I think the original Malibu and Impala names still had some equity in them when they were retired, but back in those days, the American Way was to bring out something with a different name, market it as "new and improved", a new segment buster, or whatever. Gotta keep the marketing departments employed, I guess!
I think the little things they did with the Traverse do make it more appealing-looking, to me anyway. I still don't like the rearmost quarter windows, with a little extra blind spot built in!
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
It's funny you mention ridiculous interest rates because Marchionne actually complained about just that, I think it was over 20%.
So indeed the rate was absurd.
US basically exploited the help from Fiat.
I'd argue the rate was absurdly low given the status of Chrysler at the time. Rate is supposed to reflect risk, I think 100% is on the money!
No exploitation by the US unless it was at 100, not the lowly 20%. If 20% wasn't low (at the time) then Chrysler would have snapped a 19% or lower loan on the private market. Fact is the private market was higher than 20% and therefore Chrysler had to go to the US for the 20% rate.
Sure, later on, the rate was high, but at the time, the rate was the lowest available.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
private market at the time would lend to Chrysler any money at any amount or cost.
I don't believe that for a second. With the right terms and rates (perhaps 100%) Chrysler could have got funding from the private market. They CHOSE not to.
Just like GM chose not to sell Hummer, Saab, or Saturn quickly.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Volt portion reminds me of the Prius ads. Spark has women shopping? Not sure I get that connection. Sonic I get - Rob Dirdek did that barrel roll and he's a skater, but what's with the bling on the driver? Corvette part is the most fun.
Wasn't it Chevrolet renamed the 2dr Lumina Z34 Monte Carlo Z34 with the Lumina 4dr renamed Impala when it was refreshed? I remember there were (and still are) many disappointed people when that happened.
And when the Impala was dropped it didn't really become Caprice as the Caprice was still in production. Kind of like when the Impala was introduced in the '58 model year it became top-dog in the lineup, taking over the Bel Air's position as the more stylish. As the Caprice took over the Impala as being the more luxurious model in the Chevrolet lineup in the '66 model year. Then the Monte Carlo coming on as the luxury intermediate with Chevelle / Malibu underpinnings.
I guess I was thinking about the 2000 and 2006 Impala and Monte Carlo refreshes. By then, the Lumina was long gone.
My argument that the Impala became the Caprice was to counter some of the silly arguments on the other side (IMHO). The Solara name was dropped although it was originally called a Camry Solara and the Camry went on when the Solara was dropped.
This isn't something that has happened in the past 30 years that I can think of, but it used to be commonplace to 'push names down'--have a top-line model and 'push that name down' to lower models. At Chevy it happened with Bel Air and Impala and Caprice (when there was an upper-level 'Caprice Classic' as well, in the mid '80's and '90's). Ford did it with Galaxie 500 and Torino.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
This isn't something that has happened in the past 30 years that I can think of, but it used to be commonplace to 'push names down'--have a top-line model and 'push that name down' to lower models.
Dare I say GM did the push down with the entire company!
And when the Impala was dropped it didn't really become Caprice as the Caprice was still in production.
1985 was the last year for the Impala nameplate, but for 1986, a new trim level, called simply "Caprice" was added, which used the Caprice grille and taillights, but used the old Impala's hubcaps, seats, and door panel trim. In 1985, all Caprices were actually "Caprice Classics".
I was kinda sad to see the old Impala go. I actually preferred its grille to the Caprice, as it was cleaner and less pretentious.
I hate most of the ad except the Sinatra part (LOL), but like it or not, Volt is rather in a class by itself, Corvette is in a class by itself, and Impala will be somewhat in a class by itself if somebody wants something that size by a U.S. company.
I can't warm up to the rear of the Corvette, but I'm sure liking everything else I'm seeing about it. I'm liking the Impala too; anxious to see a real one.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Good. That's a sweet looking ride. Got to sit in one at NADA. If they made a hatch version I'd consider one, especially the AWD one (if I had the budget anyway, heh) They nailed the driver interface with it, the relationship between wheel, gearshift, pedals, and seat is as perfect as a Mazda or BMW. Definitely worth looking at, to find out if it drives as well as it sits.
I can't warm up to the rear of the Corvette, but I'm sure liking everything else I'm seeing about it. I'm liking the Impala too; anxious to see a real one.
You can be assured that teen-age boys, 13-19, along with guys who like to wear gold chains around their necks, just love the new Corvettes. Same with people who are fascinated by James Bond gimmick cars.
I would guess that the "elegant" "A" for Acura does not set well with dyed in the wool GM loyalists.
"General Motors". GM. A grand name. For about the year 1930, 1940. Coming out of bankruptcy, a chance to recast a failed and out-of-date company, they chose to keep their old "moniker". Failed, just like old companies such as Kodak. We taxpayers had to bail out GM. They still owe us $21 Billion.
let's bail out companies like KODAK, Kmart/Sears, Circuit City, Good Guys, Tweeter, Saab, Hummer, Saturn.
After all, bailouts are fantastic ideas and we should do more of them. Surely, there are companies out there more worthy of bailouts than GM and Chrysler.
Who makes muskets? How about horse carriages? Black and white TV's should be bailed out too (who needs color after all?)
Atari and Commodore gave me more hours of fun as a little child than GM or Chrysler ever will. Add them to the list!
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Were we not discussing...the Accord, not an Acura?
Ah yes. The Accord. The Benchmark sedan for about 25 plus years. The world-standard.
But, with regard to Acura and Lexus, GM never, ever had a competing model until perhaps the CTS. And, the early CTS fell far short of the Acura and Lexus.
The Oldsmobile tried but failed and is now dead. The Cadillac responses in the 90's failed.
Cimmaron, Catera, and the Cadillac featured on a Married with Children Comedy show episode, Allante. Anybody seen what these models, if still around, are fetching on car auctions? What a joke.
Ah yes. The Accord. The Benchmark sedan for about 25 plus years. The world-standard.
I would think that most people buy cars on their merits rather than how the badge looks. There are certainly a lot of more important qualities to me than the looks of the badge. Perhaps that's more important to others.
Cimmaron, Catera, and the Cadillac featured on a Married with Children Comedy show episode, Allante. Anybody seen what these models, if still around, are fetching on car auctions? What a joke
I just checked ebay motors and it seems the Allantes are fetching quite a bit more than Lexus, Infiniti or Acura (with the exception of NSX)
My grandmother's cousin's "boyfriend" (feels weird using that word when you're talking about people that old) had a black Allante years ago. I think he only had it for a few months, because it was hard for him to get into and out of. He was pretty well-monied, and tended to trade often anyway, though. Tended to buy New Yorkers and Imperials back in the day, but at some point I wonder if he hit a low spot, because he bought a1980 or so Cordoba LS. But then I guess he bounced back, because it was all Caddies after that.
I think the last car he had before he died was a black DeVille, around a 2000 or 2001.
Your car-buying process almost mirrors mine. I won't buy a car I hate just because it has good resale value. My first priority is how a car looks. If I hate its styling and would be ashamed to be seen in it, I go elsewhere.
The only reason resale value would come into play for me would be if I narrowed it down to two cars that I really liked. Then I'd go for the one that had better resale.
If I was choosing from one of today's crop of midsized cars, resale value might come into play a bit more, because they're all so close in my opinion. For instance, back when I bought my 2000 Intrepid, I didn't care for the Impala or Taurus. Couldn't afford a Bonneville or LeSabre, or Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. And the Altima, Camry, and Accord were still, in my opinion at least, compact cars. I know I'm mixing midsize and full-size cars there, but those classes have been merging together for awhile now.
If I was to buy the car I really wanted today, it would be a Charger. Resale be damned. But, if I was choosing from a midsize, it would be a hard call. I find the Altima a bit ugly, but I liked the inside. Accord looks nice, but I didn't care for the front seats. Malibu's a bit too small inside. Camry's too generic. Avenger/200 are too outdated, but seem tempting just based on price. I'm liking the Fusion more and more, but worry about the teething problems Ford seems to be having lately. The Mazda6 actually intrigues me a bit, though. But, does it still have any Ford DNA in it?
Are you serious? Comical. Acura NSX which certainly fetches more of it's original MSRP than any Cadillac of that period. But hey, it's much easier to prove a point when you can cherry pick the data.
Hmmm! I wouldn't think a Crown Vic would be more expensive than an Intrepid. They had already been around forever when your Intrepid was new.
I remember the sticker price of my Intrepid was $20,950, which included shipping. I ended up paying $22,389 out the door, once you threw in taxes, tags, and a $1205 extended warranty that I never had to use because the damn thing ended up being fairly reliable. :P
I think a Crown Vic would have run a little bit more. Plus, I got 0.9% financing on the Intrepid, which helped keep the monthly payment a bit lower.
I'm not sure what I'd be in the market for now. If I were to get rid of my Grand Marquis, I would get a new Impala if it turns out to be all that.
I think you'll like the new Impala when you finally get a chance to check one out. Style-wise, I think the only weak point is the rump. It's not unattractive, but just sort of generic. It doesn't scream "Chevy".
Legroom-wise, I think it was fine, both front and rear. In fact, when it comes to legroom, it might be one of the roomiest cars ever to wear the Impala badge. Even the old '94-96 Impala SS, as big as it was, wasn't all that generous with regards to legroom. It was wide inside almost to the point of being ridiculous, but legroom wasn't exactly in abundance.
Comments
Which GM cars offer a panoramic moonroof?
I could live with this:
http://www.bestcarsnews.com/2012newcarmodels/2012-cadillac-cts-sedan/attachment/- 2012-cadillac-cts-panoramic-sunroof
Quite nice, actually. Doubt it'll be down in my price range, unless it's used.
So indeed the rate was absurd.
US basically exploited the help from Fiat.
I'd argue the rate was absurdly low given the status of Chrysler at the time. Rate is supposed to reflect risk, I think 100% is on the money!
No exploitation by the US unless it was at 100, not the lowly 20%. If 20% wasn't low (at the time) then Chrysler would have snapped a 19% or lower loan on the private market. Fact is the private market was higher than 20% and therefore Chrysler had to go to the US for the 20% rate.
Sure, later on, the rate was high, but at the time, the rate was the lowest available.
I don't believe that for a second. With the right terms and rates (perhaps 100%) Chrysler could have got funding from the private market. They CHOSE not to.
Just like GM chose not to sell Hummer, Saab, or Saturn quickly.
Solara was just a Camry with 2 -doors, and the Cressida became Lexus.
I can imagine them bringing that name back. Sounds better than FR-S.
http://youtu.be/cvjgZWZoeWg
Volt portion reminds me of the Prius ads. Spark has women shopping? Not sure I get that connection. Sonic I get - Rob Dirdek did that barrel roll and he's a skater, but what's with the bling on the driver? Corvette part is the most fun.
And when the Impala was dropped it didn't really become Caprice as the Caprice was still in production. Kind of like when the Impala was introduced in the '58 model year it became top-dog in the lineup, taking over the Bel Air's position as the more stylish. As the Caprice took over the Impala as being the more luxurious model in the Chevrolet lineup in the '66 model year. Then the Monte Carlo coming on as the luxury intermediate with Chevelle / Malibu underpinnings.
http://youtu.be/19n6v5vZuE0
My argument that the Impala became the Caprice was to counter some of the silly arguments on the other side (IMHO). The Solara name was dropped although it was originally called a Camry Solara and the Camry went on when the Solara was dropped.
This isn't something that has happened in the past 30 years that I can think of, but it used to be commonplace to 'push names down'--have a top-line model and 'push that name down' to lower models. At Chevy it happened with Bel Air and Impala and Caprice (when there was an upper-level 'Caprice Classic' as well, in the mid '80's and '90's). Ford did it with Galaxie 500 and Torino.
Dare I say GM did the push down with the entire company!
1985 was the last year for the Impala nameplate, but for 1986, a new trim level, called simply "Caprice" was added, which used the Caprice grille and taillights, but used the old Impala's hubcaps, seats, and door panel trim. In 1985, all Caprices were actually "Caprice Classics".
I was kinda sad to see the old Impala go. I actually preferred its grille to the Caprice, as it was cleaner and less pretentious.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130211/OEM11/130219950#ixzz2Kd7dNziy
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I can't warm up to the rear of the Corvette, but I'm sure liking everything else I'm seeing about it. I'm liking the Impala too; anxious to see a real one.
I think I've stepped into a Monty Python episode.
Ok Monty. Mr You Can't Buy It On A Lot Without Going Through The Fleet Guy So It Isn't Really A Chevy And Therefore Doesn't Count. :shades:
You got to ask. Why would anyone spend $26K on a Malibu when the world class and benchmark Accords can be had for same or less.
Some people would rather not support a Japanese company, or might not like the Accord's styling. The dopey "H" emblems are enough to do it for me.
You can be assured that teen-age boys, 13-19, along with guys who like to wear gold chains around their necks, just love the new Corvettes. Same with people who are fascinated by James Bond gimmick cars.
I would guess that the "elegant" "A" for Acura does not set well with dyed in the wool GM loyalists.
"General Motors". GM. A grand name. For about the year 1930, 1940. Coming out of bankruptcy, a chance to recast a failed and out-of-date company, they chose to keep their old "moniker". Failed, just like old companies such as Kodak. We taxpayers had to bail out GM. They still owe us $21 Billion.
After all, bailouts are fantastic ideas and we should do more of them. Surely, there are companies out there more worthy of bailouts than GM and Chrysler.
Who makes muskets? How about horse carriages? Black and white TV's should be bailed out too (who needs color after all?)
Atari and Commodore gave me more hours of fun as a little child than GM or Chrysler ever will. Add them to the list!
Were we not discussing...the Accord, not an Acura?
Ah yes. The Accord. The Benchmark sedan for about 25 plus years. The world-standard.
But, with regard to Acura and Lexus, GM never, ever had a competing model until perhaps the CTS. And, the early CTS fell far short of the Acura and Lexus.
The Oldsmobile tried but failed and is now dead. The Cadillac responses in the 90's failed.
I would think that most people buy cars on their merits rather than how the badge looks. There are certainly a lot of more important qualities to me than the looks of the badge. Perhaps that's more important to others.
I just checked ebay motors and it seems the Allantes are fetching quite a bit more than Lexus, Infiniti or Acura (with the exception of NSX)
Some cars with actual bids:
'93 Lexus SC - 85K miles - 3 bids - $510
"91 Acura Legend - 184K miles - 18 bids - $1450
'91 Cadillac Allante - 61K miles - 32 bids - $5700
How about a '95 Fleetwood D'Elegance - 37K miles - 15 bids - over $9000
No Cimmarons on ebay.
I think the last car he had before he died was a black DeVille, around a 2000 or 2001.
If I was choosing from one of today's crop of midsized cars, resale value might come into play a bit more, because they're all so close in my opinion. For instance, back when I bought my 2000 Intrepid, I didn't care for the Impala or Taurus. Couldn't afford a Bonneville or LeSabre, or Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. And the Altima, Camry, and Accord were still, in my opinion at least, compact cars. I know I'm mixing midsize and full-size cars there, but those classes have been merging together for awhile now.
If I was to buy the car I really wanted today, it would be a Charger. Resale be damned. But, if I was choosing from a midsize, it would be a hard call. I find the Altima a bit ugly, but I liked the inside. Accord looks nice, but I didn't care for the front seats. Malibu's a bit too small inside. Camry's too generic. Avenger/200 are too outdated, but seem tempting just based on price. I'm liking the Fusion more and more, but worry about the teething problems Ford seems to be having lately. The Mazda6 actually intrigues me a bit, though. But, does it still have any Ford DNA in it?
I'm not sure what I'd be in the market for now. If I were to get rid of my Grand Marquis, I would get a new Impala if it turns out to be all that.
If I wanted to spend more - I'm thinking a Chrysler 300-C.
The other option would be to get my wife a new LaCrosse and use her current car as my hooptie.
If I went completely nuts - I'd get a new XTS and her an ATS.
The way things now look - I will probably keep the Grand Marquis until I run it into the ground.
I would think you'll be waiting a while for that to happen.
I remember the sticker price of my Intrepid was $20,950, which included shipping. I ended up paying $22,389 out the door, once you threw in taxes, tags, and a $1205 extended warranty that I never had to use because the damn thing ended up being fairly reliable. :P
I think a Crown Vic would have run a little bit more. Plus, I got 0.9% financing on the Intrepid, which helped keep the monthly payment a bit lower.
I'm not sure what I'd be in the market for now. If I were to get rid of my Grand Marquis, I would get a new Impala if it turns out to be all that.
I think you'll like the new Impala when you finally get a chance to check one out. Style-wise, I think the only weak point is the rump. It's not unattractive, but just sort of generic. It doesn't scream "Chevy".
Legroom-wise, I think it was fine, both front and rear. In fact, when it comes to legroom, it might be one of the roomiest cars ever to wear the Impala badge. Even the old '94-96 Impala SS, as big as it was, wasn't all that generous with regards to legroom. It was wide inside almost to the point of being ridiculous, but legroom wasn't exactly in abundance.
That exactly screams Chevy;) LOL
I think a Crown Vic would have been more than an intrepid overall depending on options. My dad's loaded '92 Crown Vic had an MSRP around $22k.
But, they could have at least tried to work in that 3-taillight, or even 2-taillight motif.
Up front, I think it has a strong Chevy heritage. Uplanderguy said it makes him think of a '79 Impala. And I see a bit of '72 in it.