G. David Felt

If it wasn't 40 grand, I would own one.... I agree that I think GM needs to get this technology cut in half and will see sales explode with new buyers. They are working on it. In 2001, the first iPod came in two sizes... a 5gb and a 10gb. They were Mac only and couldn't be synced with PCs without some very annoying hacking. All they did was play music. They cost $400 and $500 respectively. Today, a full color touch screen iPod nano with 16gb, built in radio, video playback, and accelerometer is $149. The iPod classic, the closest relative to the original iPod, now has 16 times the capacity of the original for a mere $249. The Volt is the original iPod of cars in this regard.. the proof of concept and of market. True, except I think that the Prius/Insight were more like the iPod in your example... The Volt is more like the Zune. GM should have learned from Toyota and Honda how to make it more affordable. I'm glad the car is doing well, but in my eyes, it's a failure because of the price tag. Toyota and Honda only have been successful due to the coolaid drinking lemmings. GM saw the short commings of their hybrids and went one step further and we have the VOLT and the Initial High Price. I would rather have GM do what they did than follow Ford who licensed from Toyota and had an ok version still with high price and sending more american money back to Japan. At least gm keeps all the money here.

Saw a very clean 2001 Dodge Durango RT. Have to say I still very much like those SUV's. Course the daughter has a regular 4x4 99.

I have to agree with your daughter, the car has more than just the rear tail lights that doe not really work. The car comes across as a Parts bin special to me of mix and match to make something to sell and not really a refined flow.

Potential, but due to the rust in the quarter panels, I would think more along the line of parts. Amazing it lasted this long in that area.

So now back on topic. In reviewing the comments and the packages of this car, It makes one wonder where should an Auto maker draw the line on what is offered on a auto? People are wanting their cake and eat it too and yet we already know that people living outside their means will eventually be a drag on society and the average tax payer. With that said, the gov pushing all these nanny devices are making auto's for the privileged and ignoring the need to allow someone to get into a basic car cheap and work their way up. I wonder if the packages and features on this Impala do not impede into expected higher level auto's and should be cut. I know the auto industry is trying to give all at every level, but I feel one does have to draw a line on what is really expected on a cheap entry level, mid level and upper level auto.

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

We shall both be devils this Xmas and tease you with our El Camino finds. One will eventually nail you to the garage!

Hey El Camino, You should check out some of the lovely babies on autotrader. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=98043&endYear=2013&modelCode1=ELCAM&showcaseOwnerId=563264&startYear=1981&makeCode1=CHEV&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&numRecords=100&searchRadius=0&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BELCAM%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&sortBy=derivedpriceASC I am shocked at some of the hot El Camino's for sale. Nice Maroon one for $5900 asking http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=98043&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BELCAM%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=ELCAM&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=1981&showcaseOwnerId=563264&numRecords=100&searchRadius=0&listingId=329846252&Log=0 Nice White garage kept for $4500 http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=98043&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BELCAM%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=ELCAM&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=1981&showcaseOwnerId=563264&numRecords=100&searchRadius=0&listingId=328853720&Log=0 I see a nice El Camino in your future.

Boy you are just being a tempting little devil, yes you are!

Can we just put the Nissan Leaf where it belongs in the yard waste bin?

That would have a low center of gravity with a neutral tight handling with some serious off the line torque. I like that idea.

Traditional electric whine. Interesting that they show it gowing over the sidewalk onto the street and you hear clunk clunk noise every time. Not something that says quality to me. weird.

Sounds like a good plan!

If it wasn't 40 grand, I would own one.... I agree that I think GM needs to get this technology cut in half and will see sales explode with new buyers.

Just pathetic!

Very nice Suburban, with the amount of used auto's having been lost to Sandy, I bet they figure they could get a higher price. But I would also go much lower since it is such a basic model that slurps gas.

Very nice, though I am always surprised by the amount of dirt people get in a car. The buttons on the steering wheel sure could use a cleaning. Must have very dirty hands.

I was thinking more AWD Performance Volt CUV!

4drs are just so much easier to get in and out of in parking garages (where is seem to park most of the time), and I always put my backpack w/ laptop for work in the back seat..easier to get it out by opening a door than the old fold & slide w/ a 2dr... but for a sporty car or fun car, I like 2drs...I've had a few over the years (Mustangs and an M3). I used to believe that myself till I bought the 2008 Trailblazer SS and now am sold on performance 4 doors. No 4dr performance convertibles these days, though. For my mid 40s crisis car, I'm thinking Mustang GT convertible, Camaro SS convertible, or late model Boxster. If GM made it, would you go for a 4 door Volt Performance Convertible version?

4drs are just so much easier to get in and out of in parking garages (where is seem to park most of the time), and I always put my backpack w/ laptop for work in the back seat..easier to get it out by opening a door than the old fold & slide w/ a 2dr... but for a sporty car or fun car, I like 2drs...I've had a few over the years (Mustangs and an M3). I used to believe that myself till I bought the 2008 Trailblazer SS and now am sold on performance 4 doors.

They sure are attacking all automakers on every front. Should be interesting to see how GM responds to them.

My experience with CNG is proving his numbers and I only see bigger and better things on the horizon for CNG.

Thanks Mud, except for the size, people could easily mistaken this for a CTS. The Family DNA makes it very hard to distinguish it from other family members in My less than humble opinion.

Practicality usually always wins. True for families, 4 doors will always win and youth with active life styles seem to rather have 4 doors than two. The two door CUV's, SUV's etc are going to the history bin. Thought I do love me a 2 door Yukon GT! About 15 years ago when I had my Bronco II, i was looking at buying a full size Bronco or 2dr Tahoe. But I prefer the practicality of 4drs since i got my Grand Cherokee. For driving myself and the wife around and the rare passenger, two door would be fine, but I also have come to see the benefits of 4 doors. I think the days of 2 door auto's are coming to an end.

I truly believe the Auto Industry would just take off if they could make this happen.