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Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu vs. Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord
636 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 8:46 AM
You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: texases (Jan 26, 2008 2:24 pm) I have be careful about saying I'd never own a certain brand. Long ago I swore I'd never own another (big three brand) and I ended up winning one in a contest. |
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Replying to: blufz1 (Jan 17, 2008 10:28 am) The problem with that is when the cars are re-designed, your car suddenly feels 'old', as our 2003 Odyssey did when they were re-designed in 2005. When you buy a car earlier in the cycle, it looks and feels fresh longer.
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Replying to: drwilsc (Jan 27, 2008 6:26 am) My car felt fresh to me since it had a modestly restyled front-end, a completely restyled rear-end with cool LED taillamps (I know, not a biggie, but a unique touch that few other vehicles utilize). The best part is all of the bugs that came with 2003 models (problematic LCD on the stereo system, rattle problems) are less prevailent on later models, including my rattle-free 2006 model. Not all first-year models will have problems, and not all late-run models will be flawless, however.
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 27, 2008 8:42 pm) I have thought about other brands like VW, or Acura, but I gotta say I love my Honda. The engine is a piece of art, I pushed my 4cyl and it really lights up, and its sooo smooth doing it, without even going that high in RPM's. I will be sticking with the 4cyl accord. As my mileage will be up on my lease, I'll have to trade, and more than likely it'll be an 08 Accord. But, with other fun cars out there, it does make me want to look at others. Many say, that once you go honda, you typically stay with honda. I thought about camry, but missed the honda drive. Malibu has a long way to go for me. $26k for a malibu? Wow? BUT, at the same time, I love my car, I almost don't want to get rid of it, But I miss my sunroof. I love it.
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Replying to: bvdj84 (Jan 28, 2008 8:10 am) Wherein lies a perception issue...people associating "Malibu" with something they should be able to buy for $15k max, because it's a lowly, cheap American bargain ride. But it isn't. Model to model, the equipment, options, etc. are very much like your typical Accord LX-->EX spread, including engines. Yet, again, the Honda addicts and Toyota loyalists, often without ever stepping outside those dealerships, automatically assume anything else is subpar. But it isn't. None of the cars in the class are perfect, Malibu included. But it's just being completely aloof to imagine one new model is so below what you think your expectations are to right it off. GM obviously, and admittedly, did not have an impressive package at all in the past, especially the '97-03 models, and then had the right guts but didn't style or refine them properly from '04-07. Now they've hit the mark, almost entirely, and many people are returning to the light...but others just can't do it yet. When my mother recently wanted a sedan--and the Malibu was #1--she came to me, and I never would have told her to go with that choice unless I had every confidence in it. I even thought momentarily maybe have her try an Accord, etc., but she wanted great style, quality, refinement, and features galore and the Malibu fit that to a T. Point is...yet again, how much more will people continue to, time and time again, automatically write off something like GM based on past ideas. If anything, they're now up so high, and with so many great cars, and it's companies like Honda and Toyota slipping more and more lately...Honda with great styling issues and dumbing down of quality and bloating designs, and Toyota the kings of blandness and really with some quality and poor driving characteristics. Loyalists will always remain (not only to Honda and Toyota, but also GM, etc.), but so many people miss out on so many fantastic vehicles...simply "because" of old thoughts.
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Replying to: beach15 (Jan 28, 2008 12:29 pm) First, while you and I know the 08 model is tons better than the mediocre 97-07 models, I'm not sure the general public really knows that. GM is going to have to heavily and carefully advertise these cars. Second, These cars need to be reliable, or their credibility will falter. CR has the Aura XE as above average but the Aura XR as below average. GM better iron out the gremlins quickly before they get the reputation of being unreliable. While the Camcords' reliability has waxed and waned some, overall they have been reliable for many years, and the public perceives them as being reliable.
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The March 2008 edition of Car and Driver magazine has a 7-way 600 mile comparision road test of four cylinder versions of family sedans. The Accord topped the Altima, Malibu, Sonata, Camry, Fusion and Avenger in that order. |
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Replying to: drwilsc (Jan 28, 2008 2:54 pm) First, while you and I know the 08 model is tons better than the mediocre 97-07 models, I'm not sure the general public really knows that. GM is going to have to heavily and carefully advertise these cars. Second, These cars need to be reliable, or their credibility will falter. CR has the Aura XE as above average but the Aura XR as below average. GM better iron out the gremlins quickly before they get the reputation of being unreliable. While the Camcords' reliability has waxed and waned some, overall they have been reliable for many years, and the public perceives them as being reliable. All very true, and I heartily agree. Perception is still the biggest hill to climb, and only product after product after product that is impressive on all accounts will tackle it. Which brings up another point. In reality, even in the not so distant days of GM being characterized by mish-mash designs, cheaper than cheap interiors, etc., the real-world reliability of most products was as good if not better than the "vaunted" class standards. Yet, because of those former points and constant reviews that failed to ever bring the point up, it was never heard or believed. And as said, for Honda and Toyota, it's almost the exact opposite. For so many years, the products have been largely spot on in the important regards, and more important to some, the ratings they received in reviews. NOW, at this point, for instance, Toyota can pump out Camry's with overtly low grade interiors and even--as now so many reviews have pointed out--large panels misaligned, obnoxious noises, etc. AND drive qualities that are just depressing. But in reality, it still doesn't totally matter...a Camry is a Camry, and based on the past, that's always a guaranteed strong choice to many. Same thing with the Accord. With cars like the Malibu, even though the reliability was largely always there, missing the points on finishing, looks, etc. put extra nails in the coffin, and now it's still very hard--even if there were 1000 glowing professional reviews alone--for many to believe that and sign their checks to it. And then we also have the juggernaut of rags such as Consumer Reports, which many crowds base every purchase in their lives on...but that, in reality, aren't fully reality. But regardless, that reality is different for everyone...in every regard. Simply? Things, for example with GM, have to be spot on and perfect repeatedly and for long-term, and as such for a while, before tides can fully change. I get that, as aggravating as it is. |
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To put this back on more topic... Is there anyone new (or old) around here still in the process of actively comparing and shopping the Malibu, Camry, and Accord? Unsure, developing strong opinions, etc. on any? |
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Replying to: beach15 (Jan 28, 2008 7:09 pm) |
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