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2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu

1510 messages,  Last post on Mar 16, 2013 at 12:47 PM

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Messages Page 148 of 152

#1468 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [djm2] by gmcustsvc

Jun 03, 2011 (9:22 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:48 pm)
djm2,
I am glad to hear that everything was taken care of and resolved for you! I hope you have a great weekend! If you have any other questions comments or concerns please feel free to email me directly!
Christina
GM Customer Service

#1469 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [gmcustsvc] by djm2

Jun 04, 2011 (4:49 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am)
Good Morning Christina:
 
         Kindly be advised that I sent you a "private E-mail" about this operational issue. ------------ Please respond at your earliest convenience.
 
         Best regards.
 
                                                                  Dwayne

#1470 of 1510 Red Jewel Tintcoat Paint by dispencer2

Jun 04, 2011 (4:01 pm)

Just out of curiosity I wonder what the difference is between red jewel tintcoat and regular non extra cost metallic paint. It appears that the Cadillac offers the same Red Jewel Tintcoat -at least it looks identical and is called the same thing. Does anyone know what makes it more expensive?

#1471 of 1510 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU UP-DATE by djm2

Jun 08, 2011 (5:10 am)

Good Morning All:
 
     It has been five (5) days since my "selling / servicing dealer" installed the up-dated software package to eliminate the "surging problem" at highway speeds and city street operation while going up a hill. ------- I am happy to announce that my vehicle is operating in an OUTSTANDING fashion! The engine is VERY powerful, responsive, and the miles per gallon are as advertised. ----- (My Malibu now has 13,600+ miles. ---- Yes, I drive a lot!)
 
     A friend of mine, who owned a 2009 version of my vehicle, bought himself out if his lease five months earlier, because he no longer could drive the vehicle safely on the road because of the "surging problem." ----(His problem showed up at 10,000 miles, while mine showed up at 12,500 miles.) ---- When I informed him that there was an updated software package designed specifically for this issue, he was shocked! --- Even though he always had the selling dealer perform all the required preventive maintenance on the vehicle, no one ever told him about the new software package. -----WHY?
 
     Here are some important questions that need to be addressed both from the manufacturer's point of view, and from the consumer's point of view:
 
1.) Does the manufacturer have an obligation to notify every owner of a specific vehicle if an up-dated / technical service bulletin is being offered to cure a negative operational characteristics?
 
2.) Does the consumer have the right to expect the manufacturer to operate in a professional manner by disclosing information related to negative operational characteristics?
 
     A search on the net will disclose that this "surging issue" has existed with these vehicles since 2009, so as such, General Motors had been aware that this problem existed, and the proof of this awareness is the fact that GM designed and offered an "up-dated software package" to correct the problem. ---- (Why would they up-date the software package if a problem did not exist?)
 
QUESTION:
     Why does the consumer, after paying their hard earned money for the vehicle, have to search, and research the "net" for a solution to the operational problem, ---- when a solution does exist, and the manufacturer has not shared that information with the owners?
 
     My other vehicle is a 2007 V6 XLE Toyota Camry. (If you remember, this is the vehicle that was accused of having the unintended acceleration problem.) At the present time, I have 65,000+ miles on this vehicle, and I have NEVER once experienced "unintended acceleration" and / or any other malfunction. ----- Both the selling / servicing dealer and the Toyota Corporation have kept me informed through written communication as to all "up-dates" associated with this vehicle. --- Toyota and the dealer have acted in a professional / responsible / concerned manner.
 
     My LTZ Malibu dealer is OUTSTANDING in terms of service! ---- They go out of their way to find the problem, and to make things right! For that, I am thankful!
 
     Now that my Malibu is operating properly, I can easily achieve 30 mpg on the highway, and on secondary roads I achieve 27 mpg. My complaint is that GM knew about this problem / performance issue, --- based on the 2009 production run of this vehicle line, yet they did nothing about offering this update to their customer base. ---- WHY?
 
     Comparing the two vehicle manufacturers, GM & Toyota, I will leave it to you, the reader, to determine which one is more responsive to the needs of the customer? ----- Will I purchase another GM vehicle? ----- Maybe! ---- At the present time, my 4 cylinder Malibu LTZ operates a good as a 4 cylinder Honda Accord or a 4 cylinder Toyota XLE Camry. ---- I guess time will tell! -------- In 2012 I will be looking to replace the Toyota Camry. To date, I have NOT had any problems with the Camry. The dealer is OUTSTANDING. ----- (Also my Chevrolet dealer is OUTSTANDING.) ---- I will be looking at a Camry, Avalon, Impala, and Malibu. ----- (I like the look of the upper end of the Hyundai line of vehicles, but the dealers in North Jersey are not quality business operations. I will not purchase from them!)
 
      Best regards to everyone. ------------------------ Dwayne

#1472 of 1510 15,000 mile service by djm2

Jun 29, 2011 (6:28 pm)

Hi All:
 
      Today I had my LTZ Malibu at the selling dealer for its 15,000 mile service. ----- This service includes a cleaning of the throttle body, oil and filter change, air filter replacement, and a tire rotation. ----- After the service I took a two hour trip on the highway. I filled up with fuel prior to entering the highway, and according to the "on-board computer" I was getting 32mpg at 60mph. This is a BIG IMPROVEMENT since I experienced the "surging issue" a few weeks ago. I am very happy with the vehicle and my dealer. They have an OUTSTANDING service department. I appreciate everything that they do for me. --------- I would love to see General Motors build a two door version of the LTZ Malibu with a 2.4 Turbo four cylinder engine, dual exhaust (with a small rumble sound like a Ford Mustang), and a six speed manual transmission and a heavy duty hydraulic clutch. ------- This vehicle would look great in a deep cherry exterior with black leather interior.
 
         Best Regards. -------------- Dwayne

#1473 of 1510 Re: 15,000 mile service [djm2] by pao

Jun 30, 2011 (6:36 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jun 29, 2011 6:28 pm)
you basically have it with the Buick Regal CXL turbo, thus you probably will not see it in the Malibu....the Regal has a 2.0L ECOTEC Turbo, pushing 220 HP with 6spd auto trans with sport mode and tap up and down capability or 6 spd manual..price is $34k fully loaded....around $29K basic turbo per GM website....

#1474 of 1510 Re: 15,000 mile service [pao] by djm2

Jun 30, 2011 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: pao (Jun 30, 2011 6:36 am)
Hi Pao:
 
      When I purchased the 2010 four cylinder LTZ Malibu, I also looked at the Buick Regal. ------ The seating in the Regal is NOT as comfortable as the Malibu LTZ. ------ The Regal is basically a "foreign vehicle," as it is manufactured in the Opel plant in Germany. -------- The Regal appears to be a smaller vehicle as compared to the LTZ Malibu. --------- I think a better comparison to the Malibu would be the four cylinder Buick Lacrosse. If Chevrolet would manufacture a two door version of the Malibu, I think it would be a "home run" for GM>
 
      Best regards. ----------------- Dwayne

#1475 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [djm2] by dispencer2

Jul 19, 2011 (7:32 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:56 am)
Why did you buy a Malibu in the first place if your Toyota was satisfactory? Most Toyota owners I know are totally dedicated to the brand and the last thing they would buy would be a Chevy. I bought my 2011 LT1 as a cheap temporary (for 4 years) car until I can get a program Cadillac XTS which won't be even out till the spring of 2012.
 
So far I much prefer driving my Cobalt coupe. It shifts more predictably, handles better and frankly feels like a heavier car which it isn't. It also has gotten over 40mpg on the road. Bottom line it is just more fun to drive. I'll keep it forever. I cannot understand why all the car magazines pan the Cobalt. I rented a Cruze and I wouldn't have one. Wierd shifting, roaring engine, lack of passing power, and an overcomplicated console. You need an electronics degree to figure out how the radio works and God help you if you try and mess with it while driving. At least the Malibu has simple controls. This is why I didn't wait until the new model came out.
 
Nothing really wrong with my Malibu except rock hard backs of the back seats and no rear armrest. Feels and drives like a typical rental car. I guess I should have ordered a base Lacrosse or a base Avalon -even a used Avalon - as my 'road" car but it is too late now.

#1476 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [dispencer2] by djm2

Jul 19, 2011 (9:21 pm)

Replying to: dispencer2 (Jul 19, 2011 7:32 pm)
Hi dispenser2:
 
      I still own the 2007 XLE Toyota Camry. ----------- I purchased the LTZ Malibu because I thought it was a "cool vehicle!" ---- I liked the looks of the car. ----- I recently read that the 2012 Chevrolet Impala is going to have a 3.6 V6 with a six speed automatic transmission. ----- (This could be very interesting!) ---- I am presently looking for a replacement for my 2007 XLE Camry. ----- It now has 65,000 miles! When it gets near 100,000 miles I will trade it. ----- It will take me about one year to do the necessary research and test drive the vehicles on my short list. ----- Now that my Chevrolet Dealer has fixed the "surging problem" on the Malibu, the vehicle is very enjoyable to drive. ---- I purchased the Malibu as a second vehicle, since I am in sales, and I need two dependable vehicles. ----- My vehicles are my office. ---- I am not loyal to any manufacturer! ------ I will probably look at the following vehicles; ---- Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, and Honda Accord . --- My Toyota has been 100% trouble free! ---- I have two GREAT servicing dealers!
 
          Best regards. ---------- Dwayne

#1477 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [djm2] by dispencer2

Jul 25, 2011 (7:18 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jul 19, 2011 9:21 pm)
I'd look seriously at the Avalon if you are contemplating a high end model in Chevrolet. I owned a 2006 Impala and it was an ok car but the bottom of the seats were too short. My thighs were killing me the last two hours of an 8 hour trip to Denver in 2007. I sold the car shortly thereafter.
 
The Avalon feels like my 2003 Deville -substantial, rides nicely and has an interior that rivals Lexus. It also gets good gas mileage. If the new Cadillac XTS turns out to be not what I want I'm getting an Avalon for sure.
 
Actually what I should do is buy a 1966 Impala. The new cars are too low, windows are too narrow, back seat headroom is bad on many models and although they are safe and get good gas mileage it would be nice to get into a 1950 Pontiac or my '56 Ford Victoria with a big front seat, plenty of headroom, and a door that is designed so that you can put your elbow on the windowsill. The Malibu is ok but I look at cars like the Hyundai Sonota and wonder how old you have to be to sit in the back seat and not hit your head on the ceiling.

Messages Page 148 of 152

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