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We are? I think you are imagining that.
I too am a bit frustrated with some of the junk on the new car that I know I'll be forced to buy if I decide to buy one (unless I order one and that's not gonna happen; don't plan that well). I really don't need remote start (in South Florida???), electronic traction control, automatic A/C (hate 'em), telescoping column, suede, XM, etc. This kind of stuff is what's inflating the bottom line of the car (AND it's where GM scores a big profit hit) since a lot of this stuff is in option packages with stuff I DO want.
There are plenty of things I don't agree with you on Reg...but on this point, I concur 100%. In fact, it's my absolute number 1 bone to pick with domestic mid-size cars.
BTW...I've yet to see anything approaching a negative review of the Malibu so far. I finally got out to read the Automobile and Car & Driver "first drive" reviews and found them to be solidly positive. I'd link to them but since the reviews are in issues currently on the newsstand they probably won't be available online until next month.
1. What the heck is that thing on the gear shifter?
2. Is it an option, or am I stuck with it?
2. Since there's no documentation hyping it as a feature, and since this was only an LS (midlevel equipment, normal cloth seats, etc.) in the showroom that I saw, I'm guessing it's just the standard design for the new Bu's transmission controls. (If it were a true manumatic, Chevy'd probably only offer it on the LT)
Hopefully Chevrolet will all this option for 05.
I'm one of those people that after an AT Maxima and an AT Protege will only buy a MT in my next car (likely to be the Mazda3 or Mazda6) in 12mths from now.
On another hand, NA buyers don't like MTs so I can see why Chevy doesn't offer it. People that tend to love driving prefer imports to domestics and one of the reasons is that a 5spd is available on a Mazda6/Accord/etc...
Dinu
Asked about the full brochure yesterday and it hasn't come in yet either (maybe they're packed in the first shipment of cars!). But those of us that rec'd promo brochure #1 last Feb. and #2 in June will undoubtedly receive a copy in the mail...
The manual trans wining is driving me nuts!!!! The same thing happened when the '97 came out. Chevy dropped the stick back when the Corsica replaced the Citation in the late 80s, for lack of demand, and I can't blame them for not offering one again. Heck, the Service Dept. at my dealership is snickering that Chevy is even offering the 4 cyl. on the new Malibu. Been there, done that. The '97-'99 (or '00, forget) had a 4 which no one bought, so it was discontinued. The 4 in the new car might sell a few but not much more; at the last moment they added the option of the V-6 to the base car. Why did they bother, especially with the new Cobalt a year (or less) away????
Also, since you seem to know so much about the Vectra, does that have a manual tranny? Just thought I would throw some more fuel in your fire... he he
LS $24695
LT $29220
Not bad at all. Could probably get an LT for about $26K, pretty decent for a V6 sedan with leather. Car will definitely be a value leader.
Dinu
I always find it funny how people were fine with 140-150 hp a couple of years ago but now it's not adequate power.
And let's get back to the subject of the Chevy Malibu Maxx. Thanks!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
As I recall, Old's mission before the bottom dropped out was also to snatch import intenders a la the Grand Am. Guess the overlap is what did Olds in.
I'll share a secret here. I really can't figure out the purpose of the Maxx. My hunch is that it'll give folks like me more choice and may also drop the average age of the Malibu buyer since young families will love it. BUT, I'm a bit hard-pressed to figure out what it really competes with.
When the 6 Wagon comes out we can compare it to the MAXX.
Dinu
Do the Toyota Camry and Mitsubishi Galant topics have the Mazda 6 plugged in it every 4 posts too?
Good luck with the malibus till then.
As for your comment re: Mazda quality, as long asyou buy a Mazda-Mazda and not a Ford-Mazda, you're fine.
Dinu
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
1) Let's hope Revka's generosity takes some pressure off this forum, and please USE THE NEW FORUM for that "you-know-what" stuff!
2) The Maxx really doesn't compete with ANYTHING. It's a bit of a wagon alternative, but also a bit of a small SUV alternative. Chevy is bringing out the Equinox in the spring with most of the same features as the Maxx, so I'm really not sure it's much of an alternative. I'm glad the Maxx is coming, I just don't know why. The press will surely enlighten us in the months ahead. Europe is such a different market (gas prices in part), and I can see the need over there for the Signum, but time will tell if there's much of a market for the Maxx.
You know, depending on how well the Maxx is received by the press (expect very well), we just might be looking at Motor Trend's 2004 Car of the Year. Really. A totally new category right smack dab in the heart of the market. Works for me. I'll bet that's also why Chevy accelerated the intro of the Maxx to December, as MT's criteria for nomination requires the vehicle to be on sale by Jan 1st. Doubt we'll see many in showrooms before Feb., however. Expect the same slow ramp-up that we're seeing right now with the sedan. If the Maxx takes off, just watch Honda and Toyota snap-to.
3) maxx, yes, I'm cringing too, but I doubt the seat fabrics will be any different on the Maxx vs. the sedan. I DO think there's a bit of hope wit the gray being a bit more subdued. But, also, let me ask you this. Early reports DO indicate easy clean-up of the UltraLux suede. Hmmm. If you can wait until summer '04, if there's a $2-3 grand rebate on it, could you swing the LT? That one is something I'll be considering, and it DOES involve a lot of praying (that sales don't take off like a rocket).
Similarly on the issue of Maxx rebates. REMEMBER, just because I correctly predicted quick rebates on the sedan (but I'd really predicted January; rebates on the sedan were a given), that has NOTHING to do with the Maxx. My long-shot prediction would be nothing until June or July. Safe bet would be nothing until the '05s come in. Even safer bet would be never. I doubt GM will post any rebates on the Maxx until they have a good sense of sales volumes.
So, maxx, this means that if the sedan passes the pedal, underhood, and seat fabric tests (either in LS or LT form), then ditch the 626, buy something that you can recoup your investment in (and get you through the expected nasty winter), and wait. And wait some more. You won't be alone. dindak is waiting too, by the way.
In terms of incentives, there will be some out of the gate but with the economy improving and this being a new car, you won't likely see 0-60 type incentives any time soon.
Thanks Revka!
Dinu
Now, I'm being negative on them on the Maxx and you're being positive.
What gives???
Like I said, I can see $1000-1500, but that's about it for a while unless sales really suck.
It is possible that the Maxx will look better in person than photos.
Note to GM: Your competition is designing great looking vehicles that will sell on emotion if not better quality and resale.
You proved that you can design a fun vehicle with the new Hummer and the SSR. The rest of your car line looks like designs from the 1980s.
I am hopeful that the Maxx is an aberation and the new Solstice and Equinox will make amends.
aveman: Very well said. I'd actually consider the Lancer wagon if it had a more powerful engine (V6). Don't like US-made Mitsus, but that one's a [non-permissible content removed] and OK. Have had the sedan as a rental several times, and it's one of the few tolerable little cars.
I'm hoping they advertise the Maxx as the "anti-SUV" or something along those lines. Also curious as to how they'll advertise the sedan; we'll know very soon.
The only ad (other than the Ford F-150) for an '04 model that I've seen on TV so far is for the Suzuki Verona (aka Daewoo Leganza/yoohoo Daewoo) as the "anti-Camry". Good for a chuckle.
I'm willing to bet something big that the Cobalt lineup will include a 5-door hatch (to compete with Mazda 3, et al). I'll be in shock if they include a wagon, but highly doubt it.
I do agree with your wagon sentiment. Time will tell if Chevy made the right move with the Maxx or if a wagon would have been wiser (they can always add one later).
I don't think America is ready for a return to mid-size wagons quite yet. Give it a fuel crisis and/or a few more years.
reg thinks (he won't mind me paraphrasing him) the fabric which had been used on the cloth seats in the GP at launch (they switched the GP to basic color cloth 6 months into production!!! More ammo to wait, maxx) is now being used in the new Malibu and there wasn't enough left for the GP. I never saw the Uglycloth (the GP folks have nearly trademarked that name) in the GP, but I assume it's the same as that in the Malibu right now.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/amulay2003/vwp?.dir=/more+pics&a- mp;a- mp;a- mp;.dnm=DSC00068.jpg&.view=t
After MUCH initial criticism about the GPs rear seats being thinly padded (so the seat could fold flat), they've now added more padding so rear seat riders' tushes are more comfy. The downside is the rear seat no longer folds flat. Which is WHY the most recent pix of the Malibu show the rear seat folded at a 30-degree angle. Any bets that the rear seat in the Maxx won't fold flat any longer? I'd bet a STRONG YES.
I can't imagine much worse than what's in snaab's pix. I'd never be able to drive the car if I had a hangover (which, fortunately, isn't very often, but still).
GM needs to put Uglycloth in the upcoming Cobalt and in the Aveo. It'll find a nice home there.
wpbharry : I have seen the GP seats and they are pretty ugly. That said, they are being fixed and the Bu's seats are not as bad from what I can see.