The reason the Impala SS went out of production

[SSMOKEM]

Hey guys,

Reading some of your posts about Marauder production, and I wanted to let you know how the Impala met it's demise.

It was a very simple decision by GM to change the Arlington, Texas plant over to full truck production. Since it was the only plant producing the B-Body (Impala, Caprice, Buick Roadmaster & Cadillac Fleetwood) all B-Body production ceased. It was a strictly financial decision based on truck profit capability. Also as a result, they pretty much lost the police car business to the Crown Vic.

Impala SS numbers:
1994: 6303
1995: 21,434
1996: 41,941

Total: 69,768

I'm actually glad they did this, because as a lot of the Impalas hit the junkyards through crashes and accidents, they keep becoming rarer. This is not a bad thing :)

[SergntMac]

Thanks for the correction on the sales figures, George, I had quoted something much higher in another thread. Went back and looked again, they must be quoting total B body sales in those years, not just the SS.

I agree, most things are financial in the end, but what a classy exit with the SS.

[RF Overlord]

I only discovered the Impala SS after I had already purchased my Thunderbird SC :( ...I was rather bummed, and was hoping Chevy would still be making them by the time I could afford to switch. My wife gave me an AMT 1/24-scale model of the SS to build instead...sigh...the plastic even came all black...

Oh, well...the T-bird was a great car for 152,000 miles, and I think the MM will be even better...

[BeaSStMaster]

I purchased my 1996 Impala SS new and currently have 154,850 miles on the odometer. It's been a great car which, I believe, GM should have continued to produce, but their focus moved to, and remained on, trucks. Although there's some hope for a Holden-based Impala SS with the LS1, there's still no clear direction from GM.

I need to replace the BEASST sometime in 2003 and have been hoping that the Marauder would be it, but the price certainly has grown from the expected $28,000 that LM announced back in 2000. Even with the higher price, I'd still like to consider it if I can, since it's the only new car that I thik is a viable replacement for the Impala SS

Now I'm hearing that LM will end the Marauser production with the 2004 model? It's unclear how substantiated these statements are so I'll keep a close eye on developments.

[Billatpro]

BBeaSStMaster:

I love these as well and looked for a low miles car for about two months, what was several cars ranging from 900 to 28000 miles and all were over $22000.00 to $26000.00. I have never been able to find out what these cars sold for new, perhaps you can tell me.

As for the end of the MM, I don't think it's going to happen. I just read in the Jan. 03 Car Craft that Ford plans it's own version in 2004 to called the BlackHawk. Why go to the trouble for one year?

[Macon Marauder]

BeaSStMaster:

You should certainly be able to get a Marauder for that $28,000 price now.

[Wags]

Billatpro,

The sticker price for my '96 when I bought it was right aroung 26K. It had all of the options including the CD player and block heater. I don't remember the exact price, as I gave the window sticker to the guy who bought it this last summer. Right now, the Marauder is the only game in town to replace the Impala, (just my opinion).

Wags

[MassMarauder]

BeaSStMaster:
Picked my MM up last week for 28,700 ....after rebate.

[Geo]

Impala SS in '94 was US$22,470.

I know where there is a '96 Imp SS with no miles and still in wrapper for US$30000 if any one is interested.

Hey, don't boohoo me. I'm not selling it, I just know where it is (at a GM dealership).

'don't want to hear about "hey this is a Marauder forum" 'cause we all have one interest, mainly big traditional American (and modern) V8 sedans, so this might make someone's day (I would own both if I could).

GEO

[BeaSStMaster]

My 96 Impala SS stickered for $25,692.00. (sticker is scanned and posted at http://images.fotki.com/v2/photos/3/3574/13288/Impala_01-or.jpg) For what you got, it was the bargain of the year. Mine just turned 155,000 miles and they've all been fun. If I can sell it for what I feel is fair ($13,000.00) then I can get more serious about the Marauder. It really is the only viable car today to replace the Impala SS, which is exactly what LM was shooting for with it.

Although black is the color of mean, that new color for 2004, silver, sure has me intrigued. Subtle and probably easier to keep clean.

[smokey0810]

Don't you guys feel it is getting a little ridiculous to purchase new cars these days? I mean laying out $25-$35K for something that can be lost in a heartbeat (accidents, stolen) and loses value the second the key is turned? I just spent $4600 for my 94 Caprice, and have a 2 yr loan on it.....It is just nuts. Almost better off turning around and spending 10-15K for a new motor/tranny/rear and paint job on the car you currently own....I am just rambling here, but the Impala/Caprice/MM platform are ones that are rare and should be kept around for generations to come. BTW...Anyone know of 6-Speed conversions for the MM like they have for the B-Body platform? that would be TOUGH. - SMOKEY

[hd2805]

Have a 96 SS with just under 80K miles in exceptional shape for $11,000...

[Effster]

SMOKEY
I just spent $4600 for my 94 Caprice, and have a 2 yr loan on it=CHEAPSKATE....be real,you think you can take the money with you to the grave??????enjoy yourself now,,this isnt a dress rehersal-no second chances

[Katmandu]

MM platform are ones that are rare :lol: :P :P

FYI, the MM rides on what is known as the PANTHER platform and is actually NOT rare at all. :rolleyes:

When was the last time you saw a Crown Vic Police Interceptor or Cab ?? CV/GMs/Lincoln TC are all based on Ford's PANTHER platform. :coolman:

[Fourth Horseman]

You guys are selling your Impalas? Man, I'm still regretting that I wasn't able to get one. If I had one, I'd never let it go. I plan to keep this Marauder until either it or I (or both) go down in flames. :)

Once the Marauder is gone we may never see a full sized four door muscle car again. Personally, I'd hold on to those SSes. I still wish I had one.

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by Effster
SMOKEY
I just spent $4600 for my 94 Caprice, and have a 2 yr loan on it=CHEAPSKATE....be real,you think you can take the money with you to the grave??????enjoy yourself now,,this isnt a dress rehersal-no second chances Effster - I concur.:up:

[Bigdogjim]

V-8 POWER rear wheel drive. 2% And proud of it
Big Dog

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by SSMOKEM


Impala SS numbers:
1994: 6303
1995: 21,434
1996: 41,941

Total: 69,768



Interesting first year numbers. The Marauder seems to be reflecting that.

As sales do seem to be picking up, maybe MM year two will be similar to the SS year 2 as well

[RF Overlord]

Let me see if I have this straight: from the first year to the last, production increased by SEVENFOLD, yet they cancelled it because trucks made MORE profit? No wonder all the advertising you ever see is for pickups and Stupid Useless Vehicles...

I know, this puts me solidly into "duh" territory, but I'm just appalled at the extent to which the buying public can be manipulated...

Here's my vision of how advertising works:

"WAIT! DON'T BUY THE CAR YOU WANT, BUY THE CAR WE WANT YOU TO!!! YOU'LL BE JUST LIKE THE BEAUTIFUL WINNERS IN OUR COMMERCIAL IF YOU BUY WHAT WE TELL YOU TO!!!'' NO, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU, THE PROBLEM IS WITH YOUR CAR!!!

The sad part is that it DOES work...

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RF Overlord

"WAIT! DON'T BUY THE CAR YOU WANT, BUY THE CAR WE WANT YOU TO!!! !!!

RF, have you worked for GM in the past?

That's been their modus operandi for decades. Look at the 70s... small cars were in, people wanted small cars, but GM kept making the big boats and trying to ram it down people's throats. Imports gave the people what they wanted, and thrived accordingly.

While we're discussing GM, look at the Fiero. 1984-1987, it was equipped with suspension adapted directly from their cheapest car lines (Citation, I believe). In 1988 it earned its own specific highly-praised suspension design... and was promptly cancelled. The Firebird was allowed to die a lonely death, a much better car than it's ever been. The GN/T-type was a Corvette beater in 1986-1987 before the line was killed off. There's the aforementioned Impala SS as well...

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
RF, have you worked for GM in the past?

No, I'm just wicked cynical and bitter...just ask TAF, WolfeBros, martyo, in fact, just ask anyone here...

I worked with the public for 20 years and have lost all respect...

1. "You will never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public". (American circus entrepreneur PT Barnum)

2. "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups". (author unknown)

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
No, I'm just wicked cynical and bitter...just ask TAF, WolfeBros, martyo, in fact, just ask anyone here...

Sorry, once again my newbie-ness at message-board-based communication shows through... that first line of my message was intended in the utmost sarcasm.

I'm with you on the cynicism and bitterness... just ask my wife. She gets upset over this personal outlook I've developed in the previous year or two, mostly because of the upper-class area I live in. I grew up in an area of Montreal where people watched not to step on others' toes lest they get a tooth or two ungracefully removed... it makes for a VERY courteous driving environment. Where I now live, people think money makes them better than others, and you get people cutting each other off and not caring about putting others at risk, lest they themselves be late for their board meeting or kids' soccer practice, or whatever is infinitely more important than that guy in the other lane.

Makes for interesting cases of road rage around here.

So, yeah, I'm with you on that attitude. My wife will get used to it... if anything she's seen how it's helped us avoid getting screwed several times in the past 2 years.

[nomad]

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups."
- John Kenneth Galbraith
I know, it's on my hard hat at work.

[RF Overlord]

ROFL!, nomad...thank you, sir!

"The two commonest elements in the universe are Hydrogen and Stupidity"
(Harlan Ellison)

[nomad]

You're welcome,RF.
My weak contribution to the site.
Car STILL at dealer.[Fix wiper, rear window position,GEARS!]
Should have Mon.,Tues.? Temps in the 60s this week.
I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!