It cracks me up to see the Impala talked about like its a great car. To me it's the second worst car in the Chevy line up. I honestly hate it with a passion. Everything about it, right down to the dash just bugs the heck out of me.

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

About 300,000.

Impala will easily out sell for 2005 since the Charger came in 1/2 way though the year. I don't know if the Impala can out sell all 3 for 2006 though.

'00-05 was a good car, but lucky for you 2006 will be all new.

 

Great car, of course not. There are NO great cars in that segment. This is nothing more than people movers. But Impala is more exciting than a Camary, that's for sure.

 

I disagree with the assumption that because a car is not a fire-breathing monster of a performance car or doesn't have radical styling that it somehow isn't a great car.

The 1957 Chevrolet is, by any measure, a classic - a great car in every way possible.

In it's time it was also basically just a people transporter, just like the Impala.



Interesting fact:
Comparitively speaking, the 1957 Chevrolet didn't sell very well. It was considered ugly at the time.

 

I'm not so sure about that.

When the 280hp V6 from the new Avalon makes its way to the upcoming Camry, you'll have to do a serious rethink.

 

Camary?

Canary?

Camaro?


Oh, caMRY!

 

1. In your opinion, what's the worst car in the Chevy line up? (I'm guessing that you'll mention the Aveo?)

2. I wouldn't use the word "hate" concerning the wimpy Impy. I also wouldn't use the word "passion in connection with any GM W-body because there obviously isn't any.

3. The dash of the 2000 Impala was a nasty piece on a visual level. It looked like a layer cake of cheap plastic.

 

1. I think Chevy's doing pretty darned well. I'm not a big fan of the SSR, but hey... it's at least unique.

2. Since when do "wimpy" and 300hp go together?

3. Who cares? That was 5 years ago.

 

Going back to the original question, as to what does the 2006 Impala offer over the Charger and 500?... the Impala is a better looking vehicle IMO. The 500 is too stubby looking yet its not a small car. Meanwhile the Charger looks like the Magnum/300 i.e. just about every other vehicle in Chrysler's lineup.

Personally the only unique looking vehicle in Chrysler's lineup to me is the Crossfire (darn if that thing weren't a RWD V8 ). Besides in the 4-door, 4-5 passenger sedan class RWD and hp aren't the top concerns of the majority of buyers. I'll bet comfort and style are more important to most, and fuel efficiency is probably right up there as well.

No, the Impala will continue to be a home run as long as it remains stylish and affordable.

 

323tq > 260tq

 

Am I the only one here who feels that the Five Hundred is a fairly good looking car?

 

I think the 500 looks great in person. Its size, and presence are rather striking. It also looks rather elegant.

I had a Rimfire Red one pass me on hwy 87 one day. It looked very nice coming up behind me............. as it was next to me............ and as it went around me (he was only doing about 90 in a 65).

 

What dictates that the mainstream in this market what a FWD car? I'm going with the assumption that bcuz most of the cars in the segment are FWD, this is what is demanded.

The new Impala is trying compete against all competitors in the segment, and it is the only one in the segment that is doing it. FWD V6 for those that just want a people mover, FWD for those concerned about winter weather, and V8 for those wanting more performance for their people mover. The Toyota is just offering a vehical to move people from point A to point B, and the Charger is for those that want to get to point B faster then everyone else while having a little fun inbetween.

I still disagree that people mostly want FWD in this segment. Do they buy the Impala/Toyota/etc bcuz of FWD or bcuz they don't like the design of the Charger? The Charger is really the first vehical in the segment to move RWD that is planned to be 100k+ units. Will a AWD/RWD Impala still sell as well as long as it still has that Chevy design to it?

 

I would describe it as inoffensive .... but then, the current Buick LeSabre gets my nod as one of the better looking domestic sedans so my opinion might not carry a whole lotta weight.