Next Impala pushed back to 2013 from 2011
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
But the Impala is for people who aren't embarrassed about owning one!
If you were of the kind who takes pride in your hygiene, your appearance, your attire, you wouldn't be caught dead in one... unless you happened to be catching a taxi. Cheap, non-stylish motoring just doesn't cut it when you have far more inspiring designs around for not much more money. Ya know, cars that actually make you 'feel good' about owning a brand new car.
That's the difference. As somebody else alluded to... Impala was outdated the day it was released. I still remember my reaction that day - I was so disappointed when I first saw it... and I'm understating my emotions, too.
If you were of the kind who takes pride in your hygiene, your appearance, your attire, you wouldn't be caught dead in one... unless you happened to be catching a taxi. Cheap, non-stylish motoring just doesn't cut it when you have far more inspiring designs around for not much more money. Ya know, cars that actually make you 'feel good' about owning a brand new car.
That's the difference. As somebody else alluded to... Impala was outdated the day it was released. I still remember my reaction that day - I was so disappointed when I first saw it... and I'm understating my emotions, too.
I'll admit, the current generation lost some of the character it had in the previous generation, however its still a nice full-size appliance vehicle, and a heck of a lot less expensive that its counterparts from Buick and Cadillac. However, I wouldn't call it a Taxi. Although I'd like to see GM adapt the global nose and bring back the quad tail-lamps.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
Most recent redesign was in 2006. That's not that bad IMO. A replacement in 2010-11 would be great in good times, but 2013 is perfectly understandable given the circumstances.
Have we been sitting in the same car? My in-laws have an '06 3LT, and it's pretty nice. It's not as nice as an '08 Malibu, and a redo certainly wouldn't hurt, and I'd say some of the materials could be softer, but I really object to the claim that it needs a massive redo. Suffice it to say that I don't think the Impala's design (inside or out) is affecting it's sales volume yet.
West South Central Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,371
From: Kilgore TX 75662
Since we're talking about interiors, who had the brilliant idea to offer that ugly dark brown and beige combo in the Malibu? I was going to sit in one at the Auto Show, but that color just doesn't work!
I did like the 2-tone black and silver seats in the black Cobalt SS sedan a lot better.
I did like the 2-tone black and silver seats in the black Cobalt SS sedan a lot better.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 888
From: La Porte City, Iowa
Sadly, given those choices, I'd take the Impala. That Avalon is just hideous, the Ford is trying to hard.....and for ****s sake stop with the stepped shifters 
Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want an interior thats so bold it's basically in your face. I really, REALLY don't like the direction everything is heading.
Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want an interior thats so bold it's basically in your face. I really, REALLY don't like the direction everything is heading.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,139
From: Commerce, mi, USA
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/02/january-car-sales/
And the sales leaders are? Count the full sized...
Rumors that trucks are "dead" are not quite true. Drawing any firm conclusion from sales figures at this time would be quite difficult as it pertains to a situation if the economy continued to plummet and gasoline prices move upward.
A new Impala that would be profitable in other circumstance was being done. Gas prices and CAFE uncertainty made the wise choice to hold off. The tooling for the present Impala is paid for. If fleet sales existed in any real form the situation would certainly be better.
Seven passenger vehicles are a big deal, and given limited resources and being in a position to cater to political forces for financial assistance making full size cars not a favorite of the Green politcs constituancy...
Which make more immediate sense? A Cruze, Orlando, Malibu, Traverse.... or a full size push.
Fleets aren't buying and the car market in this country is off about 50%. It's a reality thing.
Guy, you have been a fan of Holden for some time. They make great vehicles.
You have yet to buy either we have brought here. Which is fine. You have your reasons. If you have bought any Chrysler or Ford product you like so well, I am not aware of it.
No sarcasm intended. It's likely NO ONE is building a car you have been inspired to pull the trigger on. Maybe it will be a new Camaro. That will be nice. Maybe you don't buy new cars.
And the sales leaders are? Count the full sized...
Rumors that trucks are "dead" are not quite true. Drawing any firm conclusion from sales figures at this time would be quite difficult as it pertains to a situation if the economy continued to plummet and gasoline prices move upward.
A new Impala that would be profitable in other circumstance was being done. Gas prices and CAFE uncertainty made the wise choice to hold off. The tooling for the present Impala is paid for. If fleet sales existed in any real form the situation would certainly be better.
Seven passenger vehicles are a big deal, and given limited resources and being in a position to cater to political forces for financial assistance making full size cars not a favorite of the Green politcs constituancy...
Which make more immediate sense? A Cruze, Orlando, Malibu, Traverse.... or a full size push.
Fleets aren't buying and the car market in this country is off about 50%. It's a reality thing.
Guy, you have been a fan of Holden for some time. They make great vehicles.
You have yet to buy either we have brought here. Which is fine. You have your reasons. If you have bought any Chrysler or Ford product you like so well, I am not aware of it.
No sarcasm intended. It's likely NO ONE is building a car you have been inspired to pull the trigger on. Maybe it will be a new Camaro. That will be nice. Maybe you don't buy new cars.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Sadly, given those choices, I'd take the Impala. That Avalon is just hideous, the Ford is trying to hard.....and for ****s sake stop with the stepped shifters
Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want an interior thats so bold it's basically in your face. I really, REALLY don't like the direction everything is heading.
Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want an interior thats so bold it's basically in your face. I really, REALLY don't like the direction everything is heading.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
FWIW, I like the Impala interior better with the wood grain inserts than the brushed metal... (std on the non-SS Impalas, and you can cost-free option it back onto SS's.... or at least you could when I was looking at them a few years ago...)
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,597
From: oshawa,ontario,canada
i don't mind the design as like you said simple can be good its just it looks real cheap. its an example of the "fisher price" type plastic that people make fun of gm for using.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
The layout of the Impala's dash isn't horrible, but the materials totally let it down. They look cheap and they feel cheap. Especially on the steering wheel, which is the item you touch more than any other part of the car, you'd think they'd try for a more favourable impression.
Regarding some of the design trends, I'm not a fan of the individual gauges being in their own little tunnels, but that's probably just me.
Regarding some of the design trends, I'm not a fan of the individual gauges being in their own little tunnels, but that's probably just me.