Who voted for the monte SS? .

The 2 cars aren't even comparable. The GTO is actually worth every penny of its MSRP.

The Impala/Monte SS's on the other hand are near rip-offs and shouldn't have costed no more than 24k-25k max. 30k is approaching luxury sedan territory. I realize the SS"s will be loaded, but that's still no excuse. Just look at the price of the average 240hp v6 accord coupe, 245hp Altima 3.5, and the more upscale 265-270hp Maxima. All can be had for less than 30k, and some even lower than mid 20's. Even fully loaded, the 240hp 3.5 Altima doesn't pass 23-24k and the accord v6 maxes out at around 26-27k. Even the more upscale Maxima maxes out at 29k. Now i have a hard time swallowing that. Especially considering these are the same old Montes/Impala we've had other than the performace upgrades.

It's GTO for me. If i want Fwd, i'll opt for the more powerful and more upscale 6spd Maxima or the much cheaper Altima.

I'm begining to like Nissan more and more everyday.

 

Bingo
It almost seems like a crime that the 'performance' MC costs THAT much when other competitors like the Accord Coupe can come in w/ their performance versions (very similar in power) at a much lower cost w/ much more quality interiors. GM NEEDS special financing and rebates to compete.

The other side to this, maybe this is showing what a success the GTO project is? Very powerful, very high quality interior for only 33K?! Thats beautiful!

 

Even with rebates, they'll still be priced at around 26-27k. Altimas max out at around 23k, accords 27, and Maximas 28k. These prices are fully loaded models. The basic v6 accord, altima, maxima can be had for a lot less. I'm sure the loaded Maxima at 28k will also give you a lot more car for your $$ since it has HID's, 6spd, Bose audio, heated seats, Navigation, etc...

I understand GM rebates now. Price the car really high, and let the rebates and incentives pull it down to what its actually worth. The clueless consumer then ends up thinking he's getting a special deal when he/she really isn't.

It is. It's a real bargain, and a whole lot of car for 33k.

 

I just looked on Edmunds.com and a fully loaded Maxima SE 6spd is close to 35K and Altima SE 5spd 28K+, Accord EX V6 with auto is 26k+.

 

Assuming you can get a GTO for $33K, then it's no contest, but I think that's going to be a big assumption. If I truly thought I could get one for that kind of money (less with GM discount), then I'd be considering a GTO right now. When are these supposed to roll off the assembly line? Assuming, of course, that there will actually be any of these left for "walk-in" customers to buy.

 

GTOs are about the size of the current Mustang. Mustangs are not the size of Monte Carlos. Neither is GTO.

 

Amen...

Also, not EVERYONE wants RWD. Here in the rust belt, it is going to be a hard sell for a lot of people with the GTO...they will assume they need a winter car. Many people do not want a winter car...but will feel they need one.

Also, there is no sunroof for a GTO, so back $900 from the MC SS price Still too much, but lets be fair here

 

A loaded Maxima is $35K and only 265HP with FWD , For that Money you could get a loaded GTO or G35 and they are RWD. You can even get a VERY well optioned CTS for $35K

$33K is a lot of money to me but compared to what else is on the market, THe GTO is a good deal.

 

Steves, my bad. Base price was around 27k for the maxima. Stupid carpoint.

Anyways, I went over to the Nissan site and priced this well optioned Nissan Maxima. You get 265hp 255lb-ft of Tq. 6sd Manual, with sensory package ($2,350 option) over the standard equipment. This sensory package includes these options over the standard options: Leather-appointed seats, Heated front seats, Heated outside mirrors, 4-way power front-passenger's seat, Digital compass in rearview mirror, 320-watt digital Bose® audio system with AM/FM/cassette/in-dash 6-CD changer, Eight Bose® speakers, including two 8" woofers and two tweeters, Radio Data System (RDS), Speed-sensitive audio volume.

Final price: MSRP: $29,840 with included handling/destination. Base MSRP was 26,950. Not bad for car that's more powerful and upscale then either Monte or Impala.

A well optioned (3,000 dollars worth over standard) 245hp 5spd Altima came to $26,688 msrp from a $23,149 base price. Again, not a bad price since you get lots of stuff and some good ponies for 26k.

You can also get a loaded 240hp Accord V6 EX coupe with every option but navigation for $26,500. With Navigation $28,500. For 26.5k you get leather -trimmed seats and door-panel inserts, a power moonroof with tilt feature, a driver's seat with 8-way power adjustment, heated front seats, painted brushed-aluminum trim, an AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD changer, XM® Satellite Radio, a dual-zone automatic climate-control system, 17” wheels, 6spd tranny, perforated leather-trimmed interior, premium audio system, and front shock tower brace with sport-tuned suspension. It’s an Accord to boot. All that for $26,500

All three seem well priced for the level of equipment. All three also offer you a manual tranny and comparable power and in the case of the Maxima, more power. How do they compare to the Impala/Monte SS?

In the end, the SS's are overpriced at 30k. Even in their class. A 280hp v8 would have made that 30k sticker easier to swallow. I know sticker means squat and incentives and rebates will knock a few grand off, but I’d want those few grands off a 26k msrp, not 30k msrp.

 

I'm sorry....I just think that the SS's price (MC and Impala)...are completely unjustified. In fact I may go even further and call them a rip off. These are old cars on an old chassis, using the last gen blown 3800. Are these even new motors...or are they using up last years' leftover stockpiles?

At least if they came standard with the best that the W-body had to offer...like the Comp G...maybe...just maybe, it would be justifiable.

I'd say a fair price for these two SS's is around $27-28K, pretty well loaded. At that price...I could truly consider them. But when you're talking about an MSRP just north of 31 grand...there are so many other choices.

What ever happened to getting more...for a Chevy price?

 

My thoughts exactly. I can't even justify spending 27-28k on a 240hp IMP considering a more refined "NEW" for 2003, top of the line, fully loaded, 240hp Accord EX v6 6spd with satellite linked navigation can be had for $28.5k. It's possible to walk out of that honda lot with a better price as well. With that in mind, neither SS's would be a consideration (for me) at or near the price of an fully loaded accord.

A fair price for me would be about 24-25k for either SS's, fully loaded too. I'm sure GM thinks differently.

The Imp/Monte look to be good cars, but not 27-31k good imo. Others might think so though *shrug*.

 

I never seen both side to side so I assumed. Sorry.

 

The current Gen MC and Impala came out for MY2000... not brand new, but I'd hardly call them "old".

The platform is not the newest, but it certainly is one of GM's best. Quality numbers and satisfaction numbers prove that.

 

If these were Japanese or European cars...a 4 year old car based on a 16 year old chassis, would be considered ancient.

But you're right Darth...there is nothing really wrong with the W-car. It fulfills it's mission very well as GM's mid-sized workhorse. They are durable, hearty cars which are inexpensive to build. The consumers who purchase them are generally very happy.

All I'm saying is, for $31K+, there are some great cars out there to choose from.

 

It's the same platform since 96. GP, Regal were introduced in 96 as 97's Intrigue 97 as 98 and Impala/MC 99 as 2000. So the platform is pretty old IMO.