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Comments
First off, I think that the Maxx is a very cool design, and I'm glad to think that Chevrolet put it together since GM hasn't exactly been the most innovative company in the past. But, I had a hatchback in the past (an 02 Golf) but I didn't really need the usefulness that the hatchback provides. I figured that just about anything that I would ever need to carry in a hatchback, I could carry in my Malibu sedan since the rear seats fold down, as well as the front passenger seat. Also, I personally think that the Maxx looks a little bit awkward from a few angles, probably due to it's long wheelbase and relatively short overhangs. Finally, I view the Maxx as a real family car, with it's huge rear seating and optional DVD player. I don't have the need for either, because 95% of the time, I'm the only one in the car. I didn't want to drive something that had such a family vibe to it, since I'm only 21! Very happy with my Bu though!
I'm keeping track of statuses when it decides to misbehave.
SnowCat
Then again, the doorlocks in the Maxx appear difficult for a child to open.
Really enjoy the homelink, DVD, and the nice leather. Also with all the moonroof, I never feel so bright inside a vehicle. Haven't try the Onstar yet, don't know it's useful or not, maybe a GPS handset will do the same thing.
Hopefully this vehicle can accompany me for problem-free 3 to 4 years!
Yes, Maxx is much roomie and powerful than my TDI, plus, I'm tired of shifting all the time in the rainny Vancouver!
Hopefully the MPG will improve after breaking-in.
My understanding is that the safety locks on the doors were deemed unnecessary because the doors automatically lock anytime the car is shifted out of park. You'll notice that the only way a rear passenger can unlock the rear doors is by pulling up on the little lock knob - something that would be nearly impossible for properly restrained little kids with limited dexterity.
I think safety is also designed into the power window button. You'll notice it's not a rocker - type button. Rather, you have to pull back on the switch in order to roll the window up. This prevents anything getting caught in the window while leaning on the switch.
In my glory college years of late-night mooning sprees, I should know a thing or two about getting things caught in the window from accidentally leaning on the switch...
I don't think these innovations are "cutting safety features for cost savings" as some posts suggest. Instead, I think the engineers are successfully incorporating the same safety into the design without requiring user intervention. In fact, I think that lack of user intervention makes the Malibu safer.
Dave
Have there been crash studies to determine if not being able to open doors after a collision (due to child locks) causes injury or worse to both child and parent?
I'm a Maxx owner so I'm not bashing the Maxx, but why did you get rid of the Jetta wagon? That's a pretty cool vehicle, and my impression is most people who buy one, never get rid of it.
But pulling up on the know while car is moving will unlock the door, right?
Thanks!
kcram
Host - Wagons
Under other conditions the recirc function does work correct?
Also when you are locked out are you getting 3 flashes of the LED indicator saying "yeah I know what you want to do, but I ain't letting you?"
However, it would be nice to see a higher threshold on the compressor for cold weather. Having the compressor on for 40 degrees and up (I remember reading that is the 2004's threshold) means it will be a long time before I get enough heat to clear the windshield.
But att the same price, I can get a roomy one with more standard equipment, I also love the softer suspension of Maxx.
Thanks!
In regards to fuel effiency, that is way out of my field of knowledge but if I were to guess I would say that drivability, durability, performance and emissions standards also weigh in on the decisions made about how any vehicle is calibrated. There are probably others out there who could give some good examples of those considerations but I can't.
Driving habits and keeping tires properly inflated are good but obvious items that anyone can do - but I am a lead foot and so am not a good source of information there either
I really prefer cars to have rear amber blinkers with repeaters in the fenders. After living in Europe for a year, I realize how much more visible these two things make a drivers intentions, especially the repeaters. I also owned a Jetta with these features and I feel that more people could tell what I was doing when I was signaling in the Jetta, especially during lane changes. This is something I wish the Maxx had.
Does anyone else agree with this? How can we get domestic manufactures to incorporate these things? e2helper, are you in charge of this?
It is what I called separated vs. combined stop/turn functionality.
Both items are mainly a "styling" thing although cost considerations always enter into things too.
Side repeaters are not found on many domestic vehicles, you are correct. Some larger vehicles that have turn signals in outside mirrors are being designed so that those also meet the side repeater requirement.
The one thing that lack of amber rear turn signals and front side repeaters causes is an inability to export vehicle to those countries. There are other lighting requirements that Europe has which don't show up on U.S. vehicles (rear fog lamp, headlamp washers, headlamp leveling systems, for example). I think the European Union activities has tended to commonize standards in those countries but I think there are still unique requirements for some countries (a few Scandinavian countries require their own version of DRL - similar, but different from Canada's).
You might notice that the previous Malibu design (now called the Classic) DID have amber turn signals. Again, styling
I don't have any more to say on this other than I will pass along your comments and if you have opportunity to express your opinion elesewhere please do so.
Going back in history regarding turn signals functionality, you might remember when domestic vehicles all had the functionality where if you had a turn signal bulb go inoperative that your remaining turn signal bulbs on that side would just stay ON solid.
Nowadays I think you will notice under these conditions that the remaining bulbs flash at a double-rate. This is one area where the European vehicle standard has been pretty much universally adopted by domestic automakers.
The Mpg on DIC is 15-16L/100km, is this the actual fule consumption?
And I would like to know how the MPG improved after break-in in your Maxx. Just want to get some idea. Thanks.
Depends on your driving conditions but posters often mention stuff in range of 23->25 MPG or 9.4->10.2 L/100km and even higher, lower in your case , if doing highway driving
http://www.tdiclub.com/misc/conversions.html
15-16L/100km is equivalent to 15-17 MPG in the U.S. It is the actual fuel consumption so far on your vehicle but if you have not driven the vehicle very much yet that calculation will include a considerable percentage of engine idling time at assembly plant or dealership. Plus a brand new vehicle will have lower economy anyways as you mention. I think manufacturers fuel economy testing on vehicles that have several thousand miles on them. That is why I was curious if you have driven your vehicle much during these first few days of ownership.
In any event you should expect a significant increase in fuel economy - post back in a month or so and let us know how it has changed.
PLEASE do not hit your browser's refresh button to see replies or new posts - all this will do is repost your last entry. Please use the "Recent Messages" link at the top and bottom of each page.
Thanks!
kcram
Host - Wagons
This may explain why we are seeing the same message from you in posting 2554, 2556, and 2558.
Regards, michiganmaxx
...oh, I thought it meant that he had his Maxx 6 days now, or that he owns 3 Maxx's....he,he,he
I will need a new car very soon and Malibu MAXX in a short list for the next purchase.
I am actually scheduled a test drive for tomorrow and $3K+ on my GM card makes MAXX look very attractive. After reading posts in this forum - I've got the impression that I should stay away from 04 model in favor of 05. Is this right?
Also I am not planning to get "leather" seats -
is there a difference in comfort level between regular and "leather"? How regular fabric holds up? It looks pretty ugly on the pictures and I hope it look better in person...
Also, I was glad to see that Chevy left them on the Aveo when they brought it to this country. Some companies take them off when selling the same car here as they do overseas, which seems like more of a bother to me. Mazda took them off the 6, but left them on the 3.
Maybe Edmunds should update their system now...:)
and prices are very low.
to ehelper: If I go with 04 - What the build dates should go from? How to find the that date? is it in dealers file/system?
Thank you
Anyway, the "leather" tends to flatten the countours of the seat. This means the "leather" seat bottom has lower, more rounded bolsters, and the seat back has more rounded sides. I found the rounded bolsters and sides more uncomfortable than the cloths (they made the seat feel narrower), and that the cloth seat did a better job of keeping me from sliding around in occasional hard turns.
Wrt wear, I have seat covers on the cloth seats and, other than some linting from the covers, have not seen any wear on the cloth. The cloth is quite dense, in any event, and (as a result of one bunch of sloppy service techs) proved pretty easy to get grease stains out of.
For 2005 there are heated cloth seats, but I do not know how long the heaters will last (they will be hideously expensive to repair or replace if they break out of warranty - I was quoted $2-3000 to replace ONE seat).
There are 2 leather/vinyl surfaces on our Maxx LT's seats, and it is very easy to tell the difference between the two. The surface on the areas where your body does not touch when sitting in the seat - these appear to be vinyl. The surfaces your body does touch when sitting in the seat - these surfaces seem to have a softer feel and a more grainy appearance, and I think they are leather.
I've owned a couple other midpriced ($18-25k) cars with leather interior, and I have always been able to distinguish between the leather and the vinyl. The vinyl may be a close approximation, but you can still see the difference. I can't speak for near-luxury or luxury vehicles' leather interiors, having never owned a vehicle in either class.
Also, anyone who is interested, look at their motor on the front valve cover, spark plug side as well as between the oil pan and tranny and post if you see oil leaks or residue.
Thanks!
I hate water leaks
My first vehicle with a T-Top had them constantly and roof of my house in several areas, grr.
If I come up with any better info I will post again.
Yes the "C" pillar is the metal you mention. Vehicle has "A" (side of windshield) "B" (between front and rear doors) and "C" (between rear quarter window and hatch) pillars. These are very common engineering terms, sorry I slipped up and used them
In regards to the jack. There are a lot of pictures in owner manual but I think the one on page 5-75 explains it use. Looks like it is a special part used only when you are trying to stow a flat tire on Maxx only but I don't have an actual part available to look at to try to explain it any better.
Not that is is going to you help but as an FYI to any of you "techies": The Tech 2 won't tell them anything about sunroof operation. That function is completely stand-alone. The "adapter" they were talking about is likely the interface box called CANdi which allows the Tech 2 to communicate with your Malibu which "speaks" using the latest serial data "language" for GM vehicles called "GMLAN". The older "language" was called "Class 2" which the Tech 2 "speaks" without use of any adapter. Boring info I know
I don't have any first-hand experience troubleshooting a sunroof inop problems but my first thought would also be the switch which has a very small electrical connector with very small terminals. 2nd thought would be making sure power/ground to the sunroof motor assembly is OK.
The first thing diagnosis guide tells technicians to do is access the sunroof switch and manually jumpering (bypassing) it to see if sunroof will move
Good luck and let us know how things after next visit