Chevrolet Impala 2014: Two 4 Cylinders, One 6, >$800 Price Increase Over MY13

[Atomic]

Worth the Price Increase?

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121123/AUTO0103/211230380

[Atomic]

YES!

[2o6]

I have no clue how this model will be received by current Impala clientele. For the store I work at, repeat customers are turned off by the Malibu, and they prefer the column shift and other "old-school" functions of the current Impala.

[280Z Turbo]

I don't know. People don't buy Impalas because they're good. They buy them because AMERICA.

[2o6]

I don't know. People don't buy Impalas because they're good. They buy them because AMERICA.

They buy them out of


- Loyalty

- They are totally afraid of change, most notably, a taller looking silhouette, and a center console.

- antiquated notions of what a modern car does (You'd be surprised at the amount of people who ask me if the Cruze's engine is a V6 when I'm shuttling them around in it. They are usually incredibly suprised at how much pep that 'four-banger' has)

The Impala isn't horrible, but it's so freaking dated in pretty much every way imaginable. It feels like something from 2002. But certain people (not even old people) love that type of car. I hope GM doesn't isolate this clientele, because it is a sizable amount of people. And even though you guys might look down on those people, they are paying customers who's money is just as valid as yours.

[Atomic]

I have no clue how this model will be received by current Impala clientele. For the store I work at, repeat customers are turned off by the Malibu, and they prefer the column shift and other "old-school" functions of the current Impala.

Good point, 2o6. Because I really like the MY14 Impala from seeing two up close in NYC may not mean older Chevy loyalists will snap then up. Then again, many may very well see this all new Chevrolet sedan as a "Cadillac XTS" at an amazing discount. Only time will tell.

[ifcar]

The difference isn't going to be the sticker price, but in the fact that sticker price will suddenly become relevant to what people have to pay.

[2o6]

The difference isn't going to be the sticker price, but in the fact that sticker price will suddenly become relevant to what people have to pay.

Anecdote alert:



I'm not sure if everyone really is negotiating 10K off Impalas (even though you can get them for next to nothing with little effort at other dealers).




Yes, people are still paying 30K for new Impalas.

[Atomic]

Oddly enough, the 2013 Ford Fusion has not quite taken off sales wise just yet. But I suspect they will soon enough. Also, some reviews have been lukewarm at best, others mighty flattering but prices are up at Ford and I think buyers are being cautious.

Ford seems to be winning over police squad car purchasers with its two new Intercepters, including the Tuarus while civilians are not biting. I think the MY14 Impala may be the car to attract the full-size FWD American car lovers and even the RWD Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria crowd. Chrysler Corporation is getting its share of RWD fans with either AWD or RWD V6 or HEMI V8 300's and Charger's but the Chevrolet Impala moniker is one of this county's best recognized names synonymous with America and good old pride in the U.S.

Next, GM must do a far better job defining and diversifying Buick.

[MX793]

Ford seems to be winning over police squad car purchasers with its two new Intercepters, including the Tuarus while civilians are not biting. I think the MY14 Impala may be the car to attract the full-size FWD American car lovers and even the RWD Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria crowd. Chrysler Corporation is getting its share of RWD fans with either AWD or RWD V6 or HEMI V8 300's and Charger's but the Chevrolet Impala moniker is one of this county's best recognized names synonymous with America and good old pride in the U.S.

Next, GM must do a far better job defining and diversifying Buick.

I see just the opposite.  Quite a few civilian Tauruses around here, but I've yet to see a new Ford police vehicle.  One local department is now using new Chargers and a co-worker who is also something of a car nut told me he saw a new Caprice pulling into the nearby county Sheriff's station (and all of their cars had previously been CVs).

[Vinsanity]

The difference isn't going to be the sticker price, but in the fact that sticker price will suddenly become relevant to what people have to pay.

This. I'm more inclined to believe that people bought Impalas mostly because they were cheap and big, rather than actually having a preference for 1990's era engineering.

[Atomic]

I see just the opposite.  Quite a few civilian Tauruses around here, but I've yet to see a new Ford police vehicle.  One local department is now using new Chargers and a co-worker who is also something of a car nut told me he saw a new Caprice pulling into the nearby county Sheriff's station (and all of their cars had previously been CVs).

FMC has a straightforward $3,000 rebate on all MY13 Taurus models plus additional dealer dollars from until early January 2013 (Automotive News). That should push them out the doors and off of dealership lots. I rarely see civilian versions and just a few Intercepters. With such steep discounts to a pretty decent FWD or AWD car, this is one car to consider. 

[TurboDan]

How many of these do they sell to consumers (not fleets) per year? Have to be honest, I hardly ever see any of these things on the road around here.

[Char]

What is with companies designing stupid looking steering wheels?

[TurboDan]

What is with companies designing stupid looking steering wheels?

I still don't get the Audi "flat on the bottom" steering wheel thing...

[MX793]

I still don't get the Audi "flat on the bottom" steering wheel thing...

Race car inspired.

[ifcar]

How many of these do they sell to consumers (not fleets) per year? Have to be honest, I hardly ever see any of these things on the road around here.

I recently saw a statistic of 73 percent fleet on the Impala, so that would be something in the ballpark of 40,000 retail customers per year.

[Catman]

The interceptor sedan is not doing as well and is being outsold by the utility.

[Atomic]

The interceptor sedan is not doing as well and is being outsold by the utility.

That has been my impression just from seeing far more Explorer based Interceptors* on the roads. Much to my surprise (although I am uncertain of sales figures), I am seeing a lot of large Chevrolet 4x4 SUV's patrolling nearly everywhere in New York State (not just our NYS Troppers) where Ford Crown Victoria's once ruled. It seems like most manicipalities switched from Crown Vic Interceptor's to either these GM SUV's or Dodge Charger's with HEMI V8's. I expected to see more fuel efficient (I presume) Ford Tuarus/Explorer models dominating our forces. I have yet to see a Chevrolet Caprice anywhere in NYS and very few Impala's.

*Thanks for the "spelling lesson" -- I think I have been misspelling "Interceptor" by mistakenly using an "e" opposed to an "o" -- a fine for sure

[Catman]

There was something on the news the other day saying Ford wasn't happy with the sedan sales.

[cawimmer430]

The car looks good. I see some GM retro-design in the front design, specifically from the '72 Impala!

[Catman]

I like the color!

[cawimmer430]

I like the color!

Of the '72 Impala I posted? 

[Catman]

Of the '72 Impala I posted? 

Correct. It's nice to see a car with proper overhangs as well.

[cawimmer430]

Correct. It's nice to see a car with proper overhangs as well.

The '70s were so awesome. 

[Atomic]

Of the '72 Impala I posted? 

Gorgeous car, Wimmer. Nice find and I agree with Greg on the color and the complimentary vinyl top color (white), too. Black was the color often used as a contrasting color to the various popular shades of green during that era so I see this combo refreshingly nice.

[Madman]

What is with companies designing stupid looking steering wheels?

Agreed.  That steering wheel looks TERRIBLE!



I can't say I care much for the rest of the dash/console, either. 

[giant_mtb]

The steering wheel looks like an oriental person with very wide-set eyes.

[cawimmer430]

Gorgeous car, Wimmer. Nice find and I agree with Greg on the color and the complimentary vinyl top color (white), too. Black was the color often used as a contrasting color to the various popular shades of green during that era so I see this combo refreshingly nice.

I first saw the '72 Impala in a Terence Hill and Bud Spencer movie from the mid-70s. I instantly fell in love with it!

[Catman]

Agreed.  That steering wheel looks TERRIBLE!



I can't say I care much for the rest of the dash/console, either. 

You're right. Overall kind of a mess!