Impala by almost every account is a great if ugly car. Monte Carlo, like the Impala is also a well made, high content, relatively cheap car. Both cars also are in the same market where they always have been.

Most of the complaints about the cars results from the flawed perception that the Impala name means performance (no doubt created from the '94-'97 SSs), and the fact that since there's no Camaro, everyone's focus is now on Monte Carlo (even though it was never a hot car... even the mid 80s version).

In the early 90s GM looked at making a version of the V-car here in the US which would have come out under the late 90s Buick & possibly the Impala & Monte Carlo as well.

With just this change, and no other, would your perception of Monte Carlo & Impala have changed, and would you have more likely bought one (even with the current engine lineup)?

 

I voted Monte Carlo even though I would have voted Monte or Impala. Both are very well made very nice cars. I just wish they would change that dern dash in the Impies.

 

I am torn. The MC/Impala would be more attractive to me personally if they were RWD...even better with a V8.

But I know for them to have continued mass appeal, FWD is probably preferable.

 

I think the Monte should be dropped. The main success for it is NASCAR sales, and you can do that with almost any car (as long as you don't try to pass off a four door Taurus for a WCC.

 

Wheres the "would consider both if it was a V8, RWD, and hauled AYYASS" option?

 

I'd take either car as a RWD vehicle. The lack of a V8 wouldn't bother me as long as the 3.8 L SC motor was bumped up to its full potential; with the use of a 5L50E or the Getrag 75mm gearboxes, the engine shouldn't be limited by the tranmission any longer.

Oddly enough, this is a similar concept to what Chrysler is doing with the LX RWD replacement/suppliment for the LH platform.

 

I would perfer RWD... would make my car even better.

 

Give me a good looking 340HP+ V8 RWD Impala Coupe with real back seats and keep @ $30,000 and I would most likely buy it (of course if there is no new Camaro in 07)

 

I chose Monte Carlo because they look so much cooler and I see the Impala now adays as being more family carish (even if it was RWD).

Great pole.

 

I could be happy with that too.

Also, I wonder what the manufacturing cost of the SC 3800 is compared to an LS1?

 

Isn't the S/C 3800 capable of something like 300HP?

It's too bad they can't mate that engine with a trans that will let it run at its full potential