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2006 Chevrolet Impala

3634 messages,  Last post on Mar 10, 2013 at 12:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan

    

Messages Page 25 of 364

#239 of 3634 The reason I found the Five Hundred pricing appealing... by micweb

May 26, 2005 (4:43 pm)

is that the SE edition comes with a nice interior, lists for 22-23, but sells in the San Francisco area for about 19.5. The transmissions are either CVT or 6 speed, both of which do well with the 3.0 DOHC engine. Speed control is included, as well as PW, PDL, PM.
 
The 2005 Impala is closer to 26 with the LS package, and the regular edition is not appealing to me - GM is still using the older, weaker 3.4 engine in the base model, not the upgraded 3.5 (from the Malibu) or the much upgraded, variable valve timing 3.5 promised for the 2006. Also, the base model Impala I drove in 2003 wallowed on the freeway; the LS model with its upgraded suspension was fine. So right now, the Five Hundred is a better buy, to me, than the base model 2005 Impala.
 
That will very likely shift when the base model Impala is discontinued for 2006 (they start as LS) and when all Impalas get a much upgraded suspension (the LS, LT, and LTZ all have the same suspension, though not the same tires and wheels). Also, the 2006 Impala will not only get the 3.5 from the Malibu, the 3.5 will be improved with variable valve timing.
 
To my mind, what was a clear nod to Chevy for the upgraded 2006 Impala (which I thought would be out by now) has been clouded by the Five Hundred. (I am not counting the Camry and Accord because both the Five Hundred and the Impala are a notch up in size; and the Avalon is too expensive.) In Chevy's favor, the Impala has had over five years to get the bugs out, and is now benefiting from a facelift, some suspension work, and great engine upgrades (yes, the 3.9 should blow the Five Hundred away). I'd like to see a five speed or 6 speed automatic, but reports are that the 4 speed in the Impala is very sturdy; and initial reports are that the 6 speed in the Five Hundred "hunts", and the CVT reliability is a big question mark. But, the Five Hundred is certainly appealing if I can get one with side air bags for under 20k; supposedly the body (designed by Volvo) is very strong, a big plus for crashes, while Chevy, as of 2005, only offers a driver side side curtain bag (nothing for the front or rear seat passengers).
 
I'll definitely drive both, and probably buy one of them in late 2006 as a 2007 model....but that's a moving target depending on pricing and incentives. While the midprice for vehicles in America is mid-20's, I still get nosebleeds from anything north of 17k.

#241 of 3634 I am ready! by elliotd2

Jun 07, 2005 (1:59 pm)

Just ordered my 2006 SS today from my local dealer. Currently have a 2004 SS which I bought when they first came out in August 2003. The 04 has been a delight and I only ordered a new one because I have to have the latest toys. Without saying too much, my wife works for GM and I have taken a lot of kidding that I should wait as the first cars are usually problems (and there is truth to that as the last Corvettes showed). I counter with the 04 was basically pretty new (altho not nearly as much as the 06) and mine has been trouble free except for the usual warped rotor problem a few months back (found that was common on cars that sit outside as opposed to garage kept- why who knows). Anyway they begin production the 13th of this month and start shipping the 28th to the dealers. I was very disappointed tho with the color offerings this time around (as I was last time). They have a new beautiful Blue (Superior Blue) this year but not on the SS. Settled for Black again with the new Ebony Interior.

#242 of 3634 production by 1487

Jun 07, 2005 (6:41 pm)

I was wondering when the Impalas were going to show up. Do you know when pricing will be announced?

#243 of 3634 Re: production [1487] by jpstax1

Jun 08, 2005 (10:40 am)

Replying to: 1487 (Jun 07, 2005 6:41 pm)
I talked with a Chevy salesman last week and he said their initial Impala SS orders will be arriving in mid-late September. He also said that in order to get a feel for the new 5.3 engine, he test drove a Grand Prix GXP. He said the torque-steer was a challenge. He heard that Buick decided not to offer the engine in the La Crosse for that very reason. Their older generation buyers wouldn't be able to handle it. Anyway, he said Chevy buyers won't be disappointed with this great new engine. I will be looking forward to test driving both the Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS sometime this fall.

#244 of 3634 SS / GXP Re: production [jpstax1] by rayainsw

Jun 08, 2005 (11:20 am)

Replying to: jpstax1 (Jun 08, 2005 10:40 am)
Impala SS:
 
I have posted some of this here before – or perhaps on the GXP forum – anyway, sorry for any duplication . .
 
Well – number 1, the engine is the same, but the drivetrain is ALMOST the same. For me, the SS lacks one critically important drivetrain feature. TAP Shift. This manumatic function is seen by some as a ‘gimmick’. I have this feature on my current vehicle and have had it on my past 2 as well. I find that (given I cannot and would not want to drive a car with a traditional manual trans. in 90+% of my driving) the additional control offered by this feature significantly enhances my driving enjoyment. YMMV.
 
Number 2: The Bilstein dampers are a significant (and expensive) upgrade to the ride / handling balancing act. Having driven 3 GXPs now, I am (almost) as impressed with the ride / handling improvement as with the acceleration and feel of the V8 over the S/C V6.
 
Number 3: The brakes on the GXP are significantly upgraded (larger & cross drilled) vs the SS.
 
Number 4: No HUD available of the Impala.
 
The interior of the Impala does not appeal to me as much as the Grand Prix – but that is clearly an aesthetic issue - and if you prefer the styling (inside and out, also considering things different GXP wheels, etc.) on the Impala, your “taste” is at least as valid as mine . .
 
And in absolute acceleration, the SS ought to perform exactly the same as a GXP.
 
- Ray
Driving out-of-state in search of “the deal” on “my GXP” . . .

#245 of 3634 Re: SS / GXP Re: production [rayainsw] by jpstax1

Jun 08, 2005 (3:07 pm)

Replying to: rayainsw (Jun 08, 2005 11:20 am)
Thanks for the post. I may just drive over to my local Pontiac dealer and test drive a GP GXP. Then I'll have a big decision to make this fall. BTW, I found another discussion forum about the new Impala and Monte SS cars:
 
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11322&page=5&pp=20
 
It appears to be a toss up between those who would prefer RWD instead of FWD. I've driven both kinds, but feel FWD is a little more forgiving in the snow. I guess it's all a matter of what you get used to. I'm sure there are people with RWD cars who learn to drive well in wintery conditions.

#246 of 3634 2006 Ordering by oldgrumpy

Jun 08, 2005 (3:45 pm)

I went to my local dealer today to try ordering a new SS but was told that it would be 2 or 3 weeks before the computer would accept orders . I did find this link which has all the options but with no pricing.
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2006&butID=1&regionID=1&divisi- onID=3&vehicleID=2193&type=0

#247 of 3634 Re: production [1487] by elliotd2

Jun 12, 2005 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: 1487 (Jun 07, 2005 6:41 pm)
The 2006 start build date is tomorrow 6-13-05 with shipments beginning end of June to dealers. Pricing has not yet been announced but I believe it will be this week once they start to build them (original date of pricing was supposed to be early June).

#248 of 3634 Re: 2006 Ordering [oldgrumpy] by elliotd2

Jun 12, 2005 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: oldgrumpy (Jun 08, 2005 3:45 pm)
The computers are accepting orders but the allotments per dealer are not quite set yet. Your dealer may be trying to feel out how many SS he will get before he commits to selling any at a set price.
 
In case those reading my posts wonder why I know all this it is because my wife works for Chevrolet, so my responses are not guess work but latest facts and info I could get.

Messages Page 25 of 364

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