MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
G8 is nice, but imho is inferior to the Impala. Besides, there hasn't been a real fullsize car from GM since the demise of the Caprice.
G8 is nice, but imho is inferior to the Impala. Besides, there hasn't been a real fullsize car from GM since the demise of the Caprice.
DrMrLordX
Lifer
- Apr 27, 2000
- 22,590
- 12,477
- 136
The Astra has not sold well in the North American market. It failed as a replacement for the Ion, and it would fail as a replacement for the Cobalt. The Cobalt is doing pretty well for Chevy actually.
Chevy is killing the Cobalt after 2010 and replacing it with the Cruze in 2011 anyway.
What Saturn really needs to do is go back to their roots and do what the Cruze is meant to do, only better. Revamped SL2 with a 1.4-1.6 litre turbocharged or Eaton TVS Supercharged (yeah baby!) engine, lightweight like the old models, good handling, etc.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not the American public really likes the idea of putting premium pump gas in a fuel-sipper (fourtwo notwithstanding). If not, there's no reason why they couldn't use a 1.8 litre NA engine like the one in the Astra. It produces almost as much power as the 2.2L engine in my Ion and drags around a heavier car yet gets better mileage in the city.
Oh yeah, plastic panels = win, even if some people made fun of them.
The original Saturn sedans, wagons and coupes were awesome little cars! 1996 rolled around though and Saturn changed a lot of things and the products really went down hill IMO. They never really recovered.
MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
The Impala is a nice car I agree. I don't know what reasoning you are using to place it ahead of the G8 though. Comfort maybe? Value? It can't be performance, that's for sure. the G8 is RWD and V8 powered, has an optional 6spd manual, IRS. I know the Impala has an optional V8 but it's only pumping out 300 HP and it's driving the front wheels through an automatic... no thanks.
MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
More for comfort and niceties for the price. Performance is great, but imho you can't beat RWD which the Impala does not have. They are two completely different cars fulfilling two different purposes. Besides, the frozen yanks probably would like to keep a FWD option for the "full-size" segment. Keep 'em both, and rebadge one as the Caprice.
Kaervak
Diamond Member
- Jul 18, 2001
- 8,460
- 2
- 81
As a Saturn owner (99 SL2, 121,000+miles) they're time is up unfortunately. They've been nothing but badge engineering for GM for the past few years. Everything that made them Saturn has been long gone. The Astra is damn nice and I'd love to see it moved to another badge. Everything else they offer is underwhelming and offered in another badge, especially the Sky. A two seat roadster for the brand of GM that was designed to take on the cheap econobox imports, no wonder GM is in trouble. If Saturn does stick around, going back to "the beginning" is probably the only thing that will save them.
Yep Impala sales canabalize Malibu sales as an inferior product where they could use the g8 as the full size car
I rented an Impala last month that I used for driving down to San Diego. I have to say that it's a old mans car totally. Nothing modern about that car at all. I really wanted to exchange it but that was the only car available in full size.
Unfortunately with GM's financial troubles, the Impala was to go under a similar redesign as the Malibu & was supposed to be complete this year or last but it was put on hold b/c of financial troubles. I agree that the G8 would make a great replacement.
MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
The Impala and the G8 really fulfill two different types of vehicle... The G8 really is just an imported Holden Commodore that really fulfills more of a performance niche. It is not, however, designed to be the kind of high-production mainstream vehicle that the Impala was. The Impala, however, is going to be redesigned soon, and they are looking at the possibility of going to RWD for the updated Zeta platform, which has really proven to be successful. Personally, I doubt that this will happen, but it is an interesting possibility. Some people simply aren't suited to drive a RWD vehicle. The G8 would really be best to compliment the Impala in the full-size segment.
As far as the Malibu goes, although it is a great car, a person looking to buy an Impala is not one that would've considered a Malibu. In that case, size matters.
It is fulfilling a different role. You cannot pass off a midsize car like the Malibu as a fullsize car. That is like trying to pass off a Toyota Corolla for something as big as a Taurus. It just doesn't work.
MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
Lemme guess, you got the LT1 model? The 3.5 is a bit anemic for my tastes. The next step up actually is a vast improvement. Besides, for a true Interstate car, comfort is key.
I didn't mean the G8 in its current iteration but you can downsize the engine choices
Its a large car, people are chosing the inferior Impala over the excellent Malibu based on price as they are virtually identical and don't realize that one car is superior to the other car.
Dump the inferior large car and with traction and stability control any RWD can be driven as easily as FWD. GM needs to sell the best cars it can, always. . .
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.c...-a-tale-of-two-chevys/
"This raises a number of interesting questions about the value of GM?s supposed product-led turnaround. If the Impala sells better than the Malibu at retail, despite its aged underpinnings and staid looks, was Bob Lutz?s enormous paycheck and frequent outbursts worth the investment? Class-competitive styling, interiors and platforms cost a considerable amount of money, and based on the numbers it seems that loyal GM customers aren?t particularly swayed by them. For all its accolades, the Malibu looks to be not only less popular than its fleet-flooding cousin but less profitable "
Its a large car, people are chosing the inferior Impala over the excellent Malibu based on price as they are virtually identical and don't realize that one car is superior to the other car.
Dump the inferior large car and with traction and stability control any RWD can be driven as easily as FWD. GM needs to sell the best cars it can, always. . .
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.c...-a-tale-of-two-chevys/
"This raises a number of interesting questions about the value of GM?s supposed product-led turnaround. If the Impala sells better than the Malibu at retail, despite its aged underpinnings and staid looks, was Bob Lutz?s enormous paycheck and frequent outbursts worth the investment? Class-competitive styling, interiors and platforms cost a considerable amount of money, and based on the numbers it seems that loyal GM customers aren?t particularly swayed by them. For all its accolades, the Malibu looks to be not only less popular than its fleet-flooding cousin but less profitable "
Dunno which one it was. I didn't think it was low-powered but that it seemed really old dated to me. To be honest, the first one I rented had issues with the wheels so I exchanged it for another Impala which was a tad better but still looked old. Both cars smelled like pee which didn't help either.
I think they are weird looking. Besides that, the one I drove wasn't all the comfortable or enjoyable to drive.
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