3634 messages,
Last post on Mar 10, 2013 at 12:24 PM
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Chevrolet Impala Forum.
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Chevrolet Impala, Sedan
#454 of 3634 The competition
by vanman1
Aug 03, 2005 (9:13 am)
I think Camcords are a main competitor even though they may be closer in size to the Malibu. People will cross shop them because of the similar price levels. 4 banger Camcords start where the base Impalas do and I think Impala offers much more value and space at that higher volume entry point. The LTZ competes with the V6 Camcords and the SS has a market almost all to it's own. The only possible contender there is a Hemi powered 300/Charger.
I'm just happy Chevy finally has a good midsize sedan again. Neither the Lumina nor the current Impala impressed me at all. This 2006 finally has me looking at a Chevy to replace my 2000 Intrigue in a couple of years.
Aug 03, 2005 (10:44 am)
Well, perhaps when the first '06 Impalas hit the dealerships, the new styling changes will grow on me more. That happens. When I first got a glimpse of the 2000 Impala on the highway five years ago I just didn't like the rear tail lights, but eventually they grew on me. Who knows...
#456 of 3634 I also took an SS for a ride
by dan165
Aug 04, 2005 (6:03 am)
I was driving by a Chev dealer yesterday in between appointments and I popped in and asked for a drive of a black SS parked out front.
I was impressed. Power was more than I imagined and compared to my 04 Grand Prix GT. The interior quality, fit and finish was as good as anything I have seen and even better than my GP. The trunk has the gas shock mounted system for maximum trunk space which I think is a must and the radio has a MP3 player input jack which was a nice touch, I think the radio itself played MP3s also.
My disappointments were styling a little which I thought was not as nice as my Grand Prix. That said, it's not a bad looking car at all, nothing weird. I also thought the wood trimmed models had too much of it. I preferred the stainless steel look of the SS. Anyone know if this is available in other trims?
Overall, I think the car is a winner. I don't see how anyone can go midsize shopping and not take a look at this car. I will take a look next time though a new Grand Prix could sway me back to Pontiac.
#457 of 3634 Re: Total Value Promise [jcooley]
by csandste
Aug 04, 2005 (1:55 pm)
I think I paid less for my Malibu Maxx last February ($16K for a $22K car) than most of the employee pricing.
GM is trying to slowly transition away from big discounts, but new introduction time is never a good time to dicker on cars, wait until January or February. I think cutting the discounts and list price will make things seem more competitive. People like me who expect a six grand discount on a base car will take a bit of convincing that GM is serious this time.
The same thing is going on with the Sonata, but IMHO, GM dealers are a little higher on the reputability scale than Hyundai dealers... or maybe it's more a matter of having humility ground into them over the last decade or so.
#458 of 3634 "employee" pricing
by vanman1
Aug 04, 2005 (6:39 pm)
Not sold on it. I have seen better deals on some vehicles than what they are offering now.
Whatever, it gets people in I suppose. I like the new lower MSRPs, good move for GM. Impala pricing looks great now compared to Toyota Camry.
Aug 04, 2005 (7:35 pm)
Checked out an Impala today. Dealer had gotten two and earlier one sold. This one black with tan interior -middle model. Just dropped off the truck last evening. I predict it will be sold before they get it prepped. The dash has a foreign car flair to it. Tailights will take some getting used to. I still like the round ones with the solid cover where others have plastic all the way across. But the round lights say Chevy.
#460 of 3634 I need some honest advice...
by bigjay
Aug 04, 2005 (9:41 pm)
I need some honest advice...
I am planning to buy a 2006 Impala SS but have some conflicts about it. My conflicts have a lot to do with professional image. Here's my deal...
I am a car guy. I have a couple of show cars and grew up with Street Rods. Typically, I'm the guy that likes to buy whatever High Performance Sedan is being built by an American car company. For example, I've owned a couple of SHO's and a mid '90's Impala SS sedan.
I currently own an Impala LS Sedan. It has over 140,000 trouble free miles on it. I hate to give it up, but cosmetically, it's starting to look kinda tired.
When I saw the new 2006 Impala SS I decided to wait until it came out and see how I like it. Yesterday, an 2006 Impala LTZ was delivered to a local Chevy dealer and I drove it. Nice car! GM cleaned up the sheet metal and gave it 240 ponies...but, I'm, still holding out for the SS. They say it will be out in a couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to driving that small block 303 hp V8!
However, here is my dilema...
I am an Insurance Agent, specializing in Commercial Insurance. All of my colleagues drive "prestige" cars. They all say I should too. They say I need an "image car" to "convey the right message." Personally, I think that's crap. I can't think of a time when my car closed a deal for me. At any rate, I want to buy the car I want, not the car my colleagues think I should have.
So, whose right? Is it OK to drive a late model premium Chevy? Financially, I feel better about putting heavy mileage on a mid priced sedan, rather than on a pricey luxo barge every 3 years or so. Besides, with 303 hp, the new Impala is hardly a slouch! Besides, the guy sat K & N and Borla are already working on some bolt on go fast goodies to squeeze a tad more juice out of the stock engine.
I plan to buy a Black on Black SS. My assumption is that it will be classy enough to do the job and more fun to get from place to place than an Avalon, a Maxima, a Passat, an A4, a 320i,a C Class Mercedes or an X Type Jag. Besides, an Impala is WAY more comfortable to drive than a Lincoln LS.
I can't even consider a 300C. I don't care how much Mercedes content the sales guys say is in that car, it's still a Chrysler product. I'm just not that brave.
What do you guys think?
#461 of 3634 Bigjay: Honest advice
by mrrogers
Aug 05, 2005 (4:27 am)
I work in sales too, so I understand your situation. When my wife was looking at cars last year, we drove a 2005 Buick LaCrosse CXS. She eventually bought the LaCrosse CXL, and loves the car. The LaCrosse CXS is both sporty and upscale at the same time. It has 17 inch rims, an upgraded suspension, and the Cadillac 3.6 V6. I am not sure about the K & N filter or the Borla exhaust. This might be your car. Good luck!
Aug 05, 2005 (4:46 am)
As a professional who deals with a lot of sales people, I have some advice. It's going to sound silly, but I believe this. Stick with a black car. Preferably with a black or tan interior. Do NOT buy any other color. Otherwise, buy what you like and don't worry about it. Most of your clients will ignore a black car and pay little attention to what it is...another color they will start looking at. I've seen it time and again.
And keep it spotlessly clean outside...a good waxing helps, too; and the interior free of anything not in use at the moment...no baby bottles, no unused sales cases, no candy wrappers. Seriously, that matters more. And have the car detailed about every six months or do it yourself.
You'll be fine...
Aug 05, 2005 (5:41 am)
I too am in sales although I don't use my car much aside from an odd client visit and I think there is no shame at all in driving a nice Chevy sedan. I have an Olds Intrigue and many people like the fact that I drive an American car, especially in an area with many jobs depending of the big three. Further, I think the new Impala looks pretty upscale, the interior is quite similar in look / shape to the new Caddy DTS.
Personally, when I see a guy driving a 7 series Beemer and trying to sell me something I get the feeling I am paying too much to support him. As an example we ended up buying out home from a guy who drove a Jetta.