Thoughts/Opinions on the new Impala

[JRKANOT]

I just saw the new commercial advertising the new Chevy Impala w/ the V-8 option.
I realize most of you like only Fords but does anyone else have information or opinions about this set-up?
Would this car be competitive with the new Mustang GT?
I like the look of the car but as with the Charger, I wish they offered a two door version and a five speed.
I would never trade the Mach for one but it looks like a decent daily driver. Chevy doesn't have anything else that I like as far as styling except of course the Corvette which is way too expensive..

[mach1dsg]

the ss start at $28k
this is one of the cases where i would really take the 05 gt over this car.
there you go, for the ones that thought i didn't like the new 05 mustang gt at all
its around 200-300lbs heavier than the 05 gt, it has a 5.3L engine (303 hp chevy advertised) vs the new 3V 4.6L (300hp ford advertised, 290rwhp stock, mm&ff last issue, yeah right...) on the gt. the gt shoud take it, stock vs stock, but who knows, maybe the pcm on this pupy won't close the tb at high rpm
j/k but hey, who knows :LAUGH:

[IowaMach]

I'm still thinking about the styling on both it and the MonteCarlo. I kinda liked the look before the face lifts better... they might grow on me. I like the V8 option with the SS nice to see V8's back on american cars both the chevys and the charger.

[IMachU]

Yeah....303 HP in a FRONT wheel drive car. Nope, will NOT take an 05/06 Stang GT, nor the almighty Mach. I'm sure it is a pretty peppy little cruiser, though.

[Mach1Madman]

I heard that the Monte Carlo SS and the Grand Prix GTPX will also have the same setup. I don't really know how true it is.

[RnJstel]

V-8 in Wrong Wheel Drive does not work.

Ford screwed the pooch with the SHO taking it to a V-8 from a 6.

The 4.6 Continental V-8 was a dog.

Anyone want to place bets on how long Wimpala Transaxles last? They cant even get them to survive in the "police" Wimpala. At least Dodge is getting it right.

[IMachU]

The police model Impala is not viable for that market. How often do you see cops driving over curbs and such? Enough that the trans, mounts, transaxles, etc., will not last long. RWD platform is MUCH cheaper to fix when you bottom out the front end on something. It all boils down to dollars when you are dealing with govt agencies.

[Charles236]

I don't care for the "Wimpala" styling or engineering (or lack thereof), but I am glad to see GM putting a V8 in a family car again. My next sedan purchase, though, will be a new Dodge Charger R/T.

[pic18]

The Impala SS looks better in real and is growing on me the more I see it. I'm glad they gave buyers the SS option with a V8. That being said, I think it's a car I'll never own. But check out the 05 Grand Prix GXP if you get the chance. That car looks like a true performance sedan!

[bris09]

Friend of mine runs the recon. shop at a local Chevy dealership. He said the torque steer is brutal and somone will get hurt because of it. Other than that he said it is a really nice car. And yes the Monte Carlo SS has the same setup, don't no about the Grand Prix.

[02mach1]

Looks like a Toyota Camry to me

[falcongtho3]

Other than the bland styling (the new Hyundai even looks better!), and the questionable build quality (it is a Chevy, after all) the current articles don't bode well for it. Even what shoudl be a shining star, the V-8 powered SS, is pretty much given the thumbs down for exteme torque steer and unimpressive performance numbers.

[RnJstel]

Originally Posted by IMachU

The police model Impala is not viable for that market. How often do you see cops driving over curbs and such? Enough that the trans, mounts, transaxles, etc., will not last long. RWD platform is MUCH cheaper to fix when you bottom out the front end on something. It all boils down to dollars when you are dealing with govt agencies.

You know the deal that G/M is doing to getting more wimpalas into Police svc? Buy 2 get 1 free.

It is a shame their last real cop car, the 93 Caprice LT1 was probally the second best cop car ever compared to that mythical 440 Fury 3.

I could see the car as a rent a cop cruiser in some mall or development but, how is it ever going to handle the real world?

GM get real

[IMachU]

Originally Posted by RnJstel

You know the deal that G/M is doing to getting more wimpalas into Police svc? Buy 2 get 1 free.

It is a shame their last real cop car, the 93 Caprice LT1 was probally the second best cop car ever compared to that mythical 440 Fury 3.

I could see the car as a rent a cop cruiser in some mall or development but, how is it ever going to handle the real world?

GM get real

The last REAL police car is the 96 Caprice with the LT1. That is the Impala SS without the rims and a dash light kill switch (that speedo was brutally bright at night!). I miss that car! The other car I loved for street policing was the 84-85 Ford LTD with the wimpy 302 in it. That car handled like it was on rails, but had no turning radius. No one could outrun me in that car on the city streets!!

Man, a 3-fer? It is still not enough to make the HUGE County of Los Angeles start buying them. That would not even start covering the repair costs. Try again, Bowtie Boys!

[Mikestang]

My local police department has the old style caprice with the corvette motor

they have sent the car out 2 times to have it refurbished each time it comes back like new they love it and wont give it up

[USMarine]

If you need a sedan to hall the family, want decent performance and live where you need FWD to plow though the snow and ice, I think the Impala would be a good choice.

[NT91]

The new Impala is a dog in the looks department. I like the 2000-2005 better.

[JRKANOT]

Thanks for everyones opinions and facts.
Everybody is different and that's why there are so many cars to choose from I suppose.
I like the way the new Impala looks. I'm not gonna drive it like a cop car and I'm not gonna race it. I just wanted to find a modern car with a v-8 option without breaking the bank. I think the Impala meets that description.
I think back to when I was a kid and my old man had a 4 door Torino with a 351 cleveland. It was just a family sedan (a dog) but from what I remember, when I was learning to drive it was very fast.
I have a teenage son that is learning to drive right now and he drools over the Mach every day. To be honest the Mach is too much car for someone learning to drive. I'm teaching him to drive an 86 Dodge Intrepid and it is the modern day version of the dog I learned to drive in.
I need a new family sedan and the Impala looks pretty good right now. It's not a hot rod and it's not a dog either.
I don't want to start a riot but I won't buy imports and the Impala is the best thing I see in my price range right now.

[STG]

Originally Posted by Mach1Madman

I heard that the Monte Carlo SS and the Grand Prix GTPX will also have the same setup. I don't really know how true it is.

The Pointiac has LARGER front tires/wheels and Bilstien shocks, the Chevy does not.

[bleed blue]

Originally Posted by IowaMach

I'm still thinking about the styling on both it and the MonteCarlo. I kinda liked the look before the face lifts better... they might grow on me. I like the V8 option with the SS nice to see V8's back on american cars both the chevys and the charger.

Ummm, the Chevy is the only american car. Chrysler was bought by Mercedes years ago. That's why it's now down to "the big two" Just GM & Ford Left.

[STG]

Gotta get me one of them American Ford Fusions built in Mexico! Or, maybe a new Mustang built in a Mazda plant.

[STG]

Originally Posted by IMachU

The last REAL police car is the 96 Caprice with the LT1. That is the Impala SS without the rims and a dash light kill switch (that speedo was brutally bright at night!). I miss that car! The other car I loved for street policing was the 84-85 Ford LTD with the wimpy 302 in it. That car handled like it was on rails, but had no turning radius. No one could outrun me in that car on the city streets!!

Man, a 3-fer? It is still not enough to make the HUGE County of Los Angeles start buying them. That would not even start covering the repair costs. Try again, Bowtie Boys!

Up here in Wyoming, the State Troopers have a variety of cars, including Impalas. I didn't actually get pulled over for 125MPH on highway 28. I saw the lights about a mile behind, stopped and waited for the poor guy.

Probably 50% of the reason I didn't get ticketed is because I didn't force the Trooper to chase me in that thing. I also told him I was sorry he had to drive that car.

[02mach1]

new 09 Crown Vic

[IrishMach]

Saw the new Impala the other day. Wow..one of the ugliest cars i've come across. Looks exactly like a stretched out Cobalt. Really poor design.

Still not as god awful looking as that new HHR.

[USMarine]

Originally Posted by bleed blue

Ummm, the Chevy is the only american car. Chrysler was bought by Mercedes years ago. That's why it's now down to "the big two" Just GM & Ford Left.

Ditto.

Concerning the torque steer in this 303 HP, FWD, Impala SS, folks will get use to it, just like they did when FWD first appeared. The trade off is a vehicle with torque steer, that can get you up a hill and to work in a snow storm compared to a RWD sitting in the garage. Or how many stories have we read here where members spun out and totaled their Machs during a rain storm.

I love my Mach but wouldn't own this RWD if it were the only vehicle I could afford.