Next Impala pushed back to 2013 from 2011
02-24-2009, 05:37 PM
#76
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...When the economy does start to rebound, the pent up demand for automobiles is first going to show up in the family car... the midsize car. People are going to go for the best car they can get that they can afford. If they kept a job during this downturn, that means they are going to be willing to pay a little more to get something that offers the most for the money, but also is a visual statement of optimism and flash as was the case during other economic recoveries.
Ford will have a new Taurus.
Chrysler if it survives, will have new LX cars.
Nissan, Toyota, and Honda will have new or at least restyled family cars.
GM will have the same Impala it's been selling since the fall of 2005.
But at least it will have a $40,000 Volt.
Ford will have a new Taurus.
Chrysler if it survives, will have new LX cars.
Nissan, Toyota, and Honda will have new or at least restyled family cars.
GM will have the same Impala it's been selling since the fall of 2005.
But at least it will have a $40,000 Volt.
02-24-2009, 10:43 PM
#77
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I think we would have gotten a great new Impala if the car market had not imploded.
The problem is, when GM does it's best..it normally is "almost" as good as it's competition...like the current Malibu. I mean the fact that you cannot get nav in a Malibu...come on.
It really seems you never get a class leader out of GM.
The problem is, when GM does it's best..it normally is "almost" as good as it's competition...like the current Malibu. I mean the fact that you cannot get nav in a Malibu...come on.
It really seems you never get a class leader out of GM.
02-24-2009, 11:50 PM
#79
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That '1 mpg' excuse for canning the RWDs is the flimsiest argument I've ever heard in my life. It's total BS - case in point - the press release for the Cadillac SRX states that the new 3.0L DI engine, paired with the 6-spd auto consumes 10-15% less fuel than the previous model. If that is true, then surely GM could have more than compensated fitting such powertrains into their RWD cars?
It takes a strong leader to make the brave decisions. You can't procrastinate and cancel projects every time the market shifts to expose some of your other weaknesses. Cars bring out the emotions in a person. Cars are an extension of your personality. Your personality doesn't change all the time, does it? GM should stay true to the formula made them great... and I'm not referring to the many brands either.
02-24-2009, 11:57 PM
#80
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I would love to see a RWD sedan off the Zeta architecture, but it should be niche marketed to performance enthusiasts (like the Camaro) and not as replacement for the mainstream Impala.
02-25-2009, 12:35 AM
#81
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02-25-2009, 12:53 AM
#82
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You're right, it is total BS. The real issue is that GM's bread-n-butter customers have been driving with the front-wheels for 25 years and they don't want RWD. The current Impala is a rolling loaf of wonder bread, there's simply no way they could replace it with a RWD product and sell it to the same people.
I would love to see a RWD sedan off the Zeta architecture, but it should be niche marketed to performance enthusiasts (like the Camaro) and not as replacement for the mainstream Impala.
I would love to see a RWD sedan off the Zeta architecture, but it should be niche marketed to performance enthusiasts (like the Camaro) and not as replacement for the mainstream Impala.
Chevrolet has had several names for midsize sedans over the years. However, the Impala has always been the largest sedan available. If Chevy were to get a larger RWD sedan, what historic nameplate could they bring back? Caprice, Bel Air, Biscayne, or Delray?
Since Buick is supposedly "safe" I hope they end up getting the rumored Zeta sedan. As a Buick it could sell at a higher price than a Chevrolet to bring in more profit.
02-25-2009, 12:55 AM
#83
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Location: The Golden State
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I think we would have gotten a great new Impala if the car market had not imploded.
The problem is, when GM does it's best..it normally is "almost" as good as it's competition...like the current Malibu. I mean the fact that you cannot get nav in a Malibu...come on.
It really seems you never get a class leader out of GM.
The problem is, when GM does it's best..it normally is "almost" as good as it's competition...like the current Malibu. I mean the fact that you cannot get nav in a Malibu...come on.
It really seems you never get a class leader out of GM.
Navigation alone doesn't ruin the whole car
02-25-2009, 04:32 AM
#84
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What I'm suggesting is that GM could bring in a smaller short wheelbase/long hood Zeta car similar to a 4 door Camaro and sell it as a "Chevelle" (name doesn't really matter) to people who want a muscle sedan.
They don't need to use Zeta to build a large car -- FWD is more space efficient and you can drop an Ecotec in there and get good mileage. That's a much better fit for the white bread market.
02-25-2009, 06:41 AM
#85
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Didn't they change the interior when they changed from Five Hundred to Taurus?
Indeed it does.
02-25-2009, 08:39 AM
#86
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As I said, it could stand some new materials, but the design is still up to date. On style alone, I'd take the Impala over all of the above. Maybe it's because I prefer dark interiors. I think the 300C interior shown above is just awful. Those Avalon seats look nice and cushy, but I'll bet there's no bolstering whatsoever.
Didn't they change the interior when they changed from Five Hundred to Taurus?
Indeed it does.
Didn't they change the interior when they changed from Five Hundred to Taurus?
Indeed it does.
the changes were minimal..just trim stuff i believe.
EDIT: this is the 09 taurus interior:
02-25-2009, 09:27 AM
#87
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02-25-2009, 09:49 AM
#88
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well i've seen/drove a few and imo they are awful. very cheap looking. it should be better then the malibu and its not. its on par with the cobalt.
02-25-2009, 09:53 AM
#89
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It's better than the Malibu that was out when it was last redesigned. The next time they redesign it, it needs to be better than whatever Malibu we have then.
02-25-2009, 09:55 AM
#90
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