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I did see that the new sedan began production last Monday, right on time (there's a link posted in the Malibu Discussion). However, personally, I don't plan on trekking to my Chevy dealer (to try out those adjustable pedals) until after Labor Day to be sure that one is on the showroom floor (my dealer had a ton of pre-orders and they'll all be gone right away). Remember that you can also use gmbuypower.com to check up on your local dealers' inventory before you head out the door.
While running around, did manage to pick up a copy of the Sept. Automobile magazine. Has some info on the Maxx. Turns out the 3.5 IS actually an "extensively reworked" 3.4. Hmmm... Also, despite your fears, it too states that the on-sale date for the Maxx is January, not March. I keep forgetting that the Miami Int'l Auto Show (one of the nation's first) will be here in early Nov. We know that a ton of sedans will be on the floor, but it'll be interesting to see if a pre-production Maxx is. I'm still curious about the luggage capacity story. Will let you all know after the Show.
Something else caught my eye in Automobile, for those interested. Not that I'm a fan of 4-cylinders, as you know, but the new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart is a small wagon, much larger than I thought, and is very good-looking (sort of like a mini-Volvo wagon). 2.4 litre, 162 hp. For those that can't wait for a Maxx, might be something to look at. But, let's not get off on a tangent discussing Mitsus...
Harry
Btw, feel free to share your thoughts about the new Lancer wagon in our 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer discussion. We could use some more opinions over there. ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I'm in the same boat as you. My wife wants a small SUV but I don't want to pay for the insurance on one. I'm hoping I can sell her on the idea of the Maxx. She says right now she will take a look when they come out.
Note to maxx4me: So, I guess we'll be driving the same vehicle, except that I'll wait for the juicy rebates closer to the end of the model year. Also, maxx, note that you copied down the dealer vehicle inventory website incorrectly. It's gmbuypower.com, not gmbuyingpower.com.
Harry
Harry
And now, back to the subject of the Chevy Malibu Maxx. Thanks for your participation!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Maxx LS 22225
LT 24725
loaded LT $27075
Like Revka, I too was intrigued by the HHR until I found out it's only available with a 4-cylinder. Supposedly based on the new Malibu, so don't know why no V6. In any event, it won't be out until at least the '05 model year.
The GM media site is www.media.gm.com for those interested. I found it interesting last week that not a peep was mentioned about the sedan beginning production, but per the Malibu discussion, it first appeared on a Canadian site (since has been on the Car&Driver site). Also, for those just "catching up", another good site of note is www.chevy.com/fullthrottle. That site has all the info on soon-upcoming Chevys, and also where I got on a list last January which has resulted in my having received 2 brochures on the new Malibu (first one came Fed-X early in February!!). Since the full brochure is probably being printed right now, I doubt you can still sign up for the mailing list, but maybe not (?).
Based on the sedan options pricing, per Edmund's, without the rear audio and rear DVD (which I have no idea what the pricing on either will be), a fully loaded LS will sticker for $25,070 with a dealer cost of $22,900.
December was a nice surprise!
Revka: mmmmm, Wagonnnns......hlthhllll (8 ^ (l)
Hi, dindak. Unfortunately, the remote starter only comes as part of option package 1SB (see the sedan pricing on Edmund's). MP3 on a Malibu, are you kidding?? For that matter, DVD Navigation on a Malibu??? Maybe in 10 years.
Looks like the '03 Honda Accord is going down in flames. I'm really in shock. That's why I'm staying close to home (i.e. Chevy).
As far as the Miami Auto Show, the December release date nails that coffin shut and means that FOR SURE the Maxx will be there ("we ain't talking no small Auto Show"). So, for those that can wait to buy (like me), I'll for sure have impressions by mid-Nov.
As far as pre-ordering, maxx, I'll bet they start taking orders by Oct. 1, or sooner. That's why I said, better get a move on. You might have to drive a few hundred miles (or fly to KS) to check out the pedals pretty soon.
Will be interesting to see if the HHR ("High Heritage Retro", I think is what it stands for) will be Chevy's new "PT Cruiser". Sounds like it. Probably a good replacement for a Vibe that'll be shot by then, maxx.
So, dindak, you're looking at $22,375 sticker, $20,524 cost. Not bad. Add in a $3,000 rebate (which, I disagree, they will have sooner rather than later; read a clip this week on the AutoWeek Web site that reveals that GM intends to keep rebates for a good long time. It moves buyers into more expensive vehicles and keeps the market share growing), and for $17,500 + tax + a bit of dealer profit, I'd say that's a darn good deal. If only my desire for gadgets wasn't such an issue....
Maxx, thought the Vibe was an '01, not an '03. How did you ever miss the rebates on that one. Actually, was just kidding about the HHR. Sounds like the 626 is mid-90's or older, so I doubt you'll be in the market for a while. Geez, 2 car payments. Better you than me. He,he.
4-cylinder-only vehicles go in one ear and out the other.
wpbharry : A lot of GM vehicles are offering MP3 upgrades on CD players for 04. I don't think it's far fetched at all?
As for pricing, not sure yet what CDN $ will come out to be, nothing yet. Don't hold your breath for 0-60. If it's a hot vehicle you will not see it.
The 3.4L V-6 was an upgraded 3.1L V-6 (3.1 is in my car). Both are pretty good engines, although both have the same intake manifold glitch (the gaskets usually go around 50K miles or 5 years; mine have been replaced recently). Until I read a full road test on the new Malibu, it's hard to say what the upgrades with the 3.5 are, but I'd hope the intake manifold issue is history.
Don't consider the 3.5 an issue to worry about,IMO. I've seen many vehicles with 3.1s and 3.4s with over 100K miles on 'em.
Harry
Delta is being shared with the new Saturn ION and Chevrolet Cobalt (Opel's next Astra was to be based on it too, but they've carried over the existing architecture).
My mother in law has 144K kms on her 3.1 with no issues. The engines are are generally reliable. She drives a 100kms + a day so if it wasn't reliabile I'd hear about it.
Dindak, I think we've discussed this before, but maybe in another forum, so for the benefit of this discussion....
In a way we agree, in that the Maxx may take off like a rocket and then forget any rebates (in which case maxx will laugh all the way to the bank). I do think the Maxx will increase showroom traffic for Chevy for a while at launch. But, once things settle down, in my opinion, I think the bulk of Maxx sales will come from Malibu sedan-intenders (like me) with a few "Camcord"-intenders thrown in. There is no way that soccer moms will abandon their beloved SUVs and minivans for a Maxx (sorry, IwannaMaxx). I think the rebates on the sedan will happen pretty quick, but the Maxx might take longer.
In my case, I can afford to wait for an early '05 if need be, and if no rebates by then, then "Plan B" will be to default to a Malibu sedan or Accord (if the Accord's problems are fixed). Since my dealer has already approached me on the topic, I'm counting on them giving me one heck of a deal, since this would be my 3rd in a row from them.
Let's see what excitement lurks in THIS AOL upgrade...
The 0-60 type deals can't last forever.
MSRP doesn't really mean anything any more.
-juice
My beef with the pricing on the Malibu is that it's a Chevy. I don't care if it launches with not one problem, it's a Chevy. And priced scaringly close to an Accord. Yes, the '03 Accord is a mess, but the resale market doesn't seem to care. The new Malibu won't hold its value any better than mine, which is to say, not too well. To the unwashed folk, a Malibu is a Malibu and they could care less which generation it is. If they try to get away without any rebates and keep the pricing too high, do you think the trade-in value of my '98 will increase??
The new '04 Grand Prix lasted exactly 3 months before a $1000 rebate (don't know what it is now). I don't think it's included in SummerDrive2, since it's an '04. Next summer, ALL '04s should be included, and that's what my sights are set on. By the way, the Maxx will be an '04, even though it's coming out late.
Harry
I-M-P-A-L-A. Even though its a good car and sells in the top 10 due to fleet sales, according to the Sales Mgr. at my dealership, they have trouble moving the LSs (priced in the mid to high 20s) even WITH a $3,000 rebate (the base models - $22-24 pre-rebate - apparently "fly out of there"). Last time I was in for service, I laughed out loud when I looked at an Impala LS priced at $27 with no sunroof and only an (optional) driver's side airbag (for cripes sake, Chevy hasn't even bothered to make dual side airbags standard over the years); granted it had everything else. Now, when Mr. or Ms. New Chevy Buyer walks into the showroom and sees an Impala LS going for $24 after the rebate and then sees a Malibu at $25 with no rebate, guess what'll happen?
Funny aside: I discovered earlier this week that the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office just took delivery of a large fleet of '03 Malibus to be used for "low-duty" work. Since my car is white, it's humorous to think that in a rearview mirror, other drivers might think I'm the heat. Fun!
How dare I have to use my brakes every time I see one!!
I intend on keeping my Ford 626 as long as I can to take advantage of these juicey rebates you are talking about. I doubt I'll ever see them with the Maxx. In fact, I'll bet AOL goes out of business before the Maxx has a rebate!!! LOL
wpbharry : No one is saying there won't be incentives on the Maxx. Just don't expect them right away and don't expect 0-60 type stuff for a long time.
http://www.media.gm.com
LT sedan models definitely have 4 wheel discs (Maxx also but I knew that).
Harry