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Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu MPG-Real World Numbers
282 messages, Last post on Oct 24, 2009 at 3:58 AM
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Replying to: jerrywimer (Oct 31, 2008 10:19 am) I know the VVT v6 was introduced in MY 2007......when did the Electronic Power Steering disappear for the 6cyl? Looking at the revised EPA Numbers are as follows for the MAXX 3.6.... City / Hwy / Combined 04 19 / 28 / 22 05 20 / 28 / 23 06 20 / 28 / 23 07 18 / 28 / 21 Was the drop in 07 due to the VVT? The loss of EPS? Emissions? Other equipment (tires/transmission)? Why the gain from 04 to 05/06? I'd like to find the sweet spot mileage wise. Where do you feel that would be? Is there any strong argument why going for the 2007 with the VVT engine is worth it? It's a lot easier finding extremely well equipped 04 and 05s then 06 and 07s, though I prefer the external styling of the newer ones as well the the updated interior colors. Grrrr....help! Thanks, Jason Just FYI, SS fuel econ #s 06SS 16/24/19 07SS 15/22/18
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Replying to: jaj1701 (Nov 17, 2008 2:40 pm) The EPS had some issues for the first two years, though I haven't heard any real complaints from owners with the four cylinders cars (all of which still have EPS). The only recurring comments are about the feel it provides (over boosted, underboosted, etc.). As far as the fuel economy sweet spot- I have a bias, since I owned a 2004, but everything I've read seems to indicate that the fuel economy dropped with the VVT engine (and change to hydraulic steering), which pretty much lines up with your numbers between 04-06 and the 07 numbers. I seriously doubt the very small increase in power would be noticable (torque remained unchanged for the vvt / non-vvt engines, hp went from 200 to 217). So if you don't mind the electric power steering's feel, I'd go with an 06 (newer), if you can find one in good enough condition. That said, the difference in fuel economy ratings is still pretty small across all four model years. |
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Replying to: ronbo10 (Oct 27, 2008 1:14 am) 
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Recently took delivery of an '08 Malibu LTZ 4 cylinder, 6 speed automatic (granite black with the dual-color interior). The car was a dealer demo with approximately 5,000 miles on it (should be through any 'break-in' phase). Obviously one of the biggest selling points was the EPA gas mileage, which was significantly better than my '06 Accord EX V6 (22/33 versus 20/29). Driving conditions are as follows (and are, unfortunately, about as bad as can be reasonably expected). Daily commute of about 5-6 miles each way, city driving only, no posted speed limits over 25 mph. Stop signs and stop lights about every half mile for the first three miles or so and then more frequently after that. In addition, I live in Grand Rapids, MI, which has had temperatures around 10-15 degrees and several inches (at least) of snow since I got the car (I almost feel bad for the car...coming out of the nice, clean, dry showroom into this mess:)). So far I have driven approximately 510 miles, which includes 260 straight highway miles (75 mph cruise) and 250 miles under the conditions described above. The DIC says that I am averaging about 22.7 mpg (which I think is a bit generous, given the fact that my second full tank is approximately 3/4 gone and my first fill up was 13.77 gallons). The instantaneous fuel economy while I was on the expressway was consistently above 30, usually in the 33 - 34 range. In the city, it is obviously much worse, and since I rarely get up to speed for more than 5 or 10 seconds, it is depressing to look at (usually 8-12 mpg). I am looking forward to a tank of pure city driving so that I can see how awful it really is, but I am thinking that it is somewhere in the 14 - 15 mpg range, which is truly depressing. I understand that it is mostly driving conditions, but I was still expecting much better. The Accord seemed to be around 17 - 18 mpg under similar circumstances, if I remember correctly. Other than the city fuel economy, the car it self is the nicest that I have ever owned. Interior is great, ride is smooth, cabin is very, very quiet.
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Replying to: pmaguran (Dec 23, 2008 6:11 am) The other real complaint I have is the 6 speed automatic. It is constantly hunting up and down and still never seems to be in the right gear. When I need to make a quick move in traffic, the car takes far too long to respond. It's as bad as any turbo lag I've ever experienced. I occasionally get so frustrated with it I resort to shifting manually and keeping it in a lower gear, to keep the RPMs in a more usable range. Even when in manual mode, it takes to long to shift. While the Malibu was in the shop, I recently drove an HHR with the 4 cyl and a 4 speed automatic. I found that transmission far more driveable. And there was hardly any difference in fuel mileage. That just shouldn't be. I would also note that the CVT in the Rogue, with the paddle shifters, shifts much more crisply and quickly. I've noted a few other niggling things previously - like no dual zone climate control or the fact that the back seat does not fold flat. But, given the class of car, those are not major problems. Other than that, you are right, it is a nice car. But I probably would not buy another one. |
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I'm looking at used 2008 Malibu LS 6cyl. at dealer, both have 25000 miles, anyone have any mileage #'s for this model, has auto trans.
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Replying to: donniel (Mar 14, 2009 9:12 am) We have a 2008 LS 4-cylinder with about 12,000 miles on it. We are getting 21 MPG in mostly city driving. By the way the LS does not come with a V6. |
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Replying to: donniel (Mar 14, 2009 9:12 am) We have a 2008 LS 4-cylinder with about 12,000 miles on it. We are getting 21 MPG in mostly city driving. By the way the LS does not come with a V6.
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Replying to: bwia (Mar 14, 2009 9:44 am)
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