Chevy Malibu Maxx

1131416181995

Comments

  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Rebates, and more rebates. Discovered by accident late this afternoon that GM has rebates in place (already) on most of its '04s. Grand Prix is now up to $2500, so if something happens to my car before the new Bu rebates appear, can always get a nice GP GT2 (I'll get over the orange dash lighting). Whew!
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Fine, just realize the PRICE before the rebates on that GTP2 may well be north of 30k by then. GM is famous for raising prices a wee bit at a time many times over a model year.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    jchan / aveman : Reg hates pushrods for some reason. Nothing you can say or do will change that.

    logic : I believe I read it will have a 3.3 or 3.4L version of the CTS motor.

    wpbharry : I like the new GP a lot except the patterns on the cloth which I don't find attractive. Leather option is nice though!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    dindak: I was referring more to the tail lights.

    It's too disguised for a final judgement, though.

    -juice
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    the GTP i saw on the lot the other day stickered at 30,900.

    Insane. You're not far from an A4 at those prices, or a base CTS even.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The A4 is a compact, though, the A6 is closer in size. Heck, the A8 may be closer in size!

    -juice
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    The more I look at the '04 Grand Prix, the more I see that the G6 is aiming to be the "little brother" of it once again. Actually, remove the camoflage and the ribs in the trunk lid might be on the G6, like on the GP. You CAN see through the mask on the front end (a bit), and it also looks a bit like a smaller GP. But the taillights on the prototype are plain ugly and non-Pontiac.

    The GP I priced for myself is a GT2 and not a GTP. The price (sticker) was around $26,500 (yes, with leather, dindak). I agree that GM does inch prices up little by little, but it'd never hit $30K this model year. The current rebate is actually $1500, with another $1000 for GM owner loyalty, so another $1500 might appear before long. Actual purchase price would be more like $22,000, based on $2500 cash back. But, it's still my 2nd choice. Will wait to see what happens with the Malibu and Maxx.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    For fun, I DID price a loaded GTP, and Reg is right. Just under $31K. Then, for fun I priced a loaded '04 Impala SS, and that cleared $32K (20 hp less, no side curtains, etc., etc.).

    What on earth is Chevy doing? Outpricing Pontiac? With less to offer? Now I'm looking at the Malibu and Maxx prices in a different light, as in they're out of their minds...
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Actually, guys, in fairness to GM, a moderately-equipped '03 CTS would sticker for over $38 and with the $1,000 rebate could be had for around $35. Dare anyone to find a base CTS on the lot!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They're rare. A local no-haggle dealer has not offered one under $32k for a while.

    -juice
  • jeffj77jeffj77 Member Posts: 11
    are slated for the G6 from what I've read about the car. I don't have any links handy, but I think this will be among the key differentiators between the Epsilon G6 and Malibu (with the possible exception of any SS version of the latter).
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    They had a base CTS on the local lot in July. It had the 5-speed and nothing expect freight and Ontario $100 a/c tax on the add ons.

    Should be able to get the $26500 GT2 for around $21-22K cash price.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    (just kidding, a bit punchy at the moment)

    ...are you following me around? See your posts in the Accord discussions and the Grand Prix discussions. Or are we just on the same track? Thought maxx4me was for a while too, but bet he's on vacation this week (to take advantage of the long weekend, which a lot of folks are). (Disappointed; thought he actually went to Kansas City, yeah right).

    Let's not succumb to reg's "charms" and think about a CTS. Nice car, though.

    Reg: This one you can't dispute. Your "dream car" is a 'Vette, and it has pushrods. What's the deal with that, buddy???
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Well, here we go again with the end-of-the-month routine. Last month, Motor Trend beat them all with a "First Drive" piece on the new Malibu that was, well, mostly positive. Automobile had a short blurb in their "New Cars '04" section that was, well, mostly positive. Car&Driver and Road&Track had zilch.

    Since I'm in FL, I tend to get the mags late (only subscribe to MT and C&D). Has anyone rec'd their 10/03 C&D or R&T? They are both (as well as MT) the annual "New Car Issues" and might well be late because of that. AND, I'll bet there's the first ad for the new Bu in all of them.. Can't wait to see how Chevy advertises it. I'll cross-post in the Malibu discussion to get attention over there, too.

    Harry
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    do you think that a dealer will let you order a stripped down CTS when he has a loaded up Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp G edition sitting on the lot waiting for you, that's only a few dollars more than that stripped down CTS? What if that dealer does have that base CTS? He'd still try to refer you to the slower selling grand prix, since that car probably had a bonus from the boss. Also, do you think anyone would buy a loaded Malibu without checking out the pricing on the Camry? we're clearing $30K on a Camry XLE V6 with all the3 option boxes checked. For $27K, I could probably buy a nicely equipped Accord EX V6, a Volvo S40 (current gen) or maybe an Impala. chevy has all the right to overprice the malibu, since the competition is even more overpriced. Just look at the Camry and the Passat and even the GM cousin Pontiac Grand Prix. They're all overpriced by $3000 at the very least, so pricing the malibu $3000 under the competition is a very smart move for Chevy. since the $27K Malibu LT in your driveway has the remote starter that the $32K Passat GLX down the road does not. You also have an engine that takes regular instead of the premium that the passat gulps- you'd have lower fuel costs. the camry V6 uses premium- the Accord V6 still uses good ol' regular- and I don't know about the grand prix, but I'm pretty sure that the Volvo S40 takes premium and not regular.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    I have several dream cars. The Vette is only one of them. I have a fondness for the early 90's ZR1, which, BTW has a 32valve DOHC mill, which at the time put out 375hp, 10 years ago. Back then the pushrod design wasn't over 300 I don't think. The Corvette has 400+ hp and a v8 engine design that has perfect primary balance. The extra rotating mass of the pushrod system and slower valvetrain is made up for with perfect primary balance and lower rpm's and big displacement. Plus, Chevy devotes a ton of engineering to all components on the small block, note that the chevy block is aluminum.

    Contrast that with the v6 pushrod engines GM fests on the public. Iron blocks, one is a 90 degree design. The output per litre is pathetic in relation to the Vette's mill. More noise and vibration and harshness than almost all competitors. What that says to me is the GM pushrod v6's receive little of the same attention that the Corvette mill does.

    In theory, the 3800 is a 3/4 version of the Corvette motor. So why doesn't it put out 3/4 the power? Can't use MPG as an excuse....the Corvette gets decent mpg as well.

    The 3800 should be able to put out at least 2/3 if not 3/4 the power WITHOUT a supercharger. If it was optimally engineered. Its not, so it only has 200 measly hp for 3.8 litres of displacement and not 270 like it should have for an engine its size.

    ateixera, check the back seats on the A4 and Grand Prix. Not much difference in size.....the A4 looks to be more comfy and higher seat cushion too. People narc on Audi interior size, but the current A4 and Grand Prix are not significantly far apart, and the Audi manages to do so without the huge inefficient front and rear overhangs the general's cars typically has.

    BTW, I saw a used CTS today an 03 with 7k miles on it and stick in black for 25,500. If it didn't have the Opel motor in it I might be all over it like stink on dung. Oh wait, no sunroof.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Reg : Wait a year and you will see some used 04 CTS' on the lots with the 3.6L.

    wpbharry : My main interest is sedans but our next vehicle will most likely be an SUV, van or some hybrid like the Maxx. Who knows though, it's at least a year off.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Both of you dudes are fun, and hope you'll continue to harass us, but here's the thorn in my side:

    Reg: New baby and all (at your age, I'm early 40s, bet you ain't far off); don't know if this is the first, but get a Kia Rio Cinco (no pushrods!!) and then after it's paid off, have some fun. But the wife will want a Caddy Escalade. You deserve it, pushrods and all.

    dindak: Not sure of your situation either. Granted this ain't a discussion about family situations, but if you're STILL wavering about the SUV and minivan bit, dude make up your mind and leave us alone. If it's the wife nagging you, it'll NEVER be a Maxx.

    My situation lends me to either an SUV-alternative or a mid-size sedan.

    Harry
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Gee, I wish *MY* life were so simple. I am looking at everything from a Mazda3 Sport to a Mazda6 wagon to a Crown Vic with the handling package to a Subaru Outback Wagon. Sigh.

    All to replace a 2000 Impala LS with 131,000 miles (which replaced a 98 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP).

    All I know is that I do NOT want a sunroof, leather or a boring car. And four doors, minimum, is a requirement, as is the ability to drive comfortably 800 miles a day (rarely, but it happens).

    Will the Malibu Maxx fill the bill? We shall see.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Well, maybe I overreacted. I'm sorry.

    Just can't imagine in this day and age that folks would be all over the map.

    John, NOW we know about your vehicle. Mighty impressive. AND the fact that a GP was it's predecessor. You're hired as my new advisor. PLEASE stay in touch with this forum.

    Sure you're in the GP forum as well, and most likely the Impala forum (don't want an Impala). What's your take so far on the chances of getting into a new Bu (much smaller than you're used to)??

    Harry
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    that price on the loaded Malibu doesn't account for a little negotiating that you could probably do at intro, as people will be all over the other new cars. (aka the caddy CTS with the 3.6 down the road or maybe the Sienna LE that just arrived at the Toyota dealer)
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    With over $3500 available on my old GM card, it is hard to NOT be interested in something at GM. I also will miss daytime running lights and retained accessory power. I should also say I am half way looking at a CTS, but given the neighborhoods I sometimes travel in, I am not so sure.

    The Bu I want to look at and see. If I were to go that small, I could see me in a Mazda3 Sport or even a WRX before then. Somehow, I doubt I get that little (and I didn't even mention a Mini Cooper!)

    I am usually far more decisive than this. I bought the Impala for its high mileage durability that was reportedly designed in (cop car use). Now, given my long trips, I see myself trading it or selling it in the next six months. Did I also mention a slight interest in the Ford Five Hundred?

    I am so confused, in a good way!
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    jchan : New Sienna is pretty ugly up front and the thing is huge. Liked the old model better.

    wpbharry : Showed my wife the Maxx and she thought it looked good. She didn't shoot it down so it's a possibility.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    So, dindak, you're back as an advisor as well.

    John: I made a big mistake, possibly. Switched the old GM Card over to the new one, which limits the amount you can redeem (was $1000 on the '03 Bu), but doesn't limit the amount you can accrue.

    I have over $3000 on it right now, $1900 of it "grandfathered", and I'll bet the first thing that they take out is out of the $1900, limited by the amount you can cash in.

    In any event, I get a free extended warranty, and you will too. Comparing the Honda Accord LX V-6 with the Malibu LT or Maxx LS or Grand Prix GT2, they're all a wash with $3,000 (hoped for) rebates on the GM products, but you'd have to spend another $1G for the warranty on the Accord. But you'd get a ton of more goodies (leather, sunroof, etc.) on most of the GMs. With the new Accord not doing so well, I'm inclined to go GM.

    Expect the resale value on the Accord would be at least $3,000 more in 4 or 5 years, so it does make it a bit tough to decide.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    I really am going to look at the BuMaxx, but if I were going to buy an Accord, I would look at an Acura TSX. Problem is, the nearest Acura dealer is over 1oo miles away!
  • theo2709theo2709 Member Posts: 476
    I just priced out a 2004 Malibu LT sedan at gmbuypower.com, and with everything (including "Ultralux" leather) it came out to $25,060.00 MSRP. They have the Maxx there but I can't price due to "technical difficulties". It seems their whole site is pretty buggy. But anyway, how much higher do you think the Maxx will be over the sedan? There is no way it'll come close to 30k, I think. So if you wait until next spring or so you could pick up a loaded LT sedan for about $22,000 in change. And harry with that GM card of yours this is turning into a very interesting deal indeed. Oh and the base model is $18,995.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Thanks for your input. Look forward to more good comments....

    The Malibu LT, loaded, is actually $25,575. That's big bucks. Agree that it's a relative bargain over the [non-permissible content removed], but resale is the unknown.

    The Maxx LS, as I've said before, is a winner, but also over $25K with the stuff I want. Resale on it is probably going to be higher (let's hope).

    Harry
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    I think they're updating this week. Noticed that they now have '04 Accord prices, but they're not finished. Sure Maxx prices are in the works.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Maxx doesn't come till December so we may have to wait for more detailed pricing though options should be the same if added individually to the base LS or LT. Packages may be different which is where you may not get exact pricing.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    "Ultralux" LOL!!!!!! What's next, Brougham? (I can't believe I can spell that!) The leather probably still is one notch above vinyl too!

    That reeks of cheesiness just like 'professional grade'! LOL! What kind of complete idiots work in GM marketing anyways!

    Wait a minute, Ultralux, they make vacuums right?

    The new pics of the upcoming 9-3 sport hatch is my current fave......probably won't be here for a long time though....
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Uh, oh again. They've lost their way, as suspected. Lutz is apparently no help, as suspected.

    http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00088789
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    It does not say the Malibu will use the 'Like a Rock" theme. Rather, it says Chevrolet is looking for a yet unannounced umbrella theme.

    Mazda uses an umbrella theme, as does Honda and Lexus. Why shouldn't Chevrolet?
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Was about to edit the last post. Too late. Give a workin guy a break.

    BUT, it seems every time I turn on the TV (home now for the long wknd), its one of 2 things:

    "This message has been approved for viewing audiences. Chevrolet presents Summerdrive2: The Max" (oh please) or "Living In America" (GP ad with the lease deal) (oh please).

    Rebates on the new Bu are on the way!!! Yippie!!!
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    ultralux might work! LOL

    baseball, hotdogs, applepie and chevrolet..........baseball, hotdogs, applepie and chevrolet..........baseball, hotdogs, applepie and chevrolet..........

    heartbeat of america.....

    FIRE ALL OF GM MARKETING AND ADVERTISING!
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Agree. Guess you're home for the long weeknd now too. No new Bus in sight yet to test drive, down here. Any your way?

    I think "The Heartbeat of America" might be the solution....

    Harry
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Just had to get the #800 post. Was thinking about a beer (having a party here on Sat.), but a cocktail seems more appropriate. SO, YOU'RE ALL IN TROUBLE NOW!

    Reg: They need to hire you as creative/marketing director. But, then, you'd have to drive a pushrod. You'd handle it, at $200K a year. Just remember us little folks.

    And also remember we need the rebates on the Bu&Maxx. Until you get up to speed.

    Harry
  • theo2709theo2709 Member Posts: 476
    Hey the Honda ads are nothing to write home about either. They show the car in front of some photographer's background and show the new lease deals with white letters on a black background. I remember one they called the "Disappearing Act" where there were two magicians in front of a Civic and after a while of dancing around they drive away in it. Talk about "oh please".
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    I think the problem with Ford and GM's ads are the regional advertisements. The ones they play here in Texas are so completely inane.

    Basically, Ford will play a country music song and say "Texans prefer Ford F-150" and then GM will play a country song and say "Texas is Chevy Country!" Granted, it's focusing on the core demographic, but still.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Really didn't expect this. Just got today's mail. Car&Driver 10/03 issue is here with, guess what, on the cover? ON THE COVER!!

    Give me a few hours to digest. ON THE COVER!! Did see quickly that the "fold out" is F-150. Can't blame Ford. Live or die with that.

    Have a few, I'll be back.

    Harry
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    No ads for the new car, yet.

    C&D proclaims the new Bu "another rental car" (with a few more positives) but gives the Maxx a sidebar which is a bit (however small) more encouraging.

    On with the rebates!!!

    Har
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Finished devouring the 10/03 C&D issue. Lutz claims "world-class quality", yeah right. Have heard it before. You all need to read this article; too funny to be believed. And on the road, it's UGLY. Poor thing. And the Maxx ain't in no beauty pageant either. In some pix, it's even uglier than the sedan.

    300,000 per year? In my dreams.

    Harry
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    I always thought that texans prefer Chvrolet suburbans or work trucks.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Exactly who are you after? Florida here. The only Texan I know is the idiot in the big house.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    C&D has not been kind to GM as of late I've noticed. Not to say they are always wrong but.. a Camry could be considered a retal car also.

    I'll have to check it out at the news stand tomorrow.

    Did they have anything nice to say or did they roast it?
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    did they roast the Malibu?
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    (in the middle of treating myself to a roasted chic on the Weber; maybe I need to be roasted)

    C&D wasn't that bad. See what you all think. Don't think an endorsement, but (you all know how I exaggerate at times), it wasn't that bad. The pix are UGLY. I want orange fusion; silver on it is terrible.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    Harry, at 200k a year, I would concede and drive pushrods, but only if its a BRIGGS AND STRATTON!

    Let me ask this, did C/D roast the bu they way they roasted the Ion? That is, not necessarily burnt to a crisp, but charred and smoldering?
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Wasn't a full road test. Just a long "preview". Was surprised that the Maxx was included; it's a "new gen" station wagon, as they say. I won't be caught dead in one of those.

    The ION review was really bad; kind of "middling" so far on the Bu.

    If you don't subscribe, don't rush out to the newsstands tomorrow. It'll be at least a week before it hits. I'm VERY surprised that it's here already.

    Har
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    (depending on the amount of space I have, this might take a few posts)

    Title: "Just Don't Call It a Rental Car", by fred M.H. Gregory

    (Here goes Reg into lala land)

    "GM has been trying to biuld a "European car" for nearly as long as the Chicago Cubs have been trying to win another World Series, and with about as much success. "European" in this sense implies an exemplary degree of style, quality, performance, and -- technical virtuosity -- think most German cars. Over the years, GMs efforts to emulate these elusive qualities have mostly produced such excremental vehicles as the Cadillac Cimmarron, to cite the worst example.

    GM is trying once again, touting the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu as its latest European. But this time, instead of attempting to re-create a European car, (oh Reg) GM simply crossed the Atlantic and snatched one from the cradle at Opel, its German subsidiary. (I'm laughing too hard at he moment to continue. Will in a few.)

    Har
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    (by the way, anything in parens is my editorial comment, which I'm trying to keep minimal)

    ...The paltorm, called the Epsilon, got its babtism in the Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3. GM then spent a reported $722 million (which includes a complete retooling of its Fairfax, Kansas assembly plant) to adapt the Epsilon for the US market.

    This article is WAY too long, and I'm not a great typist. so that's it. Sorry.
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