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2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
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Comments
Now he seems to be doing much better while our new coach is completely lost in the woods.
Any Navy on Black Malibu's you see in Chicago will be purely coincidental.
Before I head back out for the day, just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten to resolve our STILL unresolved question about the "thingys" on the roof. The one at my dealer has XM but not OnStar (a bit strange), but still I'll be able to figure out what does what.
Here goes.
OK, here is my message to anyone in the industry who wants to listen. 2/3 of Americans are overweight. I am one of them (42" waist and broad shoulders from lifting iron). Not proud of that fact and I am trying to do something about it. Meanwhile I, nor I suspect anyone else in my situation, needs seat side bolsters that jab them in the sides. The new 'bu has small bolsters, but they hit me in the sides. I was ready to trade in my Matrix (even worse seats) on a MAXX until sat in the LS.
On the same subject, my father has a 'bu "classic". The rear seats have vestigial head rests that jab me painfully at the base of the neck. I am only 5'6"! What were the designers thinking?
I agree 100%. If you want to beat the guys at the top you have to build something substantially better. The Boo is as good as the Camry and Accord in some areas but, from what I've seen, not better. However, it would kill the Focus, Civic and Corolla. Market it against those guys and people will start noticing that it can also compete pretty well against the mid-sized boys.
Just a thought.
And then, about a mile from the dealership, I linked up with an '03 Accord EX V-6 (took turns following each other), so the Accord was firmly planted in my mind when I arrived at the dealer.
When I pulled into the parking lot, what did my eyes behold? The Sales Manager (my buddy) getting ready to back the new 'Bu back into the showroom as it'd been out on a test drive. I told him to stop right there. So, I've driven it, even on I-95 (a major highway for those of you unfamiliar with the East Coast). The Sales Mgr. was doing cartwheels because his friend (Sales Mgr. at the local Caddy dealer) had just come over with their first XLR for the Chevy Sales Mgr. to go on a test drive (no, I didn't get the chance to drive that). So, needless to say the Chevy Sales Mgr. was in a VERY good mood.
I have LOTS to report, but have to tend to some domestic matters for a few hours.
Bottom line from this scribe: Two thumbs up.
Much more later.
I certainly would have no issues with any mfr. offering a good OHC 3.5 litre straight six and FWD.
I will be interested to see 0-60 and 1/4 miles times of the Epica/Verona/Magnus/Isuzu/Saab/Subaru/whatver else GM may try to sell this car as vs. the Malibu.
Don't know about 1/4 mile. I will say right now the 'bu will no doubt beat the car in just about every other category. This is an older design intentionally meant to sell at bargain levels (or, in the case of most Daewoo markets -- less than European and NA affluent level markets). I doubt Suzuki will even try to bring it to Japan.
Front end (granted the one I drove was in silver, which I might really consider) was HANDSOME. No problem. Nice job, Chevy. It might be scary in other colors and at certain angles, but not in this one. MUCH more attractive than Camcord.
Seat issue. No prob with legroom. Those adjustable pedals solved all of my gripes about Chevy legroom (thank you GM for listening for once). Love the suede (and read all of the instructions about care. Doggie proof. Now, the stock market needs to go up; knock off dubya, please; LT is a near certainty. Maxx LT, heaven help me). I'm 6'2", 220 (yes, could stand to lose 20-25 lbs, courtesy of my 2nd hobby, cooking), but found the seat to be perfect.
The 'thingy" on the roof issue is exactly as I'd suspected. The "thing" just above the windshield is the XM antenna. OnStar transceiver, as best they know, is in the windshield. Don't hold me to this one, since this car didn't have it.
Test drive had me a bit in the middle. Clearly revealed to me that my car is in EXCELLENT shape, and I really didn't see all that much difference (na,na,na,na,na,na, all of you "classic" anti-advocates). Engine was green, only 19 miles, but mine is a lot more powerful (and blows 'em all away from the lights, and no, I don't have a killer right foot). You can hurl now. I think my car might just be the exception to the rule, exceptionally well maintained. When the Sales Mgr. claimed it to be his wife's next car next summer, you have to wonder. My car is still TIGHT. The new one is great, but, again, not so shockingly different. Absolutely no squeaks or rattles. VERY solid build.
Hope that's enough for tonite.
Must all be out partying, to take the accolades I'm gonna spill tomorrow, with a hangover (maybe me, but I mean you).
Anyway, tempt us with that tidbit, did ya?
Get the mail sorted. Your sis is far more important. The car can wait!
Anyway, via e-mail, the report is that the "Uglycloth" only pertains to the beige (neutral) color and that the grey is perfectly doable. WHEW!
Makes a nice case for the Maxx LS. LT sedan, for sure, is the best bet in the sedan.
Send some of that greek wine, spanicopida and baklava down my way, please. I need it.
Sis' mail is under control. Entertain ME, for a few, you guys!!
I DID crawl around one at the dealer today. All this talk on this board made me too anxious to wait - and I wasn't even excited about this car and here I am running out at noon.
Impressions:
How did they get the seams so tight? I've never been too anal about this, but have started paying attention.
How come no "real" tilt wheel? Somebody slipped a Honda height adjustable column instead of the GM tilt wheel assembly. Oh,Oh, the wife's not going to like this. I hope she can get used to it. Certainly doesn't seem to bother those millions of Honda owmers.
Fuel mileage 23/32 - Wow - that's the same as a 4 cylinder Camry - and sub 8 sec. 0-60, too. This car would have been a sensation a few years ago - heck maybe it should be now.
More later
wpbharry: stop being vague about how you feel about the malibu, tell me how you REALLY feel about the malibu. so this will be your next car.
I know, those French seats do have tight seams. Love the pockets in the front. Don't know what the pockets are for, must be a Frenchy thing. I'm REALLY trying to keep this G-rated! The tilt wheel is exactly the same as in my 'Bu, but you can also pull the wheel out (telescoping). My Sales Mgr. and his "new on board assistant" knew almost as much as I (read we, as in this discussion) did. I actually was VERY impressed.
I've got a lot ahead. This news hound has a lot to report this weekend. Help me out. Be kind.
reg : I have seen zero press on these cars up here vs several pre-views and reviews of the Bu. Strange IMO.
Sure reg is just about to boil over. Can't wait to see what becomes of this.
dindak, to give you a small piece to work with. My dash has about a 3/4" gap between the A-pillar and the dash (you don't want to know what I can see). Couldn't even fit a penny between it in the new one.
The dash is a plastic that is a big step up for me, and apparently was designed for us in FL (special again) to resist deterioration from sun/heat. They can say it's below the Camcord, but if so, barely below it. The A/C and radio controls all have that elusive Japanese feel. GM nailed it. FINALLY.
Well, needless to say they all want one. Camry owners thought it was "stunning". '03 Accord owners were apparently healing their wounds and noncommital.
The '03 Accord is hideous compared to this car. Far from gorgeous (not a quick date, thanks, but well....), it's a competitor. More than I ever thought.
when the comparison tests come out i'll post the links on thee comparison board.
not to dwell, but the epica/verona interior seems like it might be nicer than the bu.
I'd say the bu interior is certainly beyond acceptable and overall for its class mid pack to 2/3. The deisgn is nice but things like the shifter and steering wheel are big knocks.
At least its no Ion.
Off to find some Verona pics. verona...the sonata/4 cylinder camry killer.
I said it many times and I'll say it again: this "fashion" of extending the headlights all the way to the windshield produces freaks uglier than Pontiak Aztek. I don't care if they are saving metal or weight - it just looks horrendous. Designers, if you are reading this - neither I nor (hopefully) millions of others will buy anything with these disgusting headlights. That goes for 04 Malibu also
Oh, and the crystal ball, I nearly forgot. Finally cranked up and "I can see clearly now". Some of you aren't gonna like this.
reg (yes, reg), john, maxx and I are in a new Maxx within a year. Not the same one, please.
reg, just succumb. She'll love it. And you can [non-permissible content removed] all you want, 'cause she'll be so peaceful, watching the clouds roll by out of the skylight and Barney playing on the DVD. Damn pushrods, my buds won one. "But I'll be back" is what the crystal ball tells. And no doubt in my mind, you will.
Better you than me, you're looking at $27K. Better join in in wishing for $3K rebates. Sooner rather than later.
I figure I will probably end up at the Mazda or Subaru owners party, but the old 2000 Chevy Impala LS just crossed the 135,000 mile threshold yesterday. What with trips to Branson and Orlando coming up in just the next two months, I sure wish the wagon/hatches I am interested in would come out soon. (Mazda, Subaru, perhaps Malibu) I could also end up taking a Ford 500 detour, but I figure that would take too long.
And there is that matter of tons of money available on my GM card. Perhaps THAT is what they meant by "The Road to Redemption!"
(For those who may have missed it, GM ran "We're sorry we screwed up in the past and we are better now" ads last summer. They were internally called "The Road to Redemption." About the dumbest marketing move I've seen in years. Slightly better than "The Mayor of Truckville." And not quite as dumb as "we'll be there.")
If the Malibu Maxx is reliable (we won't know), comfortable and I can get my Sirius radio to play well in that XM environment (sigh), I may very well end up in a Maxx. Somehow, I doubt it, but I may...
un-sensative? I had a toyota tacoma and just by tapping it, you would get whiplash and if so, how often do you have to replace these things? any other problems that you know about?
It's Honda in particular whose new models have had problems galore (see 03 Accord, for instance, and J D Power surveys prove it). Ford had tons of problems with its Focus as well.
And there will be no ads for V6 powered Malibus for 16k a year from now, unless the cars are used.
If there are, we will have a lot worse things to deal with than GM's problems.
And that larger is better attitude is why good small cars (like the Ford Mondeo) usually fail here.
I am almost certain my next car will be smaller than my Impala. You see, I like large cars, I like small cars. And I don't buy stereotypes. I try before I buy.
Why would anyone with a closed mind about an issue post in what amounts to a site for those considering purchase of a model?
John, you need to come down in early Nov. to see the Maxx. The Impala will make it for another 4 or 5.
Someone we know and love is in a very bad mood today and I've had to deal with that "hissie fit". No, not even remotely geographically located.
And then (venus will love this), the entire state of FL is in "shock and awe" mode (Chevy, are you following this?). Football fan here, but not right now. Those scrappy Marlins (baseball), whom I'd written off months ago, make the headlines this AM with a 2" plug no less. "Marlins Clinch It". The playoffs, but hey, we're on a roll.
Just the start of a tumultuous year for FL. Super Bowl, here we come. Hanging chads once again, here we come.
I WANT my orange fusion metallic Maxx (or sedan if need be) NOW!!!!
1/3 of the way thru the report, but I now have another roadblock. Local Hyundai dealer has singled me out (sure you've all seen one of these) with a key. The key might just start an '04 Sonata LX V-6 and $10 grand in cash. My best friend, who drives a Hyundai (unfortunately), didn't receive a key. Just watch it work, and then what????
Over to the Chevy dealer we go. Place my order please.
We are still waiting for the Cubs to clinch it. There might be some Florida/Chicago dueling that actually means something in the neat future.
Sorry, mazdaprofour. Brakes ARE a prob on the old "classic" Malibu. Rear drums went at about 10K, still on the orig front rotors (but I know they're warped and living with it). Other than that, expect to have the intake manifold gaskets replaced around 45-60K miles, be careful of those awful Firestone Affinity's, and that's basically it. Not great, but you could do a LOT worse.
And NO, I'm not purposely stringing you guys along, and I resent the post that suggests that.
I HATE TYPING!! Is that so bad? At least I'm a good guy and fair, and I let you all know what's up. The post will appear sometime this weekend; meanwhile head out to BGs, Home Depot, Lowe's, whatever. In my case West Palm Hyundai.
NO BARNEY. This little girl will be listening to the Donnas, not no purple stupid idiot!
The Mazda products are still top of my pecking order, and the MAL will get an honest test drive. The utility of the MAxx will get a look.
Plus add the fact that I want a stick again and that would rule out the Mal right away.
But I do have a GM card. HMMMMM.
Wish the GM card could be used for a SAAB. My balance right now could be used for all the upfront lease fees. My daughter would rather be seen stylin' around in the eurocarh, even if she's german and not a fair skinned scahndinuviannnn
Sweet Duratec w/ vvt will call my name. Of course, my Duratec v8 I have already may suit me just fine for another few years too. Alas, I get bored. I seem to have a penchant for looking at Original Auroras lately too........
Drive a car like the Mazda6 6 or Maxima with stick and run its liquid smooth v6 with no power gaps through the gears up and down the speedometer and tachometer. Pure bliss. Which is why its so hard to settle for less and extoll any virtues on a typical Chevy v6. While it may serve the masses, once you've had a taste of the good stuff, its hard to go down the ladder.
I still remember my first SHO. I had SOOOOO much fun running that gem of a motor around.
It often comes down to motor for me.
BTW, usually the advantage of 4 wheel discs is mostly brake feel and lack of fade under heavy use. A lot of folks think 4 wheel discs are just for quick stopping but really its advantages are that and fade performance and pedal feel.
johncline-driving through Missouri, if you need to pass the time, just count the percentage of GM vehicles you see......
I, too, will try a Maxx. Still, I bet I end up with a Mazda or Subie. We will see.
Twill be interesting, that's for sure.
I was anxious to test out a theory. I moved the pedals all the way forward, which allowed me to move the seat foward. The telescoping wheel could be pushed back retaining a bit of arms out placement. Thus adjusted, there was definitely more legroom behind the driver seat than in our '02 - and more than in the competition, too.
You said you found the tilt to be the same as on your Malibu. Did I miss something? I found the lever on the bottom of the steering column, which pulled down and back, unlocking the up/down adjustment on the column and the telescopic feature. I then stopped looking further - is there another control for the tilt feature?
Not Jewish, but a good friend is. Was planning on the beer-braised brisket tomorrow. In the area, drop me a line. Can feed 20, no prob.
bc: New one on me. That's ONE THING I haven't had to deal with.
rwisem: I found this a bit strange. The tilt wheel function is identical as in my 'Bu. Only diff is that when you're ready to adjust for position, yank on it. It telescopes. I felt like half an idiot doing it, but that's the answer. No seperate button/lever for telescope.
and is their any better breaks that will last longer than just 10K?
Should I be regretting my purchase of the 03 malibu?
and how much is the intake gasket going to cost me when I have to replace it at 60k?
Sheesh...
The Verona has a very well done interior, especially for the price. Malibu deisgn perhaps more interesting. However, the plastics and leather on the Verona are indeed nicer.
mazdaprofour: Get the extended warranty if you still can. That'll cover the gaskets when you get there. Plus a lot of minor annoyances along the way. If you're a good guy and really charming, they'll handle the first round of brake probs gratis.
Can't say that with Honda, Toyota or Mazda (but that's a subject for the other discussion forum).
That is what wpbharry said.
How much are normal break replacements for the bu and do they have warranties?
Which is also why they are guaranteed a sale in 2004, and they darn well know it. Foaming at the mouth, really.