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Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Reviews (Car & Driver, Edmunds, etc.)

7 messages,  Last post on Nov 12, 2006 at 9:30 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, Hatchback

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#2 of 7 wrt C-D Review by kurtamaxxxguy Jan 14, 2006 (5:56 pm)
The Maxx SS they tested rode like a rock, with floor boards and other stuff shivering over every bump.   And if you read carefully, it's clear they were not enthused about the huge 18" wheels and lo-profile tires. Those Goodyear Eagle-LS2 tires did poorly in a tirerack dealer comparison, especially for ride. What's bad is there is only __ONE__ other replacement tire for this car, the Bridgestone Potenza, which is a good summer tire but not for snow!!   On other hand, I've found Goodyear TripleTreads on 16" wheels definitely improve the Maxx's grip and ride. In comparison at tirerack, these did very well. Replies to this message: iwantonetoo (Jan 14, 2006 10:55 pm) maxxliberty (Jan 15, 2006 8:14 am)
#3 of 7 Re: wrt C-D Review [kurtamaxxxguy] by iwantonetoo Jan 14, 2006 (10:55 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jan 14, 2006 5:56 pm) Overall, they spoke quite favorably about the SS. It seems like it is worth looking into if you are interested in something with good performance that is a bit out of the ordinary.
#4 of 7 Re: wrt C-D Review [kurtamaxxxguy] by maxxliberty Jan 15, 2006 (8:14 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jan 14, 2006 5:56 pm) "...huge 18" wheels and lo-profile tires."   The tire/wheel insanity continues. Maybe will reach where it seems to be going - just ride on the wheels/rims (26").   There has even been a book written about this type of behavior in general: "Extraordinary Popular Delusions And The Madness Of Crowds" - MacKay. One of the examples was the Tulip Bulb Mania. We're in the low-profile tire mania.
#5 of 7 fantasy vs reality by kurtamaxxguy Jan 15, 2006 (8:44 am)
The Maxx engineers knew better - 17" and top quality rubber would have been great for the SS, with good handling and a decent ride. But the marketers, so caught up with racetracks and urban bling-bling, figured "show wheels" would be "better". So the SS ends up with heavy wheels that kick the car hard over every bump. TireRack thought little of the tires on the SS, btw.   Perhaps CD will test the SS for 40K miles and see how rattle free it remains (one Porsche they tested began to rattle the minute they put low profile tires on it.). Perhaps they will stick decent tires on it as well.   The SS engine sounds nice, though...hope Chevy sees the light and puts it in a few other Maxxes with lower gearing or a 5 speed to let it get a little better gas mileage as well as perform.   I'll try to find the book, maxxliberty...thanks!
#6 of 7 Future of the Maxx? by luvmbooty May 04, 2006 (8:28 am)
I,ve been reading a lot of reviews on the Maxx. At Forbes.com, I read a review: '2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx ss Test Drives' on 12/09/2005 by Steve Kichen. Under the category 'Should You Buy This Car' he states the, "...discontinue of the Maxx in a few years..", once a more stylish replacement is made for Malibu.   Also at Autoweb.com, in '2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx SS Driving Impressions', Christian Wardlaw author says in the Overview that,"...and rumor has it that the Malibu Maxx is going out of productionafter the 2007 model year."   I find this upsetting since there are very few midsize hatchbacks! Of the few there are Maxx was my favorite! Mazda 6 costs more with less interior volume. What other hatches, or even wagons, are out that has around 106 passenger volume, decent fuel economy (around 22/30), above average crash test rating (IIHS silver rating),JD power overall rating score 5 out of 5, and with a starting price under 25000! Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Nov 12, 2006 9:30 pm)
#7 of 7 Re: Future of the Maxx? [luvmbooty] by kurtamaxxxguy Nov 12, 2006 (9:30 pm)
Replying to: luvmbooty (May 04, 2006 8:28 am) None, after 2007. What is really ironic is the Maxx was considered the more innovative and useful version of the Malibu (per nearly every Malibu review I have read).   But few people bought them - why?   One theory is the Maxx costs more (compared to base Malibu, it does....how many Malibus sold are base models ??)   Another is Americans just cannot "get" hatchbacks. Yet hatches sell well as "hot hatches" (the Maxx SS could have been one of those if the engineers had gotten their say).

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