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Some replies...Have driven it in the rain a couple of times now. I Rain-X'd the back glass and water just runs right off. Rear visibility in the wet is almost as good as in the dry. Try it, you'll like it!
Concerns about the so-called 'old technology engine'. Let's see here. Sips regular. Wife gets 22-23 around town. We get 32-33 on day trips. My around town seems to be a bit lower tho. Can't figure that one out. *L* OHV doesn't need the timing belt replaced after 60-70,000 miles. Torque is on demand much lower then in OHC engines. (hmmm...maybe that is why my mileage is lower then hers???) Lower engine height allows for better packaging and lower CG. And because this engine has been around for a while and all the toolings are well sorted out, as well as many, many fewer parts, it's less expensive to manufacture resulting in a lower MSRP!
Damn..I sure do ramble don't I? *L* In short, before buying a high tech Honda, Toyota, VW...etc, drive a '04 Malibu. You'll be very pleasantly surprised.
Probably buyer's remorse. ("I gotta convince those peeps *I* made the right decision. I think I did..I think I did..oh, please, tell me I did...)
I'm thinking that once I make my next auto purchase, I'll probably post some comments about my experiences with my new car, or perhaps write about what I considered in making my purchase decision. I may even feel compelled to write a few comments about positive/negative experiences I've had with my new purchase (given I were to have these experiences) on message boards of autos other than that which I own. I have ("have" in italics) posted my impressions of the '04 Malibu based on a test drive, but until I actually purchase a Malibu, or a Honda, or a Toyota, or whatever- my comments will be limited.
Having said that, it seems there's one area where no competitor, domestic or foreign, touches the Malibu V-6: real world fuel mileage (within its class). I think fuel mileage will become more and more of a factor as China and India increasingly become the world's new gluttons for the world's petro resources.
One last mention. Autoweek's May 10th issue has a short "Driver's Log" about the Maxx, one of the associate editors liking it, the other less enthusiastic- "The steering is so utterly artificial it leaves me wondering if any of GM's fine validation engineers ever got near it." From what I've read, it seems his opinion may put him among the minority. In any case, Autoweek is soliciting owners' opinions of the Malibu/Malibu Maxx, to be reported in a future "Autofile". They say, "We need to know when you bought it, what you paid, your opinions and other vehicles you considered. Include your mailing address, phone number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Mail responses to AutoWeek, 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207, e-mail responses to atuofile@crain.com, use the Buyers Guide link online autoweek.com or fax your respose to (313)446-1027."
I saw that story, but didn't see the feedback options you posted. Thanks.
Their sales are way down as a result.
On the other hand, GM has made huge strides in Quality recently.
I do not know how things are Up in Canada though.
About 10 tears ago, my wife decided that she wanted a particular car that was not GM. I bought her that vehicle. At 38 months old and 34k miles a major issue developed with the engine. One that the dealership said was somewhat common with that engine. I called the manufacturer customer service as requested by the dealer and finally got to a regional manager. He told me what several layers of their management said. You are out of warranty, no help. I will never buy another vehicle from them. However, I do not lurk on their forums to belittle their products.
I have always felt that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me my MAXX and Bonneville are just what I wanted. To those who like other manufactures...Good for you. My time is too precious to engage in petty bickering regarding GM versus whatever.
I also sat in an Equinox. I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would buy that thing. Unlike the Maxx, it looks like GM rushed to put the Equinox together and get it to market: everything from the cheapo 3.4 liter engine to the cup holders that come out of the center console and smack right into the emergency brake handle. The steering wheel did not telescope, and the visibility was poor. Not a very well thought out vehicle in my mind.
No big deals up here at all. My dad is waiting it out for a Aug / Sept year end sale.
I'm glad so many other smart maxx buyers have unmasked that (obviously) envious honda owner for his extremely repetitive, ill-informed and pointless complaints on this forum.
My only question is: where are the other maxxes? I've never noticed another one. Does anyone have any actual sales figures?
Oh, about those ads with thousands off on maxxes now--read the fine print. The dealers are including the olds loyalty rebate, the military discount, the gm supplier discount, etc. etc. So it would be unlikely anyone actually qualifies for all that.
I continue to uncover amazing new features. The front sunroof doesn't leak in even heavy rain when left partly open in the vent position; the LT comes with an alarm system contrary to what the salesman told my insurance agent; the ultrasuede on the leather seats is easily cleaned of spills or soil with plain water and a cloth; and the monthly cost of XM radio goes way down when you buy a long-term subscription. Also I am much happier with the service at multi chevrolet than my brother is with the dealer where he got his new toyota sienna.
Also the cruise control has proven useless on mountain hills - it lurches the transmission from 4th to 3rd and back without ever settling down. If the driver just uses the acceleration the transmission slips its torque converter between 4th and 3rd for a much smoother hill experience.
On nearly flat ground the cruise control does somewhat better.
Other than that the car travels well... Took it on a 1400 mile trip and was in the car for just over 10 hours with only 30 minutes total rest time. No major aches and pains and the car, on the flat freeway, got around 32 mph (speeds range from 70 to 80 mph).
Just a quicky comparison: I just sat in the '05 Legacy. Typical Subaru: if you are short, you'll love it. But compared to the Maxx, it had no telescoping anything, had very poor leg, head, and hip room, had the emergency brake handle exactly where you don't want it, and cannot support adults in the rear seats. The car looks exactly like it did 10 years ago, and costs a whole lot more. Way to go Subaru.
Also: my Vibe with its Toyota Corolla engine got 27 mpgs (70-90 mph) on a long highway trip recently. The Maxx's gas mileage is very impressive indeed.
For $24,000 got everything I wanted in a vehicle--side air bags, trip computer, heated seats, sunroof, extra electrical outlets, good gas mileage, real peppy (much better than 2003 Buick RVD I had which was a dog with 185 horses)
The 2005 maxx is supposed to have a spoiler (marketing decision) which actually makes the window soil FASTER, requiring the wiper that will be available in that year.
Also, my Maxx became plagued with metallic squeaks in the rear hatch area. This I traced to the metal -metal fasteners they use to hold the hatch trim in place. Removing the trim (pretty easy), coating the fasteners with fiberglass tape and reassembling has - for now - gotten rid of the squeaks. Fingers x'ed the fix will last.
Can you listen to the DVD through the cars stereo? Or does the sound only come out into the wireless headsets?
The largest sequence number I saw was 235698, but I don't think Chevrolet has built that many for the 2004 model year. I would appreciate hearing from some of you that bought early, as that might supply a clue about the production numbers.
Thanks!
Steven
Thanks for the quick response.
Do you think (or maybe you know) its reasonable to conclude that this is generally true for GM vehicles? Both the Venture & S10 I currently own have sequence numbers that start with 2, and both have end of model year build dates.
I have read that Chevrolet wants to sell between 150000 and 200000 Malibus per model year. If current dealer stock is past the 135000 build level, do you (or anyone else) believe that GM will consider this a good beginning, or is anything less than 150000 units sold considered a failure?
Thanks,
Steven
I think each model handles stuff a little differently but same concept.
I can't respond to what Chevy wants or thinks - dunno. However the 2004 Malibu didn't see a complete model year of production since it only started being sold in November, I think.
Haven't done a hand calculation yet to validate the numbers, but if they are anywhere near correct this is a very economical car for its class. I'm getting about 26 mpg commuting to work, which is a mixture of city and highway driving.
Does anyone use E-Z pass with an inside windshield mount on a Maxx?
Just got back from a two day trip from Providence, RI into New Brunswick & back. 1280 miles total. I can tell you that the actual, accurate miles per gallon for this trip was 30.5. Filled the car three times times. I reset the computer after each fill up and, each time the computer indicated mpg of approx 2 mpg higher than actual. This has been a consistent "problem" since I got the vehicle. When I last had vehicle in for service I mentioned this but I don't think there is anything they want to or can do about it.
The other "glitch" is that the same numbers repeat and never anything in between....27.4, then 28.2, then 28.7 29.4. 30.2, 30.9 31.6 always the same numbers up and down, never anything in between I guess I am just used to more accurate trip computers.
The other think that is not accurate is when the warning light and bell go off that you are low on fuel. It usually goes off when I have around 40 miles to go. There are times I have driven an additional 40 miles still to put in around 15 gallons, and a few times, when it went off gassed up right away & it took only around 13. It goes off prematurely!
But, overall after having a dog of a Buick RVD that barely got 22 on the highway & only around 17 around town, this car is a real pleasure do drive what with all the features & flexibility of seating, storage, etc. For 24k got one loaded with everything except dvd, roof, side curtain aig bags, got dealer to install satellite radio and 0 financing for 3 years. Couldn't ask for a better deal! And the car moves off the line very well also.
Didn't need to but put Rain X on rear window. I suppose it helps but I didn;t have any problems without it either.
Compare these for a long time, which one is better in longterm?
Personally I prefer a stick, so Maybe just M6 and legacy left here.
I just curious why the OHV on Maxx have better MPG? is that a funny stuff?
And why these wagon offering 1500-2500 cash rebate in states now but zero in Canada?
Any idea when the 2004 model year ends and the 2005 begins?
1. I have a rattle from above the map lights. I tried to find the source around the edge of the sun roof when it was in the open position, but the rattle was beneath it. That would put it somewhere above the map lights.
2. I cannot turn the AC off from the AC button; the light stays on. According to my manual, I should be able to turn the AC on or off from the AC button. The only way I can turn the AC off is to push the outside air button or turn off the blower motor. I also notice that the AC light stayed on when I moved the heat control over to the hottest position. That's seemed odd too.
Thoughts?
In 10 weeks, even with all of the traveling I do, I have only seen two other Maxx's out there. They must not be selling and I think it was such a bargain for a loaded one for 24,000 with 0 financing. The back seat/hatch configuration is great and I can stuff a lot of junk in there. Extra electrical out in the back is handy also. I tried putting on rain x a few weeks ago and although it may help rear window a bit, I never noticed a problem with accumulation of anything on the rear window. And I am someone who has had three SUV's in a row with wipers on the rear window. The first time I drove the car I was looking for the rear wiper cause it was raining out & salesman reminded me there was none. Once the car is moving any residue comes right off.
I don't think the owner manual actually says you can turn off air conditioning when in recirc mode, it says that window fogging will occur if the air conditioning compressor isn't engaged when you are in recir mode. They are probably just covering themselves for circumstances where A/C might not turn on (like if you have low charge).
If you have model with Automatic A/C system then I think it pretty much tries to run the compressor all the time when in AUTO mode according to the manual to cool and dehumidify the air entering vehicle
Also wondering what your impressions are of the CD player itself. Any experiences with the six-disc changer?
Thanks.
Also: after two weeks, one thing I really like about the Maxx is that it allows you to drive the car nice and easy if you want to. When you push on the pedal, it doesn't lurch you forward like the Ford Escape does, if you don't want to punch it. The definitely is an old man's car; it drives as smooth as a larger luxury car; which I like a lot.
By the way I think for the 2005 model that option might have changed to a different type of headphone. I haven't seen much mention of in regards to new stuff for 2005 but I think it did change. I am just talking about the rear seat audio option (UK6) - not the option that comes with a DVD player/screen (U32).