Accord's V6 is 240 HP; Maxima's is 265 HP. Both have an extra cog in their automatics, and both will be a bit lighter. If the TM is as bad as some are expecting in the Impala, then straight line acceleration is going to be close. Then there's braking, roadholding, skidpad, etc. for quantitative measurements; and qualitative measurements, which is an area GM has typically underperformed the competition.

And I do think that the 300C is a direct competitor. Both are large-sized domestic V8 family sedans. Just because one drives a different set of wheels doesn't necessarily put it into a different market.

 

I think you mean Charger is a direct competitor.

I think the 300 is more in competition with Buick.

 

Maybe it's my perception, but no, I meant the 300C. I don't think of Chrysler as a premium brand at all. I think they're mainstream, mass-market cars, and thus go head to head with Chevy. The Charger is trying to be a sporty 2+2 (despite its door count) and would be more of a Monte Carlo competitor. That certainly seems to be DCX's positioning anyhow, although I'm not sure I buy that.

 

i know they are pre-production models and they are getting better but they are not up to honda/toyota quality yet...

 

Based on the ones I've seen (also pre-production), I don't think I agree with that.

 

well the ones i've seen ( a blue and a maroon one) both had taillights the don't fit flush with the rear quater and the one i saw at the auto show (silver) had that but worse ( like 1/4 of a inch) plus misaligned body panels.

 

if i see one around and can get a pic i'll post it (i just got a camra phone and i'm a newbie with it)

 

I think it looks pretty boring, but better than the previous (current?) style. I still don't understand how bland = ugly to so many people.

Impala, GTO = bland
Aztek, Element = ugly

There's a big difference, IMO. I'll take bland over ugly every time.

 

sort of like the impala ss/avalon comparo we had going on huh?

i actually like the current style better than the b-body style and the new style

 

Impala is said to be able to do 14.3. Mazima is a 15.0 car and the Accord is in the very high 14's

I don't know that cars you have been looking at but GM has been very competative in cornering and road handling. Just look at all the Vettes (C5 Z06, C6, Z51) , 1LE Camaros, CTS-V, and even the Cobalt SS is pretty much the best cornering FWD you can buy.

 

I like it--but they shuold have stuck with the 4 round tail lights. Oh well....we got a V8 out of it. Can't wait to see it stomp on the Accords and Altimas

 

I saw an '06 Impala last week outside of Detroit. I think it looks 1000x better than the current car. Thank goodness the sea of red plastic across the decklid is gone. That being said, it still doesn't interest me, since I can get RWD and more power elsewhere. Sure, it may be the quickest Impala SS of all time, blah blah blah, but in 2015, will there still be a fanantical following behind the '06 car like there is for the Tri-9 Impalas here in 2005? Doubtful, to say the least.

 

You may change your mind when you see one in person or drive one.

Honda/ Toyota quality is matched if not exceeded when looking at production models. The fit and finish, panel gaps are excellent. The issues seen in pre-production models have been addressed. The interior's material quality could be better and doesn't match the Japanese but it fits together as precisely as possible.

 

i hope so...

 

A lot of people critisize it for being bland looking and doesn't have the curb appeal of the DC cars. Who cares! A lot of people also HATE those cars.

GM hit a homerun with the last impala, they had 3 shifts building them for 3 years and a 2 shift operation working OT prior to that. They knew they didn't want to completely change the styling while making the car better in every way. I think they've accomplished this very well.

Same goes with the Buick Lacrosse. They've made a car that's 100X better than the Regal that Buick Regal buyers still appreciate.

If you wanna talk about bland, let's talk about Toyota. The Corolla looks almost 100% identical to the Camry but shrunk smaller.

GM wants to make a car that offends no one and make the quality and price the big reason why people buy the car. It works for Toyota so you can't blame GM for trying.

Time will tell...