2014 Chevrolet Impala Starts At $27,535

Cool, we're getting closer. I don't think I've seen any non-LTZ '14 Impala photos yet... anyone else?

Cool, we're getting closer. I don't think I've seen any non-LTZ '14 Impala photos yet... anyone else?

Nope...

This may be only $700 over the previous sticker, but it is about $4k - $5k over actual base transaction price. I'm sure Chevy expects volume to drop substantially.

I wonder if the base LS will have body-color steelies with dogdish hubcaps, a single outside mirror, no exterior chrome except for nameplates, and a vinyl bench interior with AM radio?

This may be only $700 over the previous sticker, but it is about $4k - $5k over actual base transaction price. I'm sure Chevy expects volume to drop substantially.

They already have stated so. They expect the volume car to be the Malibu now.

I wonder if the base LS will have body-color steelies with dogdish hubcaps, a single outside mirror, no exterior chrome except for nameplates, and a vinyl bench interior with AM radio?

In a way it is sad this kind of car is gone even though no one outside of taxi fleets bought them.

I wonder if the base LS will have body-color steelies with dogdish hubcaps, a single outside mirror, no exterior chrome except for nameplates, and a vinyl bench interior with AM radio?

LoL..it's not 1977...

Hmmm...hate to say it, but Chevy has kind of left me in the dust. The next Impala, while gorgeous, won't be the "value" that the current model is. I've got to cough up more than $30K for a V6?

Sat in a Malibu Eco last weekend and it felt like a squeeze, especially in the rear--even when compared to our '07 (OK, we have a Maxx, but still). I was also astonished at the $30K + sticker on this Malibu.

Another car I sat in last week was a '13 Sentra. Very nicely finished & equipped for $20K, with a lot more comfy interior than the Malibu. Uh-oh.

Hmmm...hate to say it, but Chevy has kind of left me in the dust. The next Impala, while gorgeous, won't be the "value" that the current model is. I've got to cough up more than $30K for a V6?

Sat in a Malibu Eco last weekend and it felt like a squeeze, especially in the rear--even when compared to our '07 (OK, we have a Maxx, but still). I was also astonished at the $30K + sticker on this Malibu.

Another car I sat in last week was a '13 Sentra. Very nicely finished & equipped for $20K, with a lot more comfy interior than the Malibu. Uh-oh.

The new Malibu is slow to grow on me. We even have a 08 and the rear leg room is so much more.

I hate to say it but if the new Malibu is to be the new volume car GM had better jump on it now for a remake. I suspect when most of this car was done it would have been a class leader but much of this project sat on the shelf as GM calls it till it was reactivated after the bail out. In the mean time everyone else moved on.

A fast redo like Honda just did on their car is in order. Not sure how much GM could add to the car to make a little more leg room.

As far as the Malibu and Impala, IMO GM goofed on the Epsilon II wheelbases...don't know why there are so short in both SWB and LWB versions compared to the platforms they replaced. I assume the short wheelbases and narrowness is partially due to Epsilon II being a global platform.

I wonder if the base LS will have body-color steelies with dogdish hubcaps, a single outside mirror, no exterior chrome except for nameplates, and a vinyl bench interior with AM radio?

We should be so lucky...add a 5 speed manual & optional air conditioning to that list, please!

Even sweeter! Now that would be a Biscayne after my own heart.

Hmm...vinyl seats and no A/C---misery.

The automakers have not introduced any economy specials during this interminable economic slowdown.

I remember the Mopar "America" stripper specials, used to see a lot of those on the road. Come to think of it, they do have a special Caravan out now for a low, low price that has a variation of the America name, but I forget exactly what it's called. I think I posted a thread about it a few munts ago.

Maybe we need more poorboy specials. I see no reason to be optimistic about the economy.

The problem is with the way cars are built today it is cheaper to build them with more things vs building a lower number with less things.

As crazy as it sounds in the big picture it is hard to build a cheap stipper car unless you have enough buyers willing to take large numbers.

Today if someone is trying to save money they will buy a pick up or a Sonic. They will get the options and save money with size in cars.

As far as the Malibu and Impala, IMO GM goofed on the Epsilon II wheelbases...don't know why there are so short in both SWB and LWB versions compared to the platforms they replaced.

I agree the Malibu and Impala need a little size adjustment to match others in the maket.

The Epsilon II just needs a little more length but it needs more width. The Malibu needs just a little more lenght. Overall both cars need more size between them. The Cruze is fine but the Malibu is too close in size.

The automakers have not introduced any economy specials during this interminable economic slowdown.

Maybe we need more poorboy specials. I see no reason to be optimistic about the economy.

Agreed. The OEMs push the ideal that every car / every buyer needs big alloy rims & huge integral 'infotainment' systems & backup cameras, and it's just not as unilateral as they want everyone to believe. But the Marketing Mill works 24/7.

I took a brief drive in a new Malibu Eco, and it is an upgrade from the current car. However, the lack of room in the back is almost inexcusable. The rear of the Buick Regal feels bigger, though on paper it's only slightly bigger. I find the rear of the Regal to be habitable, and the back of the Verano to be entirely too tight. The next generation of GM vehicles needs to have wider large cars and more legroom in the midsizers.

The automakers have not introduced any economy specials during this interminable economic slowdown.

Maybe we need more poorboy specials. I see no reason to be optimistic about the economy.

Agreed. The OEMs push the ideal that every car / every buyer needs big alloy rims & huge integral 'infotainment' systems & backup cameras, and it's just not as unilateral as they want everyone to believe. But the Marketing Mill works 24/7.

Wow. Well said, both of youse...I really have lost interest in new cars. I've been chalking it up to my crabby old age, but I think a lot has to do with what we are talking about here.

I think the level of standard equipment that the typical buyer expects is much higher today than it was in the past. Stripped cars as were available 30-40 years ago wouldn't fly today...even in the small cheap segments (Spark, Sonic, Cruze, etc) cars tend to be pretty well equipped, even in base forms...

I think the level of standard equipment that the typical buyer expects is much higher today than it was in the past. Stripped cars as were available 30-40 years ago wouldn't fly today...even in the small cheap segments (Spark, Sonic, Cruze, etc) cars tend to be pretty well equipped, even in base forms...

Those that need a bigger vehicle but cannot afford it are forced to go used, which hurts new-car sales. The automakers are pushing customers down in size if they want to spend less. That might not be feasible for some people. It is reality, for sure, but not really fair, imo.

I guess though when an affordability index is thrown into the mix, my theory might be shaky... if the economy were in any kind of decent shape. But it is not.

Good grief, young lady.  It seems you've been working hard on this.  But it is still TMI and too distracting.  What if the car doesn't understand a word that comes out of my mouth?  And these touch screens are iffy, man... no tactile feedback like a button, and they are not immediate like a button, they require you to hold your finger in place longer than a button.

Sorry, me no likey "MyLink" and I think it is a waste.  Competitive pressure being what it is, though, I do not foresee a turnback of time on these widely panned interactive systems.

Pick a system, they've all been panned by reviewers and customers alike... Sync, MyFordTouch, CUE...  look what has happened to Ford's "quality" scores because of MyFordTouch and Sync.  I know Ford's engineers and line workers didn't suddenly stop putting together a good vehicle...

Every review I've read on CUE has panned it.  And these reviewers are young ppl who should be tech-savvy, not geezers, like a lot of Cadillac and Impala customers who will absolutely have NO USE for these systems.

These systems are not truly made for drivers.  Perhaps for PASSENGERS of autonomous vehicles, and that is a future I do not want to participate in.  They will have to pry my cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel!

^^^^

Agree with ocnblu.

Well there are more things in play when you consider what is put in cars.

Things like larger wheels are not just for the cool factor but with the side crash standards pushing the sides of the cars larger the larger wheels are to down play the thick sides and tall noses now required.

Many of these new sound systems are looking to not only play to the youth market but now they are looking to them to remove weight. Some in the industry are looking to make it where your NAV, sound and music will all be taken from your smar phone. This will remove much in the dash other than a box to interphase the amp and speakers with your phone. This is a little off but it is being considered more and more with nearly everyone gettring smart phones. Kind of a modern radio delete option LOL.

Also we need to consider that in the past people would start with the lowest model and add options thill they run out of money. Today people start with the top model and move down till the payment matches what they can afford. People today are greedy. Some just want to make the rich greedy but nearly all of us have a high degree of greed and envy anymore and this is reflected in our buying habits. New phone comes out or video game people will stand in line and fight for it and over pay to boot.

Finally car companies make money and more money the more optioned cars are. They have little interest in making stripper cars that would often be left on the lot and even when they sell it little profit is seen.

One last thing is even in the base segments the cars with the most options like a Nox LS will be purchased over many other models at a similar price as they are pretty well optioned even at the entry level. On the Nox Terrain forum many people purchased the Nox just because it offered things at a lower price and was precieved as the better value. This has brought in many buyers from other makers just because of this value.

Brand Loyalty is not it once was and people buy based on precieved value and quality. GM is still earning the Quality end but they market the value end with great prices and as many options posible,

As for Mylink. I have now had the GMC verision since April and while I am not a big tech kind of guy I do like it. The system is easy to use and learn. Just with voice and a couple buttons on the steering wheel it works smooth and easy. As time goes on these systems will be more and more refined and with free firmware updates things on older systems will improve and adapt to new phones and other items. I do think the CUE went too far on the tech side out of the box. I expect like I drive they will refine it and in this case it will come much faster than BMW did it.

Well if the Terrain SLE-1 had no backup camera it would make me happy because I like to participate in the operation of the vehicle, not just be a passenger waiting for the car to wipe the drool off my chin. And it would lower the price so more could be sold.

Well if the Terrain SLE-1 had no backup camera it would make me happy because I like to participate in the operation of the vehicle, not just be a passenger waiting for the car to wipe the drool off my chin. And it would lower the price so more could be sold.

As far as I am concerned they could have left it off my SLT2 as I use the mirrors and never look at it. As far as I am concerned if you can't back up without a camera you should not be on the road. But with that said you and I are in the minority on this and the feature sells a lot of vehicles to all the women who love these vehicles and have to have said camera to drive for them [some men too].

I see it often on the Forum that many were swayed to the GMC because of the standard camera.

But we also have to factor two other items here. First off the camera adds little to the cost of the vehicle in the volume GM buys them and they make more money on more sales. Second the camera will be a feature that will be required soon on all cars. The Obama admin is pushing for the transportations department to make this a required safety feature. This is also why there are small screens for radio's in cars like the Sonic and Spark as GM knows they will have to add the Camera in just a couple years.

This is the problem today vs the past. In days of old people were just happy to have 4 tires and a steering wheel. People were just glad to not have to walk anymore and after the depression they learned to do without. Today people in out country have not had to learn to do with out and want it all. Kids want what their parents took 35 years to earn right out of high school. Yuppies on down what houses like on MTV Cribs. Even now just look at the entitlement issue world wide. Many expect the goverment to do what they had to earn in the past or make do without.

Also there are many of us who wish we could pick and choose what we want in a car and not have packages but there it goes again to cost effective production and profitability of the car once it is built. Also with imports it is much easier to built them alike in 3 levels and just change the colors. This is a factor more and more since every company imports cars anymore.

The fact is you can decontent a car and for the most the prices will remain much as they are. The trick is to get you to pay more for the car at the dealer to benefit the dealer and the company.

Anyways just to make it simple times have changed, people have changed, regulations have changed and economies have changed. This are not all that cut and dry as it was in the day of the Delray or BIscayne.

That is another factor too. Today there are so many models and in the past you had one model with 3-4 named trim levels. In the past if you could not afford the Impala you bought the Biscayne or Del Ray. Today if you can't afford the Impala you buy the Malibu, Cruze, Sonic or Spark. Then you adjust the trim levels once you strick upon the model.

Even strippers vehivcles are difficult to pawn off on fleet sales any more. One company will offer a better optioned car for the same money as a stripper from another just to get the sale.

I wish it was as simple as it once was but it's not.

By the way the self parking is the greatest joke I have ever seen from the car industry. I am proud to see GM keep away from it so far.

Yeah hyper, I know cameras will soon be required, and that economies of scale come into play on the Terrain, etc. But to replace these cameras after an accident drives up the cost of repair, and in turn, insurance premiums and so on and so forth.

And I know that multiple models of different sizes and prices kind of abolished the whole full-size stripper special I clamor for. But some ppl cannot fit in a tiny car and they can't afford a big car, unless it's an off-rental 2012 Impala for $12,995, already pre-curbed, pre-used in a drug deal, and pre-General Lee'd over a creek.

But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

As far as I am concerned if you can't back up without a camera you should not be on the road.

The visibility out of some cars these days precludes that.

As far as I am concerned if you can't back up without a camera you should not be on the road.

The visibility out of some cars these days precludes that.

I like this feature on the full-size pickups, seeing as how high they sit in the rear it really helps with backing up. Of course people have been backing pickup trucks for a long time without them, but with higher rear ends and tall bed sides & tailgates, the camera is becoming a useful option (I would say the same with the full-size SUVs). It's one option I definitely would include if I were buying a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4WD SLE model, and I'm hoping it's included as standard equipment on the upcoming, all-new 2014 Sierras.

As far as I am concerned if you can't back up without a camera you should not be on the road.

The visibility out of some cars these days precludes that.

There have always been difficult vehicles to back up. For years many vans had more blind spots than Stevie Wonder. We had one we had to Service that was the worst. It was a Dodge Ram van with no windows behind the two front doors. It thing did not even have rear windows and had only two small car sizes mirrors.

Or even my Neighbors 82 Camaro has one mirror on the drivers door that is a fun one to back in the garage but with a little practice and skil not impossible.

Ever back up a 38 Chevy Coupe with no mirrors?

Granted it comes in handy but at the loss of driving skills many never regain in the future. Many of these things are leading up to your car driving it's self. The Google we drive it for you idea is a fear all car enthusiast should have.

And Blu I don't expect you to like it but just need to learn to deal with is as we are not going back. Besides in a crash today what is not expensive in this day of disposable cars. Just look at the cost of a single projection headlight assembly anymore.

Yeah, I'm not liking it either. Again, part of that has to stem from the fact that I'm now a cranky old man.

We are down to one vehicle now. I plan on keeping the Malibu running until it simply gets too expensive to keep operating. At that point, I may go looking for a "gently used' Impala or Sentra or sump'n'...or, I may jump back into a survivor from an earlier era, say that nice AMC Concord that is still for sale down the road from where I work. I'd hate to subject something like that to all of the salt and crap of winter driving around here, but the simple mechanicals of an inline six and Torqueflite auto tranny are kind of tempting. Yeah, I'll have to change plugs more often but who cares--everything is so dammed accessible!

Of course, all bets are off if they implement mandatory annual testing. I might just ditch the idea of a personal automobile altogether at that point and rent when I need wheels beyond my bike and bus route.

"survivor from an earlier era, say that nice AMC Concord"

Now there is something you do not see in print often. LOL!

Too bad the Eagles did not hold up better and were in greater numbers. I think they would be a good collector car today with the oddity of AWD from that era.

Now there's an idear. Chrysler prolly owns the rights to the Rambler name. They should bring it back as a super-simple, affordable brand. Keep it safe with all federally-mandated safety equipment so it's legal to sell, but make it a stripper otherwise. Modern, Depression-era coolness!

They would do better with a cute cheap Metropolitan retro remake mini. Toss it on the LWB 500.

Ramblers were always for the families that inherited Grampa's car when he got a new wagon. Ever neighborhood had a family like this. They were the kids that were always at your house looking at your dads new Chevelle.

The day his dad finally bought a Nova SS that kid really started to hold his head up.

He had no reason to hang his head before his dad bought a Nova SS.

I've never had an issue or wish otherwise RE backing up in my 2500HD CC, but it does have excellently-sized sideviews.

I was in a brand new... I think it was a lexus LX470 today, and in reverse the backup camera view came on the center screen. I was a passenger, but I still felt my natural inclination was to look to the mirrors... so I didn't care for it.

I like, and have advocated for ocn's idea above- a stripper line of vehicles. The average age of new cars buyers isn't 50 yrs old just because. This is higher than ever historically, and just as those that say the average age of -say- Buick is a "problem", then they would say the same for this stat. A stripper line would also foster an increased emotional attachment to cars for the younger generation if they could get one of their own before they're in their 40s.

Chevy is hoping the new Malibu picks up the price slot the current impala is in. Current impala really sells for closer to 20 than 30k. Malibu frequently sold for under 20 now the new model they are trying to make a go without incentives and the prices are up. Not selling well, not when the larger impala is cheaper. Once the new Impala is out and is several thou more, the malibus will be incentivized to get them moving. Over time, Chevy wants more $$$ from the Impala line, but they will incentivize each line and option them such they see good volume out of both. Malibu was getting killed at retail by the Impala because the Impala provided easier ingress and egress and more of a feeling of room for not a lot more car.

A younger person buying a stripped down large sedan is just not realisitc. First they would avoid the lack of options and two they would not buy a large sedan.

Generally if you can not afford the larger car you can't afford the gas either so they tend to go for the smaller higher MPG models or even buy used if they can pony up the money.

There are many reasons many young people drive cheaper Hondas and it is not just price.

He had no reason to hang his head before his dad bought a Nova SS.

You are the only one I have seen that feels this way. Even the other kids who hated him felt bad for him.

The Hornet wagon was not so bad as it at least was a loud blue and had a white stripe. But the Salmon colored Rambler wagon was just as uncool as you could get even with a bunch of 5-10 year olds.

Now the Nova was cool as it was even a 4 speed.

Today this kid is in his 40's and is making and delivering pizza. I always say self esterm at a young age is important. LOL!

I like a good pizza.

I'd think about a modern Eagle wagon, but only if it was powered by the AMC/Jeep 4.0L inline six (or derivative thereof).

I'd think about a modern Eagle wagon, but only if it was powered by the AMC/Jeep 4.0L inline six (or derivative thereof).

Those were bad ass engines and I loved it in the Jeep Eliminator. I so much wanted that truck while in school.

My favorite inline six, bar none. The earlier AMC 199/232/258/282* sixes were marvelous engines. I've had four different cars with 232s or 258s down through the years.

-----------------------

* 282 was a Mexico-produced version with a whopping 3.92" bore. The rest of the AMC sixes had 3.75" bore with varying strokes. The Jeep 4.0L had a 3.875" bore.

I've been happy w/ the 4.0L 6 in my Grand Cherokee....put 140k miles on it so far...had to replace some accessories and misc stuff (coil packs, sensors, water pump, etc) but it's been pretty reliable.

I'd think about a modern Eagle wagon, but only if it was powered by the AMC/Jeep 4.0L inline six (or derivative thereof).

I think a poormans version of a Porsche Cayenne would have some good appeal. Make it lighter and cheaper and of better quality and you may just sell a lot of them. I would also offer the 3 door coupe.

I'd think about a modern Eagle wagon, but only if it was powered by the AMC/Jeep 4.0L inline six (or derivative thereof).

I've always liked the Eagles..kind the forerunner of the Outback and Cross Country wagons. And the 3dr hatchback, 2dr etc variations were a hoot.

I'd think about a modern Eagle wagon, but only if it was powered by the AMC/Jeep 4.0L inline six (or derivative thereof).

I think a poormans version of a Porsche Cayenne would have some good appeal. Make it lighter and cheaper and of better quality and you may just sell a lot of them. I would also offer the 3 door coupe.

The Cayenne and SRT*8 are both performance vehickes but they come from different directions. The SRT is more truck than car and the Cayene is more car than truck.

Besides I would want to keep the price cheaper than the present SRT.

This like pointed out would be more Outback with a performance option.

A younger person buying a stripped down large sedan is just not realisitc. First they would avoid the lack of options and two they would not buy a large sedan.

Generally if you can not afford the larger car you can't afford the gas either so they tend to go for the smaller higher MPG models or even buy used if they can pony up the money.

There are many reasons many young people drive cheaper Hondas and it is not just price.

And few (esp. younger buyers) wants a stripped down car of any size. Interior content and electronic features is as important as mileage and price to younger buyers.

Seems you can get a pretty good deal on used Jeep Grand Cherokees SRT8's

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=98043&endYear=2013&keywordPhrases=SRT8&listingType=used&driveCodes=4WD|AWD&engineCode=8CLDR&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&showcaseListingId=334599280&mmt=[JEEP[JEEPGRAND[]][]]&modelCode1=JEEPGRAND&driveCode=4WD|AWD&showcaseOwnerId=100015786&startYear=1981&makeCode1=JEEP&engineCodes=8CLDR&numRecords=100&searchRadius=0&bodyStyleCodes=SUV&sortBy=derivedpriceASC

Here is a lovely 2006 Black Jeep SRT8 with only 98K miles for $18K

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=98043&endYear=2013&keywordPhrases=SRT8&listingType=used&driveCodes=4WD|AWD&engineCode=8CLDR&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&showcaseListingId=334599280&mmt=[JEEP[JEEPGRAND[]][]]&modelCode1=JEEPGRAND&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&driveCode=4WD|AWD&showcaseOwnerId=100015786&startYear=1981&makeCode1=JEEP&engineCodes=8CLDR&numRecords=100&searchRadius=0&bodyStyleCodes=SUV&listingId=333873349&Log=0