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Chevrolet Malibu vs. Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord

488 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2008 at 9:30 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Car Comparisons, Sedan

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#479 of 488 Re: My take. [perna] by personatech Jul 29, 2008 (12:48 pm)
Replying to: perna (Feb 18, 2008 12:41 pm) Sorry, but I can't agree. I just went through the process of comparing the Camry, Accord, Altima, and Malibu, focusing on 4-cylinders for their better fuel economy.   Most everyone's comments on the Camry are spot-on: looks a bit like a manatee, drives like a sofa, its 4-cylinder engine was anemic compared to the Accord, and it had less interior space than the Accord. I was particularly interested in the Hybrid but got in the game too late - had I purchased my vehicle two months prior I could have gotten a decent discounted price. Gas hit $4 per gallon about the time I started shopping seriously and the hybrid feeding frenzy was on! - I was quoted $32,000 for a TCH comparable to an Accord EX-L that most dealers were selling at $24000. $8K will buy a LOT of gasoline! I also found the hybrid "light show" distracting - why can't they design hybrid cars that don't scream the fact to you?   I really wanted to like the Malibu LTZ: great interior design, a new take on exterior styling, great fit and finish. However, the 4-cyl engine was also anemic compared to the Accord (even with the 6-speed tranny) and its cockpit was the tightest of the three - I had to lower my seat all the way just to have enough headroom clearance and I felt like I was sitting ON the seat bolsters rather than having them hold me in my seat. Lastly, the trunk is cavernous BUT the trunk hatch is so small that only smallish items can go in the trunk. I play bass and fashioned a cardboard box the size of my 2x10 cab - it fit easily in both the Camry and Accord but wouldn't in the Malibu, either from the back or from the front after folding down the rear seat.   Since the topic didn't include the Altima, I'll just say that the 2.5SL seemed cheap compared to the other three we test-drove and the CVT's whine was a bit annoying. Nice car, but not as nice as the Malibu or Accord.   As you might have guessed by now, I went with the Accord EX-L. Some don't like its looks but I personally think it's a very handsome automobile (the front end straight on in particular) and many have complimented me on its looks. Add the ivory (tan) leather interior with wood trim and it compares favorably with the Malibu's interior. The seats are more comfortable than the Malibu's and I have plenty of headroom and shoulder room. The center stack is a bit more intimidating than the Malibu's but is easy enough to understand once you get used to it. The trunk is very spacious; I can fit my entire bass rig in it with room to spare. Lastly, I have no doubts of the Honda's reliability and resale value, while GM still needs to prove themselves to me. The Honda does lack some amenities I liked in the Malibu: the rear power package, 60/40 split rear seats, and the trip computer come to mind, but these were minor items in the great scheme of things.   Had you suggested two years ago that I would even consider a Malibu, I'd have laughed in your face. Today, I am impressed - if GM can keep this up AND prove to consumers that their products are of a consistently high quality, then they'll do well. In fact, in six or seven years when it's time for something new, I'll give GM another opportunity; it was very close this time - maybe the 2015 Malibu will be a winner! Replies to this message: mazda6dude (Jul 30, 2008 8:18 am) ctl (Aug 29, 2008 4:40 pm)
#480 of 488 Re: My take. [personatech] by mazda6dude Jul 30, 2008 (8:18 am)
Replying to: personatech (Jul 29, 2008 12:48 pm) I have driven the altima 2.5S, altima hybrid, camry 2.4L automatic and there is no comparison to the Honda Accord. I bought a 2008 Honda Accord LX automatic. Even though the exterior design is up for debate and discussion, the engineering, handling, ride, quality far surpasses the camry, altima. I cannot comment on the Malibu since I have not driven one, but a awesome track record for over 32 years for the Honda Accord will be hard to match.
#481 of 488 First American car in 21 years by jakeinswitz Aug 18, 2008 (1:13 am)
From 1984-1987 I drove a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (why, oh why did I sell it?!). It was beautiful, but handled like a yam wagon, and burned fuel like the gas tank was on fire. Leaking exhaust fumes inside the interior had earned it the nickname of "The Gas Chamber" from my wife. This fact, coupled with the birth of my daughter, spelled the end of my days with the 'stang. So I got me one a dem rice mobiles! An 87 Maxima.     Since then we have owned another Nissan, 3 Toyota's, a Mitsu 3000gt, and 2 Acura's. With no real justification for my wife's Acura MDX, we traded it for an 08 Miata. Yes, I know. Big departure, but she put her foot down and refused to be the grocery hauler. I drive a BMW 328 coupe myself so I had no right to force her into another barge. This left us with no way of moving more than 2 people in one vehicle unless punishing someone was the purpose of the ride.   I decided we needed an economical family hauler for when the kids come for a visit from college, or if the bat comes to drain my life from me (code for Mother in law visit). I drove all 3 of these cars, as well as the Altima. I had my doubts about the Malibu, but I had to see what the hype was about.   The Altima felt cheap and I really disliked the CVT. The Camry was just unloveable. Such an appliance. This really broke my heart because in my younger years I loved Toyota's. The Accord may have gotten the pick if it was my absolute only means of transportation, but I am sorry Honda fans, it is uglier than the back end of a bulldog with worms. That grill! My god, what were they thinking?   I am one of those guys that likes to look down on his driveway from his bedroom window, and like what he sees. The Malibu fits right in with the Miata and my BMW as far as looks go, but beauty isn't everything, and the Malibu is doing just fine in all other departments.   The Malibu is a Black LTZ 4 cylinder, with the brick/ebony interior. The interior just felt more upscale to me compared to the Honda and others. Although I am 6'1", I didn't feel the claustrophobia. I have always driven sporty cars, and don't like cavernous autos. The ride feels as good as anything Japan has put out, and we are averaging 27 MPG. Is it as fast as the Honda? No. But if you are looking for a fast sporty car, I can make some recommendations. None of which are 4 cylinder family cars.   Good for you GM! I might even have to check out a Cadillac CTS when it comes time to say goodbye to the BMW. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Aug 18, 2008 7:56 am) malmouza (Aug 20, 2008 10:33 am) ctl (Aug 29, 2008 4:29 pm)
#482 of 488 Re: First American car in 21 years [jakeinswitz] by bvdj84 Aug 18, 2008 (7:56 am)
Replying to: jakeinswitz (Aug 18, 2008 1:13 am) Yes, I went to the dealer yesterday, while no one was there, I closely looked at the Malibu, and I am really impressed with it! The overall design is very classy, and makes you wonder why they are just now taking design seriously. I truly love the interior as well, the leather with the suede inserts are very nice. I am not sure it looks any more upscale than the Accord, rather the malibu just really worked more on interior details that pertain to the look of it. The Accord has a very nice interior, its just they didn't go crazy on the colors, suede inserts. The cost of the Malibu is quite good as well. You seem to get a lot for the money. But, would I buy one? If I did not love Honda and VW so much, I would. GM is going in the right direction with the Malibu, now if they can downsize some of its lower quality units, they could, perhaps have a set of really nice cars. Replies to this message: malmouza (Aug 20, 2008 10:33 am) ctl (Aug 29, 2008 4:29 pm)
#483 of 488 Re: First American car in 21 years by malmouza Aug 20, 2008 (10:33 am)
Replying to: bvdj84 (Aug 18, 2008 7:56 am) I agree with the lot of comments that have been said about the Malibu and the Accord. But there is one place that people they need to understand, manufacturer will never please all people by the exterior design they choose for a specific model, I read a lot of comments about the 08 accord exterior design, some of it good some of it bad. I am one of those people that like the new design, the back of the car is like the BMW 525i, the front there is no similarity with the Sonata like heard before. My only negative comment about the 08 Accord is the manufacturer made the car so big that it did kill the gas mileage and diminishes some of the crisp handling it use to have, I am not saying it does not handle well now, but there is a little over steering and under steering and some body roll in turns compare to the previous generation. Honda should have shortened the car by 1” compare to the 2007 Accord instead of enlarging it. That would have lead to an amazing handling and good fuel economy in the range of 34 MPG. Whoever wants more space than a regular sedan he need to go check out a minivan or CUV. But as far as the design is concern, at first I did not warm up to it, but after couple days I can see the aggressive front fascia, and the smooth rounded rear deck of improve aerodynamic, that is why the Accord has 0.31 cd. This is the lowest in the industry for a large sedan. Again, Honda approach is trying to please its old customers (baby boomers) that they are over 50 of age now; but in the process lost younger people that they are looking for sport/spacious/practical/economic transportation. Honda always considered US market as filled with fat people that likes big cars more powerful engines to race on street. They were wrong this time and that is why they are not meeting the sells numbers they predicted for the Accord. Now, they cannot change the size of the Accord after one year in the market, what they are trying to do, is to put diesel engine in the Accord, and since they already selling the accord in Europe (TSX) with the same engine, it won’t cost them a lot to just slap the newly developed by Honda catalytic converter in the new Accord and it will pass the emission in the 50 states. Very smart thing to do, isn’t it? The diesel get a good gas mileage but here in USA the diesel is $1 more than the gasoline, and by crunching the numbers I do not think the diesel will help that much…. Replies to this message: ctl (Aug 29, 2008 4:29 pm)
#484 of 488 Re: First American car in 21 years [malmouza] by ctl Aug 29, 2008 (4:29 pm)
Replying to: malmouza (Aug 20, 2008 10:33 am) Not a big deal, but that CD is nowhere close to the lowest. e.g., Accord 0.31, Altima 0.31, Camry 0.28, Camry Hybrid 0.27.   CD basically has nothing to do with how large (length) the car is too. 2008 Benz S-class has it at 0.26   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficients   I can see the aggressive front fascia, and the smooth rounded rear deck of improve aerodynamic, that is why the Accord has 0.31 cd. This is the lowest in the industry for a large sedan
#485 of 488 Re: My take. [personatech] by ctl Aug 29, 2008 (4:40 pm)
Replying to: personatech (Jul 29, 2008 12:48 pm) Another funny thing. I agree with the comment below. But if you read consumer report, that great 2008 Accord I-4 engine drives slower (0-60) than both Altima and Camry (yes, that slow camry) and has worse average MPG (-3, -2) too. I guess a sporty handling together with louder road/engine noise make it feel faster? I was just surprised when I read that, from other sources too.   Most everyone's comments on the Camry are spot-on: looks a bit like a manatee, drives like a sofa, its 4-cylinder engine was anemic compared to the Accord, and it had less interior space than the Accord
#486 of 488 Accord vs. Malibu by csr67 Aug 29, 2008 (7:47 pm)
Being a frequent business traveler, I've had multiple opportunities to drive the new Malibu from rental fleets. All the Malibu's I've driven are the v6 LTZ trim. At first I was quite impressed on the overall car, being that it is made by GM. After driving a few, I started seeing the same old GM pattern, especially on rentals that had over 10k miles... Worn interior plastics, squeeks, rattles emerged on several of them. Overall, the Malibu did not hold up well and quickly lost its' luster in my eyes.   I took delivery of a new 2008 Accord v6 EXL Sedan last week. Loaded with everything but Nav., it was actually a little cheaper than I could have bought a Malibu LTZ using my GM vendor pricing and incentives. Hands down, the Accord beats the Malibu at everything. Much better interior quality, ride, and power delivery. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Aug 30, 2008 7:49 am)
#487 of 488 Re: Accord vs. Malibu [csr67] by bvdj84 Aug 30, 2008 (7:49 am)
Replying to: csr67 (Aug 29, 2008 7:47 pm) Yes, though the new Malibu is a good step in the right direction, I really like it! But, the Accord takes all of that a step further. The engine in the Accord is much better as well. Though you see they have recycled many parts from other models in there line up. Just look and you will see them, but that is not saying that is bad, it is just showing nothing new. Just look at the interior of the Malibu and you will see it took many parts from the Pontiac G6, like seating, switches. That is okay, but I feel when I look at GM across the board, you have all these cars that are all basically the same, but with a different name. Its almost getting way out of hand with their duplicate cars. GM is making a better, quality products now, but when compared head to head with Accord, the Accord seems to offer a well rounded product, that simply takes it much further than the Malibu. And, the Accord cannot be found on some rental lot.   IF GM downsizes to smaller line up, and ditch the duplicate named cars, than perhaps money could be used to create a better product. Creating a better 4cyl engine!! Using better parts within the car.   With this said, the Malibu is nice, I really like it! The Accord Wins with its overall value and attention to detail.
#488 of 488 Re: None of the above [jerrywimer] by butch100 Aug 30, 2008 (9:30 am)
Replying to: jerrywimer (Feb 11, 2008 8:03 am) I own an '05 'Bu w/3.5 and it gets awesome gas mileage but you can't realistically expect the newer 3.6 to come close to the older 3.5's. The reason is the newer 3.6 is a multi-valve dual OHC design, so it breathes better and generates more HP. Chevy did this to make the new 'Bu competitive with the Accord/Altima/Camry and succeeded as the new 'Bu is more than a match for all, but you can't get extra power without burning more fuel so there is somewhat of a trade off involved. The 3.5 pushrod is not offered in the newer (08 and up) 'Bu's..

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