Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
GM's 3900 OHV, however, matches or exceeds the performance of competitors, while costing $1000 less to make.
Chevy Malibu [non-permissible content removed], anyone?
bcmalibu99ls : [non-permissible content removed]?? Ok, whatever.
reg : I agree, the SS if it's coming should be out year 2 at the latest.
rctennis3811 : "Malibu looks like a winner, except for that 3.5L pushrod of its.. "
You obviously have not driven the car. Engine is winning praise all around.
not quite sure I saw the press release with the verified balance sheet that confirms this as fact.
Maybe if labor and pension cost weren't such a drag on them financially......they wouldn't need to always value engineer the.....engine.
wpbharry : I'm no expert, I just follow the auto news. It's amazing how much info you can pick up every day off about 8 sites in about 10-15 minutes. The internet really has made me a news junkie. 3900 news was in a SEMA report on media.gm.com
;-)
There aren't many new developments to talk about concerning production. We definitely set some new benchmarks within the corporation.
GM gave us a bunch of certificates that we could hand out to friends that might be purchasing a new vehicle. I'm relatively new to KC, and since I haven't had the chance to make a lot of friends, I thought I'd extend the invitation to anyone interested out there. Basically, these certificates allow anybody to purchase (or lease) a GM vehicle at the supplier discount (3% above employee discount). This is in addition to all the regular incentives.
With the current incentives of $1000 on the 04 Malibu, that would easily knock $2500 - $3000 off the MSRP.
I think these certificates last till the end of this year, and they're good for all GM vehicles. If anybody is interested, please let me know. I'm not being pressured to do this. Just trying to be a nice guy, because I have no use for them.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
If you can shoot me an e-mail to triedntru1@hotmail.com, I'll contact you that way. Am I asking too much if I ask you guys to send me a SASE? I mean, I think that'll help clear the field for the serious folk. If that's reasonable, I'll see you in my inbox. I'm pretty sure these certificates expire January 2, 2004.
As for the Maxx launch, it's going quite well. Dindak, you mention the ad you saw said the Maxx was coming spring 2004. Maybe my perception is off, but that just sounds late from what I've been seeing at the plant. I would expect to see some in dealerships way before that.
We also started back up with the 4-cylinders. There was a lot of bad press about the 4-cylinder being too noisy and unrefined, so there were some changes made which halted production temporarily.
2. Nice interior/exterior
3. Good service
and wave the Japanese sayonara. Otherwise, bye-bye, market share! My regards to Mr. Lutz, please
On my Chevy, the dealers want $39 and to keep the car all day. What gives?
My old dealer downtown used to do them as you wait with a free coffee. One in the burbs now is not as efficient and I usually just got to Quick Lube. Takes about 15 minutes there.
this is a greatly improved car compared to its predecessor. I personally like the exterior styling save for the silly spoiler which has been added for merchandising purposes. Otherwise, looks fine. The paint job on the particular car I saw was superb. Door panel, trunk and hood tolerances were exact. Doors closed with the appropriate "thunk" and felt solid, much better than previous model.
Interior fit and finish, materials, ergonomics, seats, instrument lay-out were all well above average with one exception. The front head rests were awful. Much too sharp and inclined forward at too great an angle so that they jutted into the back of my head. Most uncomfortable. This has been noted and criticised by other reviewers. Since there is no angle adjustment, it appears one is stuck with it.
The instruments and controls were comprehensive and moved with proper damping and a solid feel. Quite Japanese or European in feel. Gone were the flimsy stalks and dials of old. The seat fabric was nice. The seats were appropriately supportive. There was ample room in the interior as well as ample room in the trunk.
The rear seat was spacious and comfortable and wonder of wonders - there were two very good head rests for outbound passengers although none for the middle passenger. These head rests for some reason were appropriately angled without the "jut" feature of the front head rests. You know GM has come a long way when they recognize that the rear seat passengers also have heads and need head rests just as much as the front seat passengers.
I cannot comment on the handling, acceleration, etc. of the car as I have not yet driven it but from the reviews I have read its driving characteristics are above average.
Overall, an excellent effort but FIX THOSE FRONT HEAD RESTS!
I bought a navy blue 04 Malibu LS last night. Driving it home from the dealership was the longest drive I've been on so far. I adjusted the pedals as far away as possible, and I scooted the front seat all the way back. I'm 6'4", and I found the legroom almost cavernous! Of course, I've been driving a Sunfire the last two years...
Overall, I really like the car. I'm curious to see what I think of it after the newness wears off. I'm not a big fan of the design on the cloth, but then again I'm not constantly looking between my legs while I'm driving either.
I didn't get XM or Onstar. Those antennaes do nothing for the looks of that car. I noticed in the XM pamphlet that there is a radio station available at an extra fee called "Playboy Radio." Do they just read you the articles or what?
Anyways, thanks to those who have asked for the certificates. I'm glad they're actually going to get used. I have 3 left that aren't spoken for. I've got one set aside for everyone that's e-mailed me so far.
What kind of deal were you able to get?
I would've rather held out for a Maxx, but my wife just doesn't like them.
Do I hear crickets?
Sounds like a solid deal. Let us know how you are enjoying it over the next few months.
Why did your wife not like the Maxx? I like it better than the sedan.
As I looked at the front, I thought, "where have I seen this before?" Then I remembered, it looks like a mid-60s AMC Rambler! Before everyone has a stroke, I own an 01 Malibu LS, and the car has been perfect. So I'm not a Chevy hater. A lot of people think the styling of 97-03 Malibu was ugly, but I disagree; the facia and profile are beautiful.
A lot of people were anticipating the new Malibu, but I find the styling to be disappointing. The car may ride and handle well, but you'd think GM would have been a little more inventive with the look--especially the facia. I was hoping the '04 would tempt me, but no way would I trade my current car for this one. My old aunt might buy, she loved that Rambler.
I think the designers are using the wrong focus groups. The last versions of Camry and Accord are way uglier than predecessors as well.
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chevrolet/malibu/100274114/roadte- starticle.html?articleId=100914&tid=edmunds.h..reviews.roadte- sts.1.*
They did "squeeze" the gasket work under warranty, however I swallowed the costs of the waterpump.
My fear is that the intake gasket replacement was done poorly or improperly. I am going to call the dealer again, but I am curious what others think my options are at this point.
Thanks,
-DaveS
(First Time Poster - Of course to complain. :-)
Lately, the Malibu was beginning to be recognized a reliable, teriffic, good looking family sedan that provides good value. But that old maid styling of the new one is a real turnoff. That's too bad, since the 04 is reported to offer a better ride and handling than the previous generation--which I thought was pretty good anyway.
You got it right when you said the auto manufacturers must be using the wrong focus groups.
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm18_20031118.htm
The new Malibu can be the car the previous car never was if quality / reliability stays high and the good reviews continue. Many people are looking for better values and this car seems to actually have the goods at a better price.
If it was an import fighter, it was fighting 1991 Camrys, not 1997 ones.
What really matters is function, and the Malibu V6 has the torque and seat of the pants acceleration of a Camry V6 and the fuel economy of a Camry 4. This should count for something with consumers.
I agree that the New Malibu is not good enough to get siginificant numbers of Accord and Camry drivers out of their makes, but that would require some kind of magic at these prices. If the Caddy CTS was labeled and priced as a Malibu, maybe, but that is what it would take. I do think that if people are objective and give the Malibu a chance, many would prefer it.
With 2,000 miles now, I really appreciate this car. it is extremely competent in its road manners and even the little details are good. I've never used better switchgear, even on a luxury make. The HVAC controls are the best I've ever used. I like the sleek "black panel" look of the gauges at night. In comparison the Accord and Camry gauges look rather garish. So far no issues at all.
Roger
2004 Silver Malibu LT
First, look at the V6 Malibu mpgs. Second look at the preliminary reviews. The level torque curve in the engine has informed auto reviewers saying it will be close to its competitors in acceleration.
If Toyota really was at 140 hps 10 years ago, then why is its 2.4 only producing 157 hps now? Not much progress there. Especially considering the ecotec 2.4 set to launch in the Cobalt (and probably a mid-year option for the Malibu) is at 175 hps.
GM has two mid-market brands to support, not one. The Malibu is GM's value offering. And it is a great value. The G6 will be GM's performance offering. We shall know at the NAIAS how well the G6 stacks up to the others.
Finally, the 'Bu is certainly as good looking as the CamCords. The Altima is certainly more dramatic, in a somewhat peurile sort of way. Altima sales peaked quickly and have levelled off. Don't know whether this is short term or a trend.
The old Malibu had good quality ratings and this one has shown some promise. And push rods can be "refined" and are not going anywhere. It's another myth promoted by the ricer industry. (Same ones who think RWD and V8 cars are 'dinosaurs')
Funny, for years these same purists slammed Detroit for 'over powered gas hogs'. Now suddenly HP #'s are the be all end all, gas mileage be damned.