2006 Impala?

[Svashtar]

Anyone else see this? Just seeing some previews in the last couple of days, but you guys may be way ahead of me. 303-HP small block V8 with 323 ft. lbs. and displacment on demand technology, 28 MPG hiway. 18" W rated tires on machined aluminium wheels (on the SS only; the other trim lines have 16 or 17". Our wheels look better.) Dual chrome exhaust tips. (Don't know but suspect that like the Chrysler 300 5.7 L it is a single exhaust with two pipes.) Factory spoiler standard. Enhanced (for the V8 only) Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronically controlled 4-speed tranny.

Bose premium sound system, steering wheel mounted audio controls, AM/FM stereo with CD-MP3 player, Ipod in/out jack and XM satellite radio. "Technical" patterned trim panel (sound familiar?) Same rear seat as ours with the flip and fold center, but some storage underneath the seat. Rear seats can be folded down for cargo space. Comes with remote start and climate control. The wheels are the same size all around, but they tweaked the rear suspension I guess to give it a raked appearance. I'm sure it's a lot lighter than our cars. Appearance wise it looks like every other car out there to me, but not bad. Actually looks like a Lumina to me.

Wait a sec?! That means FWD right? The specs I have don't mention that, and here I was assuming it was a RWD vehicle. I also don't have any price info as yet and am just looking at the one ad so haven't searched. OK, just checked and base on the LS model is $25K. Don't have anything on the higher priced SS.

Doesn't do anything for me. The only car I have seen that would have made me think twice about my MM is the black dodge charger 6.1 hemi with the big 20" rims.

Tnx.

Norm

[Cartman]

It is FWD. Underhood shot or knowing the transmission model used gives it away. I had been excited about it too until I learned it was FWD oh and it's ugly.

[Merc-O-matic]

Wrong wheel drive....don't waste your time!

Gotta Love It!

[Blackened300a]

I just seen the 2006 Impala SS and a Regular Impala. It looks like a Oversize Dodge Stratus. Im Very Disappointed.

[mrjones]

I read the other day that the Impala SS's cousin, the Pontiac GXP or something like that, V8, FWD, etc. comes from the factory with 18x8 wheels on the FRONT, and 18x7's on the rear. Wider tires in the front to match the wheels. Sounds just like the ricers you see at the track.

[1stMerc]

The main thing they emphasize is the small block V8, if they had made it RWD they might have had something.

[RCSignals]

I'd rather have a '68 Mini Cooper S

[marauderboi]

It is FWD. Underhood shot or knowing the transmission model used gives it away. I had been excited about it too until I learned it was FWD oh and it's ugly.I agree with you 100% it is one of the most ugly cars I have ever seen:puke:

[Dan]

I read the other day that the Impala SS's cousin, the Pontiac GXP or something like that, V8, FWD, etc. comes from the factory with 18x8 wheels on the FRONT, and 18x7's on the rear. Wider tires in the front to match the wheels. Sounds just like the ricers you see at the track.

Hey, don't knock it, pal! I bet that thing will beat any Marauder from a standing start if both cars are in reverse!!!

:lol:

[rayjay]

This maybe GM's attempt to regain market share in law enforcement community. The only reason we are driving Impalas is the price. We can purchase a fully equipt Impala for the same price as a CVPI stock with nothing on it. They are really good in snow, but dogs acceleration wise.

[ADE 1000]

I saw one at the dealership a few weeks ago when servicing my other car. Sure the styling is bland and its wrong wheel drive, but I thought it was a decent package for the price. In terms of straight line performance, I am sure it would trounce a stock Marauder. I saw a bone stock GXP running low to mid 14s all day the last time I was at the drag strip.

Its no substitute for the MM, but I find it more compelling than all of the other $25K-$30K sedans out there right now.

[Shaft333]

It's certainly a step in the right direction.
It sounds awesome. GM has been getting good at tuning the sound on their V8 exhaust. It pulls hard.

Looks like a Toyota. Which isn't bad, just dull. That's GM.
The interior is far superior to Ford's FiveHundred in quality of materials. (Ford really scroughed the pooch on that interior).

I'd consider one if I were looking for a new car... then after some thought, I'd go buy the Magnum. (note: if I want a new car) Something about the FWD. And I don't even drive in such a way where I benefit from RWD... I just want it.

[Joe Walsh]

It's certainly a step in the right direction.
It sounds awesome. GM has been getting good at tuning the sound on their V8 exhaust. It pulls hard.

Looks like a Toyota. Which isn't bad, just dull. That's GM.
The interior is far superior to Ford's FiveHundred in quality of materials. (Ford really scroughed the pooch on that interior).

I'd consider one if I were looking for a new car... then after some thought, I'd go buy the Magnum. (note: if I want a new car) Something about the FWD. And I don't even drive in such a way where I benefit from RWD... I just want it.

Yep, FWD! :puke:
Nothing more than a Honda Accord on Steroids....

It even looks like a Honda Accord. :puke:

Did I puke twice???.....I guess that I did!

Oh, It's a Chevy! :puke: :puke: :puke:

(The 94-96 SS guys will probably :puke: TOO!)

[StevenJ]

It's certainly a step in the right direction.
It sounds awesome. GM has been getting good at tuning the sound on their V8 exhaust. It pulls hard.

Looks like a Toyota. Which isn't bad, just dull. That's GM.
The interior is far superior to Ford's FiveHundred in quality of materials. (Ford really scroughed the pooch on that interior).

I'd consider one if I were looking for a new car... then after some thought, I'd go buy the Magnum. (note: if I want a new car) Something about the FWD. And I don't even drive in such a way where I benefit from RWD... I just want it.
WTF are you smoking? Have you been to a Ford dealership and seen a Five Hundred? The new Impala is just a warmed over Chevy Lumnia, there's nothing glorious about that whatsover. Mopar quality is junk too. I'd just get a Vic but that's me personally and you can get a Five Hundred with AWD too and a CVT and they get amazing gas millage plus they have fivestar all around crash rating without the need of side airbags and it has more interior room than a Panther. Not by a lot but it is more. I'd still perfer a Vic but that's me. Or if I had more money, a CTS.

[Joe Walsh]

I think that Ford/Mercury has always been light-years ahead of GM when it comes to interiors...
The Ford 500's interior is nice, the new F150 interior is really nice, GM interiors are yards and yards of mismatched grey plastic. :puke:

OOOPS! I puked again! :o

[MarauderTJA]

It is FWD. Underhood shot or knowing the transmission model used gives it away. I had been excited about it too until I learned it was FWD oh and it's ugly.Yep, Chevy blew it again. What a waste making the car front wheel drive. What were they thinking?

[jgc61sr2002]

Yep, Chevy blew it again. What a waste making the car front wheel drive. What were they thinking?

They probably don't have the capability of producing rear wheel vehicles.
That is the reason the went to the Holden Plant to produce the GTO.

[RCSignals]

They probably don't have the capability of producing rear wheel vehicles.
That is the reason the went to the Holden Plant to produce the GTO.

They do have the capability, since they build RWD BOF trucks and vans. They just don't necessarily have the capacity anymore to build passenger cars in that configuration anymore.

[wchain]

Typical Generic rental car styling, which is who they're aiming for anyway. :puke:

[Wires]

Has anyone driven one of these things?

I'm considering acting as if I would trade my MM for one of these, just to see how bad the torque-steer is.

Maybe I can play ignorant - drive up in the MM, say I've heard about the new V8 and want to try one. Act all enthusiastic about it. Look around the thing, get in for a test drive, and act all puzzled about the torque steer. (even if there isn't any, or very much.) When I figure out or am told that it is FWD, I'd act all incredulous and say "well, I'll just have to stick with my MM, as I could never own a FWD car." and leave.

The problem is, as I see it, that those who would by such a bland-looking car wouldn't spend the extra $$$ for a v8. Those who want a V8 and are willing to pay for it, wouldn't like the styling or the FWD. With the exception of a few die-hard NASaCAR folks (who would drive a civic if GM put it out as a "Monte Carlo" (Jut like Dale Junior drives!!!!)) these things might not do too well.


Funny, in the past, I've gotten the best deals on cars I didn't want. (But I bet they don't budge much on that model, unless my analysis is correct, and they end up laying around."

I knew GM was introuble when they quit making REALImpalas to concentrate on trucks and SUVs. Gas went up, and now they can't give the damn things away.

[ADE 1000]

I knew GM was introuble when they quit making REALImpalas to concentrate on trucks and SUVs. Gas went up, and now they can't give the damn things away.

Can't give them away? The Impala is the third best selling sedan in the country. GM sold 290,000 of them last year. The outgoing "real" Impala (Caprice) only sold at a fraction of this volume.

With a base price of $27K, I think the V-8 SS model will do well.

[Wires]

You misread my post. It's the SUVs that they can't give away now that gas has hit over 3 bucks gallon.

The reason the "Wimpala" has sold so well is that fleet buyers such as rental car companies love the things - but they won't spring for the V8. In fact, Daimler Chrysler offers the "Fleet charger" with the puny 2.7 liter engine. I drove one of those when a co-worker rented it - what a dog!

I may be proven wrong, but I thing GM (general motors) missed their target audience with this one. Those who want a bland, stodgy car won't want to spring for the V8. The kids who dont' care about FWD will be put off by the bland styling - and they don't care about V8's, they'd rather buy a turbo'd 4 banger. Insurance wise, these kids come out better buying a 4-banger and hopping it up. Us "old guard" folks that like V8's are out off by the FWD.

I'd sooner put money in my MM, buy a Daimler Chrysler product, or buy an import RWD Car (I should be so rich to afford one of those with the power of my MM) than buy a FWD vehicle.

I guess I'll have to test drive one of these, just to see if/how bad it torque steers. I remember my Father in law re-built the engine in a Cavalier - it was a "Johnny Cash" special, and the partcular combination of head/block that he used resulted in a higher compression ratio. He installed the 3.1 liter "stroker" crank in the old 2.8, and that thing had great straight line pickup, but it would wrench the steering wheel out of your hand if you tried to use the skinny left pedal in a turn. I know FWDs have come a long way in 10 years or so, but physics is physics -Front drive vehicles tend to torque steer - and even the best engineering can only reduce, not eliminate it.

Ever see a Front drive Ferrarri? Porsche? BMW? (OK, there IS the mini) Mercedes? Rolls Royce? Maserati? No - front drives are your more, uh, pedestrian transportation -cars that are applicances - for drivers OTHER than the typical Mercury Marauder driver, which, most of us are.

This is a pretty good article:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2081194/

[wchain]

Can't give them away? The Impala is the third best selling sedan in the country. GM sold 290,000 of them last year. The outgoing "real" Impala (Caprice) only sold at a fraction of this volume.

With a base price of $27K, I think the V-8 SS model will do well.


Yes, but how many of those 290,000 were sold to Avis, Enterprise, et al?

[Breadfan]

Well as for torque steer, one way to minimize it is to make sure the half-shafts are equal length. Now when you shoe-horn an LS motor (5.3l V8) and sufficiently strong transaxle under the hood of a mid-size car how do you keep your half-shafts equal length?

If they did then I gotta give them credit for creative thinking to reach this goal...

[ELKO1]

If you all really want a Chevy RWD sedan, check out the aussie GM site. They still do produce a full-size caprice and have an SS model with an LS1. They also have an El Camino looking vehicle called the Ute that also has the LS1. The Aussies are great people, GM USA could learn alot from them

[ADE 1000]

You misread my post. It's the SUVs that they can't give away now that gas has hit over 3 bucks gallon.

The reason the "Wimpala" has sold so well is that fleet buyers such as rental car companies love the things - but they won't spring for the V8. In fact, Daimler Chrysler offers the "Fleet charger" with the puny 2.7 liter engine. I drove one of those when a co-worker rented it - what a dog!

I may be proven wrong, but I thing GM (general motors) missed their target audience with this one. Those who want a bland, stodgy car won't want to spring for the V8. The kids who dont' care about FWD will be put off by the bland styling - and they don't care about V8's, they'd rather buy a turbo'd 4 banger. Insurance wise, these kids come out better buying a 4-banger and hopping it up. Us "old guard" folks that like V8's are out off by the FWD.

I'd sooner put money in my MM, buy a Daimler Chrysler product, or buy an import RWD Car (I should be so rich to afford one of those with the power of my MM) than buy a FWD vehicle.

I guess I'll have to test drive one of these, just to see if/how bad it torque steers. I remember my Father in law re-built the engine in a Cavalier - it was a "Johnny Cash" special, and the partcular combination of head/block that he used resulted in a higher compression ratio. He installed the 3.1 liter "stroker" crank in the old 2.8, and that thing had great straight line pickup, but it would wrench the steering wheel out of your hand if you tried to use the skinny left pedal in a turn. I know FWDs have come a long way in 10 years or so, but physics is physics -Front drive vehicles tend to torque steer - and even the best engineering can only reduce, not eliminate it.

Ever see a Front drive Ferrarri? Porsche? BMW? (OK, there IS the mini) Mercedes? Rolls Royce? Maserati? No - front drives are your more, uh, pedestrian transportation -cars that are applicances - for drivers OTHER than the typical Mercury Marauder driver, which, most of us are.

This is a pretty good article:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2081194/

It appears that I did misread your post. In any case, despite the fleet sales the Impala is still a strong retail seller and a profit maker for GM. As you mentioned, FWD is fine for the mainstream car buyer. Chrysler took a huge gamble switching to RWD on their volume sedan. But then again, they did not have much to loose. I am not sure it would be a wise thing for GM or Ford to follow suit just yet.

I can't stand FWD. But I am not sure as many people beyond the mainstream are bothered by FWD as one would think. Cars like the Acura TL, Maxima, Altima 3.5, and all Swedish cars are plagued with nasty torque steer, yet they still seem to sell well.

It will be interesting to see how the Impala SS does. It could be a failure. But even if it is, I don't think there was much investment on GMs part in creating it. Given its competitive price, I think it will do well. At least the thousands who paid $28K-30K for a loaded previous generation Impala will be overjoyed to get a much improved V-8 model for the same price.

[RCSignals]

The Chevy faithful will buy the V8 version of this car, even though wishing it were RWD.

[Sully008]

I saw a 2006 impala yesterday at the mall. It looks like a revamped Lumina. Very generic styling. The interior is much improved over the last gen, IMO.

As for the SS, I have a feeling it will sell fairly well. I've already seen 2 Pontiac Grand Prix GXPs (Pontiac's version of the SS) around here.