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The real problem with Mazda are the dealers. In the Chicago area they all treat the customer like they are doing favors just letting you look at the cars. The service hours stink. I've had to threaten litigation twice to get them to look at simple warranty matters.
Chevy dealers tend to be old line but are predictable and at least care that you buy from them.
My Miata has been bullet proof. I bought it 3 years ago, it's a '93, and I've spent a grand total of $11 on repairs.
The 626 cost us $2500 from years 5-7, that's why we dumped it. There were also several repairs under warranty. It's not a Miata.
-juice
Miata owners have a lot of forums. Many of them include complaints about the dealer.
It could be the anomoly that is the Miata: an inexpensive enthusiast car sold by a what until only recently is for the most part a low cost brand leads to unduly high expectations among its buyers. But I think it may be more likely that Mazda created a mid-market dealer network in a very crowded market.
Chevrolet dealers, on the other hand, have been around forever. Many are second, third, and even fourth generation family businesses. The car product has not been what it should be lately. But the Chevrolet dealer ownership most likely does have a higher sense of being a part of something. My two cents worth.
They're not gonna last forever, but they compare very favorably to just about anything of the same vintage.
I don't think there is any decade-old Chevy out there that'll match the long-term reliability scores of a Miata.
-juice
-juice
-juice
I don't understand, its a 2004 car with a new engine.....the only things you need to have done are easily and inexpensively done as normal maintenance by a dealer. There should be no need to fix anything before 75,000-100,000 miles really.
"The Maxx is "rumored" to be priced starting at $18k, and go up to $21k. It should easily be less than the top of the line 6 wagon"
Everything I've read indicates a top price of 25-27k for the Maxx.
"The 6 wagon better be something special, because the Maxx will destroy it otherwise"
Well, the 6 will most likely far outhandle outride the Maxx and have smoother and quicker powertrains.
"I think people like me are sick of Subaru's 2 seater wagons that cannot fit adults in the back."
Yes.
"the Maxx will be huge in the rear seat."
and that will be the main reason that people will buy them.
"The Malibu Maxx also features a standard fixed rear glass skylight that provides a spacious, open atmosphere over the rear seats"
Nice! I had no idea it would be standard, I though it would be some $600 option.
"Malibu Maxx's rear cargo area features a standard power outlet and a multi-functional cargo panel"
Also nice!!
Also, the Maxx includes 4 wheel disc brakes standard; the sedan has rear drums.
Where did you get this idea?
I can see this vehicle going on the shopping list. Less gas than small SUV, lower insurance for sure and really cool features just might all sell the wife.
Maxx is definitely one of the most interesting vehicles I have seen this year.
-good handling
-good vehicle dynamics
-refined ohc powerplant
-manual transmissions
-sleek styling
-best in class brakes
-4 yr/50k warranty
Have you got secret access to cars that aren't even out? Give me a break!
I suspect the Maxx will have better brakes, dynamics, and refinement. I'll give you the handling, ohc engine (big deal). Styling is subjective.
i can also confirm that the 6 handling blows away pretty much all inexpensive mid size cars.
the mazda6 wagon styling looks leaner and less chunky
4 YEAR WARRANTY
4 year warranty but you have to deal with Mazda.
Maxx features
standard rear seat sky light
available DVD system
remote starter
adjustable rear seat
adjustable foot pedals
As for handling, again there is no Maxx so you have no idea. It's built of a platform that is capable of a lot so one could conclude the opposite. Yes the Mazda looks leaner, but that means less space in a category where that is likely very important.
-good handling
-good vehicle dynamics
-refined ohc powerplant
-sleek styling
626. You can come pick it up anytime. It is the one with 15 things wrong with it, and leaking steering fluid all over the driveway. I'll wash it for you!
standard 6 cylinder
standard rear vents for better climate control
standard ABS with traction control
standard telescoping steering
standard power driver's seat height adjuster
standard driver's information center
standard pass key plus theft deterrent
standard flat folding passenger seat
standard 16'' aluminum wheels
optional XM satellite radio
optional steering wheel audio controls
I could throw in a few more, but I don't want to make the Mazda look that bad!!
With the auto it's not that quick, they didn't have a manual for me to try (short supply). So yeah, they have manuals, if you can find them.
Mazda parts are expensive. I had a 626 and currently own a Miata.
The 6's side mirrors are not break-away, and there is no foot room under the front seats. Those were my nit-picks.
Other than that I really liked it. I don't see that it will compete with the Maxx *AT ALL*, space is comparatively tight and it's priorities are clearly not family hauling. The Maxx's are.
Enjoy your 6.
-juice
as far as
standard 6 cylinder.....whoopdydoo its still pushrod and makes only 200 hp for 3.5 litres, kind of an underperformer. If its anything at all like that 3.1 in the Malibu that its based on which I rented recently, I would rather pull the Briggs and Stratton off a lawn tractor and put it in there, its hardly a refined motor.
standard rear vents for better climate control-almost all cars have this these days
standard ABS with traction control-give it a year and chevy will make it optional like it does on all cars. its not standard on the regular malibu, only the maxx. you can't even get 4 wheel discs on the sedan. what a crock.
standard telescoping steering-good feature, would this be the first time EVER you could get this on a CHEVY
standard power driver's seat height adjuster-Rread: HEIGHT. as in height only. still must have to push it fore and aft manually. what the hell good is a hieght adjuster only? The ratchet height level adjuster in the jetta is simple to use, effective and clever. Who needs an electric motor to replace such an elegant function?
standard driver's information center-who cares. I can figure my gas mileage when i fill up, simple division in my head. otherwise, who needs DIC.
standard pass key plus theft deterrent-all car makers have chips in the keys now on most models. its hardly a big deal.
standard flat folding passenger seat-nice feature that will be prevalant in most cars in 2 years i bet.
standard 16'' aluminum wheels-fine but GM wheels are usually cheap looking even if they are aluminum.
optional XM satellite radio- again in a year, most cars will have this....does the maxx have mp3 capability? like the 6?
optional steering wheel audio controls- i think the 6 has this also.
to get the features you listed above it may be standard on the MAXX but i bet the MSRP of the Maxx pushes 25 grand. The only distinguishing feature the MAXX has over other cars is the adjustable rear seats which is cool, and the extra legroom. Also the 2nd sunroof. That's it. We have no idea how much actual cargo capacity it has yet. Same with the 6. Maybe on some site somewhere there are numbers we can compare for cargo and passenger space. I know the 6 is very spacious for its size, and is quite deceiving to the general uneducated public. The current Malibu is very space efficient as well. The 6 is wider than the current bu, more shoulder room. I would guess the Maxx trunk will be a bit bigger but may suffer usefulness because of the sloping hatchback. In the end, the 6 may have equal or more usable capacity. We'll have to see. In any case, I bet they are really close.
Which gets back to the Mazda. If the only distinguishing or exceptional feature the Chevy has is a 2nd sunroof and extra backseat legroom at a higher price than i can buy a Mazda 6 wagon.....then i can opt for the chevy or i can go mazda 6 with the better style, better handling, better brakes, better engines, better warranty, and most likely better plastic as well.
But I would consider the MAXX. It seems like a likable effort on Chevy's part for a change.
ME!
i should hope a 50,000 dollar chevy would. of course, its been many years since i ever considered the corvette to be a real chevrolet anyways. the corvette has basically been its own brand for quite some time now. Not like any other of Chevy's offerings have been evocative of the same character the Corvette has for MANY years now.
i.e. its not like the cavaliers and malibus and impalas you readily rent display any hint of having the same lineage and character or any other qualitative connection to the vette. quite the opposite actually.
on second thought though, the corvette has the same kinda plastic as other chevy's so i guess the name still applies.
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And now, back to the subject of the Chevy Malibu Maxx!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I probably have owned or primarily drove 10+ GM vehicles since the early eighties.
Based on the prices of options available on the Impala and Monte Carlo, but admittedly not knowing the base prices on the new 'Bu and the price of the Maxx's rear DVD system, here's my best guess so far (feel free to disagree, but please don't nitpick the exact math): $500 increase on the LS sedan base over '03, $750 for the LT over the LS, $1000 additional for the Maxx over the sedan and another $1000 for the rear DVD (which is the last thing I need), and I agree with reg that a loaded Maxx LT will clear $25K. Bet it's nearer to $26. The loaded LT sedan will come in around $24. $1000 rebates will kick in 3-6 months after launch, with $2-3 thou on the '05s. I'm hoping to wait for an '05 both for the higher rebates and to avoid first year bugs, which, no matter how hard they try, there will be some (the new Grand Prix already has a major headlight and DRL problem, if that means anything). Also, most dealers will load up the '04s with all the gizmos and then back off a year later after they meet customer resistance to things like the DVD.
I think I blew one thing in my last post, however. I'll bet the price differential for the LT over the LS is more like $1000 - $1500, not $750. Forgot the leather. Yikes!
As excited about the Maxx that I was, I must admit that I'm swinging back over to the sedan. Appears to me that the Maxx is designed for the short soccer Mom (or Dad) with very spoiled 6'5" basketball-playing offspring, and not much else. To cure the price and space problems, Chevy could make the rear skylight and sliding/reclining rear seat options (which I bet they do anyway by '06 on the LS with no base price drop). Fixing the rear seat with the same legroom as the sedan would permit a longer cargohold, and cure the cargo space problem.
It does really piss me off that with a 6" stretch, they couldn't possibly give the driver 1" more legroom.
reason......v6 (albeit a walmart cheap v6), 4 wheels discs (anytime the general puts 4wdiscs on a car they nail you for it), a rear sunroof, etc.
also, look at how Cavliers have MSRP's right around 20k. No way they would price a Maxx at 21k when a Cavalier that's less equipped is only a thousand less.
Saturn L sedans without leather but with 4 cylinder are 23 grand. No way the Maxx bases at 18-21k.
jpelder, you are incorrect. Some us have 2 brochures on the new Malibu already and Chevy states 22.8 with the rear seats folded. So does all of the press.
Maxx and reg: I do disagree that the Maxx base will be $25. Loaded, easily, probably more. My argument is this: check out the base prices of the '03 'Bu, and then consider: 1)GM has a lot of ground to make up for the current rebates, its huge pension shortfall and tooling costs for the new one, 2) the new one has a lot more standard stuff, and 3) no way in hell is GM going to lower prices. A loaded '03 LS clears $22K last time I checked.
jpedler : I think these guys are right, with the seat up the space is not that big behind the seat. It's not going to be SUV or minivan big, just much more convenient for carrying stuff from the Hone Depot because of the hatch.
maxx : Standard alloys will be great. Sounds like I can pretty much get a base car and be happy. Not sure if cruise is standard though, I would need that.
The 6 focuses on sportiness. It's low slung, stylish, only moderate room inside. I mentioned above there is no toe space under the front seats, and the doors don't open wide for easy entry/exit. It's for 2 adults and 2 kids, maybe teens. 6 footers in the back seat will have no foot room.
The Maxx is the opposite. Huge back seat, open-wide doors, big panoramic sunroof to make it feel even airier. Manute Bol would be comfortable back there. It doesn't make any pretense about being super-sporty.
Why even bother comparing them? I doubt anyone will cross shop them.
-juice
Conversely, I cannot see how the 7 cubic feet would evaporate from the sedan to Maxx models, despite the added vertical cargo space in the Maxx.
somebody needs to go out and find exact data for the cargo areas of the 6 wagon and maxx. i still stand by my assertion that those numbers will be close.
teixeira- i think you're missing it....a lot of folks looking for a mid size wagon will compare the 6 and maxx.
AGAIN
My bet is that the Maxx in its most base form is closer to 25k than 20k.
reason......v6 (albeit a walmart cheap v6), 4 wheels discs (anytime the general puts 4wdiscs on a car they nail you for it), a rear sunroof, etc.
PLUS GM always has a penchant to price any model with a unique angle for more money. Plus new models they always like to gouge too.
also, look at how Cavaliers have MSRP's right around 20k. No way they would price a Maxx at 21k when a Cavalier that's less equipped is only a thousand less.
Saturn L sedans without leather but with 4 cylinder are 23 grand. No way the Maxx bases at 18-21k. Why would a new SIX CYLINDER body style wagon with a v6 and new well engineered chassis with standard sunroof and other goodies the 23 grand staurn does not have, sticker for less? NO WAY JOSE.
interesting thought....that 26 grand Malibu Maxx, or spend another thousand for an Acura TSX or Saab 9-3 linear?.....hmmmmmmmm..........
jpelder : Maybe you are right, the pictures don't make it real clear how much space you get with the seat up.
maxx : Won't be buying anything until next fall at the earliest (unless something happens to one of of our cars or I win the lotto). Maxx will be in the running though, the more I hear the more I like it.
TSX and 9-3 are also much smaller. Someone shopping for a Max wants the room, I bet it's bigger than the TL and the 9-5.
The 6's V6 is the Ford Duratec block, remember. Mazda worked on it a lot, but the basis of that engine is also "walmart cheap", as you like to say.
-juice