- #570 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [elroy5]
by bvdj84
-
Jul 04, 2009 (11:03 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: elroy5 (Jul 04, 2009 9:50 am)
Nice response! I agree! Exactly, that puts the fact on whether or not the New Malibu's guts are any different than the previous Malibu model? Is it magically better? Only time will tell. You can put on a pretty face, but when the soul is lacking, well it'll surely uncover itself later on.
There are many new models arriving, look appealing. But, all lead to that very same question. I am not convinced the whole package is there yet.
I would love to compare these cars in say 5 years from now, see all their records, how their holding up. I would actually say, during the 5yrs, push a them a bit.
It would be an interesting look on how they stand up to time.
That would be a test for GM, to design a car that doesn't have silly parts going bad early in the game. I have already had a new catalytic converter replaced at 15,000miles, on my 08 GM. Oh, ya, and a window switch because I could not roll my windows down... Twice! I have had about 3 rentals, kept one for a week, others for 2 days or so.
|
- #571 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [bvdj84]
by cooterbfd
-
Jul 04, 2009 (5:13 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: bvdj84 (Jul 04, 2009 11:03 am)
".....Nice response! I agree! Exactly, that puts the fact on whether or not the New Malibu's guts are any different than the previous Malibu model? Is it magically better? Only time will tell."
If what you mean by "guts" is the platform, the previous 2 Malibu's were W bodies, whereas the new Malibu is an epsilon platform. I believe the MAXX version was an epsilon as well.
|
- #572 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [cooterbfd]
by bvdj84
-
Jul 05, 2009 (7:15 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: cooterbfd (Jul 04, 2009 5:13 pm)
Yes, but I was referring to its overall parts used. Which are probably all the same. Nothing too new. That will only shown in time.
|
- #573 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [bvdj84]
by cooterbfd
-
Jul 05, 2009 (8:15 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: bvdj84 (Jul 05, 2009 7:15 am)
Oh, no. While the 2.4L is a carryover, the 6 sp auto and 3.6L v6 are new to the model. The V6 generally gets good reviews for an engine.
Where I think GM is missing it is the fact that while Toyota and Honda use 1 car for the $20-30K midsize price range (MSRP) Chevy uses 2. You can find a $30K Camry or Accord, but not a Malibu. That price range is left to the Impala, and that car sits on an antiquated platform. So, the Camcord can outclass it's GM competition on the high end with features, AND lay claim to the best selling models each year, because they use one model. I don't know about the last couple of years, but up to a couple years ago, Chevy was selling more cars in that category, just spread over 2 models (Malibu and Impala) instead of 1 (Camry or Accord).
So, the imports score on 2 fronts; Better equiping the high end ($24K and up) versions, plus having a more refined driveline on the lower end, AND the perception that they "must be better because they sell more" which they didn't, because it was spread over 2 models.
|
- #574 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [cooterbfd]
by elroy5
-
Jul 05, 2009 (12:44 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: cooterbfd (Jul 05, 2009 8:15 am)
I think, if you subtracted the fleet sales of the Impala, and Malibu (which are considerable), I they would still come up short, as far as consumer sales, compared to the Accord. It would probably be pretty close. I don't think sales numbers mean much in the "which car is better" debate any way. The fact is people will pay more for an Accord, because they think it's a better built car. I agree with this perception, but I know some people don't. They only way I will really be convinced the Malibu is much improved, is if I bought one myself. I'm not willing to take that chance right now.
|
- #575 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [elroy5]
by dmathews3
-
Jul 05, 2009 (1:00 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: elroy5 (Jul 05, 2009 12:44 pm)
After seeing the blast from many mags and rags and now Consumers Reports on the Insight Hybrid on what a piece of junk it is and CHEAP besides I sure have lost a lot of respect of Honda. As I'm old enough to remember the cheap junk they brought to America many years ago and how long it took them to even make something buyable they sure have taken 2 steps back in my humble opinion.
|
- #576 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [cooterbfd]
by bvdj84
-
Jul 05, 2009 (3:59 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: cooterbfd (Jul 05, 2009 8:15 am)
I have driven the new GM 4cyl engine. However, I was still less than satisfied. It was not inspiring. Even, the Manual shifting option did not add any more excitement. It was like pulling teeth to give me any excitement. I was taken off guard too, as I thought that at the least it would do something for me. The drive line is still a bit rough, and a bit unpredictable. Where is the torque? The 4cyl doesn't feel like it wants to wind up at all. Perhaps this is why so many opt for the V6?
I do agree that I am not willing to give GM another chance after my lease is up. Why take that kind of risk? I have already driven the new engine, that is the best they could come up with? I know some people love their GM cars, or a big fan of them, but you can't honestly tell me you would pick the 4cyl GM engine over say an Accord engine or VW 5cyl, or the 2.0T engine. Which would both would blow the doors off the 4cyl GM engine. I know it would. Both getting similar or better mileage.
Verdict-the GM 4cyl engine=BORING and moody
|
- #577 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [bvdj84]
by dmathews3
-
Jul 05, 2009 (4:06 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: bvdj84 (Jul 05, 2009 3:59 pm)
Yes I would, why because I'm American and am willing to back GM, an american company that has done more for me than Toyota or Honda. What have they done for you besides Pearl Harbor.
|
- #578 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [dmathews3]
by wayne52
-
Jul 05, 2009 (4:35 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: dmathews3 (Jul 05, 2009 4:06 pm)
What have Toyota or Honda done for ME besides Pearl Harbor? Like most Japanese companies, they brought me high quality, low cost, reliable products. I owned 4 UAW built cars in ten years and had NOTHING but trouble. I've owned my honda for the past ten years and have pretty much been trouble free. It is the longest I've ever owned a car! I'm not sure why you mention Pearl Harbor. Mitsubishi built the Japanese Zero, not Toyota or Honda, and the war has been over for quite some time. What have american auto manufacturers done for ME? To lightly touch the subject, they have built crap and overpaid their employees (management and line workers) to the extent that they broke the companies and now require MY money to bail them out of the mess. Toyota and Honda build cars in the US (non-UAW plants) that have a reputation of being high quality, low cost, and reliable. Hyundai and Mercedes and probably a few other companies do the same thing in the USA. And I don't hold the Nazis responsible for mercedes, either (same war as Pearl Harbor, just a different location).
|
- #579 of 630
-
Re: bvdj84 [wayne52]
by dmathews3
-
Jul 05, 2009 (6:15 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: wayne52 (Jul 05, 2009 4:35 pm)
Well lets see, I had a 240Z that caused me nothing but trouble from the radiator rubbing on theframe and needed replaced, Rabbit that was a piece of crap, wife had a 04 Honda Van that needed a new tranny, and she has a STS built in America that the only problem was the Navigation unit which is built by a German company 1/2 owned by Toyota so does that mean the STS being American built is a piece of junk. I have had maybe 30 american cars and yes they have had problems all little nothing like a new tranny or radiator. The american cars are just as good as anybody elses and it helps our country. But I'm sure the people of Japan with there good schools, roads, etc are happy that your money is keeping them well equiped why our country goes down the tubes. There still must be a lot of Americans that think our cars are better than the Japs since we still out sell them all.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
