- #1034 of 1299
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Re: [bvdj84]
by savetheland
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Sep 09, 2008 (4:27 pm)
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Replying to: bvdj84 (Sep 08, 2008 5:51 pm)
German engineers are among the best in the world in anything mechanical, you can expect them to design the best engines (but not most reliable of course, ask how they lost the war). But the quality of Jetta - I am not impressed at all. Of course it is still much better than G6, but G6 is not a benchmark eigther. I have multiple friends with Jettas and quality is not good, VW saved money on the various ways and it shows. But still they charge too much for their cheap cars. Regarding engines - GM has the best engines among American Big3. And again in USA engineering is not about perfection - it is about "good enough" to sell, and rest is marketing. But irony is that GM (and hopefully Ford) are finally getting it and people still ignoring.
Yet I agree that Malibu could have less plastic in interior, esp steering wheel and door panels. But Jetta's beutiful interior worns out pretty fast, so good looking (initially) interior does not mean good quality.
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- #1035 of 1299
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Re: [savetheland]
by bvdj84
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Sep 09, 2008 (7:34 pm)
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Replying to: savetheland (Sep 09, 2008 4:27 pm)
Yes, I totally agree with what you stated. Exactly. All companys have different ways to save money, but picking the best sacrifices to do this is the big trick. Some company's continue to battle this quite hard. I guess, I am mainly concerned with the transmission, its 4spd transmission is so annoying in the G6, you want to accelerate slowly or just get some decent speed, and it jumps, there is not that refined slide right into the next speed, but if I feel its because it only has 4 gears, have a 5pd with wide spaced gearing would pull more smoothly. Its seems like its searching to find the best gear. That would be why I ask that they atleast put in a 5spd. Also it would bump the MPG's up a bit, the new malibu has a 5spd option I think, and its MPG is better. My Jetta has 6, but feel the 6 is less used in normal driving. 5spd would be perfect.
----
Yes, I did get the leather on my G6 4cyl, with all the options, its not the base model. Now my dealer has had quite a few of G6's like mine, but I can see that perhaps at other locations that they are not as available. But, the 2008, it is available. I see more cloth 2008 models than anything though.
I think its nice the Malibu has the suede inserts on their leather, the carmel color is awesome! The really jazzed up the interior. This is my first car with leather, and I love it.
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- #1036 of 1299
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Re: [bvdj84]
by jerrywimer
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Sep 11, 2008 (8:34 am)
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Replying to: bvdj84 (Sep 09, 2008 7:34 pm)
The Malibu doesn't have a 5 speed. It comes with either a 4spd / 4cyl (LS, some LT1s?), a 6spd / 4cyl (LT2 / LTZ), or a 6spd V6. And the fuel economy has gone down compared to the last generation Malibu, whatever the drivetrain. I attribute the last fact mostly to weight, but in the case of the V6's, to the fact that the 3.6l DOHC makes a LOT more power, but eats more fuel than the relatively frugal 3.5l of the previous cars. Weight still plays a role however, as you can get the 3.5l w/4spd automatic transmission in fleet cars. In that setup, the fuel economy is higher than the 3.6 / 6spd, but lower than the 04-07 3.5/4spd automatic equipped cars.
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- #1037 of 1299
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Realy low MPG on my Malibu!
by thegg07
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Sep 11, 2008 (10:57 pm)
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Ok someone please offer me some insight! I bought my Malibu 2008 (LT 4 cylinder ecotec engine) and now with close to 1200 miles the info center has the MPG at 9.4 which based on my own calculations is not too far from the truth. I have taken it to service and called GM and they came up with a story that I have to wait until the engine breaks in which is at approximately 5000 miles to get optimal mileage. I mean I understand I may not get 20 something until that point but 9 or 10 miles per gallon? I find that outrageous! I use my car for work and sometimes the motor and ac will stay on for 4 to 5 hours, this equals one whole line of the four on the display! I mean I can literally see the gas gauge needle go down everytime I drive short distances and I do not have much of a heavy foot. So does anyone else have that problem or did I have the bad luck of getting a defective car???? Is it even true about the break in period thing? Other than that the car is awesome. 
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- #1038 of 1299
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That is not good.
by guss
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Sep 12, 2008 (4:47 am)
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Unless you are idling 5 days a week for 5 hours that is way below where you should me. I have only had my LT2 4 cylinder for 600 miles and I am already getting 26 mpg in mixed driving.
Try a tank or short couple of days without idling. Make sure you reset the trip odometer and do it by hand also. That should be a good gauge of your true mpg.
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- #1039 of 1299
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Re: Realy low MPG on my Malibu! [thegg07]
by bwia
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Sep 12, 2008 (6:21 am)
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Replying to: thegg07 (Sep 11, 2008 10:57 pm)
What a bummer! Perhaps you should try a tankful of premium gasoline. If the MPG does not improve then you probably have a lemon. We have an LS with 6,500 miles and we average 17 - 19 MPG in mostly suburban/city driving.
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- #1040 of 1299
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Re: Realy low MPG on my Malibu! [thegg07]
by jerrywimer
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Sep 12, 2008 (8:40 am)
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Replying to: thegg07 (Sep 11, 2008 10:57 pm)
Uh, if you're idling with the AC on for four to five hours, you're burning a LOT of fuel without going anywhere (0 mpg). The more time spent sitting still with the engine running, the lower the fuel economy will come out, as simple as that. City driving has lots of stops, waits, and acceleration to get back up to speed, so if you're doing much city driving and a lot of idling, you could be getting the right type of numbers. This is where hybrids are so nice (uh, without the constant AC use, anyway).
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- #1041 of 1299
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Re: Realy low MPG on my Malibu! [thegg07]
by packer3
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Sep 12, 2008 (1:49 pm)
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Replying to: thegg07 (Sep 11, 2008 10:57 pm)
If you are sitting there and just idling and getting 9.4 not bad, the place where I work security has a Jeep Cher. 4x4 210 V6, on a standing still idle for say around 4 hours the trip computer reads 4 mpg. Now if you are doing normal driving for 4 to 5 hours and getting that gas mileage you have a real big problem that will not go away at 5,000 miles. If GM doesn't or cant fix it would nice to let the EPA know about it.
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- #1042 of 1299
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LT2 3.6L
by vanman1
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Sep 14, 2008 (12:51 pm)
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I am just about to pull the trigger on a 2008 Malibu LT2 with the 3.6L/6speed option and power roof.
Wondering if anyone here has this combination can tell me how they like it? Also, just any general comments the V6 in general. It seems to have great pick up and handling.
Thanks in advance.
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- #1043 of 1299
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Re: LT2 3.6L [vanman1]
by bohemia1
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Sep 14, 2008 (2:11 pm)
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Replying to: vanman1 (Sep 14, 2008 12:51 pm)
I have the ruby red 08 Malibu 2LT with the v6 and 6 speed as you posted. I like it alot even though it seems to be cursed (AC stopped working, out of alignment, hailstorm damage, and hit by persons unknown in parking lot). It has been in the body shop for 7 days now so I think I remember driving it.
It is very smooth and quiet with about 4,000 miles. I get about 25 mpg in mixed driving to work and home. No trips yet. The electronics are amazing with the OnStar, phone, and driving directions. My Mazda3 was a lot more fun but the 2LT is more luxury but still spirited.
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