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I can't get enough of this car. The SS is freaking awesome, certainly my first Maxx was plenty peppy but the SS is twice as cool (IMO). Once you get a feel for it, you can floor the pedal and enjoy getting thrown back into your seat as your girlfriend yells at you.
I will agree the interior is.. simple... on the SS, but in some ways I like that. I prefer simplistic designs. The outside is a definite improvement as well, could do without the spoiler and windshield wiper, but she spoiler looks decent so I'll let it fly.
I always swore I'd never get leather seats in a car, but it looks and feel just fine, I was suprised. I guess growing up in the North, I grew to hate cold leather seats in the middle of winter. I like that they put cloth through the middle of the seats, I think it will help them maintain their quality appearance a little longer and keeps my [non-permissible content removed] from freezing as much.
The sound system is at least good... obviously not awesome but this isn't a luxury car. I do enjoy the auto-leveling, whenever you're flooring it to jump on the beltway here in DC, the music getting louder makes it all the more exciting.
I know some SS purists were upset that the Maxx got the SS treatment and that is isn't a BIG V8 with a rumbly exhaust. To them I only have to say: the 70s were over 30 years ago, an automatic V6 fares just as well on the track and highway as your old V8s. Sure a V6 isn't as sexy, sorry.. but you'll live. I think the speed they get from the 3.9 is impressive, considering it isn't supercharged. I have seen sites for getting my ecm upgraded to get another 20ish HP out of the engine.. again, without supercharging. So... HA! Would I have preferred RWD.. yeah, if I never had to drive to work. I do, however, wish they made AWD an option on the Maxx. It would have been a HUGE selling point.
I've read past comments on traction control, the one for the SS is awesome. My poor Maxx just fought through it's first snowfall, which was more of a freezing rain, snow and sleet-fall... got home from work after the storm, stepped out of my car and nearly fell on my [non-permissible content removed].. I never realized it was so slippy outside.. not a bit. Ice EVERYWHERE... and snow everywhere else. Anytime it felt like I was losing traction pulling in or out of my spot (they plowed all the snow into my parking spots... the TC kicked in and I kept moving.
Lastly, I'd like to say that I'm sad to see this car go. It's such a versatile, fun car to own. A true shame that it wasn't marketed properly (if at all?). The Malibu has made me a die hard GM fan, or at least a Chevy fan (especially since they got rid of that damn Cavalier finally!)
By the way, for perspective, I grew up beside a Toyota dealership, my first three cars were two Camrys and a Solara.... and I never felt about them the way I feel about the Malibu. I could give you a more in-depth comparison if you like, but the Malibu really is a quality vehicle and killer deal for it's price.
If Chevy had offered AWD on this vehicle, I would have jumped at it. In fact, we almost sold our Maxx recently in a quest for an AWD vehicle but decided against it.
I'm not wishing for problems sometime in the next 35k miles, but if a problem is in store for our Maxx in the future, I sure hope it happens before the extended warranty runs out!
I'd seriously consider an SS if its gas mileage wasn't so poor.
e2helper, what causes this problem? I assume it's tied into the battery saver somehow.
Thanks.
This doesn't really answer your question but are you saying that you only have trouble starting vehicle under this condition but you could leave it overnight and not have a problem starting as long as you didn't leave it in ACC for some amount of time? If so that will require a bit more thinkin'
I've had several problems with my Malibu all fixed under warranty, and I will replace it when the warranty expires. DL
What problems have you had, might I ask?
Robin :confuse:
This might take a few more messages for me to understand - bear with me
First I want to provide some terminology:
Battery Saver is more accurately called "Inadvertent Load Protection" and on your vehicle should only be applied to the feature which turns off any interior lamps you leave on after ignition turned OFF and you wait for ??? minutes (I forgot how long).
"Retained Accessory Power (RAP)" is term used for how your vehicle's power windows/sunroof will continue to work after you turn the vehicle key off for up to 10 minutes or until you open ANY door.
"Delayed Accessory Bus" is similar to RAP and will also continue for a 10 minute period or until the DRIVER door is opened. On your vehicle this covers the way the radio works.
Your dealer likely won't be familiar with all these terms. RAP has been in use for the longest period of time.
If you are truly experiencing a condition where turning the ignition key to ACC and waiting 10 minutes results in radio turning off, radio lighting dimming, etc then something is not working as intended.
If that is happening it sounds like the "power moding" of vehicle has something wrong and you are running in some type of back-up mode which you are exposing by leaving the ignition key in ACC for over 10 minutes. There would likely be a code in BCM for dealer to read to help diagnose but there is one test I could suggest you can do on your own:
Open driver door and insert key in ignition without turning key. Does the "key in ignition" warning chime sound?
I am sure I can come up with something else to try but I have to think a bit more about it. Feed back results on this test and we can go from there.
Oh one more thing.......
Does your vehicle have remote start? If it does, does it work?
Thanks.
There are days my temperature sensor does not update. I can drive all day around town and it stays at the morning temperature.
Yes, I have driven over 35 miles in 3 minutes like GM says I am supposed to for the temperature to be accurate. Yesterday I had to drive over 50 mph to get it to update. This morning no problems. This has been occuring more and more in the last few months.
It worked when I first bought the car but they replaced everything in the Information center as a CD got stuck. It has never worked correctly since that time. Dealer says that it is working correctly now.
i.e. not updating even though my driving as the instructions from the GM bulletin.
I have spent more time in the shop for a newer car than I care to. I love driving this car but hate all the problems.
At first glance, the Maxx's 23.x cu ft of cargo space sounds like a nice advantage over the Impala's 18.6 cu ft. There sure are plenty of things to haul around with a kid!
But I have a safety concern. With the Impala, I know I can load the trunk to the gills and as long as I can shut it, I'm worry free.
With the Maxx I am concerned that items piled high near the ceiling could become projectiles if I had to brake hard on some occasion, potentially falling on the heads of our kid(s). Or even in an accident - stuff could fly to the front seat.
I looked online and didn't see any kind of cargo divider available.
Any thoughts on safety in wagons/crossovers/etc?
I emailed Chevy and they said the 22.x figure is assuming you fill the cargo area from floor to roof. If I only fill it from floor to the top of the seatbacks, then it's way less space than the Impala.
Thanks-
Brian
It comes with this platform that you can use for various purposes, one being that you can put all your groceries under it and it protects it, plus there are hooks for plastic bags.
Robin. If you have any questions, you can email me: ourfaithworx@gmail.com
I've also carried 10 foot long parts such a lumber and conduit and closed the hatch. I wish I could show you.
Anyway- I despise GM for getting rid of it !!!!!! I like to keep my cars 5 to 8 years and I would buy another if it were around then!! D~
Thanks for the thoughts. I do remember the shelf. But the highest it mounts is about even with the seatbacks. So if I only load below it, there's less "cubes" of space than the Impala.
What Chevy needs to sell is a netting that hooks into the ceiling and comes straight down either attaching around the tops of the seatbacks or straight down to the floor. Audi has a net that works that way for its wagons. I'm not sure how strong they are, whether they would hold back a heavy suitcase under hard braking or not.
Maybe I'll look inside a Maxx, see if there's anything near the roof I can secure such a net to.
OR, pack everything heavy under the shelf (of course) and then pack stuff like pillows and soft duffle bags on top of the shelf, securing them to the shelf itself using bungee cords. That would probably be quite secure.
You guys make great points about moving furniture, TVs, lumber, etc. In those situations Maxx is definitely more versatile than Impala. Still not sure which is better for "the family vacation".
Brian
My Maxx has performed very well, I have had no major repair or warranty issues....two small recalls, replaced left front turn signal socket, the TSB for the rear roof window retractable screen that I never had done nor the replacement of the mirror visor cover are all that come to mind.....I have done the basic scheduled maintenance...switched to synthetic oil at 30k and change every 7500 miles since then. Pics of the car are on my carspace here......
I have replaced only the windshield wipers, air and oil filters..and am on my third set of tires....upgraded my rims to aftermarket 17inch...and running my second set of tires...(Michelin Sport A/S) which I love.....I replaced the OEM brakes at 64K and turned the rotors...
Will have the major maintenance done at 100K, plugs, wires, coolant flush, will include brake fluid exchange and perhaps a transmission drain and fill. I still average 26 MPG in DC traffic and 30-32 MPG on the highway.
I have had no problems with the steering column, nor is the front end clunk of concern...mine is practically non-existent.....I have two small button indicator lights "OUT" and these are the fog light and defroster buttons. I did have the front windshield replaced....a rock strike star went to a full blown crack over the winter....but had it easily replaced for $240 locally with a chip repair for life warranty and leak proof warranty as well.
The Maxx has hauled a variety of stuff from dogs to vacation packings to household and outdoors stuff from the home improvement stores....the interior is still as good looking as the day I bought it .....the leatherette seating is holding up well with no cracking or creasing....
I too hate to see Chevy discontinue this car....however mine will probably be replaced with the 08 Cadillac CTS in about 18 months......unless we decide to maintain three cars.....but overall a highly satisfied Maxx owner here.
Major dealer disappointment when I had to fight off the dealer who wanted to do most of this at 40K when I had my steering column replaced. The low service costs are a major attraction of the 'Bu.
unfortunately there are still dealerships out there that "PUSH" services onto customers.....instead of following their own corporate scheduled maintenance plans...
curious did you ask why they were suggesting the service well in advance of the scheduled maintenance interval?
My preferred method/and brand choices:
1. Buy a large bottle of Chevron Techron concentrate. This is the bottle that treats up to 20 gallons, don't bother with the smaller bottle even if it says its big enough for your tank. Also don't bother with the version that has been diluted already. Yes it's worth the $9-10 price tag this big bottle of concentrate carries.
2. Go to Shell, or another major brand gas station. Chevron, Mobil, Sunoco. For this one tankful, choose the highest octane gas they sell, because generally the premium gases have more detergents and this will assist the Techron in cleaning the injectors and combustion chambers.
3. Pour the Chevron Techron in, then fill your tank. This helps agitate & mix in the Techron.
4. Drive till tank is as close to empty as you can safely do without risking running out of gas. Do NOT top off until empty! You don't want to dilute the cleaner.
Every time I do this, I can feel idle quality improve afterwards, even when I go back to using cheap regular unleaded.
In actuality, I was still numb from paying $800 for the steering column. This would have taken it to about $1200 at least. Wish I had pushed the service writer. I had good luck with this dealer before (other than fuel system cleaning @ $100 every time I was in), but may be looking elsewhere. I did knock them in the dealer survey, although the standard check list approach (were they polite?) didn't give me much opening to make comments.
I've had good luck with Techron and am now trying Regane.
The difference between Top Tier gas and non-Top Tier gas is often marketing. Those that don't make the cut usually goose up (or advertise greater) detergency for higher octane. Doesn't have to be that way.
In my market Conoco/Phillips, Shell and QT meet top tier standards, BP and Mobil don't. I have made it a habit to bypass the Mobil and drive the extra half mile to get to QT. I think the TopTier standards ARE important.
I have tried Regane, and i'm not saying it's bad, but in my experience I feel the Techron has worked better.
Also is there a stock hole in the firewall to run power wire for an amp through?
if you buy "crutchfield" products or equip.. they give you a detailed breakdown for the job. I know I have it somewhere as I took the stereo out to install thier Schocce FM modulator so I can use the MP3 and other headphone jack devices... D~
It's their call though, and usually based on whether you bought the car there, how much you've used their service department, etc.
You're so barely over, I would hurry in, and ask for assistance, don't be shy. Good luck!
On my 05 Maxx the rear wiper plastic cover over the arm ceter drive hub cracked. (small round pc broke away) It seems it just covers the bolt and is aesthetic only, I wonder if this "arm" is covers by warranty? D~
I have things I could gripe about GM service departments over, but turning a cold shoulder at 36,001 miles is not one of them. :shades: