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2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu

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

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet, Chevrolet Malibu, Automotive News, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 91 of 152

#892 of 1510 Rear power window switches illuminated? by chris80233

Apr 23, 2008 (10:15 pm)

I'm seriously considering buying the 2008 Malibu, so I rented one for a few days last week. It was an LS base version and I was very impressed with the car. I do a lot of driving at night , and I loved the interior ambient lighting and illuminated door handles, very cool looking. However, I noticed that the rear doors don't have the illuminated door handles, plus the power window switches aren't lit up either (the front doors are). Can any 2008 Malibu owners tell me if this is the case on their cars also, or is it just on the lower-end trims? And any news if Chevy will fix this with the 2009 models?

#893 of 1510 Re: Rear power window switches illuminated? [chris80233] by jerrywimer

Apr 24, 2008 (4:36 am)

Replying to: chris80233 (Apr 23, 2008 10:15 pm)
Nope. The lighting you've noticed is the same on the LTZs, and isn't changed for 09.

#894 of 1510 Re: 6 speed automatic [mazda6dude] by pao

Apr 24, 2008 (6:16 am)

Replying to: mazda6dude (Apr 23, 2008 1:00 pm)
I for one never buy a car based on resale value.....I drive most of my autos till a resale value is a mute point...meaning 100-150K miles before I even start considering a new car.....125K on my 04 Maxx LT now...105K on KIA Sorento.....
 
I honestly dont think the transmission 4 vs 6 on a 4 cyl will make that much difference if any on resale value..between an 08 and 09 MY Malibu

#895 of 1510 My '08 Malibu is in Transit by bryan

Apr 24, 2008 (9:45 am)

Got the call a couple of hours ago that my special ordered 2LT Malibu is in transit. I ordered this car on March 21. The window sticker was posted this morning on the dealership's internet site, so I was able to print out the sticker. I hope to have the car by May 2. WooHoo--looking forward to my new 'Bu.

#896 of 1510 Re: My '08 Malibu is in Transit [bryan] by beach15

Apr 25, 2008 (8:05 am)

Replying to: bryan (Apr 24, 2008 9:45 am)
Congrats! Always an exciting time!
 
Just like our dealer swap 2LT (what I like to call an "instant order", hah), which was swapped in a matter of a day, and I was able to print the window sticker off the site that same night--the anticipation is the best part. Hope it's perfect! Ours has been, for 3 months and 4k miles.

#897 of 1510 Nothing but love for Malibu by bwia

Apr 27, 2008 (6:04 pm)

Just completed a 928-mile round trip from Boston to Maryland/Virginia in our 2008 Malibu LS. Got to say it was a lonely feeling because there were no other Malibus on the road. Not one! There were plenty of Camry's though and many drivers came up to get a closer look at our Malibu.
 
Nonetheless, the ride was extremely pleasant. The ride was firm, yet supple and compliant. The handling was confident and purposeful. In short, the car went where it was pointed.
 
Moreover, there was absolutely no wind noise and the cabin was cathedral quiet. As a matter of fact we had a three-way phone conversation (on the OnStar hands-free phone) with our daughters in Hawaii and Atlanta which was as clear as a bell.
 
The driver’s bucket seat was a real surprise. It felt as comfortable as a tailored suit. (By the way one of the best decisions we ever made was to put in after-market leather on the LS---that leather is Oh so soft and supple.) On such a long drive, we felt absolutely no fatigue. The steering was true and on center and visibility was very good from the driver’s side mirror but not so from the rearview mirror. The high back end obscures visibility a bit. There were no rattles or squeaks of any kind and OnStar and the XM radio performed flawlessly except in tunnels.
 
In the final analysis we drove 928.3 highway miles and averaged 27.7 mpg at an average speed of 53 mph. Although most of our driving was between 70 and 80 mph that mileage suffered considerably upon entering the George Washington Bridge in New York. If there is someone out there trying to decide on a midsize sedan I would highly recommend the Malibu.

#898 of 1510 18 LTZ rims came on a LT 08 Mailibu 4 cylinder by rw08malibu

Apr 27, 2008 (6:21 pm)

Just yesterday, I purchased a slightly "used" (2,700 miles) 2008 Malibu LT that has the Factory Chevy Malibu 18 inch polished LTZ rims. I was told that this was a demo car, which made sense, because it has never been never titled, and I bought it at the Chevy's dealership's used car lot. A Car fax report confirmed this. Since the LT package does not come from the factory with these rims and tires, I am assuming that original 17 inch tires and rims were removed at some point. I love the look of the shiny rims. However, since I bought this car mainly because of the fuel economy potential, I am now concerned that these tires and rims will have a negative effect on my 4 cylinder's MPG rating. Also, since the car's factory sticker located near the driver's rocker panel clearly shows 225/50 17 tires & wheels were on it from the factory, I am now worried that my odometer will be giving me readings on MPH and MPG that are not correct. Does anyone know: 1) if the larger 18 inch tires and rims will give me less fuel economy vs the normal LT 17 inchers, and 2) does Chevy at the factory level calibrate the odometer specifically differently for the 17 inch and 18 inch tires? If so, then maybe I should have my local Chevy dealership calibrate my odometer. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

#899 of 1510 Re: Nothing but love for Malibu [bwia] by sidewinderz

Apr 27, 2008 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: bwia (Apr 27, 2008 6:04 pm)
Great to hear ! You've broken away from the every day drum beat of TOYOTA -HONDAs passing by. Looking to purchase a LS next month .....OH.... What a Feeling ,LOL

#900 of 1510 Re: Nothing but love for Malibu [bwia] by vanman1

Apr 27, 2008 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: bwia (Apr 27, 2008 6:04 pm)
Personally I love owning something different. Camcords are about as interesting as watching paint dry. Chevy finally has a great top notch sedan that competes not as the best American choice but a serious and real alternative.
 
I just hope Japanese car owners will give it a shot, far to many people who won't walk into a Chevy dealer and that's just wrong.

#901 of 1510 Re: 18 LTZ rims came on a LT 08 Mailibu 4 cylinder [rw08malibu] by busiris

Apr 27, 2008 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: rw08malibu (Apr 27, 2008 6:21 pm)
You neglected to list the tire pecs of the 18" wheels.
 
Usually, the increased wheel size is offset by a lower ratio tire, giving the outside diameter the same dimension. If that is the case, then technically there is no difference, and assuming the same weight between the 2 wheel types, there shouldn't be a noticable difference in MPG or speedo accuracy.
 
Hope that helps...

Messages Page 91 of 152

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