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2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
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Comments
Jeremy
it just seems like a really good value, and she seemed comfortable driving it right away. her biggest issue was that she had never driven a car with a floor shift before looking for a car this time. from my point of view being somewhat tall, it seemed to be a lot easier to get in and out of, the seats are better, and the car is much quieter than the other cars 'we' test drove. btw, i'm a ford guy, but i think she got a good car.
04 Malibu production began last week I believe.
Anyone hear when marketing will start for the new car?
If anyone has further comments to make about topic management, please make them to me by email - or, if you'd rather, to Sylvia our Community Manager at sylvia@edmunds.com.
We are moving the subject to this continuing discussion in an effort to regain the respectful conversation that is the hallmark of our community. The sarcastic and snide comments some of us have been directing at others in the now-closed discussion is done.
Thanks.
Per Wpbharry's note, with '04 production starting next week, the '03 Malibu will now become the fleet only Chevy Classic. The '04 is the Malibu from here on out.
Let's hope it is a great one!
Jeremy
When exactly will the 04 Malibu arrive? I have heard within the next 2 weeks and I have heard after Labor day. Thanks for the information.
Thanks!
Jeremy
Jeremy
Can everyone refer to my post #1805. I plan to change the accessory drive belt and I need this question answered. No one answered when I posted it so I figured I'd ask again. Thanks!
Jeremy
Local lot still has about 12-15 03s sitting so I'm sure that will carry them for a month or two.
Jeremy
I'm sure some new Malibus will be fleeted also. Even Camcords are fleeted to some degree.
Seriously, the new malibu will show up as a fleet vehicle in a couple of years. Not sure this si a good idea of trying to change the name of the current Malibu to Classic (which it isn't). Why not call the new model Classic?
Exterior design is attractive and modern, anyway better than typical Asian car.
Engine was smooth and quiet, but I didn't drive it on freeway so cannot tell how it feels at high speed.
I drove SAAB 9-3 Sport sedan immediately after Malibu. It was cool, I couldn't believe it was made from the same platform. Probably GrandAm should be like SAAB, platform is capable to make comfortable and agile sport car. Pushrod may be too heavy for GrandAm.
http://www.autoshowinmotion.com/pls/asim/frmMain.show
There were a lot of Malibus, more than any other car. You can also drive Corvette, Hummer, almost any GM and other cars like BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota (no Infinity/Acura though) and various trucks and SUVs. They didn't let to drive Chevy SSR though, you can only sit inside.
Jeremy
GM may have excess factory capacity it hopes to use, and perhaps has no current need to retool the equipment used to manufacture the current Malibu, soon to be Classic.
GM does not have warehouses full of parts, however. Parts will be made as demand dictates.
ION is not much smaller than the L.
Electric steering on both ION and VUE.
Saturn L is on older Opel Vectra platform (also older SAAB).
New Malibu is on the new Opel Vectra platform (that includes also new SAAB 9-3).
All three cars have three different platform. Saturn L is a platform that being phased out all over the world. ION and Malibu are new platforms.
New L series will share platform with new Malibu, SAAB and new GrandAm.
Current Malibu, GrandAm and Alero are using some ancient GM NA only platform.
The ION is smaller but not by much. The Malibu platform is a new one which is a springboard for future GM midsize cars.
I believe the current Malibu shares platforms with the Alero and Grand AM. Please chime in if I am wrong. I even think it shares platforms with the Saturn L Series as well. If not then there are a lot similarities with these cars.
97'thru 03 Malibu's/Olds Cutlass's are P90's which are basically a Grand Am chassis with a bit of old L-body(Corsica/Beretta). The Saturn L-Series cars are basically late 90's Opel/Vaxhaull Vectra's reskinned and tuned to American taste because Saturn was starving for a midsize car and it was a quick fix until something substantial could be developed. L-Series and Current Malibu's are built along side by side. The Epsilon Cars will take the place of both platforms and also underpin Sabb's and Pontiac's as well. Alero was in line also but we know what happen there. It was rumored Buick may have gotten a Epsilon car too to take up the slack where Skylark left off. That has sorta died out lately. Haven't heard of any talk about that. The P90/Grand Am Chassis is great. Chevy has slightly less suspension tuning for family sedan duty while Pontiac has a slightly tighter suspension to give better cornering and handling performance. Especially for it's 3400 models. 2004 Malibu look's nice. The nose has to grow on me some. Maybe nicer in person. It still retains its Euro size being slightly shorter than the mainstream competitors and narrower. A true sign of its global intent and Euro orgins with the Opel Vectra/Signum. We all would like to see OHC's but nothing beats low end torque and grunt in city traffic and merging than a pushrod. Yes OHC's have almost endless top end power but that' old American punch, thrust, and seat pinning bottom end power is still fun and smile inducing. I have a 98 Malibu, 122,000 miles and I commute 95 miles round trip a day for a five days and only use fill up twice a week with 10 gallons. This is in SC in the midlands where its very hilly on the interstate at 75 MPH ( with an occasional burst higher than that LOL). Good Engine. Those are the times when I wish I had OHC. But for general purposes, OHV (pushrods) are good. The new 3500 V6 should solve those accelerating on steep hill deficiencies with the increase to 200Hp and 210 lb/ft of torque. On flat land, 3100 is strong.
These are things that you can't pick up in the first 90 days of ownership (yes a shot at JD Power). You have to live with the car and drive it for a while. Quite honestly, I like the ride, acceleration and handling of the car. It's fine for my taste but it's those little things that get you.
I'm interested in seeing the 2004 even though i am not in the market for a sedan (can anyone suggest a good minivan). Mostly because Ihave a 2001 malibu but I also want to see how GM is going to turn around their car divisions. They have a huge problem to deal with.
Jeremy