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2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
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Comments
For years now the Camry and Accord have been better built, better finished, more reliable and fully equipped much more expensive than an Malibu. They are also much more popular than a Malibu regardless of year. The Malibu is cheaper, much less expensive to maintain according to the "book" if you take it to a dealer, and is relatively durable. If finish and luxury are important to a buyer there are plenty of program car certified Park Avenues and Cadillac Devilles a year old with 25-30k mileage and priced about the same as a loaded Camry or Malibu. I bought an '03 Deville for the price of an Impala LS and there is no comparison. I have a 2001 Malibu LS. I drive it all over the place and so far it has cost me about
$600 in repairs over 63,000 miles. You'll pay practically that for a couple of Camry 15 and 30k mileage "checkups" at a Toyota dealer.
I agree with you that there is no reason why -if we can put someone on the moon - we can't build a car with the same quality inherent in a Camry. The car magazines (especially CR which would recommend a soap box derby racer if it was made in Japan) love the Camry -"practically a Lexus", quiet, hushed, etc etc. You can buy a base Camry for about the same price as a Malibu with the same equipment. The downside is maintenance cost (cars are very reliable but checkups and routine service is costly) and lack of a dealer network in small towns. We have a Toyota dealer here in Clovis, NM but not Hyundai or Kia. I assume that GM has market researchers who determine what customers like but there must be a reason that Camrys far outsell Malibus. I agree on the quality issue. There is no reason why GM can't meet or beat any Japanese or Korean car.
Accord LX's $ 18,800.00
All with Automatic, air pw/pl,AMFM-CD, etc.
THESE ARE NOT ONE ONLYS-BUT ALL IN STOCK....
This is what the Malibu is fighting in some parts of the country. And the quality is better as stated on the above cars.
Toyota Camry's have high perceived value, and most people still view dealer "specials" as come-ons, bait and switch, a hassle, etc (which they aren't!). Therefore salting the Sunday ads with low Camry LE prices doesn't "cheapen the brand" (you don't get the same low prices on other Camrys).
It's too bad that GM's attempt to "hold the line" starts with the 'Bu.
But anyway, next year there should be a more competitive 4 cylinder option...I am fond of 4's and one magazine reported slightly better "balance" with the 4 (less weight up front). On the other hand, I'd probably have to order a car to get it optioned the way I'd want it - just a 4, but with ABS....
My theory is if they cut this stuff I CAN see, what did they do to lessen durability while saving costs on the hard parts I can't see--the engine, tranny, etc.?
I hope Mr. Lutz is happy with his cost savings. They scared me away from the Maxx and probably into a Subaru Legacy GT (then again, GM owns 20 percent of Fuji Heavy)
A well written letter and, if needed, a legal action where you are represented by an attorney are far more effective...
that is being sold to fleets and rental car companies is pretty much a base 2003 Malibu with power windows, door locks, CD radio, cruise, auto, AC ,base cloth interior and a 140hp 4 cyl engine. So much for picking up a bargain Malibu LS at the end of the year. I assume that rental car companies such as Hertz and Enterprise which sell their own cars will put these in the fleet instead of the new design 2004's. It will be interesting to see if this happens.
If you are looking for a decently equipped Malibu , I wouldn't wait for a Classic but would pick up a Hertz 2003 Malibu LS. It has lots of equipment,folding back seats, power seat, and a good V6 engine. Unfortunately every year standard stuff comes off the Malibu -in 2001 the LS had a standard cassette/CD radio with RDS. In 2003 this is an option. A plain non-RDS CD radio is standard.
The Classic is nothing much - even worse engine wise than the 2003 base model. It is bad enough to try and pass in the 50-70 mph range with the 6. I can imagine doing it in a 4.
I had looked at them at the North American International Automobile Show in Detroit.
The Ecotec engine is a very sophisticated engine as well. For an engine that only weighs 240lbs, it is way out front for efficiency.
This is exactly what I felt about the Malibu. They need a car that will stand out rather than blend in. Having another 30 to 40 hp can't hurt either since Camrys Accords and Altimas are packing anywhere from 225 to 250 Hp