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I have just returned my Honda to Hillside Honda in Queens. I will visit a few dealers tomorrow. There is a $2500 combined GM rebate right now. Two dealers are selling Maxx at $1500 below MSRP. Having about $2000 in GM card savings, if this steering wheel "issue" is random, Maxx is it for me. I am in love with its features too.
I drive through LIE/world largest parking lot between 7am~9am each and everyday. I need a roomy reliable vehicle.
Thanks again.
As for Maxx steering columm, some bad ones got into the 2004's. Am not sure if the 2005 is having same problem. In my case the columm failed 6-7 months after car was built; the dealer kept the car for two days and replaced the columm. 4 months later the columm developed internal noises and had to be lubricated.
The maxx is pretty good in moving parking lots (some driveline lash but only at the lowest speeds), though its gas mileage drops considerably. It has a lot of low end torque for its engine size and will easilly "bark the tires" if you are heavy with throttle.
Maxx is a much better deal.
If you go for '04 Maxx be sure it's a late build date - early ones had the steering columm, transmission belt, and various other service bulletins.
In the '04s' you may also get rattles ; dome light, head rest supports, rear hatch trim, rear skylight trim. I've had to rework those in mine and most of the noises are now gone (fingers xed they don't come back).
If you don't drive rough roads it's not as much an issue.
One really nice thing about the Maxx is it handles bad roads quite well. Being slammed by potholes (common in LA) was no fun in Camry, Prism, Ion - Maxx just rolls over 'em. May not be true for SS version and its skinny tires and huge wheels, but SS is not out until possibly late 2005 (SS will have a nicer engine).
By comparison, wrt Chrysler 300's I see one to three of those every day, many of them "tricked out" (is the "p..ped out" phrase considered inflamatory by Edmunds?) with huge wheels and more chrome.
I have the green LS sans spoiler/wiper. One more identical car in this county (325,000 population) that I see a couple of times a month.
I like having a unique looking car that's not unique underneath. I can't call the Maxx good looking but it certainly stands out, not like the masses of Camrys and Accords.
(Wonder if anyone thought about adding a trailer hitch to a Maxx?).
Love this versatility!
Pics of the SS on the chevy website......
Not sure if there will be any other changes.
It is a great car. The issues in the US will be:
1) Price - it's about $26K on average for FWD and $28.5K for AWD. This is a bit pricey for a high-end Audi version of the VW GTI 5 door. The car can run to $32.5K when fully loaded.
2) Weird option packages at launch. The DSG tranny and V-6 engine aren't available - only a FWD 2.0 model with either a 6M or 6A tranny. AWD, V6, and DSG will come later.
The front seats have enormous legroom and really great seats and driving position. The rear seat is tight like in the A4, but the hatch adds some good storage room.
Other question is reliability - Audis seem to have a lot of electrical problems.
Then again, CU lists Malibus as having awful electrical reliability after 3 years (unfortunately, CU does not say __what__ goes bad).
I live in Sacramento area and travel 100 - 150 miles a day for work. I drive around the bay area and up and down the valley. I have 14 different routes I drive. I see 2-4 Maxxes a day no matter where I drive. There have been some days when I see more, but 2-4 is a realistic number. I rarely see the same car twice. So with that said there must be 100's out on the road in the Central / Northern California area. My car has 15,000 miles on it and is running great with no problems. I Love It! 2005 LS Driftwood w/ Onstar & Autostart.
DavisMaxx, Chances are I've seen you on the road a few times.
Still getting 31 MPG average. I drive about 75% freeway during the day. Avg speed 45MPH.
For those that have not seen, follow the link for detailed specs on the Maxx SS. I'm torn between the Maxx and the Murano. Price and gas mileage I think will be the deciding factors which means Maxx!.
What's exactly the point of Onstar? For accident? :P
go for the Maxx. I call the Murano a glorified Vibe. In addition to the poor gas mileage, you are forking over a lot of money for all the extras on that car. Oh, and does it have remote start? I don't think so!
If I don't pay them and I had accident someday and airbags go off, will they still call for help anyway?
I also have it for peace of mind..for airbag notification, lock out...and vehicle tracking should it be stolen....again a luxury maybe, but so is the satellite radio in my Maxx as well!!!!.
Emergency Services
With the purchase of a new vehicle, you get one year 'free' of:
GM Goodwrench Remote Diagnostics
Remote Door Unlock
Stolen Vehicle Tracking
Roadside Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Horn And Lights
Online Concierge Services
You have to pay extra for the phone and directions deal.
The Stolen Vehicle Tracking and AccidentAssist is permanent. If the airbags go off or you hit the red emergency button, you will get assistance. If your hot-rod is stolen, the police can contact OnStar and they will track down your car with the GPS deallie.
In other words if you buy now, what do you get? Just Analog?
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/downloadable/en_FAQs.pdf
If the vehicle has been sitting for over 3 hours it should update to current temperature but if less than that then you have to drive vehicle a while for temperature to start updating. If current temperature is cooler it will start going down immediately, delay is just for increasing temperature. Many vehicles work this way to avoid getting a false indication of high temperature from engine heat if you are idling (like sitting in bumper-bumper traffic)..
I really wonder why Americans hate hatchbacks/"extended sedans" so much...
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In the 2004 Malibu, the outside temperature readout is included in the radio display. When the car is being driven, this indicates the outside temperature, as determined by the outside temperature sensor.
Immediately after startup, the reading depends on several factors, including the amount of time the vehicle was turned off, the vehicle speed, and the value of the outside air temperature sensor.
Started with Key After Being Parked for 3 Hours
The BCM initializes the outside air temperature display to the value of the actual outside air temperature reading.
Started with Key After Being Parked for Less Than 3 Hours, or Anytime When Started with Remote Starter
The BCM initializes the outside air temperature display with the last stored value when the vehicle was shut off. If the outside air temperature is greater than the stored value, the display will not update as long as the vehicle remains below 10 mph (16 kph). When the speed is between 10 and 33 mph (16 and 53 kph), the readout updates after approximately five minutes. And when the speed exceeds 33 mph (53 kph), the update occurs after approximately three minutes.
If the current outside air temperature value is less than the stored value, the lower value will be displayed immediately.
If the temperature sensor performs according to these parameters, everything is OK. Do not attempt to repair or replace anything.
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I continue to be impressed with the Maxx.
Regards,
-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma
I spotted another gold (Light Driftwood) MAXX like mine in our area. There's a silver one nearby also (I chatted with the owner one day--she's also very satisfied with the car), but those are the only ones I've seen in our neighborhood in Central Queens, NY.
As you mentioned if you upgrade to digital system the dealer will likely just replace the Onstar module in your vehicle - other stuff, wiring, antennas, microphone, coax cables are same
Speaking of antennas...the 2006 Malibu has a new combined antenna which combines OnStar GPS/Cell Phone AND XM all in one antenna - it still has several cables running to it but only 1 antenna is visible on roof instead of 2 on a vehicle with both OnStar and XM options.
Biggest change for 2006 is new SS model and front end facelift for all models. There are some appearance tweaks on radio, a new steering wheel, OnStar changes to digital cell phone technology (as mentioned elsewhere). I also think all vehicles will be built "remote start ready" so just in case the vehicle you see on dealer lot doesn't have the option, the dealer can now easily upgrade it to have remote start system. I also think there might be an available compass in rear view mirror.
I have already probably said too much but hope that helped