I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today!

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  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,412
    That generation of Malibu was (I think) the first generation of GM vehicles to use the Epsilon platform, which seemed well-designed. Handled well, quiet, some versions were challenged on interior room though. The concurrent Impala was on the old W-body platform which didn’t drive as nicely IMO, probably in part due to the wheezy pushrod V-6 they used.

    Regarding that Altima, I had just the opposite reaction to yours. I remember visiting the Nissan dealership nearby one Sunday when they were closed to see them on their lot. I remember walking up to the first one I saw and being favorably impressed by the overall size and the interior. Then I got to the back and saw those taillights. My opinion turned around instantly. They were Nissan’s take on “Altezza” taillights, which for a few years back then were the favorite aftermarket add-on for the tuner culture, predating the new Altima model. I remember thinking that all it needed was a fart-can muffler. Hated the Altima once I saw those lights under clear plastic.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,604
    If one likes those Malibus, come to Spokane, still plenty around. I agree that wheelcover design is not the best. I recall the early Euro wheelcover too, almost like they used the disc Taurus L wheelcover as inspiration, odd choice as later Lumina Euros had nice enough looking wheels.

    I think the 3rd gen Altima looks good from most angles and has aged well, but I think the rear light design is almost a retro dated thing now - very hip when new but now of a certain point in time. IIRC Nissan went to CVTs a few years after than one launched, which has not helped survival rates as much of the driver base doesn't seem to be maintenance addicts. Speaking of Altimas, the first one had an upmarket appearance (in my eyes) when launched, funny to think it was effectively 33 years ago.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,097
    In the long run I'm glad I didn't do it, but when the '02 Altima came out, I really liked it alot. Enough that I briefly entertained the idea of trading my '00 Intrepid. I even liked the taillights...they made me think of a modernized version of a late 50's Dodge, with the two round lights on top of each other.

    But, the poor resale value of the Dodge Intrepid actually saved me, in this case. I can still remember some of the details. It was March of '02, so I'd only had the Intrepid around 2 years and 4 months. But I had about 56,000 miles on it. I owed $11,300 on it, and they offered me $6500 in trade, and offered to roll the negative equity into the new loan. I forget now what the total, out-the-door price was, but I do remember I was looking at a $480 or so car payment! And this was just a fairly basic, 4-cyl Altima, priced in the lower $20K range. The Intrepid, meanwhile, was $347.66/mo. There was no way I could have justified that.

    The Altima was more comfortable than the Intrepid, to me. The seat went further back, so I could stretch out better. The back seat was a bit tighter, but still big enough. It was a little bit quicker than the Intrepid, but I remember not liking the way that 4-cyl (a 2.5) sounded, at all. I remember back then people saying that the Japanese 4-cyls made the domestics sound like outdated lawn equipment, but somehow Nissan missed that memo.

    As for that '04-07 Malibu, I don't care for the styling, but I do remember they seemed pretty comfortable inside, and seemed pretty well built, at least when it came to fit and finish. The Malibu was boxy, upright, and efficient, but the Pontiac G5, which was on a longer wheelbase, was more low-slung and lanky, and seemed a lot more cramped. My favorite version of that platform was actually the Saab...9-3, or whatever it was? I thought that was a good looking car, and thought it was amazing that it was the same basic platform!
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,705
    on the way home this afternoon, in traffic, someone driving around in a 1960ish Olds midsized (Cutlass or some such) convertible. Nice weather so top down. Looks very sharp.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,448
    I saw a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 on a trailer. It may have been a clone; the stripes didn't look right to me.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,705
    the problem is, once those old cars get restored, a real one and a clone have the same chance of having incorrect details (stripes, badges).

    and philosophically, at that point (if the entire car is redone), does it really matter that it started life as something specific instead of ending up that way?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,009
    People often want restored as per build sheets.

    I know I did.
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  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,009
    One last memory of that-gen Malibu of the mid'00's:

    At the time, I thought the 'Maxx' version seemed practical, and I thought the adjustable rear seats seemed a good idea.

    First time I saw a Venza, I was immediately reminded of a Malibu Maxx.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,604
    Make the Maxx AWD and it would have been ahead of its time for sure. I always thought those were cool in their own way, I would have picked one over a trunkback for sure.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,705
    on the highway, a 1st gen Thunderbird. Red of course. Top (convertible) up.

    and even weirder, driving on a local road, what looked like a freshly restored semi-tractor (just the cab). But from way back (30's or possibly the 40's). very cool.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,604
    On the road today saw a 70-72 Monte Carlo nice and pretty stock, a similar 67-68 Mustang notchback, and the unusual sighting, a pink ~70 Challenger convertible, obviously restored and top down, probably pretty valuable, tried to catch up to it in traffic but went the other direction.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,762
    andre1969 said:

    I don't know why this caught my attention enough to take a pic of it, but this morning at Aldi, I spotted this '04-07 Malibu.

    As far as older daily drivers go, I swear that generation of Malibu is the Ohio State Car! I see them EVERYWHERE... though definitely worse for wear in most cases.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • thebeanthebean Member Posts: 1,278

    I really like those 1st gen Monte Carlos. I remember when they came out (I was in high school); the proportions seemed odd at the time, but I came to like them. My first new car was a ‘76 MC and I thought I was hot stuff at the disco bars. 🙄

    2015 Honda Accord EX, 2019 Honda HR-V EX
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,448
    I bought my 1974 Monte Carlo because it was one of GM's first serious efforts to build a car with a bit of European driving dynamics.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,009
    edited September 21
    I remember our hometown dealer having their first '70 Monte Carlo outside on a Sunday morning when my Dad and I were looking at it. It was light blue metallic with a black vinyl top and had the wheel covers with a stripe of body color on them. It had a smallish sheet covering the grille and headlights, and another one covering the rear end panel and taillights. While we were looking at it, someone came out of the service department, climbed in, and drove it inside.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,705
    of all the unexpected unicorns to pass driving around today (under it's own power and not even appearing rusty). A Mitsubishi Starion. Probably been decades since I last saw one of those in person.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,009
    edited 3:20AM
    I bought my 1974 Monte Carlo because it was one of GM's first serious efforts to build a car with a bit of European driving dynamics.

    Yep, starting with the '73. And it was all standard equipment through the '80 model year, even on otherwise sparsely-equipped cars.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,009
    edited 3:37AM
    Just thinking about my previous comments about liking the styling of that era Maxima, and the 2002 Altima. I also thought the 510 looked substantial.

    But WTH happened with the B-210, HoneyBee, and 240SX? :)

    EDIT: I wrote 240SX, but I don't think that's the model.

    There was an awkward-looking coupe model that was the classic "designed by committee" look. But I can't remember the model nor find a pic online.

    I know, most people are saying the Z was good-looking, but I rank it with similar-year Corvettes for 'meh'. Especially the stretched Z.

    I've Google-imaged "1970's Datsuns" and "1980's Datsuns" and I can't find an image of the coupe I remember. It had squared wheel openings and a big brow or crease at the top of the front wheel openings, running down the side of the car.

    Also, there was a squat little coupe (hatch) that I can't find any pics online of.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,705

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,159
    stickguy said:

    of all the unexpected unicorns to pass driving around today (under it's own power and not even appearing rusty). A Mitsubishi Starion. Probably been decades since I last saw one of those in person.

    There is a Tiktok guy that specializing in buying/restoring Starion/Conquest. They were really cool cars when new. They had one in Cannonball Run.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

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