Chevrolet Malibu Maxx End of the Line?

kurtamaxxxguy

...as the Saab 9-3 Aero, which is like the maxx but with a different shape rear hatch and interior trim.
Unfortunately, the 9-3 series is one of the most unreliable brands out there.

csandste

..and for a lot more money with a far smaller and snootier dealer network.

pao

will wait till 08...replacement for my 04 Maxx...Cadillac CTS or turbo HHR......but either way will still keep the Maxx

oldntired1950

The 9-3 hasn't been a hatchback in years - unless you consider the new Sportscombi - a wagonish sort of thing. You're right - Americans just don't get wagons and hatchbacks, and it's a shame because they are so versatile.
Perhaps someday, but then again, I doubt it...
By the way, have you seen pictures of the new Volvo C30 - the next generation hatchback - a little small but very cute!

kurtamaxxxguy

The only major body difference I could find between Sport Combi and the Maxx is the shape of the hatch. The Maxx has a small "trunklette" while the Combi is smooth (like a wagon).
I have no idea how the Sport Combi is doing in sales...I've never seen one on the roads here in S. Calif (and rarely see Maxxes). It also has electronic stability control missing on the '07 Malibus.

But lack of dealer network and reliability'll keep me away from the Combi.

kurtamaxxxguy

A maxx forum claims GM will shortly announce an '08 version of the Maxx :confuse: .
I don't think Edmunds allows posting links in forum comments so all I can say is do a search for malibumaxxed.com
and you will find it .

kurtamaxxxguy

Just curious if the Fairfax KS Production for the '07's has ended...

Thanks.

As for the forum announcing "08 maxx", it has shut down due to server issues.

pao

dont know.....I do know certain GM models have already started production of 08 models

irismg

I think I would love an LTZ model Maxx, but then I read about all the workmanship problems which reminds me why my last two cars have been Toyotas. Detroit can make great looking cars that nickel and dime you to death with problems, with having to take time off work to fix. It would have been nice if they could have resolved the issues. This was one of the only real wagons made by the traditional American companies. (It actually looks like an elongated Escort, but you know what I mean.)

There may be hope for the body style, though; looks like the Malibu Maxx may be reborn as the Saturn Astra! They're very similar, plus changing the mechanicals to the European (Opel) stuff they use may eliminate the need to take it to the shop for anything besides an oil change!

Maybe there is life after Maxx!

csandste

Despite a steering column replacement, my 2005 Maxx is the best car I've ever owned, and I've had more than thirty. Having said that, multiple failures would make me change my mind-- but for now the excellent economy of the v-6, low maintenance and flexibility outweigh any negatives.

The Astra is a different class of car. The most similar American car at this point is the Cobalt. You can easily see the parallels between the 4 door Cobalt and 5 door Saturn in the c-column.

Hopefully the Astra will be a much better final product than the Cobalt and it's guaranteed to be far superior to the Ion (of course that's not saying much).

The 07 and 08+ Malibus are closest to the Opel Vectra and the Saturn Aura.

07maxx

This is not too surprising if you have listened to any of the interviews with the troglodyte who currently "leads" GM. Talk about a throw-back. He is right out of the 1950s with his thinking on business, government and social issues for our country.

Great automobile that fits my needs very well. But, doesn't have the margins of the SUV/truck vehicles, so that is one reason it was/is not strongly supported. Everyone of us who buys a Maxx is a potential buyer of an SUV/truck with a much higher margin for GM. Thus, little or no marketing and it has to go. Too sad.

maxx4me

07maxx: if you gave me an SUV, I'd push it into the river. I love the maxx because it IS the anti-SUV. Like you, I plan on keeping my maxx until the bolts rust off of it. If the US insists on keeping hatchbacks and wagons on the shelf because they compete with their precious SUV profits, I'll go back to Japan. Heck, I'd even go to Japan, buy a Honda Accord wagon (which is still made there), and pay to upgrade the emissions so I could ship it over here. I guess I'd have to learn how to drive a right side steering vehicle, though, eh?

kurtamaxxxguy

as a SAAB sport combi.
In fact, the Saab sport combi will get the latest Haldex AWD (superior to VW or Audi) and a 300 HP high tech engine in a year or so.
I had hoped the Maxx would get AWD, but no such luck.

...and if GM really thinks I'm going to buy an SUV because the Maxx isn't available; sorry, Bob L., but no sale.

csandste

I'm very happy with my Maxx. I have very little GM loyalty, not a hater-- would buy another if it suited me. Right now, an SUV or typical crossover wouldn't interest me. Maybe the new Saturn, don't know...

I've had good luck with Hyundais and Kias. If the Maxx died an I wanted a new car I might look at a Rondo or the new Hyundai i30 which will probably be brought in as an Elantra (don't like the new Elantra sedan although I liked my 01)-- anyway I have little if any brand loyalty. The car's got to grab me...

http://www.motorpasion.com/images/galleries/hyundai-i30/Hyundai_i30-23.jpg

the_big_al

I test drove a Maxx and really liked it, but my wife and I decided to go with an 04 Impala instead of the 05 Maxx because the price was the less with the Imp and it was a bigger car that got the same gas mileage. Although I did like what the Maxx had to offer... I just GM had a wagon in the Impala sized segment..... an no I don't want an Uplander. For now the Impala will have to do until we outgtrow it (not likely with only 1 kid right now) or the wheels fall off, so I don't plan on a new family vehicle for several years. Maybe by then the segments will have come full circle and there will be something similar to the Maxx out around 2015?