Chevy Malibu Maxx

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Comments

  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    I've looked at the Chevy website, but I have just a few (perhaps obvious) questions to ask. I'm going for an LT definitely, but I'm still deciding between the 1SA and 1SB. Does the 1SA have automatic climate control? It would be a pain to have remote start here in Vermont but always have to remember to leave my controls set to heat it up.

    Lastly, and I posted this question in another forum as well...Have any of you used an iPod with a Griffin iTrip FM transmitter in your MAXX? I'm concerned about the antenna being so far in the back. The transmitter works best when it's close to the antenna, and I can't drive without my iPod!!! Additionally, anyone have any other ideas as to how to make the iPod work even better (transmitters do tend to be finicky and can sometimes give poor sound quality).

    Thanks for all your help!
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    I believe the SB package adds the sun roof, homelink, auto dimming mirror, XM radio, and both SA and SB options have the auto climate control in the LT models.......

    You dont have to set controls for the remote start to work in cooling or warming the interior...apparently it senses the interior temp and turns on the blowers and temp adjustment accordingly....until you insert your key and turn to ignition and gain control of the car functions.....at which time the climate control reverts back to what ever settings you have it in...I leave mine on auto most of the time....and simply adjust the temp......

    anybody else.....if Im high and right here on any of this?????
  • meandmymaxxmeandmymaxx Member Posts: 134
    Yes that is imperial gallons, it would be about 30mpg US gallons
  • meandmymaxxmeandmymaxx Member Posts: 134
    Thanks e2helper, as it turns out it was the resistor pack for the blower, was replaced under warranty. Does raise a question, had this happened when it was -35 as it gets on a regular basis up here, I would have had to miss a days work and take it to the dealer right away. I had always thought at least the high speed fan would work even if the resistor pack didn't let the others work,, which would be enough to get you through a few days. Do you know of any way to get the high speed fan to work? should this ever happen again at a less opportune time.
  • meandmymaxxmeandmymaxx Member Posts: 134
    Can't say about the difference in the packages as we don't get XM radio option here in Canada, but the function of the remote start is correct, When it's cold it turns on the heat and when it's hot it turns on the cold until the ignition is turned on, and then it reverts back to it's last settings.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    You are correct pao, with the automatic HVAC which is standard on LT model (and ONLY on LT model) the system works you describe. Actually when you don't even have to leave the system in auto for it to go into the "AS" = Auto Start mode when you do a remote start.

    Interestingly enough I don't thing the "SS" model is going to have automatic HVAC system available. The pictures you see of show vehicles reflect the option but I think they are wrong ;) . Maybe they think customer's interested in that sporty models wouldn't want it??
  • bwolterbwolter Member Posts: 51
    I noticed the same thing last week. I'm going to get a 4-wheel alignment, rotate, the next time I get an oil change. I'm also going to a different dealer about the front thud. But it seems worse. I'm going to drive in the area of the dealer to find the road and driveway spots that make the noise so I'll know where to take the tech so he can hear it.
  • beedublubeedublu Member Posts: 236
    Hi there---

    I live in the western part of New York state, and I bought my 04 Maxx LS (1SB) last August. It replaced a 95 T-Bird, which in the winter was one of the scariest cars I've ever driven.

    I'm pleased to report that the Maxx is excellent in the snow, even with the regular all-season tires. I drove through all kinds of unplowed slop, up hills, down hills, you name it...no problem at all!

    I've had an assortment of bugs (inaccurate fuel gauge, sunshades that snap open by themselves, check engine light coming on, weird cruise control behavior) but the car is so practical and versatile that I can almost overlook those glitches. (I said *almost*). Great fuel mileage: 26 MPG, from a 50/50 mix of stop and go and highway trips.

    'Hope you enjoy yours.
  • rferdrferd Member Posts: 28
    Yes pao, you are right. The Auto Start will sense the temperature and will start either the heating or the cooling as required. It is a great feature and for our friend Christina, it will be a very welcome feature in Winter.
  • rferdrferd Member Posts: 28
    I returned last week from a two week trip to Florida (from NJ) that added 2600 miles to my 04 Maxx.

    The trip went great and my Maxx behaved excellently. On open roads (at 65-70 mph) my top MPG was 34.6 (corrected for the +2 MPG error on the display). The only problem I encountered, and was not surprised due to the light weight of the Maxx, was that it felt a rush of wind whenever a trailer passed us. I had not noticed that on my other car, a 2000 Intrepid, that due to its design and low profile, handles this problem better.

    My 04 Maxx LT, purchased in late July 04, has 22,000 on it and I have not had any problems at all; knock on wood. ;)
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    i have felt the same minor wind as well...but now that I now it ...im careful when i see im about to be passed...but this isnt normally the case as i seem to pass most trailers......04LT here just turned 23k and no problems either.knock on wood..since Mar 04 :)
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    Any thoughts on the iPod question? May not be important to many, but I go on a lot of road trips, and the music makes them!
    Thanks for all the confidence you inspired wrt winter driving/remote start ;) !
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    Long story, but I'm going to be buying my Maxx in South Carolina and driving it back up to Vermont (1060 miles). I've read a lot posts using the term "green engine," and I was wondering if putting on this many miles of heavy driving will cause undue damage to the engine or other parts. Is this a crazy thing to ask?
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    I honestly dont beleive it is as much of a concern as it use to be..the story of metal shavings etc..and oil changes and engine break in......no hard accelerations or braking.....probably and change your cruise control 5 MPH or so every now and then on the trip......I dont think you have anything to worry about....what part of SC..from Columbia originally!! and I have not clue on the IPOD....I have XM in my Maxx and love it
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    XM is a nice feature, though I'm not into paying the monthly fee and not being able to pick exactly the song I want to hear as I can with the iPod (still without commercials, and for free! (minus the $425 I dropped for the iPod)).
    I was born in Greenwood and went to Clemson for undergrad and grad school. My brother is now a sophomore at USC. What a rivalry!
    I'll take it easy on the interstate (I like to drive at least 10-12 hours at a time with few stops), changing the cruise every once in a while as you suggest.
    My last few trips through PA to SC in a 95 Taurus and a 94 626 have been wracked with disaster (check engine light came on, brake lights came on...and STAYED on...all the way from Wilkes-Barre, PA to Burlington, VT on Memorial day (no shops willing to help); engine failure...twice. Please, please let the Maxx go easier on ME than these cars have!! :) Or maybe I'll just aviod PA!
    Thanks, pao.
    Christina
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    no Christina, that essentially is a thing of the past. For a new engine, I simply would avoid "redlining" the engine (driving up the tachometer to the upper limit). Moreover, I'd empty the oil once you arrived in Vermont. 1,000 miles is a perfect time to grab any possible new engine foreign bodies in the oil and empty them out. Just try not to race the engine over 4,500 rpms during your drive and you will be fine. Have a safe trip
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    all good..I love my XM in the car..headed down to Clemson for home football games..yes a season ticket holder....but a Citadel..grad..long story..not knowing much about the ipod....I would think it would work within the maxx..dont quite understand how it works...thru the rear antenna however??? and not to the antenna connection in the back..(FM modulation???)......8 trips Northern VA to upstate SC.....all good in the Maxx....except for the one fender bender (not my fault) headed down college blvd after a home game last year!!!
  • markf57markf57 Member Posts: 38
    We had a bad hail storm here in Colorado yesterday. Of the four cars that were in front of the house, my 04 Maxx took the worst beating. At least 50 dings from hail stones. The worst part was the rear section that is made from aluminium (I think). Luckily no glass breakage. Funny that my 98 Camaro and 95 G20 van had no damage. My 98 Civic had about 5 small dings.

    Any suggestions on how to repair?
  • southcarolinasouthcarolina Member Posts: 19
    Dang! First Pao now another CU fan. What's a Gamecock fan to do? I just bought my Maxx from Nourse in Richburg, SC (just outside of Chester, Lancaster and Rock Hill). I had the same question about changing the oil so I called their shop. I was told that they did not do the "break in" oil change anymore and to wait till I hit 3000 miles and they would change it for free. Interstate miles are easier than stop and go traffic, so you should be ok. I hope you at least have a few days in SC after buying it just to get any small problems taken care of by the dealer. My Maxx just turned 2200 miles with no problems. I'm getting 27.9 mpg by my calculations and the car is showing 28.7mpg. I'm happy with the car. Swapped an Explorer for it. Have a safe trip back to Vermont.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    well, take it from one who has had this happen plenty of times in the St. Louis area: if you don't want to file a claim and the dings are plentiful but superficial (and it sounds like it based on the fact that none of your glass was shattered), let the HOT sun take most of them out. It is amazing what basking in the sun will do for the surface dings. For larger ones, it is destined for a trip to the body shop I'm afraid. Good luck.
  • indisweindiswe Member Posts: 10
    When I drove from CA to IL I hooked up audio out from my laptop to an FM Transmitter (Tunecast - which has 4 FM possibilities). Out in the middle of nowhere it worked great, though I couldn't keep it in the armrest compartment because the signal would get worse. It was a little more difficult to get clear reception in LA and Chicago and I think Denver too, but for the most part it was good.
    There are other transmitters that can transmit at any FM frequency between 87 to 108 i think, so that would be better, but I got the cheap one. I did notice a difference if I moved the transmitter back toward the antenna. If you don't want to have control over chaning songs on your iPod, you could use the DC outlet in the back of the MAXX and then start driving.
    So, in conclusion, if you make trips through nowheretown, then the transmitter-antenna distance doesnt matter.
    PS A fresh battery in the transmitter helps it too.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    I hoping both CU and USC do well this year..but I have my doubts..love my Maxx LT....about to hit 24K on it....mostly highway....and not major problems..have gotten a lot of comments and stares since I added the new rims and wheels to it......cheers all
  • rferdrferd Member Posts: 28
    How can you hope that both CU and USC do well??? They are BIG rivals!

    I am an NCState graduate (Go Wolfpack!) but have a son and good friends in SC that support either CU or USC, and... well, you can all imagine that they do not talk about collegiate sports much. ;) But then, this is not a Collegiate Sport forum, so I will leave it as that. :)
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    Does anyone know if it's still possible for dealers to order '05 Maxxes? Again, long story, but I'm going to be buying in South Carolina, but I need a car with California/Vermont emissions. If production has ended, there's no way I'm finding this car in South Carolina.

    Please let me know if you know asap.
    Triedntru, maybe a chance, if you have stopped production, to make just one little exception? :blush:
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    well my maxx made 6 trips down to SC last year to CU...and was a great road car........but from SC....and want each to do well in the irperspective conferences.....then the rivalry game means more.......GRIN>..GO Tigers!
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    christina...call any chevy dealer and ask...dont know the answer to the questions...does VT have special emissions stds......what are VT laws concerning bringing a car into state..if you are a state resident????....
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    paul,
    VT has adopted the California Emissions std, which means that any new car with a year model 2000 or above cannot be --registered-- in VT without the proper emissions. I'll call a dealership in a minute.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    the key is ..can an SC dealership order a VT std car for you?
  • rwashncrwashnc Member Posts: 1
    This forum was very helpful with my final purchase decision so I thought I would contribute some comments that might help others.
    VIN: 1G1ZU64894F166981 Mfg. 02/04
    Date of Purchase: 4/15/2005
    Dealer has a number of 2004 models on the lot and the one I purchased was an untitled demo model LT that was used by one of the service people - the others were not demos but lacked the total feature package that I wanted.
    Window Sticker Price: $27,945.00 which included the following options:
    Malibu Preferred Equip Grp 1SB
    Rear DVD/ Audio System
    On Star System
    XM Radio
    AM/FM 6 Disc CD Player
    Price out the door $21,000.01 which included $1 for Temp Tag, $601.17 NC Hwy. Use Tax, $61 License & Title, $298 Doc Fee.
    I currently own an 84 Nissan King Cab PU, 1995 Toyota LE V6 loaded, 2000 Subaru Outback and a 2002 Winnebago Brave Motorhome. This car will replace the Toyota. I wanted a vehicle that we could tow 4 down, have adequate power, got good gas mileage, offer safety and have an automatic transmission. This car met all of those requirements. Following are comments on why I opted for the model loaded with "toys":

    XM Radio - I am already a subscriber since I have it on the Motorhome. Wonderful feature when you drive long trips. I paid multiple years on the service and received a significant discount. The cost of the XM service on the Malibu will be $6.95/Mo. since it is an additional radio on my XM account. We take long trips in the Motorhome and my wife and I both love the XM radio for these trips.

    DVD Player - the hardest to initially justify but we just finished a round trip of over 400 miles to the mountains with my 5 year old grandson - priceless.

    OnStar - both my wife and I have had health problems and since this is my wife's primary car I wanted the added safety and convience of the OnStar system. She is diabetic and accidently overdosed on insulin on Saturday night. It was comforting to know on my 30 minute mid-night drive to the emergency room in Boone, NC that this button was available if her conditioned worsened or we needed help in locating the hospital. If you don't have health problems then you may not need this feature but to me it is well worth it since we travel in many states where we are not familiar with the area.

    I opted for the longer wheel base of the Maxx for the ride as well as the additional space for rear seat passengers. I am 6' 3" tall and wanted a car that we could carry friends in without being cramped. My impression of the ride is excellent. Seats are much more comfortable than the Toyota or the Suburu. Perhaps this is because both these cars have firm bucket seats and my "bucket" must be larger than the engineers who designed the seats for these vehicles. Leg room is the best I have experienced in a car, I can easily change positions and it greatly lessens the fatigue on long drives. Based on my experience the ride is excellent.

    Fuel mileage on recent trip: Went 376 miles on one tank - 270 Hwy miles at 65-70mph, 106 miles of in town mountain driving, and several times left engine running on pit stops for comfort of two dogs we left in the car (remote start works great for this). Display reported 28.7 mpg actual calculation 26.6. We were loaded on this trip since I carried about 12 cases of product to open a consignement type booth in Boone. I had a rear hitch installed and had part of the product on a platform attached to the hitch. Very happy with this mileage based on mountain driving and of course leaving the engine running at times. Observation the milage appears to be much better on "flat" highway driving.

    Low end tourque is excellent - plenty of power - cruises at 1800 to 2000 rpms on highway.

    Towing information: Installed a blue ox base plate so that I could tow it behind the motorhome - you can hardly notice the connections on the front of the car. Very nice solution. Not too worried about the demo miles since no mileage is registered when towing so I anticipate we will get the full 36 month warrenty. Also believe since one of the service leads used the car for awhile he probably addressed some problems that I won't have to mess with.

    By the way we had a person remark that this was a beautiful malibu - we think so as well. Since I have owned a number of "high" rated cars in the past I had to take the information in the "professional" consumer reports with a grain of salt. For example they want a manual in this car - well I have two vehicles with a manual transmission in addition to a motorcyle with a manual - I wanted an automatic. One said the seats were soft - duh!!!. No one mentions the fuel mileage is superior to the foreign makes. Net is that we are both very pleased with the purchase and consider this an excellent vehicle for our purposes.

    Richard :)
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    Yes! A South Carolina dealership can order my car with New England emission standards! I'm putting in my order today or tomorrow for a black LT with the 1SB package, and I'm going to throw in the engine block heater, too!
    I called GM Buypower, and they said the '05s will be in production until July 29th, but that one should place one's order by around June 15th. Is there any way I can request a car made in the States rather than in Mexico?
    Anyway, I'm extremely excited. I took another test drive this weekend, had a sort of rocky start. With the salesman driving, I got into the passenger door. When I shut the door, the trim around the door handle popped out into my lap. I just snapped it back in with a nervous laugh. Then, before we could get off the lot, we ran out of gas. With a little gas put back in, the Maxx still had a really hard time starting. It probably took 7-10 cranks before it shuddered to a start. Other than that, there seemed to be something hanging down from the trim on the door panel, looked like black hair.
    But driving it was a different story. The cosmetic problems were nothing when I got behind the wheel and experienced the handling and power (as opposed to my Taurus). I love it! I'll just try never to run out of gas!!
    Thanks for all your help.
    Christina
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Congrats rwashnc!

    This would be great information in our Chevrolet Malibu: Prices Paid & Buying Experience discussion (which also includes the Maxx). I hope you'll stop by and share your experience there also.

    Enjoy your new ride!
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    Anyone have any educated guesses as to whether there will be more rebates this month or next month? I'm going to take delivery in July or August, and that's the rebates I'll be getting. Hopefully they'll be going up since the model year end is approaching??
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Hi Christinad!

    I wonder how nervous the sales person got ;)

    Anyways all Chevrolet Malibu Sedan and Maxxs are assembled by UAW workers in Fairfax, Kansas.

    Parts for the vehicles come in from around the world
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    glad you can get it...you will see my red sport metallic 04 Maxx LT..headed to SC the first weekend in Sept for CU football....though the other half...just put a deposit down on the new pontiac solstice roadster...woohoo........she is finally getting rid of her 95 bronco........and the soltice is hot.....ok..back to the Maxx...24K on mine..and love it....cheers all
  • hgr3inokhgr3inok Member Posts: 28
    e2helper - Please thank the GM engineers who designed and continue to refine the Maxx and the GM workers who assemble the Maxx and make sure that the assembly quality matches the great design.
  • ktcktc Member Posts: 30
    This is probably a question for E2helper.

    Can Maxx run on E85 (15% gasoline, 85% mathanol or ethanol) fuel without damage to fuel hose?
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    The answer is no. Only certain vehicles have models with the option to run on ethanol (E85) fuel. A Malibu with this option isn't available.....yet.

    I think that some stations also sell fuel with 10% ethanol (E10). Not sure about that one, sorry.

    Methanol is a big no no. There is a notice in your owner manual about that.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    --in fact since it's a boutique blend, I'd say ALL fuel is---no problems with damage to any car I've owned, but corn has less power than gasoline so you can figure on some lessening of fuel economy.
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    Just read that the Malibu and Maxx were the top rated Entry Mid-size in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey. YEAH! My Maxx has certainly been near perfect -- I'm glad that others agree. Congratulations to everyone involved in the design and manufacture.

    P.S. -- isn't the CamCord in the entry mid-size segment? Does this mean we beat the "good" cars???? :)
  • ericw55ericw55 Member Posts: 53
    Yep. It also means that we ARE the good cars!
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    ok. bottom line. What's the most I should agree to pay, before tax and tag, for an '05 LT 1SB with DVD player? I need to make a decision before I drive myself crazy! My Dad can get dealer cost, but he can't extend that to me!! How annoying! So, I'm just depending on the regular rebates and dealer prices, etc. What should I pay?
  • christinadchristinad Member Posts: 34
    Another quick question....Do _all_ Maxxes meet California emissions standards. Surprisingly, the sticker under the hood of the Maxxes in South Carolina say they meet California emissions, and they weren't special ordered. Is this the case?
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    christina.....do teh TMV value here..or go to www.kbb.com and get dealer cost for all options you are asking for.....dont know how they are working emissions these days...if it states CA approved then you should be good in VT as well...I did a quick KBB and dealer cost for the LT 1SB with DVD is approx 25K..it used a 675 destination fee..I take that out and the 1500 incentive to take it to 22.5k for that car.....i got mine here in VA for 23k out the door...tax title and tags ..but I bought early in 04...before a lot of incentives and had no GMAC card anything....so there is my two cents worth...
  • marywilsonmarywilson Member Posts: 16
    Hi All:

    Has anyone install an aftermarket alarm system on his or hers Maxx?
    I have been too busy driving it :) , and had forgot all about this important feature.
    Not even sure if my car has such unit.

    According to my sales contract, it has keyless entry, and some passkey security system, but no traditional "alarm system."

    Can anyone comment on my silly question?

    Thanks
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    No question is silly, Mary. Hope you are enjoying your Maxx!!

    The Maxx has a basic content theft system alarm standard which will honk horn and flash exterior lamps if any door, liftgate or hood (if you have remote start option) is opened without disarming system. You typically disarm system by unlocking doors with key fob but it also works if you unlock doors with key in driver door key cylinder. Content theft system has to be armed by customer by locking doors with key fob, interior door lock switch or driver door key cylinder. This is known as "active" arming because the customer has to perform an action for the system to arm itself. You can set up content theft system to arm automatically (passively) using Driver Information Center Personalization. Vehicle comes from factory in Active mode because Passive arming can be pretty annoying.

    Aftermarket systems offer many more options (glass breakage and "shock" sensors) but require modifying wiring of your vehicle.

    The Maxx also has a very good standard vehicle antitheft system called PASSKey 3 Plus which prevents vehicle from starting/fuel if you try to start vehicle with incorrect ignition key. You don't need to do anything for the vehicle antitheft system to operate.
  • ml83ml83 Member Posts: 6
    I've poked around on this board and find various people reporting mileage as being 2-3 MPG more on the dashboard display than by actual calculation, but unless I missed it, there has been no indication of why this is. I remember this being the case on my 1989 Taurus which was one of the first cars with a mileage calculator, and I have found the same discrepancy on my Maxx, tankful after tankful.

    Questions, if anyone is in the know: 1. Why the discrepancy? 2. Why the odd jumps in the indicated MPG -- mine goes from 30.9 to 31.7 to 32.6 (I think), etc. Why doesn't the display change for every 1/10 mile (as my old Taurus did, which also could show "instantaneous" mileage.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    obviously GM is just doing a broad (optimistic) guess. I bet the decimal is to make it look more impressive than it is. Marketing, not engineering....

    As far as the instantaneous v. cumulated mileage, I think each shows you something different. The instantaneous mileage can train you to drive to maximize fuel efficiency. Why not have both displays? There's two trip odometers.

    Question-- After filling up and waiting in traffic, the display seems to toggle back and forth. For example from 4.x to 6.x. Once you get even a few miles on the car it stops doing that. What's going on there? :confuse:
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    will it have the variable valve timing engine (slated for SS) available as an option?
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Not sure of your question, Kurt. The Malibu/Maxx SS model has variable valve timing (VVT) engine as STD equipment. This engine is only available on that model. Neither of the other two engines for 2006 has VVT.

    Maybe something different next year ;)
  • skyhawkskyhawk Member Posts: 126
    I believe the jump in MPG display is unique to the Chevy division. I also have a Bonneville and and the MPG display changes in increments of .1 Also the power window switches are the exact opposite for up / down. Apparently there is no consistency between divisions.
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