The problem I have with Chevrolet is.....

[2o6]

....it seems like all of their passenger cars (Spark, Sonic, Cruze and Malibu) at least by feel, have virtually the same amount of passenger room. Yeah, I know there are vast differences in refinement, and shoulder and hip room, but in regards to legroom, it seems like all their cars are pretty much the same inside.

At least in rear legroom

Spark: 35.2"

Sonic: 34.6"

Cruze: 35.4"

Malibu: 36.9"


That's not good....

[Cookie Monster]

The Spark has more legroom than the Sonic? I don't know whether I should be impressed by the Spark or disappointed by the Sonic.

[2o6]

The Spark has more legroom than the Sonic? I don't know whether I should be impressed by the Spark or disappointed by the Sonic.

Spark is unnaturally roomy inside.


Sonic is class average.


Cruze is decent (class average?)

And Malibu is tight inside.


I just think it's odd that GM is essentially making the same amount of space in each of their cars despite the fact that those cars are supposed to be bigger and offer a space advantage over their smaller stablemates.

[sportyaccordy]

Malibu has a class low in wheelbase length...

And the Cruze has a class high. You look at the Civic vs Accord for example, there is a 5" wheelbase gulf; Cruze/Impala on has about 2.5".

Why GM decided to downsize the Impala when the Cruze is a class leader in size I don't know. Add to the fact that the Cruze is downright good looking while the Impala is at best dowdy, they killed the Impala.

[cawimmer430]

....it seems like all of their passenger cars (Spark, Sonic, Cruze and Malibu) at least by feel, have virtually the same amount of passenger room. Yeah, I know there are vast differences in refinement, and shoulder and hip room, but in regards to legroom, it seems like all their cars are pretty much the same inside.

At least in rear legroom

Spark: 35.2"

Sonic: 34.6"

Cruze: 35.4"

Malibu: 36.9"


That's not good....

You forgot the Corvette.

[giant_mtb]

The Corvette has no rear legroom.  Why would you even mention it?

[Secret Chimp]

SO HE COULD SEGUE INTO TAKING A LOOK AT THIS BABY OH YEAH

[SVT666]

The Corvette has no rear legroom.  Why would you even mention it?

Your sarcasm detector is busted me thinks.

[68_427]

The Corvette has no rear legroom.  Why would you even mention it?

I think 565 would say otherwise...

[Soup DeVille]

....it seems like all of their passenger cars (Spark, Sonic, Cruze and Malibu) at least by feel, have virtually the same amount of passenger room. Yeah, I know there are vast differences in refinement, and shoulder and hip room, but in regards to legroom, it seems like all their cars are pretty much the same inside.

At least in rear legroom

Spark: 35.2"

Sonic: 34.6"

Cruze: 35.4"

Malibu: 36.9"


That's not good....

Who goes around and collects this data? Who tries to make a point like this based on rear passenger legroom anyways? Why am I responding to this? Who's underwear is that?

[2o6]

Who goes around and collects this data? Who tries to make a point like this based on rear passenger legroom anyways? Why am I responding to this? Who's underwear is that?

I have sat inside and driven most of these cars and I noticed that they all feel about the same inside.

[Soup DeVille]

I have sat inside and driven most of these cars and I noticed that they all feel about the same inside.

For the back seat. People don't generally buy cars with back seat room high on their priorities, unless they're buying a cab.

I've also noticed that pretty much everything I sit on feels like underwear.

[2o6]

For the back seat. People don't generally buy cars with back seat room high on their priorities, unless they're buying a cab.

I've also noticed that pretty much everything I sit on feels like underwear.

Malibu is the same size as Cruze, and it's way smaller than its competitors.

[AutobahnSHO]

while the Impala is at best dowdy, they killed the Impala.

certain bunch of americans will buy them regardless

[TurboDan]

certain bunch of americans will buy them regardless

My neighbor's sister is a nun, and she drives one. So nuns buy them. That's one demographic they have locked up.

[68_427]

Will the nuns upgrade to the 2014 Impala? 

[Atomic]

Hmm... Now I am wondering how much leg room will be in the MY14 Chevy Impala and the upcoming RWD SS. I studied the Impala concept pretty intently in NYC and could not help but wonder how much bigger it is compared to the all new 2013 Malibu. The Caprice-based RWD sedan that GM announced will simply be named "SS" is essentially what is currently being sold to police forces in NA, eh? If identical proportions, I would imagine it being smaller (inside and out) than the FWD Caddy XTS derived '14 Impala. And close will those specs be to the 2013 Chevy Malibu?

Anyone want to tackle all that?

[Atomic]

My neighbor's sister is a nun, and she drives one. So nuns buy them. That's one demographic they have locked up.

What an image for a brand new car: Fit for a nun. But so true! Nearly every convent lot has then. Lol.

[Atomic]

SO HE COULD SEGUE INTO TAKING A LOOK AT THIS BABY OH YEAH

WARNING: Don't let Wimmer see this American land yacht... His heart is weak and we might lose him 

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Who goes around and collects this data? Who tries to make a point like this based on rear passenger legroom anyways? Why am I responding to this? Who's underwear is that?

[sportyaccordy]

certain bunch of americans will buy them regardless

I have taken the convo down a wrong path, surprised nobody called me on it. I meant Malibu, not the Impala. The Impala is fine for what it is, though I think nuns will deem it the devil's work upon seeing the new design.

[Atomic]

Tongue and cheek, but oh so very true...

Have you shopped for a car lately? Aside from our Honda and Volvo dealerships, customers must do all of the research for themselves and BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER... well, there are other "great" salesmen and saleswomen out there. Rare, I have learned. Many, if not most auto dealers no Jack Sh*t about the vehicles they sell. Spending a small fortune for a new set of wheels, it amazes me how little many know and how far less the customer knows.

I always ask salespeople what they drive. Ours? The Honda dealer (awesome family man) drives an Accord and his wife, an Oydessey. My newfound Volvo salesman has a Volvo V70 and his wife owns a C70. Coincidental that BOTH of the dealerships we patronize have dealers that drive the cars they sell? Nope. Their experience with and facts they have about the product and knowledge of each model is why we chose them.

So, in all honesty, the more YOU know before going into a showroom and spending over $30,000* for a new vehicle, the better deal you will get and happier you will be if you and the sales personnel have the same knowledge base. I actually rather have the person selling me the car stun me with facts that I was not yet aware, as my Volvo representative did. My confidence in him led to me going out of town to order the 2013 XC60 T6 Premium edition R-Design I recently took deliver of... The other dealership asked me what I meant by "Premium edition" and "R-Design" -- no lie!

*The average transaction price of roughly $32,000 was what the figure was in July 2012... the highest ever... and sales were down for many manufacturers, so those companies that did well, did VERY WELL...

I contributed to that sales figure last month, BTW   < Delirious look... I AM NOW BROKE!

[Soup DeVille]

What an image for a brand new car: Fit for a nun. But so true! Nearly every convent lot has then. Lol.

You spend a lot of time cruising convent parking lots?


For the record, my babysitter is a retired nun. She drives a malibu.

[Atomic]

You spend a lot of time cruising convent parking lots?


For the record, my babysitter is a retired nun. She drives a malibu.

I have a thing for nuns! Lol...

  I will burn in hell for that comment... 

Lol, actually Roman Catholic schools from a youngst right through high school has made me an Chevrolet expert. The priests on the other hand drove large Buick's, Mercury's or on occasion a Caddy or Lincoln -- typically donated. Sisters and Brothers (monks) take a vow of poverty, living communally. Priests? There is no vow of poverty or communal living vow.

[giant_mtb]

Will the nuns upgrade to the 2014 Impala? 

I think I just creamed myself.

[68_427]

I think I just creamed myself.

Dem creases to detail?

[Atomic]

The pic of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala looks far better than the car did in person at the auto show. Up close you had to squint your eyes to see a more cohesive design. It was hard to pinpoint any significant flaws in its look.

The proportions just seemed a bit off. It was as though too much effort went into forcing the classic Impala-Chevy look (in that order) on a "another" vehicle, such as the Buick LaCrosse. Not unlike the Cadillac XTS from which the next Impala is based (not a bad thing), it appeared pigeon toed or as though the car lunges forward. Perhaps it's the FWD layout.

A bad looking sedan? Certainly not. Will it sell? In droves... The great news is that it should sell as well as the current Impala and that is not a bad thing whatsoever. If only GM can keep it from being the poster child of Avis Rental Car.

[Raza]

More evidence that Chevrolets suck. 

[cawimmer430]

The Corvette has no rear legroom.  Why would you even mention it?

[cawimmer430]

Will the nuns upgrade to the 2014 Impala?  

We are getting this car in Europe soon. It looks great. Reminds me of the gorgeous 1972 Chevy Impala sedan! 

But GM apparently has no plans to offer it with diesel engine options - which means only ten people will buy one...