Chevy Malibu Maxx

madmadam

I bought my LS during the July 4 weekend for $16250--that's about $6000 below sticker as I recall. It's been a great car for my family. We're taking it on the first big road trip next week. I'm eager to see what sort of mileage we get. My city driving comes in at about 14-15.

bhw77

Hi,

 

I do not have front license plate - but there is a big ugly black license plate bracket on the front bumper.

Does anyone tried to remove that thing?

How big holes are there?

jerrywimer

I also have that and didn't require it. I left ours on there. I'm not sure how large the holes would be, but most likely they are directly through the painted plastic surface of the bumper cover and would look bad without having a body shop "repair" them. We took the easy route and bought a custom license plate for the front instead. (Wife's a taz fan, so that's what is on the front now)

dudleyr

Generally you can remove the bracket, but just replace the screws so there are no holes.

bhw77

Unfortunately, brackets are riveted and have to be drilled out...

prdm

Soft aluminum rivets in my case. Get a large bit and drill slowly - they will pop right out. Looks much better.

jerrywimer

Got any pictures? I'd love to see what these cars look like after having that frame removed.

kurtamaxxguy

Checking JDPower rankings of 2004 Malibu/Accord/Camry and was surprised the Malibu was way ahead and awarded best of the 3. Did particularly well in Mechanical quality.

 

Just thought folks would like to know.

prdm

I'll see if I can figure out how to post a picture. The holes left behind are only 1/4 inch or so and can be coverd with any number of things out of a well stocked hardware store or, depending on color of car, left alone; they're just about invisible.

pao

nice to know kurt....still I realize there are some unhappy owners out there..and I hope the one following the lemon law...has some luck with his case..love my Maxx here

michiganmaxx

Just a thougt on why we haven't heard from e2helper of late... I'm guessing he is using up the last of his vacation for the 2004 calendar year. GM's policy is "use it or lose it". It may be that we may not hear from him before the first of the year if that is the case. I may be wrong but that's my guess.

sciguy85

Hello, a newbe here. Just a comment to consider in depreciation. This data is just that, raw data. The reason many American cars look bad is that they are discounted so much and rebates and such are many times not factored in as some people buy before rebates and the manufacturers change rebates so the data is based on list price. Dealers know what we pay and blue book is rated to compensate for that. Thinks about it. I paid over $6,000 off sticker. My brother in law bought a Camry with a similar sticker and basically paid over $5,000 more out the door. Now if I trade in in a few years mine will be less in trade in according to "the book" but it probably be around $6,000 less. Have I really "lost" anything. No, I have $6,000 more to play with. If I love the car and keep it 10+ years, will there be that $6,000 split still. I don't think so and I'm ahead of the game. Just something to consider.

maxx4me

I can also tell you that your brother's Camry won't be worth any 5-6k more than your car at the 10 year mark. The current and future used car marked is shot thanks to the glut of cars on the US roads and American's trading in their cars every 3-4 years. After 10 years, the resale difference between your car and his will be minimal. Keep your car, and your savings.

madmadam

I never noticed that one before. I immediately inserted one of those small tissue packets! The cell phone lives in the other compartment.

Does anyone use the narrow pocket on the side of the front passenger seatback?

sciguy85

I was so far able to purchase a lift for my garage and a 1974 Eldorado convertible that needs work (to use on the lift) with $$$ to spare. I'll keep my car with the highest depreciation any day.

michiganmaxx

I haven't used it yet... actually, sort of forgot about it. But, I would think it was intended for storing a pen or two. I can envision someone folding the front passenger seat down and locking it in position to use as a work area for paperwork or a laptop and using a pen from the passenger seat side pocket closest to the console. Anyone else have any other ideas?

kurtamaxxguy

My 9 year old '83 Camry, costing around $13,000 new, was worth $2000 when sold to a Toyota dealer.

 

After 6 to 9 years I suspect there won't be ___that___ much difference in resale/trade between the Honda Accord and the Chevy Malibu (maybe a grand or so).

 

More of a concern is how reliable the vehicles are. As of this posting , via NHTSA, there are 19 outstanding issues for the Malibu Maxx and only 3 for the Accord. Then again, the Maxx is a first year car, but still, I am a bit worried.

ktc

After looking into Buick Randezvous for sometimes and seeing all the problems with it, I next looked at both the Pontiac Vibe and Maxx for a while. Finally decided that Maxx has more space and quieter, vibe is more at home for 20 year old, but I am almost 50, I am just not fit in well with Vibe.

 

Today the Chevy dealer run some good deal on advertised Maxx, I got a 2005 white LS with 1SB option, sunroof and rear spoiler and wiper at $15995 (after GMAC rebate). The build date is August, 2004, I hope that they fix all the problems by then. Just drive it home with 23 miles on it, now need to go read the manual.

malibabe

Hi

 

  I've been reading the notes on this board for 3 days now. I drove a new (104 miles) 2004 Maxx LS and am trying to make up my mind to buy it or not. I have 3 questions.

a) Does the accelerator respond with a slight delay. The salesperson said yes it was designed to do so.

b) The brakes made a slight wobble sound when I pressed it down. The salesperson says it is because the car has been sitting on the lot without being driven. Is this possible?

c)How does one find out the month this car was produced? I have a VIN but dont know where to look for details online. Perhaps I should just find the date inside the backdoor.

   

 Presently I drive a 2000 Malibu LS and love the car.

beedublu

Hi there:

 

Some answers for you:

 

1)My 04 Maxx LS has no delay in the accelerator response. Neither did the other two Maxxes I test drove (which were produced earlier in the model year -- my build date is 6/04). I don't believe it's normal.

 

2) I'm not sure what you mean by a wobble sound. If my car has been sitting for more than a day without being driven, the brakes will have sort of a slight grinding or rubbing sound when first applied -- most likely due to moisture or corrosion -- but this rapidly goes away after a few good brake applications.

 

3) The build date is on the sticker inside the driver's door. If you post the last 6 digits of the VIN here, an extremely knowledgeable person who frequents this board (posting name "e2helper") can tell you the exact build date.

 

Good luck if you choose to buy this car...it's a great design with many thoughtful touches, but as I'm discovering (and you'll see my other posts here and on the Problems & Solutions board) there are many first-year glitches in this brilliant new car.

malibabe

Thanks for the reply.

 

 I will test drive more Maxxs today. The Maxx is an interesting car. It will get more interesting if it goes hybrid in 2007.

 

  The VIN digits on the model I test drove are F210724.

2themax

Maxx4me: Did you go with Capper Auto? If so, how comfortable do you feel with the legitimacy of the warranty?

 

Can anyone else comment as to the legitimacy of a company that boasts itself as "not a division of General Motors. We are an authorized GM new car dealer selling GM Products."

 

Thanks.

2themax

zach: No, have not made an appt yet...will do between xmas and the 1st. Let me know if you find anything out in the meantime.

 

Thanks.

2themax

Anyone heard an obvious, slow metallic tick (or tapping) sound eminating from the muffler area. Sound occurs about every 7 seconds or so. Can really hear it for awhile after turning the car off.

 

Wierd annoyance!

pao

I believe Capper is a privately owned dealer ship and not a corporate dealership...thus not a division of GM would be my take I reviewed their GMPP paper work and the set I got from my dealership here in northern va....they were exactly the same..except for the price!

prdm

Have you ruled out simple thermal contraction as exhaust components cool down? This is very common in virtually all cars.

maxx4me

malibabe: here's the scoop:

Yes, there is a delay with the pushrod engines; no doubt about it. The engine does not respond the same way that a Overhead Cam engine does. The Bu also does not have the silkiest of trannys when it downshifts. Upshifts are very good, downshifting is just a bit "off" between the engine and tranny. No cause for concern on this issue in my opinion.

Secondly, yes, the brake noise is perfectly normal on the Bu'.....not great, but normal. The rotors seem to come with a glaze of rust on them. Couple that with thinner than "normal" rotor widths on GM cars, gives you a slight out of round rotor.

You can have them replace all four or have them turned, as a condition of buying the car.

 

2themaxx: no, I will buy my extended warranty from Capper right before the 12k marker. I have just under 8k miles now on the car. I have no problem buying it from them, as pao stated. They will send you the paperwork for you to see for yourself.

tra2883

I've found that pocket on the side of the passenger seatback to be the perfect size for holding the card that I use to get into the gate at my apartment complex... It's about the size of a credit card and it fits great.

e2helper

Build Date was 4/16/2004

2themax

prdm: I am surprised that contraction can happen as promptly as when I turn the car off (maybe, it is making the noise also when the car is running...i don't know), but I think you hit the nail on the head. Your response sounded rational and after reviewing other people's comments about "thermal contraction" on the great world wide web, I am convinced this is the issue. Thanks for the enlightenment.

missourigrl

I just read the post above. e2helper: Could you tell me the build date of the car with F204415 as the last 6 digits of the VIN. Also, what build dates are preferred?

 

Thanks!

Kristen

pao

Kristen,

 

for the 04 models...a build date after early to mid Feb 04 is a preferred date...seems all the steering problems were fixed in production after that date...also a later date has the most current computer module updates as well....mine was built 2/17/04, 14K on it...and not problems at all to date....cheers

e2helper

04/02/04 - I can't really suggest any preference, however, I agree with pao's statement.

e2helper

BTW, You know that Malibu Maxx is built across the border from you in Fairfax, Kansas right near Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.

 

Off subject but it is a little confusing driving around there with the same city name in 2 states

lovemymaxx

Hello All,

 

I have a 04 Maxx LS and I have a question. The steering wheel feels kinda tight, and it's it seems to be getting tighter everyday. I have an appt. with service, but what Gives?

pao

uumm might be the infamous steering column failure issue, let us know

nymaxx

I got a tour of the Fairfax plant when it was home of the Grand Prix/Intrigue. This is one of GM's most modern plants, it's vertically integrated and very focused on quality.

 

Knowing that the 'Bu was built in Fairfax was actually a major factor in my decision to buy it. My previous Grand Prix GTP was a dream car, solid and trouble free. My February build Maxx with 6K miles is still trouble free.

michiganmaxx

Kristen, I have an '04 LT Maxx built Feb. 26 with 6,800 miles and trouble-free. I Love the steering... in fact, I love this car.

missourigrl

No, I did npt know that!

And I can see how that can be a little confusing!

 

Kristen

kurtamaxxguy

At that clinic months ago I also got to meet Fairfax plant employees. Their positive and helpful attutide made me feel better about the gamble I had taken buying a first year car. GM needs to get this kind of attitude in a few other parts of their company!

malibabe

Hi All

 

   I am a proud owner of a 2005 Maxx LS today. Its a silver mile eater! I loved the acceleration and power in this car. And the brakes were close to perfect on this one. It has a 11/04 production date so it is a baby car! Just 6 miles on it.

 

   Thanks 2themax for the terrific input. You made me think more about the technical details about cars than I would have. e2helper thanks for the production date on the 2004 Maxx. That 2004 car is still sitting on the lot. I test drove it again and was distracted by the brake wobble. So I gave up on the 2004s even though the year end deals on them are better. And beedublu thanks for reasuring me that there were knowledgeable Maxx owners out there.

 

  This is the first time I bought a car with input from an online user community. I benefitted from it. I am certain there will be many like me down the road.

  

I'll be back with my own experiences with traction control in bad weather.

malibabe

Hi

 

  Thanks for the analysis. I traded in my 2000 Bu sedan with 104576 miles on it for a 2005 Maxx today. I understand that the engines are different in them. I got all the power I was looking for in this one. I dont believe this engine needs breaking in like most new cars do. Is this power surge because the intake happens to be bigger?

 

 Thanks for all the comments.

beedublu

You're welcome.

 

BTW, I took my Maxx out to a large, empty, snowy parking lot last week and had a blast experimenting with the ABS and traction control. Both work great...not hard to adjust to at all. In fact, I've already had a few real-world experiences on icy local roads that have demonstrated the worth of ABS.

 

Enjoy your new car!

rferd

My 04 Maxx (built in Feb. 04) has 12,000 on it without any problems. It seems that there were a few Maxxes built in Feb 04 that are not lemons but perhaps "sweet oranges". Ja, Ja!

skyhawk

I must have a sweet orange, Started down the line 1/26/04. Other than a thermostat change and the early recalls, nothing but oil changes. Even the service department is growing on me after their initial mis-step. Passed 12k yesterday.

KCRam

Most of the people I know who live anywhere near there only use "Kansas City" to refer to the metro area or the sports teams. For the cities themselves, they are referred to most commonly as KCMO and KCKS.

 

kcram

Host - Wagons

maxx10

Well let me tell you about my experience with the traction. I am a proud owner of a new 2004 Malibu Maxx.. just got it two weeks ago... well first big snow of the season.. about 11 inches here in Indianapolis...

I went to drive out of my apartment complex, which has a steep incline going out. As I started to go up, the car just inched along and stopped. after spending about 10 minutes going about 30 feet, I realized the traction control was on, so I turned it off and wham!! Off I went. That sucker tore right thru all that snow like hot butter. I was amazed at how it handled.

kurtamaxxguy

Thanks for info 2370. Apparently Malibu traction control simply reduces overall power rather than try to control wheel spin with brakes. Doesn't sound very appealing (If I'm wrong here I'm happy for an expert to correct me!).

 

I'll have to remember to get snow tires for this one

if I move to a snowy area. Shades of my old Opel!

kurtamaxxguy

Edmunds has a Nov 2004 long term report on the Malibu, with comments on engine, steering, power pedals.

 

Worrysome was having to "jiggle a fuse" to get the pedal positioner to work.

 

Incidently, the dome light fix did not stop the roof rattles. Next visit will be to that clever idea badly executed - the rear sun shades and their flimsy, creaky trim.

californiamaxx

Cruise Control Tip: For the cruise control issue (hard to disengage with brake pedal)try using the on/off button on the steering wheel to shut off your cruise. This works great for me. the only disadvantage is that you can't press "resume" to get back to your previous speed. You might try this and see if you like it. Let me know!