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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 39 of 365

#372 of 3634 2006 Impala/ Johnclineii by charts2

Jul 22, 2005 (7:08 pm)

John: There is a difference between a sleeper then a car that looks asleep. All kidding aside, if I remember correctly you criticized Chevy for making the 2000-2005 Impala LS into a sleeper. Remember your posts about Chevy removing the coin holder, floor gear shift indicator, the name Impala from the outside front doors. Chevy was turning the Impala LS into a sleeper. Back then you didn't like a sleeper now you do. years back a sleeper was the CHEAPEST model you could buy but had the big engine, with no options, or markings. Not the most expensive model as this is. I, like most others want more then just performance for my $ when buying the top of the line Sports Sedan from a manufacturer. I know many of the top Japanese models like the Camry and Avalon have been criticized for being boring, Chevy had an opportunity to change that. Now its like the melting pot for cars!. Many auto critics have said other then performance, and being better built the car is bland. I say the car is OK! but not exciting. I remember when you talked about getting a Mazda 6, and a few other models you mentioned, all were sporty looking cars, no sleepers there!. But if I am correct you bought a Ford Five Hundred, that has also been criticized for blandness and lack of performance from its 3.0 litre engine. Ford has taken such a rap for this that they are speeding up refreshening the car next year, and also adding more power. Its all a matter of what you like......A real sleeper would be a STRIPPED base model Impala, with higher gear ratio, plain 18" wheels with the 5.3 V8!! ...

#373 of 3634 charts by vanman1

Jul 22, 2005 (7:26 pm)

Perhaps a special Edition NASCAR or anniversary edition will come out with those things you want. I'm sure you can get an aftermarket Super Sport decal or something if you want Personally I don't care that much and don't need SS hitting me on the head every time I look at the car. There isn't much I would change really. The police and thieves tend to like cars that stand out too much (as was mentioned) and I don't need that either.

#374 of 3634 2006 Impala/vanman 1 by charts2

Jul 23, 2005 (5:19 am)

Your right about buying the decals/emblems, but I remember when Chevy was proud to have distinctive decals/emblems on all their Super Sports, thats one thing that made the SS cars special. Its obvious most of its heritage has been lost, but I guess thats just the times. I have had Impala SS cars from the past, been driving for 37 years never had a problem with the Police. Impala SS is not in the top 25 list of cars stolen in the USA. Don't worry-- feel safe!

#375 of 3634 charts2 by johnclineii

Jul 23, 2005 (5:38 am)

You have an incredible memory! And an accurate one. And I have a Ford Five Hundred SEL AWD (with the CVT, of course) with about 34,000 miles on it so far. Yep, a larger engine would be nice. Yep, I am still looking at Impalas (and all kinds of other things). Yep, I may get the next Five Hundred with the 3.5L, but it looks that may be as long as Model Year 2008.
 
About four relevant things to add here:
 
*The things GM was taking out of the Impala (coin holder, PRNDL indicator, glove box light, etc.)...these things affected convenience as opposed to appearance. I wonder if any of them came back for 2006. Ford, by the way, is even more guilty of some of this. I see in some of the Impala pix the bright red light shining on the inside of the doors! Ford doesn't even have so much as a reflector on the Five Hundreds, at any trim level. To look at the visors of the Five Hundred is to laugh hysterically--they are not fitting for a Kia, much less a Five Hundred...Then again, Ford has priced this car aggressively and left out some things to do it...like an in glass antenna, a glove box light (stop giggling!), but it DOES have a LIT PRNDL indicator (but no real gears to indicate, tee hee).
 
* I love the AWD even more than I thought I would. And though the power IS lacking, especially at the low-end, this 3800 pound car gets almost the mileage the Impala did on the highway, and does much better than the Chevy did in town. I wonder why GM isn't pushing ANY AWD cars yet...It's QUITE the omission (and a major reason I switched to FoMoCo after more than 10 years of non-Fords and only two Fords up til then).
 
* As for drawing attention from law enforcement and thieves, I wonder how a Lincoln Zephyr would rate. Under neath all that Lincoln stuff is the bones of that same Mazda6 I looked at earlier, but without at least some of the NVH, and with a bit more room...The extra insulation and much better dealer service and warranty interest me, but I worry about driving a so-called luxury car (even if it isn't)..I still won't be interested in that car til the 3.5 and AWD debut, which I hear may be before the 3.5 is available on the Five Hundred/Montego.
 
* For me, one of the best features of my 98 Grand Prix GTP is back in the Five Hundred--automatic climate control. How come Chevy doesn't include it, even as an option (or am I wrong?) on the Impala? Perhaps I don't want to buy a Buick, or deal with the local Buick dealers? Driving across country (which I do frequently) without having to constantly hassle with the climate control (now I am too hot, now I am too cold, now she is too hot, now she thinks I play with the climate controls too often....sheesh) is a major plus. I swan if GM offered automatic climate control on the Impala SS, I know a Ford Five Hundred that would be being traded in the next few weeks...it's THAT important to me....It's absence will keep me a Ford man for quite some time....and no, I do NOT want to drive a Buick, thank you. I never realized just how much I missed automatic climate control until I got it back again. Would I miss the AWD? Sure. But I'd still trade to get the V-8 if I could also keep my automatic climate control (assuming I am happy with the Chevy's driving dynamics when it comes out...which I figure I will be).
 
I love these forums...and have gotten great advice here from time to time...

#376 of 3634 charts by vanman1

Jul 23, 2005 (7:16 am)

I don't think GM is ashamed (or is not proud ) to have "distinctive decals/emblems" on their Impala, it just that kind of thing is not really done in 2005. Excessive decals is what the tuner crowd is into but for a class car the like Impala SS, I just don't think it's what most buyer want these days. After market is what allows people to make their car into what they want which is why I suggested just adding the decals/emblems yourself.
 
There is a distinct "SS" emblem on the back and both doors for the car in addition to the Impala emblem behind the rear windows. That's a lot more than you would find on a BMW M3 or a Cadillac V.

#377 of 3634 2006 Impala/John Clineii by charts2

Jul 23, 2005 (7:35 am)

Post #375. John I couldn't agree with you more!......I know I sound like a critic about Chevy and thats all I have ever driven but when I see the Impala that has a great heritage (for those that remember) a model that was at one time #1 in sales, and in the top 2 for over 8 years. Motor Trends Car of the year a few times over. A few little extras offered to make the SS more appealing and more distinguishable from the LS/LT/LTZ Just look at the new Mustang. They built in a little heritage in with the Horse emblems, Cobra model is back, and retro gauges and 60's/70's styling and they can't make these fast enough. For those that are happy with the improvements made on the new SS car cudos to you. I do believe the SS will do well mainly because of the V8. At one time Impala had the longest list of options of any american car...and CHOICES SELL CARS!. Most everyone has a wish list, but some are always happy and go with the flow. I only knocked the five hundred because the car critics (like them or not) have pointed out a few things the car lacks, and that is also true with this new SS. The critics like the performance but the car falls short in styling. As we all know DC has done a great marketing job with their line of cars. They listened to the people They are exciting (for Mopar fans) because they gave the people something different and styling and performance are now #1
 
ps: The PRNDL is not on the floor console of the 2006 Impala..(looks plain in my opinion) ...not sure if the coin holder came back. I agree with you AWD is now offered from many car manufactures. I hope their is a courtesy light under the hood, previous Impalas never had that. Just make the option list longer (wheels, interior colors, optional gauge package etc ) there are those that will pay!. Ask Chrysler.

#378 of 3634 2006 Impala/Vanman 1 by charts2

Jul 23, 2005 (7:48 am)

Post #376........The Impala SS should be like it has always been more distinctive then the lower based Impalas...Look how well the 94-96 Impala SS did compared to the Caprice at that time The SS was much more distinctive with many appearance items that even today make these cars command high prices....as far as decals and emblems thats just a small part of making this car better.....emblems and decals not in for 2005 you say........then you better check out the 2005 Mustang, The next GTO ( will be more retro currently not selling well too bland), Dodge Charger has retro all over it (and they will do the same with the new Challenger coming soon) the Impala SS is not a grandfathers car, it is targeted at younger buyers (and heritage people who remember) then the base Impala is. The base Impala is targeted more for fleet and people who just want a comfortable family car. Chevy will market the SS as their sporty performance sedan.

#379 of 3634 Charts2 by dan165

Jul 23, 2005 (11:53 am)

Not to be argumentative but the Mustang GT you mention for example has no more badging on it than the Impala SS. The Impala SS has 2 Impala badges and 3 SS badges not to even mention 2 Chevy bowties and 2 "GM" decals. What more do you want? I popped in and took a look at an SS today and you can spot it right away with it's big 18" wheels, muscular rims, twin chrome exhaust and SS badging. I don't think you need to worry so much about people not knowing what they are look at when they see your car, they will get it.

#380 of 3634 2006 Impala/Dan165 by charts2

Jul 23, 2005 (1:59 pm)

As stated in the previous post the RIGHT emblems or trim are just a small part of making a car look good....I think the SS door emblems are too low on the doors, if you don't share my opinion, so be it... I hope you don't think everyone should like what I like or even what you like! we all have our opinions and I gave mine. If you think the rims are muscular thats fine, they look plain to me kind of pan like. Check out other Impala forums and even many of the articles written on this car and you will see that others also think the car could have been a little more exciting! if you disagree so be it!

#381 of 3634 charts by vanman1

Jul 23, 2005 (6:08 pm)

Of course this car could be more exciting, but it's a mainstream sedan not a sport coupe. GM is not going to risk 200K+ annual sales to go off the wall with emblems and styling. If you want more excitement GTO, Charger or Mustang should be what you are looking at. GM hit the target with this car, conservative attractive styling with a SS version for the family man who wants to have a little fun on the way home. Sure beats the heck out of Camcords, 500, Altima and other sedans it will be competing with in styling, models, interior and power. Chevy has done a fine job here and they will never satisfy everyone, but I think for most the car is pretty close to what they would want.

Messages Page 39 of 365

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