I drove one on an autocross track at a GM event. Good V8 power, but what a complete wallowing pig in the corners and braking. How about a 2005 Focus ST. Can't get more boring than a Focus sedan - comes with decent upgrades. Malibu SS, Maxima, there has to be something better than an Impala.
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Sept. 14, 2010 3:15 p.m. GTwannaB Reader
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Sept. 14, 2010 4:21 p.m. dean1484 Dork
I wonder how much of the CTS underpinning would bolt on? What has me is the scoot it must have with the v8. I am sure it can be made to handle.
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Sept. 14, 2010 5:00 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork
GTwannaB wrote:
I drove one on an autocross track at a GM event. Good V8 power, but what a complete wallowing pig in the corners and braking.
Was it stock? Surely there are at least spring and sway bar options in the aftermarket by now. And even if there aren't, does it share any underpinnings with a FWD Caddy? If so you could maybe score some heavy duty parts that they use on limos.
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Sept. 14, 2010 6:04 p.m. Vigo HalfDork
I say if you want handling go somewhere else, unless you want to spend your time, energy, and money making a point that only a few hundred people on the internet w-body forums will ever care about or notice.
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Sept. 14, 2010 7:12 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork
You can do better.
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Sept. 14, 2010 7:41 p.m. 3Door4G Reader
Wasn't the 06 Pontiac Grand Prix basically the same car but with better handling? That should still be unassuming enough, right?
If I recall correctly, it had uneven-sized tires (bigger up front).
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Sept. 14, 2010 8:32 p.m. dean1484 Dork
This would be a street car that has some scoot not a track / autocross car. I have my other go fast toys to play with that fill that need and will keep my plenty happy.
Besides you can lean to love anything including a wallowing pig.
I bet for under $500 you can make it handle reasonably well. A set of sway bars, Decent struts and springs may be lowering it a little bit. If it is bolt on stuff from other GM cars then it is just a matter of sourcing it at the local P&P or eBay or craigs list.
Add another couple hundred and put some steel wheels and some good sneakers on it.
Dam it I have to stop thinking like this. I am going to end up with one I just know it.
Hell "While I am at it" Tint the windows. OK I have to stop.
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Sept. 14, 2010 8:49 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork
It won't have the V8 (will it?) but why not just grab an old cop car?
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Sept. 14, 2010 9:03 p.m. zomby woof Dork
The Impala is now officially on my list of cars to have.
Thanks.
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Sept. 14, 2010 10:10 p.m. Javelin SuperDork
Vigo wrote:
I say if you want handling go somewhere else, unless you want to spend your time, energy, and money making a point that only a few hundred people on the internet w-body forums will ever care about or notice.
Says the ONLY person on the planet who is still into K-Cars. Those are some pretty harsh words towards a very popular platform that can actually handle quite well for a mid-size FWD. Blow the doors off a POS 300M anyways...
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Sept. 14, 2010 10:11 p.m. Javelin SuperDork
Junkyard_Dog wrote:
It won't have the V8 (will it?) but why not just grab an old cop car?
Cause the 9C1 Impala's are N/A 3800's. The S/C 3800 SS and the LS4 V8 SS will both absolutely destroy a 9C1.
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Sept. 14, 2010 11:17 p.m. Vigo HalfDork
Says the ONLY person on the planet who is still into K-Cars.
I think the 2nd place finisher at last year's Challenge would dispute that. You know, the one with the highest trap speed from the whole event?
Those are some pretty harsh words towards a very popular platform that can actually handle quite well for a mid-size FWD.
How are they harsh? Are you telling him that if he is looking for handling than he SHOULD go straight to a FWD Impala? Clearly handling should not be the PRIMARY reason anyone would want one of those things
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You can do better.
As much as i like those things, im pretty sure a new one would beat the old one stock for stock on any timed handling venue.. autocross, road course, etc. I COULD be wrong, and if i am id like to be educated
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Sept. 14, 2010 11:19 p.m. Vigo HalfDork
Wasn't the 06 Pontiac Grand Prix basically the same car but with better handling? That should still be unassuming enough, right?
Basically yes, although i dont know how much better they handled.. I DO know that they ran a staggered tire size setup to help the handling balance (wider in front) whereas the impalas did not. I think thats a clue that the pontiac one probably IS more tuned for handling. However, they are styled pretty loudly and would need at minimum to be debadged and de-rimmed if you expect people to not know what it is.. i know what they are on sight, and im not even a FWD gm fan. I personally dont think its possible for the grand prix to be understated or stealthy, whereas with the impala you ARE only some different wheels and debadging away from being off most people's radar.
