Chevy Malibu Maxx

1787981838495

Comments

  • morewasabimorewasabi Member Posts: 58
    The overflow tank vents.
  • redptcredptc Member Posts: 78
    Was wondering if there is a bigger oil filter for the maxx? The one that is on it seems small.... :confuse:
  • minn_maxxminn_maxx Member Posts: 51
    Thanks morewasabi.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    a 2 day Maxx seat repair had dealer providing me via enterprise a chevy Aveo.
    Compared to Maxx, the Aveo has half the power, uses just as much gas (???) and is a flimsy tin can (the plastic shift gate was an utter joke).
    Then again, as the Aveo is much cheaper, some of this is to be expected. But the gas consumption was a surprise!
  • redmaxxredmaxx Member Posts: 627
    a 2 day Maxx seat repair had dealer providing me via enterprise a chevy Aveo.
    Compared to Maxx, the Aveo has half the power, uses just as much gas (???) and is a flimsy tin can (the plastic shift gate was an utter joke).
    Then again, as the Aveo is much cheaper, some of this is to be expected. But the gas consumption was a surprise!


    This is actually kind of funny. Mine is in for a seat repair (now on its third day) for a broken weld in the seat lift mechanism. They gave me a 2006 Buick Lucerne to drive. VERY nice to drive. I'm actually wishing I could trade my Maxx for one of these. :D
  • jonemyersjonemyers Member Posts: 3
    I have read that the Malibu is going to get the same belt alternator hybid drive that the Saturn Vue is getting this summer. Evidently the Malibu is going to get this system in the 2008 model year. Does anyone know if this hybrid system will be offered on the Maxx at that time?
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    For that matter, will the Maxx be here in 2008?
    The Malibu is going through a major revision for 2008, and Last report (here at Edmunds) was that GM was killing the Maxx after 2007.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    am driving a rental '06 Cobalt as my Maxx hopefully gets its last tweezes for awhile.
    Oy...
    Cobalt was supposed to be big improvement over Saturn ION. Not so in one I am driving (could be a cheapo fleet version). Lots of rattles in suspension, flat seat, plasticky interior, but at least heater controls use electric servos instead of stiff cables found in ION.

    I miss my Maxx. :cry:
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    on separate note,my service advisor told me a customer had sold his/her Maxx because of blind spots.

    Does anyone else have blind spot problems with the Maxx? Other than a wide B pillar, I find it pretty good compared to many contemporary cars.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    agree.....no problems at all....
  • sschribersschriber Member Posts: 89
    I think it depends on your seating position. I'm fine with the Maxx, but my Suzuki Forenza Wagon (which has a ton of glass) gives me fits during merges because the B pillar and my headrest line up to form the perfect view barrier at the drivers seat setting I use.
  • redmaxxredmaxx Member Posts: 627
    on separate note,my service advisor told me a customer had sold his/her Maxx because of blind spots.

    Does anyone else have blind spot problems with the Maxx? Other than a wide B pillar, I find it pretty good compared to many contemporary cars.


    Ohhhhh yeah, blind spots big time. When I back out of a spot and look out the back, there is low side visiblity because of all the plastic around the side windows in the hatch area. At work we have those parking lots with angled spots so if I park next to anything bigger than a sedan, I have to back out verrrrry slowly.
  • redmaxxredmaxx Member Posts: 627
    Other than that above issue, visibility is good. I really like the size of the mirrors. I have them set so I don't have to look back during lane changes.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    ..it's kinda early, but does anyone have vauge hint that this engine will be in Maxxes __other__ than the SS?

    I'll probably be replacing my Maxx next year, either with a Maxx with better engine, or something else.
  • luvmbootyluvmbooty Member Posts: 271
    I've been looking for a wagon with an MSRP around $20000. Safety, passenger volume, and cargo volume are major factors. I love the gas milage with the Matrix (28/34) unfortunately power is low at 126Hp with its 4 cyl 1.8 engine. What attracts me to the Malibu Maxx is its power with its 3.5l 6 cyl engine and 201 Hp though gas milage isn't bad for a 6 cyl (22/30). What puzzles me is EPA cargo for Matrix is much larger at 53.2 cubic ft. and the Maxx has only 41 cubic ft. EPA Passenger volume Maxx has more with 106 cu. ft., Matrix has 96.2 and EPA Total Interior Maxx=128.8 and Matrix=118. I know in both cars the front passenger seat folds down flat how does Matrix have more EPA cargo?
  • hgr3inokhgr3inok Member Posts: 28
    luvmbooty - I think your volume figures might be incorrect. Go to www.fueleconomy.gov. The Compare Side-by-Side facility provides an easy way to compare. FWIW, we've had our Maxx for 14 months and 14,000 miles. It has been a GREAT car.

    Regards,

    -HANK RYAN-
    Norman, Oklahoma
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    Jim can you email me the url of the dealer in PA you bought your GMPP plan through...we are going to get one our our Solstice...I know of Capper in IA...but found the one in PA to be a little cheaper...thanks

    poswald78@Yahoo.com...if you could pls
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    done pao. You remembered correctly. I did go with Black Pontiac. I just looked at their form. They are running their usual $30 off sale.
  • indychick73indychick73 Member Posts: 25
    I discovered by accident that the mirrors on my '05 Maxx fold outward. I'm wondering what the purpose for this feature is.
    Thanks.
  • meandmymaxxmeandmymaxx Member Posts: 134
    You will also find they fold inward to. This is in case they hit something they hopefully wont break but will fold out of the way. I have had mine folded by a car wash.
  • kistepkistep Member Posts: 15
    I'm considering buying a leftover (but still new) 05 Maxx from one of a couple area dealers.
    1) Not sure if this is a good deal, given depreciation as it sits on the lot, and
    2) Not certain what a good price for this would be.
    Is GM offering factory-to-dealer incentives on these right now, or is it just whatever each dealer feels like giving you just to get it off the lot?
    Thanks!
  • beedublubeedublu Member Posts: 236
    Has anybody else noticed an increase in the number of Maxxes on the road?

    When I bought my 04 LS in late summer 04 I was wondering if I had made a huge mistake by choosing what appeared to be an unpopular car that would be an oddball at trade-in time. At least that's the way it seemed then...most of the Maxxes I saw were parked on dealer's lots; I seemed to be the only person in western NY state actually driving one. ;)

    Lately, it seems that I see Maxxes everywhere I go. I'm wondering if this is true elsewhere. Can it be that this car has finally caught on? That people are starting to see the brilliance of this design, that it's an economical alternative to a small SUV? I hope so. :)
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    I've seen a small increase in Maxxes here in LA, Ca. Most of the reviews for Maxx have been decent, CU recomends it now (better repair record than the sedan), and it's kinda unique.

    Then again, S. Calif is _import_ territory.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    It is because more people are reading this message board than you think!! :D
  • airmaxxairmaxx Member Posts: 9
    I drive the PA turnpike regularly and see many of them. About split between the regulars and the Maxx.
  • mybooomybooo Member Posts: 92
    Here in Waterloo, Iowa I have seen about double or triple the #. I used to see 2 others besides ours - and we all just happen to work within a few blocks of each other in a neighboring town. In the past 3 or 4 months I see several around - almost every day :-)

    Larry :-)
  • skyhawkskyhawk Member Posts: 126
    Spent the winter on the Florida panhandle and was amazed at the large number of Maxxes there.
  • michiganmaxxmichiganmaxx Member Posts: 72
    I too am seeing a lot more Maxxes on the road here in Michigan. There was a very nice article in the New York Times March 19, 2006 entitled "2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: The Sedan That Says 'Stuff It' Although the article was very favorable overall, the author noted that a good percentage of the ones he has seen up close had the telltale sign of being rental cars.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    The Maxx is sold to fleets now, possibly in a cheapo version with drab, rental car interiors, etc.

    I've had to rent '06 GM cars at some rental houses and have noted some of them are very cheap inside (gray interior, shabby plastics, etc.).
  • sschribersschriber Member Posts: 89
    My wife loves this feature! She uses it all the time when she backs out of the garage and the kids are late for school. ;)
  • sschribersschriber Member Posts: 89
    We're kicking around getting one of those new Mazda 5s for the 6th passenger capability. Checked trading in both of our cars. My 2005 Maxx with 24k miles was only valued at $9500, that's a $7000 drop from the $16,500 invoice minus $3500 in rebates/incentives I paid (plus taxes on top of that),$3k less than what I owe on the car. This is my first new car in a long time, do all new cars lose half of their value in the first year? :confuse:
  • hgr3inokhgr3inok Member Posts: 28
    sschriber - Most new cars don't lose half of their "value" the first year. (Keep in mind that a new car's original market value was the price that was paid. The MSRP and Invoice amounts do not matter.) Most new cars do tend to depreciate ~20% from the purchase price just by driving them off the lot. In your case, at 24K miles, your 2005 Maxx is considered "high mileage". And the trade-in allowance is based on the "wholesale" value of the vehicle. Generally, you can get more by selling a car yourself rather than trading it in. Would you consider your Maxx a bargain at $9,500? If so, maybe you should keep it. :)
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    high mileage kills the value of the car....Ive got an 04 Maxx LT fully loaded....but with 64k on it..its worth about 7400 right now...and you hardly ever break even trading a car in the first two years....if you bought it or financed it.....as was mentioned...most will lose 20% rolling off the lot.....most will lose half or more at the end of three years......a car isnt an investment for sure...
  • redmaxxredmaxx Member Posts: 627
    KBB shows the trade value of mine to be $11,400. 2004 Maxx LT. I selected the premium audio system since there are two levels of audio on the Maxx, Premium wheels since they are the highest level of wheels (there were the standard steel, alloy and then another higher level of alloy), tilt wheel, cruise control, traction control, f&r side airbags and moon roof. I have 25.5K miles.
  • madmadammadmadam Member Posts: 55
    I'm in Queens, NY--I almost never see another MAXX in this area. It's depressing--I love the car and do not understand why it isn't selling better in this area. My Chevy dealer never seems to display one. I went in and asked for a MAXX (in 2004) and they had four, but tucked away. My only complaints (so far) is that my city driving results in more gas use than I'm used to (I previously owned two Cavaliers) and the gas gauge is a little wacky.
  • airmaxxairmaxx Member Posts: 9
    My major gripe with the Maxx is my wife has found out how versatile this car is so I rarely get to drive it. I guess I may need two!
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Here is link to order guide
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    Thanks, E2. Nice to see the variable cam will be available on the other models now w/o the penality of the high gear ratio of the SS's trans.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    The G6 and AURA get a little more HP from that engine than with Malibu (224 vs. 217) - my guess is due to differences in exhaust.

    I believe there were some changes made to the base 2.2L engine as well - no mention of it in the guide so I guess it wasn't substantial.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    Would be nice to know if there are any minor structural changes or other tweaks for '07.

    Although I've had frustrations with Chevrolet's support of the Maxx, in many respects it's a well done car. I'm chalking up most of my '04 problems to first year build blues.

    Still, getting an '07 may be intro to huge depreciation as supposedly it's the Maxx's last year.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    ..then again, as Maxxes are now being bought by fleet buyers, perhaps that is a way to score a good deal on one once the rental houses offer them for sale?
  • luvmbootyluvmbooty Member Posts: 271
    Went to New York International Car Show. I sat in the Malibu Maxx. I love the rear adjustable seats. Also love the hatchback door with fold down seats. I have read in a lot of reviews about the electric powered steering isn't so good. Anyone have problems or cmplaints? What males the cloth "custom cloth"? I have a question about an option. Edmunds.com doesn't list it for the Malibu Maxx LT, but Chevrolet.com lists it in the Build Your Own Section. It's called "Luxury and Convenience Package." It includes Seats, heated, driver and front passenger, Seat adjuster, power, 6-way, Mirror, inside rearview, auto dimming with compass, Visors, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver and front passenger, Lighting, reading lights, rear, Fog lamps, front and Wheels, 16" fascia spoke, bright chrome trim. If it's really offered for the Maxx LT, I would be sure I would want the LT and save some money instead of purchasing the LTZ. I read somewhere that Chevy isn't going to make any more Maxxes after 2007, anyone esle hear that? When is the 2007 coming out? The only other car I'm considering is the Fors Five Hundred. It also considered a large car, with perfect crash test scores, and offers the comfort of a luxury car at a reasonable price starting at $22,230. It's front passenger also folds flat and can come with AWD! Comments and opinions are appriciated.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Gee, a few questions there! ;)

    To answer one of your questions - for the 2007 model year the Maxx body style had hydraulic power steering across the board and not just on the SS.

    The sedan still has electric power steering on non-SS models.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    I thought they had the electric Steering ironed out! Yes, sports car drivers want Hydraulic (its feel's what they're used to), but why on _all_ the Maxxes?

    How much of an MPG hit is this change going to be?
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    Agree. I for one like the steering in my 05 Maxx. Either things improved between 04 and 05 or Car and Driver (and others) really dissed the car for no reason.
  • michaelpsumichaelpsu Member Posts: 24
    I have taken my mom car shopping a few days this past week. She is sold on the Maxx...which I think is a great choice. We are looking at an '05 LS...former rental...15K miles...straight sale...no trade...$13,100 plus tax and tags. I was trying to get them to $12,500 plus tax and tags...and might get them to go a few more hundred off. What do you guys think of that?

    The car is in pretty good condition...few minor scratches...good tread...runs solid. It is missing the cupholder liner in the console, and the little rubber 'bumper' that keeps the keyless remote from banging off the dash is missing. Was a little concerned...I looked under the car and saw some oil on the transmission pan...might just be a loose bolt on the pan. I haven't heard anything about the motor or trans in these cars being leakers. Also...on two of the cars that we have looked at...the left side of the front bumper cover is loose...right at the intersection between the bumper, fender, headlight, and that thick chrome strip. Has anyone else found this to be a problem?

    I promised the dealer that I would give them an answer on Monday. Any feedback will be appreciated!
  • skyhawkskyhawk Member Posts: 126
    I think the price is way too high. I was talking to a dealer about a new truck and when he saw my 04 LT, he told me that he had an 05 for 10k on the lot and they would only give me wholesale if that for mine. It was mid afternoon and I was the first walk in of the day.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    E2 or anyone, is there a particular reason why the '07 Malibu is foregoing electric power steering for all but the base models?
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    I'm still not sure why every review knocks the electric steering as being numb. I personally like it and would be disappointed if dropping it resulted in a 1 mpg loss. My only complaint has been a bit of squirrlyness tracking on some roads.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    That is not exactly true, just going away on the Maxx with 3.5L. No change on the sedan. I don't have an answer for you on why though - sorry
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