Chevy Malibu Maxx

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Comments

  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    hey Maxx, maybe they will slip up and give you an SRT-4 Neon!
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    he,he,he....I'm just hoping these suicidal deer don't try to ram me while I'm in it. We all know the survivability odds in that car!!
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    I went to the GM site and found a posting on their home page. Malibu due out this fall; Maxx due out in Spring of 2004. Yikes!!
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    September and January. Little bit of a wait still.
  • macrosonicmacrosonic Member Posts: 10
    Wasn't the Maxx supposed to be sold as a 2004 Model Year? If it comes out in Spring '04 wouldn't they make it a 2005 Model Year like the Equinox?
    GM sure seems to be taking their sweet time getting this stuff out the door. I really want to buy a GM car and they're not making it easy. grrrrr...
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    it's always a 'wait till next year' thing with the general. in the meantime, what's on the lots has like 4 or 5 grand in incentives.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's a long wait, given they've already shown the Maxx to the public.

    -juice
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    in fairness to GM, look how FREAKING long we have been having to wait for the Mazda6 hatch and wagon, and also the Ford Freestyle. FOREVER! The mazda 6 has been shown for like 2 years! Inexcusable!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I agree 100%! In fact, I saw the 6 wagon and hatch at the NY show last year, I'm talking April 2002!

    They don't even have a steady supply of manual tranny V6s, never mind the wagon or hatch.

    -juice
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    While I think my Ford 626 will hold out (as long as the deer stay away from me), I am hoping I can hold on to it one year past the Maxx's debut in order to take advantage of any money back or GM loyalty bonus' that might fly my way. So the longer it takes the Maxx to debut, the loooonger I watch for deer!
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    GM did even worse with the VUE. It came out over a year after it was first shown. GM is trying to get people thinking of going elsewhere to wait for better product, especially in the car area where they are weak.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    He, he....what do you mean "going elsewhere"?? If the Vibe had telescoping steering and a half inch more leg room, I wouldn't be waiting for the Maxx.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    Not sure if this link will show up as a hot link, but here it goes. On cars.com, there is an excellent video on the Maxx from the NY auto show. I had not seen this before, but it has me sold.

    http://www.cars.com/carsapp/national/?srv=parser&act=display&- amp;tf=/features/autoshow2003/coverage/ny/posted/coverage_04_17_0- 2.tmpl
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, in '79 the best selling car was the Caprice. That's a far cry from what customers expect today.

    I think they need to stop the market share skid before they talk about gaining market share.

    -juice
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    Juice: I'm not sure I agree. With the crap American's are buying today (huge trucks which should be banned from the road), it seems to me that the Caprice would be a best seller if they brought it back today (and I sure hope they don't)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You think?

    The Ford Crown Vic only sells to fleets, mostly, and retirees. Resale is dismal. I don't see why the Caprice would be a whole lot different.

    -juice
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    he, he...I was making a commentary on American social trends, not specifically debating the car itself (8 ^ (l)
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    Some good information from a Canadian newspaper. Note the price is in Canadian dollars, which means the expected prices is between $17,000-$23,000 U.S.
    Can any of you explain 12 valves to me. That's only 2 per cylinder. What are the benefits/negatives to such a small amount of valves?

    Specifications:

    Price Range (est MSRP): $25,000 - $32,000
    Body Type: 5-door hatchback, unit body
    Layout: front engine, FWD
    Engine: 200-hp, 220 lb-ft of torque, 3.5-L, 12-valve, OHV V6
    Transmission: 4-spd auto
    Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
    Curb Weight (LS-LT): 1,569 - 1,577 kg (3,458 - 3476 lb)
    Seating Capacity: 5
    Cargo Volume (seats up/down): 646 L (22.8 cu ft)
    Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 11.2 / 8.1 L/100 km (21 / 29 mpg)
    Warranty: 36/60,000 comprehensive
    Direct Competitors: Chrysler Sebring, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Magentis, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Pontiac Grand Am, Saturn L-Series, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, VW Passat
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,344
    When you are dealing with a pushrod engine, 2 valves per cylinder is about the limit. A 2-valve engine can produce decent torque, but runs out of breath pretty quickly. Just the opposite of many of the current DOCH 4 or 5 valve per cylinder engines.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    What should I expect over time? Will the engine not last as long since it is working harder? Will it consume oil as a result of working harder? Does a 2per cylinder engine require more valve adjustments?
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,344
    No, no, no. The engine isn't necessarily working harder - it's just somewhat less efficient. So there may be a slight fuel economy penalty, or for a given power output you may need a bigger engine. Valve adjustments on most factory pushrod engines are a thing of the past thanks to hydraulic lifters. Some OHC or DOHC engines, in contrast, still require a valve adjustment. Things like oil consumption and the like are more a function of quality of design and meterials, and maintenance habits, than the basic design. I've seen way too many OHC Suzuki and Chrysler engines thumping with bad cam bearings and spewing oil smoke. The "K-car Klatter" is a sound often associated with clapped-out Chrysler K-cars whose OHC heads are giving up the ghost.

    GM has made that same basic pushrod design since the days of Methusulah so I don't think you need to worry about it.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    thanks ab348. I never forget that this is the second most important purchase I will ever make. I also never forget that unlike a house, it will end up being my second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh......most important purchase since the lousy things don't last that long. I don't throw away $20,000 easily, so I try to ensure that I make well informed buying decisions. I appreciate your help in making that so.
  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    Top Gear
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    Hey all. Sorry if this is redundant since I haven't checked on this forum since the time of the NY Show. Nearly everything I've seen and read convinces me that the Maxx is my next car, 'cept for one minor but important thing. GM seems to have a fetish for not including a rear window washer/wiper on vehicles - not one pic of the Maxx has one - and I refuse to carry around a bottle of Windex and a roll of paper towels with me all the time. My job takes me on dirt roads once in a while, so this is a make or break deal. No washer/wiper, no Maxx (are you listening, Chevy?).

    And "guys and gals", get over the Vectra/Signum bit. Aint gonna happen, period. Opel is not coming to the states. Every car that recently has been imported based on an Opel has been a flop - can we spell Catera, Saturn L-Series, etc., and GM is not that stupid.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    But then when I read that GM is changing the name of the Cavalier to 'Cobalt' and ditching the Grand Am name (better be LeMans) for heaven-knows-what, maybe Lutz and Co. are just dumb enough to import Opel. Maybe I should ditch my GM stock....
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    All the business press items I have read about this characterize it as nearly a done deal and more probable than not.

    Do you know something they don't?

    I would say Opel IS coming. Which models? Marketed as what? Either the decision isn't made yet or those who know aren't talking about it yet.
  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    Basically has the same rep as Chevy does in the states/save for the Speedster.. Basic commuter cars. So its not surprising the vehicles that are not at the top of class there do not do well here either.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    You guys are giving me the willies talking about the L-Series.....stop it....stop it.... (8 ^ (l)
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    If priced a bit below VW and Toyota, I think Opel could succeed in selling the Signum, Vectra, and Astra here in the US as VW alternatives for the urban (urbane) crowd. The meriva might be somewhat successful also. To pull it off they would need to make Saab / Opel dealers.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    http://www.km77.com/marcas/opel/vectra_04/caravan/gra/01.asp

    http://www.km77.com/marcas/opel/vectra_04/caravan/texto.asp
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Toyota Camry wagon and a Ford Focus wagon had an affair?

    In a word, and it's just my opinion, YUCK.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    I admit, the Maxx won't be the prettiest car on the road, but I'm not out to pick up chicks in it either. I'm looking for a versitile car for 10 years. It just might fit the bill.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Looks good to me. Kinda like a nicer looking (lower and leaner) Pacifica.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    I do see the Camry wagon in those photos. I am sad that there won't be a roof rack, although I'm guessing they cannot put one on with the 2 sunroofs on top. I do think the rear sunroof is a great idea. I'll have to drive from the back seat sometime and see how it looks. Actually, I do a lot of back seat driving with the lousy leg room most cars offer. I hope these adjustable pedals do the trick and keep me in the front seat.
  • cayennered1cayennered1 Member Posts: 193
    Saw it in person at the New York Show and with due respect it was pretty bland. Considering Lutz's obsecession with making GM cars more exciting I was surprised it wasn't more of a sport wagon look. To me it's an Escort 5 door hatch circa late 80's in styling. It may well be a functional and well eqipped vehicle. Once again however, GM can't pull off a real looker. When will it ever happen. GM should change it's name to BM (no, not that) Boring Motors.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    He, he, he....as one who doesn't own American cars, I just hope what's under the hood isn't BM either; no not boring motors.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Profile looks a little like the Pacifica (dudleyr beat me to it). But it's basically a Maxx wagon. If it has a 3rd row, it would be viable, IMO.

    -juice
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0306/20/b01-197995.htm
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    Well, they've done just that with me. Right now, I'm GM's to lose. From what I've seen there is nothing close to this car in terms of value and versatility (the Vibe comes pretty close). I can't wait for January for the Maxx.
  • montanafanmontanafan Member Posts: 945
    Sorry if this has been posted before, I don't check out this board, but thought Maxx4me and others might be interested.
    http://www.gmcard.com has a rotating link in the upper right corner with the Malibu Maxx. Click on it and it is a special offer. Get a GM Card now and get an extra $250 in earnings if you buy a Malibu Maxx in the Spring of 2004 when it is available.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    thanks montanafan! I'm a Visa kind of guy since I travel all over the world; there actually are places where Master Card is not accepted. Every time I look at my check engine light in my 626, I say: "come on Maxx, hurry up". Its going to be a long summer and a torturous wait, I can tell.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    Is it January yet??? My 626 is falling apart.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You gotta add ATF fluid, check the gas, until the Maxx arrives. ;-)

    -juice
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    ..and check out the Mazda3 wagon when IT arrives...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=44276&a=a&b- t=mazda+3&arc=n

    Saw the precursor to it at the NY auto show. Roomy, but not as cute as the Protoge.

    -juice
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    Feel free to also share that in our
    Mazda3 5-door discussion.

    Thanks! ;-)

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    thanks. I would have to be an institutionalized psychopath to buy a Mazda again. I'm waiting for the Maxx. If it doesn't pan out (which is doubtful), I'll go buy another Vibe. Ford has not earned my business, and will have to pull a miracle to win back thousands of customers it duped with the 626.
  • wpbharrywpbharry Member Posts: 399
    maxx, the choice for me will be between the 2. You don't need a new "3 wagon"; you need the new 6 wagon. It'll all come down to price and versatility. The loaded 6s wagon will top $27, no doubt, but I'm beginning to think the Maxx LT will come close. Thoughts?
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    you already know the 6 has stellar handling. all driving dynamics about the 6 are above par.

    The 6 has modern powertrains and nice looking and good quality interiors.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Somehow I doubt we are going to talk someone who says he would be nuts to buy another Mazda and whose handle is maxx4me into buying another Mazda! :)
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