Impala is going against an AWD Ford Five Hundred and a Dodge Charger that has not only a Hemi option, but no fewer than THREE performance models.

The Ford & Dodge and even Chrysler's 300 (via styling AND AWD) have a hook that get customers in.

With all else being equal (quality, price, etc...) what does the '06 Impala have to make it worth greater consideration than the other two?

 

With all due respect I don't think you can hold all else equal, because its not all equal.

I understand your point from a discussion standpoint, and I think the answer is there's nothing the Impy can offer that's an advantage over the other two if you can't look at price, quality or value. That's literally all its got going for it.

And honestly I think the re-style looks horrible. The car's lost its character. It was distinctly Chevrolet before IMO.

 

Easy it is Bland and will cost less after rebates. Toyota has proven that blandness sells and the current Impala proves that rebates sell. Put 2 and 2 together and the 06 Impala should sell like hotcakes.

 

I really cant stand the Impala. I would not buy one if they gave me a $10,000 rebate. I think it's the worst car in the Chevy lineup other then that korean made excuse for a car.

 

vs. Ford they have 303HP V8, and two V6's that have more power than Fords plus better gas milage with the base V6.

vs. Dodge they have better gas milage across the board and FWD yes... belive it or not there are still people out there that would rather have a FWD car over a RWD car. (not me though )


....oh and don't forget that new iPod jack

Other than that since I havn't driven either I can only talk about what I've seen on paper.

 

Let me refine this, because 91_z28_4me brought up a good point. Toyota is the real competitor here.

Let's say that you have Toyota's "percieved" quality.

But the Ford has AWD, the Dodge has performance, the 300 has looks. Two part question, now:

1. What hook does the Impala have that we know about (no speculating please) to recomend it over the other 2 US brands.

2. Which one do you feel will do the best at luring buyers away from the Toyota Camary (the best selling car in the US) or the Avalon (Toyota's full size car), both also made in the US.

 

Honestly I would say the Impala name is the biggest draw. It has done Great since it was brought back. It is a large car with small car gas mileage. The new interior and exterior, despite what we might think is exactly what this class of cars is all about. Higher detailed interior and superior gas mileage are what sell also. Honestly I think the Impy will continue to sell beyond most people's expectations for it.

BTW Guy the name is Casey, it is much easier to type and read.

 

To paraphrase another member here, "Its retro alright... Its everything bad from 1991..."

 

I see MUCH more 95-99 Lumina in the front end than anything else.

 

I happen to think it looks far better than the 300/Magnum/Charger, AND the 500 (which also looks better than the LX nasties), and the previous Impala. The base car looks ok on 16s, but you really need to see an LTZ on 17s, or an SS on 18s, and IN PERSON (not in pics) to get a feel for the car. It has a very refined look and feel to it. As for performance, we all know how much the 3.5L LX cars underdeliver (based on their hp ratings). I think the 3900 with 240 hp will have no problem with those cars, especially since the Impala is lighter. The 303 hp SS will be a tick or two behind the Hemi cars, but again the lighter weight helps here.

The Impala also has a lower cowl and higher greenhouse, so it isn't all claustrophobia-inducing like the absurdly packaged (for a family sedan) LX cars. Fuel economy, reliability, value, all stack up in the Impala's favor. Plus, it has an established name (which is good for the buying public, but bad from a media standpoint, because they'll say it is just a "rehash" of an old platform, yadda yadda yadda).

 

AWD will pull in northern customers, but down here where the snow never falls that 303hp v8 is gonna look tempting to alot of customers. Without big horsepower (ala STi WRX, EVo, etc.), AWD isnt gonna be enough of a selling point in places where traction isnt an issue IMO. Im thinking just the v8 option alone is gonna help Charger and Impala sales.

Up north, thats a different story. AWD will be a big player there...

 

As will FWD

vs. Charger = Better look IMO, FWD, better MPG...did I mention better look?

vs. 500 = Are we kidding here or what????? AWD is nice, but FWD is what seems to be mandatory in the snow belt...anything else is nice, but not as crucial. I agree that AWD is nice though. OK what else...not as bland as 500, not nearly as slow as 500, same features and price (more or less) as 500. I think the SS will have a nice halo effect over the entire Impala line.

All 3 cars are competent in their own respect, and buyers will buy each for different reasons. Those who want to question the Impala exterior, fine. But for every one person who dislikes the Impala, 2-3 won't like the Charger in all likelihood. I've seen a silver one in person....god is that thing uglier in person than in the pics. I think the revised Impy is a nice car. So is the 500, but the motor isn't there and its too bland. Impy doesn't seem to be as boring. Charger? A face only a mother can love...

 

The Imapla does not have a Silvarado front end . Its front end while not filled with soul , is at least understated and tasteful . In person , imo ....it does not look like a 95 Lumina in the least bit .

vs. 500 = Are we kidding here or what????? AWD is nice, but FWD is what seems to be mandatory in the snow belt...anything else is nice, but not as crucial. I agree that AWD is nice though. OK what else...not as bland as 500, not nearly as slow as 500, same features and price (more or less) as 500. I think the SS will have a nice halo effect over the entire Impala line.

It is not as ungodly huge as a 500 either . Man , up close the 500 is BIG for 1 and TALL for another . It again is a boring , NOT ugly , generically attractive car , but the Impala is more traditonal or familiar in proportions

I think the Impala will outsell by a large margain both the 500 and the charger/300 twins . By virtue of being a normal(or traditional) , high quality family car with lots of model choices , options , powertrains . Its not to honkin big , its not quirky and for once percieved quality of the 06 will be out of the ballpark better that HOT selling 5 year old current design by virtue of a great high quality interior and attention to detail for once in all area's .

 

This is pretty close to the mark. AWD is nice but not a gotta have for the $. If it was then everyone would be buying Subaru's to get it for "free".

The LX cars will get the people who want an agressive looking car and for the most part probably would not cross shop an Impala. The V6 Impala will do very well with the "average" costomer.

The real competitor is Toyota, which with it's higher "percieved" quality will give the Impala fits in terms of sales (and believe me, I know from experience, there is no diference in quality of the "dirty" parts of the major auto makers).

 

Wait, when did the 500 become a certified competitor to the new Impala? Isn't Ford paying the dealers to move these cars? How does a 200hp V6 compare against anything, hell I think the V6 Charger will give it a run for its money. This is a completely new car in everyones eyes. Who says it will sell as well as what it replaces?

As I see it, Chrysler is the only one doing something right. They are moving their bread and butter sedan into a different precieved market segment away from the Camary or Accord. This is something Ford and GM needs to realize. I think this is the reason the 300 and soon Charger sell so well. People look at those cars and don't compare them to the Accord or Camary, they compare them to a BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus. They compare the Stratus and Sebring to the Camary and Accord. What is precieved is what is important, Toyota has already proved that.