[NOZ34ME]

Had a few minutes to look at an '06 Impala SS. Nice looking, and glad to see a V8 is an option, but

Why no base Corvette V8, 400HP?
Why so little SS trim on the interior?
Why is the big gold bowtie on the grill instead of an SS emblem?

 

[keithb]

Why no base Corvette V8, 400HP?
Why so little SS trim on the interior?
Why is the big gold bowtie on the grill instead of an SS emblem?

1. chevy would hate to make something that would sell.
2. SS is just one more thing to sell anymore.
3. these SS are not like the SS of old

 

[Derek69SS]

3. these SS are not like the SS of old

You're right, they're faster.

Stock vs. Stock, the new SS is actually faster than any 409 or 427 impala of the 60s ever was. (that also includes stock tires on these tests, so that puts a big advantage in the new one's corner)

 

[thunderstruck507]

You're right, they're faster.

Stock vs. Stock, the new SS is actually faster than any 409 or 427 impala of the 60s ever was. (that also includes stock tires on these tests, so that puts a big advantage in the new one's corner)

doesn't matter when it lacks that much style

newer camaros are quick as hell, but they're also bland as a Chrysler Sebring

 

[pist0lpete]

I don't know about you guys but I don't even want a 400 hp V8 front wheel drive car. Id rather buy a GTO even though they aren't the coolest looking car by a long shot. If they wanted to make a real car they would make it rear wheel drive like it should be. Fix the monte carlo and make it rear drive while your at it too.

 

[GRN69CHV]

Monte Carlo styling grows on you - at least in the SS trim. That said, it would be a perfect car as a V-8 rear driver. The current MC with the GTO powertrain would be as close to a new Chevelle as GM could possibly get, if only they could get it right.

 

[Elusive_R]

Why no base Corvette V8, 400HP?

Good luck holding on to the wheel! Also, you'd only get tire smoke. I imagine there will already be quite a bit at the 303 hp they advertise.

I do like the look of the new body, though. Might have to get one in a couple of years when it'll be time for a family-mobile.

Ryan

 

[DZAUTO]

We got an 04 (black) Imp SS new. Supercharged V-6. Great! NOW, they put a V-8 in it! Oh well-----------------------

 

[70ElkySS]

Monte Carlo styling grows on you - at least in the SS trim. That said, it would be a perfect car as a V-8 rear driver. The current MC with the GTO powertrain would be as close to a new Chevelle as GM could possibly get, if only they could get it right.

I agree - the more I see the Monte (which isn't much - not many on the street), the more I like it. Do it up with the LS2 and a nice wheel/tire combo and I think they'd have a winner. But then again, like Keith said, GM doesn't seem interested in building cars that someone would actually want to buy.

 

[70ElkySS]

I just looked up pics of the new Impala SS. Geez, that's bland. Do car designers now have just 2 standard front ends and 2 standard rear ends to choose from? With a small handful of exceptions, every frikkin' car looks like every other one. Without the badging, I wouldn't be able to tell from the front if that was a Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai. The rear looks like like a Stratus or Taurus. Harley Earl must be spinning like a top.:sad:

 

[onick]

.

 

[quikss]

I have seen a couple of these on the roads now, maybe they weren't SS' but at least base cars. I like the looks, but I wish they wouldn't have strayed from the round tail lights. To me, if you are going to use the name impala, give it the round tail lights like it had in the glory years.

Jeff

 

[Derek69SS]

...GM doesn't seem interested in building cars that someone would actually want to buy.

"want to buy" and "actually would buy" are 2 different things.

Anywhere with cold winters, RWD cars do not sell, and most of the car-buying public doesn't care how well it performs as long as it gets them from home to work every day. Cars today are an appliance, and people treat them no differently than they do a dish-washer or refridgerator.

I love the new GTOs, but they are completely impractical to me from a financial standpoint. I want to buy one, but I probably won't for at least 10 years when I can pick up a high-mileage '05 for cheap.

 

[Derek69SS]

I have seen a couple of these on the roads now, maybe they weren't SS' but at least base cars. I like the looks, but I wish they wouldn't have strayed from the round tail lights. To me, if you are going to use the name impala, give it the round tail lights like it had in the glory years.

They weren't always round (none were after '65) but there were ALWAYS 3 on each side up to '96.

 

[Jay65SS]

RWD cars do not sell, and most of the car-buying public doesn't care how well it performs...

One word, Cadillac.

They are probably GM's most (and only?) profitable car segment now. GM went after the big profits in the SUV and pickup market and has been neglecting cars for years and their declining market share shows it. High gas prices are changing that, plus the billions of dollars GM's been bleeding in recent years. GM spends more money on healthcare today for retirees/employees than on engineering and development, maybe the deal reached with the UAW will help them move forward together to turn things around. I don't want to see GM become the next DaimlerChrysler or whatever. Maybe they'll apply what they learned with Cadillac to Chevrolet and the rest of the car divisions and build cars that people would actually want to come and buy, with better quality and reliability. Those are some big maybes, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed to see what is coming out of Detroit from Chevy (via Mexico or Canada) in the future while I work on adding points to my GM credit card. I want to buy new Chevy someday, but nothing grabs me right now that I can afford. Maybe a used Corvette or Cadillac is in my future.

 

[quikss]

They weren't always round (none were after '65) but there were ALWAYS 3 on each side up to '96.

Yeah I know. But I guess when I think of an impala, I immedietely think 65 and earlier. Not the best in performance, but the styling was incredible.

Early 60's impalas had classic styling and the round tail lights were a signiture part of those cars. I would just prefer if I were to buy one now, it had round tail lights. Plus I think the new tail lights are a bit big for my tastes.

Jeff

 

[70ChevelleRagtop]

We got an 04 (black) Imp SS new. Supercharged V-6. Great! NOW, they put a V-8 in it! Oh well-----------------------

I'm in the same boat...Figures they would come out with a V-8 now...

 

[Professor_SS]

Crap

 

[NOZ34ME]

Good luck holding on to the wheel! Also, you'd only get tire smoke. I imagine there will already be quite a bit at the 303 hp they advertise.

I do like the look of the new body, though. Might have to get one in a couple of years when it'll be time for a family-mobile.

Ryan

Well, color me embarrassed. I figured it was RWD! Like I said I was just passing through and saw this one, took a few minutes to look at the inside, front & back, not much else.

 

[69-CHVL]

I think I read that the engine will cut out 4 cylinders at cruise...interesting that manufacturers are revisting this concept.