passenger side dashboard. when someone over 40 pounds sits in the seat the light activates + (positive) when a child, package etc on the passenger seat under 40 pounds a light comes on x ....(negative) get your kid into the back seat!
-Back seat headroom is down a bit.....I'm 5 11" and my hair touched the roof liner. In my 01 LS I have a little more headroom.
-the rear leg room is about the same as previous except there are two bolsters at the back bottom of each of the front seats making foot room tight.on the sides....don't know what thats all about we didn't have that on our 00-05 Impalas
-front windshield seems a little smaller.
-trunk is a little wider inside, the trunk opening is about the same. and the same depth as previous.
-trunk lid has a liner inside like the engine compartment
-5.3 V8 fits in fine. same airbox/aircleaner set up as 3800 and just as difficult to change the filter for those that do their own
-wheel wells are finished and enclosed better then our previous Impalas.
-performance, the car is peppy and with the windows down can hear the throaty exhaust when accelerating.
-handling is improved and absorbs road noise better then the current LS
-car is quiter inside and the ride is very good, feels tight. I thought it would be harsher.
The SS is about $3200 more then a comparatively equipped LTZ, that has the 3900 and 17" wheels..
Now I am waiting for the next NEW/or UPDATED Impala!!
Overall a modern update that should have happened two years ago....6model years with the same old/same old is too long
Its just $1000 off the MSRP which is the same as the $1000 already announced incentive for the 06 Impala.
I was hoping to get the $1000 incentive and also deal with the dealer to get closer to the Invoice price. Maybe I will have to wait until all the 05s are gone.
Several posts back you state you don't like retros !!...thats fine some do!, but its interesting you are on the HHR board telling everyone the nice things about the HHR and its RETRO!! from 1949! and you don't like retros...........I read the Jim Kenzie article on the weekend. he says a lot of postive things about the car, there will be other writers who will point out not so positive things about the car, and that will make you mad......time to move on Vanman1 your boring me!
:confuse: :confuse: :confuse:
You mention lots of good points (and some bad points) but then come to the end saying you are "now waiting for the next new/or updated Impala" and this car "should have happened 2 years ago" so I was trying to clarify your opinion.
I have actually sat in the 06 Impala and I spoke with the salesman for a few minutes which I got my oil changed. I didn't realize I would have to drive it before I asked you a question.
New Impala is certainly not perfect. I would say the styling is a bit too conservative and the wood inside the base models is not the best looking IMO. I would prefer no wood actually.
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I believe the 2006 Impala SS will do well. We all have wish lists of what a car should look like or offer. I know the 00-05 Impala's had some problems early on. The cracked welds on the cradle, the warped brake rotors, the intake manifold leak, and a few of transmission problems. Over time these issues were delt with. For years auto manufactures seldom listened to customers complaints unless safety issues. Because competition is so important today, the manufactures are listening and changes are being made. I was happy to see Chevy re-introduce the Impala name plate again back in 2000 I have owned several Impalas including 2 sixties SS cars. I do believe with any car name plate there is always room for upgrades, or improvements, not necessarily major changes.
A cars appearance to (me) is very important. Many are just happy with reliable transportation, and thats fine there are lower models of the Impala to satisfy their needs. This new SS offers amenities that previous Impalas didn't offer and some amenities were deleted. I know GM is in a financial mess and making a product to satisfy most everyones desires is impossible, but quality & reliability have improved substantially. In Jim Kenzies report regarding the Impala he like many others compares the Impala to the Accord/Camry. The exterior dimensions of these cars are actually smaller then the Malibu which should be their competion. He also stated that the new Impala offers 4 wheel disc brakes on all models. 00-05 Impalas all had disc brakes. The new Impala seems to fit nicely between the Avalon, 300, Charger & Five Hundred even though some of these vehicles offer RWD (Ford AWD) The new Impala will be the leader in the (bang for your $$ market) FWD family sedans.
When I said I was waiting for the next Impala, it was just a comment to say "well seen that" whats coming next. I'm always looking ahead. Will the next generation Impala be larger, RWD, or carry on with its current platform. More then likely this 06 style will be with us for 3-4 years (I guess)
In closing, there were a lot of very good improvements in this car. I pointed out a few things that changed that didn't have to change, thats all. I really like the larger exterior mirrors that the 00-05 models have, and the gauge cluster that offered oil pressure/ampere information (the 04 & 05 SS cars had). Just constructive criticism. I will probably buy an 07 SS and a few minor changes will probably be made to keep it fresh and the sales coming.
I'm just happy Chevy finally has a good midsize sedan again. Neither the Lumina nor the current Impala impressed me at all. This 2006 finally has me looking at a Chevy to replace my 2000 Intrigue in a couple of years.
I was impressed. Power was more than I imagined and compared to my 04 Grand Prix GT. The interior quality, fit and finish was as good as anything I have seen and even better than my GP. The trunk has the gas shock mounted system for maximum trunk space which I think is a must and the radio has a MP3 player input jack which was a nice touch, I think the radio itself played MP3s also.
My disappointments were styling a little which I thought was not as nice as my Grand Prix. That said, it's not a bad looking car at all, nothing weird. I also thought the wood trimmed models had too much of it. I preferred the stainless steel look of the SS. Anyone know if this is available in other trims?
Overall, I think the car is a winner. I don't see how anyone can go midsize shopping and not take a look at this car. I will take a look next time though a new Grand Prix could sway me back to Pontiac.
GM is trying to slowly transition away from big discounts, but new introduction time is never a good time to dicker on cars, wait until January or February. I think cutting the discounts and list price will make things seem more competitive. People like me who expect a six grand discount on a base car will take a bit of convincing that GM is serious this time.
The same thing is going on with the Sonata, but IMHO, GM dealers are a little higher on the reputability scale than Hyundai dealers... or maybe it's more a matter of having humility ground into them over the last decade or so.
Whatever, it gets people in I suppose. I like the new lower MSRPs, good move for GM. Impala pricing looks great now compared to Toyota Camry.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,