By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Maxx, that remains to be seen. But I'd take my chances on the Maxx.
Buy a Santa Fe.
I'd say to wait for a MAZDA6 hatchback or wagon. A couple of months shouldn't be too bad. If you need it soon I suggest getting a MAZDA3, Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander, or Hyundai Santa Fe. The latter 3 are there because they have great features and a 10 year warranty. Can't beat that!
-juice
I wanted to stop him and ask how he liked it.
I looked at your previous email and saw you bought it in Hempstead.
Was that you? I was in the copper convertible staring at your car in the intersection!!!
It's a small world, after all!
chevyguy657 : Santa Fe is UGLY.
rctennis3811 : Those 10 year warranties aren't BtoB and have lots of holes in em. Mazda 6 hatch looks good though,
oldntired1950 : Congrats!!
-juice
I drove both the standard V6 Vue and the Redline - the same day. The difference is astounding! I didn't want to return the Redline, and went only a mile in the regular Vue.
Whether it is the suspension,larger wheels, or a re tuned E*steer, They are completely different vehicles.
If they could do that to the Maxx, I would have one in my garage.
I have read that the Maxx has a less sporty feel to it because of the longer wheelbase, but I have not driven the malibu for comparison.
Maxx SS please.
-juice
I saw a MAXX only ad last night. It's much like the sedan ad but shows all the all the functionality advantages of this design. I thought it was well done and intelligent, nothing flashy. I will take a close look at the auto show in 3 weeks, especially at the rear cargo area. I still think it will not be big enough for our needs though.
Discounts are there but they are not huge. I think you can get 0-48 OR C$2000-2500.
Checked out the total cost to own and the Maxx comes out at $36,847 based on a cash price of $23,387 versus the Accord at $29,188 based on cash price of $25,910. Looks like the major differences are 1st year Depreciation - $4,892 (Accord) vs. $8,744 (Maxx) and Maintenance (5-years) $3,384 (Accord) vs. $7,639 (Maxx).
Something seems out of kilter that a car based on a price $2,000 less over 5-years costs $7,000 to own. To me that looks like a value swing of $9,000 to the Honda. What is the deal here? I'm looking for enlightment!!
But that difference in maintenance? What's that about? Factual? Or an Edmunds (Intellichoice?) error?
I thought Hondas were among the most expensive vehicles to maintain, and my friends' experiences have seemed to confirm that...But, instead of focusing on the Honda, why are the projected maintenance costs for the Malibu so high? What's that about?
But the Accord and Camry were $4000 more to begin with (loaded up with leather/moonroof/alloys).
If you keep your cars long-term, the price you pay is more important than resale value.
-juice
The Maxx, though, acts like it has variable ratio for turning the wheel a small amount makes it corner very quickly. No tire squeal noted on either though I have not tried __hard__ cornering on the Maxx yet (too new). The ride is no comparison - the Ion pounds over small bumps and rattles and buzzes every piece of interior plastic, while the Maxx simply thumps over it with only a few tiny sounds. However, the Maxx does have the "gut jiggle" aftershock Car and Driver reported in their test Malibu - this is absent in the Ion.
Apparently, no Maxx ad, which I STILL haven't seen all of.
The print ad in the 3/03 Car&Driver shows a fixed-mast antenna on the Maxx, as I also noticed in the Cobalt pix. Guess too many reception probs with the element antenna in the rear window. Fine with me.
I would actually prefer no power seats as they are slow and my wife and I need two different positions. Is is possible to add an aftermarket two setting memory switch for seats (and ideally also for mirror and peddles)? Thanks in advance.
After the game, we found out why. It was prominently on Survivor, and I finally saw it in its entirety. At least this ad talks about some features, whereas the sedan ads were all visuals-only (at least so far).
Will be interesting to see if the Survivor giveaway vehicle this time is the Maxx or the Equinox (since it runs through May). My bet is on the latter (with AWD).
I'll see a Maxx in person for sure in about a month at the dealer (service interval) or Ft. Lauderdale Auto Show. I'm really wondering if there is much cargo room at all in the back (behind the rear seat) the more I see it. If I decide I really need a wagon/hatch (the Maxx is no wagon by the way, not by a mile; a friend saw one recently and she proclaimed "that's a five-door hatchback (and I'll leave out the expletive)"), maybe the Subaru Forester IS calling my name.....
-juice
With the reaction my friend gave the Maxx (she feels the same about station wagons), it might be a lackluster seller.
I do give GM credit, as I've said before, for trying something different. Good idea, questionable execution. It either should have been a wagon with the current length or the 5-door hatch with 6" of more length. What we have is a mishmash, I fear.
Radio reception isn't all that great (rear mounted mast antennas generally don't work that well) and the antenna's in the way if you want to put a car cover on.
All wheel drive is planned for future models, though the cost will probably be high and possibly more than the Subrau wagons.
In actuality, I could get a nicely equipped Forester (granted with a 4-banger) for quite a bit less than a Maxx LS.
But, would I do it? If GM keeps pissing me off.
Radio reception is apparently far worse with an element antenna than with a mast-type one. I've never had a problem with the latter. I had a new '78 Monte Carlo Landau "way back when" with the antenna in the windhield, and that was troublesome.
First, be aware the back seats slide forward and back. To get appreciable leg room, adult back seat passengers will slide them back. Kids probably wouldn't. With the seats forward, there is about as much room behind them as an average car trunk. With them back, there is NO way a family of four could pack for vacation with the remaining space.
I agree with the previous poster who said that you have a choice with the Maxx: roomy interior in the back seats OR real cargo space. To get tons of cargo space, the seats have to be folded and now you have a two passenger vehicle.
Between the Maxx and the Subaru Legacy for 2005, which I found to have appreciably LESS rear seat foot room than did the 2004, I left the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) most interested in the Ford Five Hundred.
I would have never predicted that turn of events, but it is what happened. The Impala I sat in which Lutz (and/or his minions) had even deleted the tach from didn't help matters....
What about people who want both ? Five people and all their stuff in the back? Then the Malibu won't be a sensible choice.
Obviously, I'm in a rather large quandry over what to buy (and get my $s worth). I parked next to a new Mazda 3 hatch (with leather and NAV) this morning, so now I'm hot for that. Smaller, yes, 4-cylinder, yes. Less expensive I'm sure, given that Mazda discounts HEAVILY.
The March issue of Motor Trend has a clip labeled "Department of Corrections" in which they retracted their assertion that the Maxx is not worth $4,000 over the Malibu sedan. They've discovered that it's only $1,250 and is now a screaming bargain.
That's twice now they've said that (also in the mid-size sedan compo where the playing field wasn't level). I can't wait to see the irate letters about the first assertion in next month's issue.
The Forester is a 4 banger, but get the turbo and you'll outrun just about everything with 0-60 in 5.3 seconds.
If you don't need AWD and a fuel miser is your goal, I'd look elsewhere. The 'bu's V6 is torquey and efficient.
-juice
Snuck in some time during lunch to price the Mazda 3s 5-door. Surprised that the cargo hold is nearly as large as the Maxx (it's squarer) and that the vehicle is almost as wide.
So, I guess I have a plan. Pricing on the 3s is under the Maxx LS right now, even with NAV, leather, Xenon, side bags AND curtains and more that the Malibu doesn't even offer. By summer, it'll be a LOT less, given the fact that there are no rebates on the 3s yet, unless GM gets moving on larger rebates, which I'm beginning to doubt. Plus $2,000 for a GM extended warranty vs. $0 for one on the Mazda, as this model is made in Japan, not Flat Rock and I'd probably risk it. Also has a much better base warranty (including loaner vehicles) than the Chevy.
Fuel economy is a consideration, but not a big one.
I'm saving my ire on the sorry state of GM at the moment, courtesy of Lutz (who's comments today REALLY ticked me off - it's now a daily thing), for the Malibu discussion; rather than spreading it all over the place.
And myself I find it a more desirable package than the Maxx, but to each their own.