Article Comments: Detroit Auto Show-2008 Malibu

13 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2007 at 8:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Sedan

Article comments for Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu - What is not in doubt is the improvement in the powertrain. Chevrolet ditched the 224-horsepower pushrod 3.5-liter V6 in favor of a 252-hp double-overhead-cam 3.6-liter V6. (more)

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#4 of 13 Re: 2008 Chevy MaliBoat by orbit9090 Jan 05, 2007 (5:08 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Jan 03, 2007 7:08 am) Informative article. Some mid-size car shoppers may buy-in to the 2008 Malibu's "lower & longer-is-better" gimmick, but not me. As the Malibu's sister car, new Saturn Aura's roofline is so low, I can't even get in the thing without straining my back and neck...Unacceptable! (I'm only 6'2") Good luck trying to parallel park the new 2008 "Maliboat". Instead, taller & wider body, with shorter-length is a better overall package, such as the Ford Fusion. Regardless, as the article states, the 2008 Accord is around the corner. It will undoubtedly set the new mid-size-car bar. Replies to this message: jpryba (Jan 05, 2007 5:47 pm)
#5 of 13 Great looks hold promise by wanderlust Jan 05, 2007 (10:00 am)
The previous poster sounds too quick to dump on the Malibu for having a low roofline. Not all cars are for everyone. I understand her complaint of headroom for ingress/egress, but this is one of many tradeoffs automakers must face (in this case - styling) on every new design. Dubbing it a "Maliboat" for a lengthened wheelbase is plain sophmoric. If you strain your neck and back getting into any family car, seek a chiropractor - most humans are flexible.... I think from the pictures, it appears GM may finally be "getting it". More than likely, Bob Lutz is responsible for the vast visual improvement of their more recent products (Avalanche redo, Solstice/Sky). The Malibu is further evidence that putting a real car guy in charge of your products is a wise choice when you're a car company. I don't know who was responsible for the original Aztec, Avalanche, Transport, or Lumina... but if I were in charge - they'd be sweeping floors now.
#6 of 13 Re: 2008 Chevy MaliBoat [orbit9090] by jpryba Jan 05, 2007 (5:47 pm)
Replying to: orbit9090 (Jan 05, 2007 5:08 am) Maliboat, eh? Yes, I would say the car is a tad too long. What was wrong with the size of the current Malibu? I think they could have just done a more thorough freshening and kept the Malibu at the "just right" size it already was. Then again, maybe it was impossible to do anything to the model without stretching it to the version of the Epsilon platform the G6 and Aura are on (horray for badge engineering that isn't too terribly obvious!).
#7 of 13 the 'bu '08 review by kurtamaxxxguy Feb 01, 2007 (12:25 pm)
Article was fine and offered a lot of info. Thanks! Personally, the "Bu's getting too big (why does every car mfr. on the planet have to upsize each revision of a given model?). As for the discontinuation of the "thing" (the Maxx), I suspect it's not due to car (which most reviews posted as being the most useful Malibu) but Chevy marketing who couldn't figure out how to promote it (the "trunklet" on its hatch probably didn't help). Replies to this message: csandste (Feb 01, 2007 9:00 pm) meandmymaxx (Feb 27, 2007 6:11 pm) malibujeff (Jun 13, 2007 6:41 pm)
#8 of 13 Re: the 'bu '08 review [kurtamaxxxguy] by csandste Feb 01, 2007 (9:00 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Feb 01, 2007 12:25 pm) I've been approached by Malibu owners asking me where I got my Maxx. They were totally unaware of it. Total lack of marketing by GM and the dealer network. Replies to this message: meandmymaxx (Feb 27, 2007 6:11 pm) malibujeff (Jun 13, 2007 6:41 pm)
#9 of 13 Re: the 'bu '08 review [csandste] by meandmymaxx Feb 27, 2007 (6:11 pm)
Replying to: csandste (Feb 01, 2007 9:00 pm) The biggest problem with the bu and the Maxx wasn't so much looks as poor build quality. GM always compares it's car styling and features to the Japanese, But GM quality sucks compared to the Japanese, and I think that is one of the big reasons people spend the extra on the Japanese. All the gadgets in the world are worthless if they don't work.
#10 of 13 Re: Article Comments: [KarenS] by malibujeff Jun 10, 2007 (4:50 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Jan 03, 2007 7:08 am) So why didn't GM just call the "upgraded Malibu" the "Impala JR"? That is what the '08 looks like. Some of us actually liked (I know this runs counter to popular opinion) the looks of the '04-'07 Malibu's. They are some quasi blend of American and Volvo/Saab styling that is different. Wife bought a new '06 LT, Sunroof and the other usual options, only because she didn't want to spring for the Toyota Avalon (which is really the same size car, but ten grand more). Other than the usual GM rattles and minor defects like heater control motor, she loves the car for the money spent. We liked it so much that I bought myself a GM Certified '05 MAXX LS (for a lot less money). As for abandoning the pushrod 3.5L, that's a big mistake. The 3.5 makes plenty of HP, and and honest 30 mpg on the highway that will run reliably for 150,000 miles before major maintenance, and they want to replace it with 20 some more HP in a OHC belt driven engine that needs timing belts replaced at ~ 60 - 70K miles for some $1,000? Don't think so! We turned down the Ford Fusion and it's Mercury cousin for the same reason. Chevy's have always been about rock solid reliabilty that buyers have always expected, and they need to keep that in mind.
#11 of 13 Re: the 'bu '08 review [csandste] by malibujeff Jun 13, 2007 (6:41 pm)
Replying to: csandste (Feb 01, 2007 9:00 pm) I posted my opinion of the '08 'bu on the main page. Have got to agree with you concerning lack of marketing of the MAXX, which concept appears to have been abandoned as far as can be assumed from the article. My '05 MAXX hatchback is ideal for me as an avid alpine skier and bike rider. Ski equipment goes into the back hatch with the greatest of ease, it easily swallows my road bicycle, and with some wiggling, will accomodate my over-suspensioned Trek mountain bike. Haven't had that much room since I retired my '78 Malibu Classic Wagon after 210,000 miles! Two weeks ago in Boise Idaho, more than one person asked what kind of car the MAXX was, and how in the world that bicycle fit into the back. Failure to capitolize on the advantages of the MAXX probably cost GM a chunk of the car/SUV cross-over market, of which the MAXX fills just fine for my needs. Had they made it in all wheel drive, would have been the ultimate cross-over, but doesn't do too bad in the winter as FWD with an agressive set of snow tires.
#12 of 13 Finally a mid size sedan that fits by aa5by Nov 13, 2007 (7:54 am)
We were driving an '02 Monte Carlo and enjoying the leg room and the great mileage provided by the smaller motor. Wanting to trade, we wanted to go sedan but didn't want to give up fuel economy so hoped for a mid size. For those who don't like the extra length... it was the deal maker for us. Finally a mid size sedan that fits both the tall and short driver, finally leg comfort in a mid size sedan made possible by the extra length, the adjustable pedals and the telescoping wheel. This design opens the door for thousands who have been forced to choose guzzling SUV's to have leg comfort. We also liked having a choice of engine, and went with the 4 cylinder that is slightly perkier than the small V6 in the Monte Carlo, so we've no concern that it is adequately powered.
#13 of 13 1936oldman by 1936oldone Nov 26, 2007 (8:00 pm)
America don`t need larger car`s with gasoline going higher. The old Malibu was just right, and all it needed was a new body, and some fancy material inside to gussie it up. As far as design goes, I like the fact that Chevrolet had sense enough to leave a good flat surface for the window controls. Unlike Camry with the slanted switches, and a big handle to reach over to boot, but that gas fill up on the right side of any car amazes me. How on earth could any car designer ever put the fill up on the right side?? This is totally inconvenient for the young or old, and it put`s you out in the weather when you exit the car to gas up. Either put it on the left side or put both a left, and right fill up on all automobiles.