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Originally Posted by free_energy0
Are you sure you want one of these? Its a twenty year old chassis, and the 3.9 is no spring chicken considering its roots go back to the early 80s. The handling, by modern standards anyway, is nonexistent. They are more an appliance than an automobile.The Zetas will be light years better.
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Funny... So by your standards the Gen IV Small Blocks should be the worst engine ever made and Camry/Accords aren't worth driving... I kind of wish my 2.8 had VVT, AFM and had 200+hp back in the 80's, but i guess those roots only go block deep... Being a so-called appliance from the 80's allows for a high-quality, reliable, value-packed vehicle that can be produced in large numbers for decent profit... Win-Win for both GM and consumers...
Anyways...
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Originally Posted by SCarFan
I do not see the current Impala suddenly becoming uncompetitive with the arrival of the new Malibu. Like I said, I wouldn't be all that surprised if the Malibu struggled against the current Impala. The Impala was significantly refreshed for 2006, and I believe it can live up to caldendar year 2010/model year 2011 while putting up decent sales numbers.
Isn't the Oshawa plant down to one car line right now? Maybe GM is planning to continue production of W-body cars alongside a Zeta sedan line. The idea being that the Zeta model would be different enough from the W-bodies/current Impala that they could peacefully coexist.
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The Impala will be made alongside the LaCrosse within the next few months... Zeta goes to plant 1... I believe the Impala goes out when the new EPII LaCrosse begins production in the US and the second line goes down for more retooling...
I see the Malibu pick up sales simply because this one is at the very least a very respecatable car, where the current Malibu lacks much more than Bluetooth and what not... I don't htink that it can add a couple hundred thousand sales to the current Malibu sales numbers (that would take the Malibu's production well over 300k)... A FWD Chevy/big Buick (for the value/fleet customers) alongside a stylish, premium,new (and lower production) RWD Chevy and Buick would be ideal...
Lower level Impalas pretty much define what a large value car should be... LTZ's and SS's are much better appointed, yet still retain their bang-for-the -buck factor...