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Chevrolet Malibu vs. Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord

804 messages,  Last post on Mar 07, 2011 at 4:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 81

#1 of 804 Chevrolet Malibu vs. Toyota Camry by Karen@Edmunds HOST

Jun 23, 2006 (7:30 am)

Compare these two here.

#2 of 804 05 Malibu by shadow5599

Jun 23, 2006 (8:36 am)

I'd just like to say that my comparison is based on the new Malibu design, the redesigned model which began in 04 and NOT the previous design or the "04/05 classic".
 
I was an owner of a 03 Malibu as well. I'd still have it and it was good but I lost it in an accident this year. I didnt set out to purposely buy another Malibu but based on research, test drives of many cars, and price, I went for a 05 Malibu. I instantly discovered that the redesigned Malibu was NOT comparable to the previous design. The new design is so much better and competes very nicely with the Camry, Accord or any other car in it's class.
 
I tried but could not find an import that could provide all the same benefits and features for the same price.
Some of the top reasons why I bought this car are:
 
- Safety. In the top 6 for safety ratings and the only North American mid size car in the top ten.
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx
 
- Price. An exceptionally clean 1 year old car with 16,000 Kms (10,000 miles) for $16,000 (CAD).
 
- Options. I sought out a Malibu with the full airbag package knowing that contibuted highly to it's excellent safety rating.
 
- Driveability. The car feels solid, is quiet, has lots of power (V6), looks good, roomy, handles excellent.
 
- Fuel efficiency. GM has always been good at this and the Malibu with the 3.5 v6 is highly rated for economy. My experience has been very positive getting almost 30mpg with city driving. *That mpg is based on Canadian gallons.
 
- Standard anti theft and intrusion system. The Malibu with this system is on the approved list with the IBC. http://www.ibc.ca/vehinfo_pub.asp
 
- Dealer. I dealt with this particular dealer with my previous car and it was the best experience I've ever had with any dealership. Their customer service and expertise is second to none.
 
- Durability. GM's 4 speed auto has proven to be rugged and durable, as many of their transmissions in the past have been such as the turbo350, etc. The pushrod engine may be old school but it has a track record of being durable, rugged, powerful, and efficient. The "high tech" engines in some other cars may appear to be great but many dont have the proven track record and are more complicated making possible future repairs very costly.
 
- Horsepower & torque. I became wary of HP ratings once I found out some companies measure HP at the flywheel and some at the wheels. HP measured at the flywheel (most asian companies) would be higher than a measurement at the wheels thus making the stated specification larger and more appealing for their ad campaign. GM measures HP at the wheels. The 3.5 v6 also has alot of torque at low rpms which is where most people will need it and enjoy it most.
A car shopper should look closely at HP/torque ratings vs. rpms, and they need to know how that HP number was achieved.
 
An interesting site:
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/17/A01-283759.htm

#3 of 804 Agree with above, and add... by maxxind

Jun 23, 2006 (9:05 am)

-A Maxx model that has the cargo functionality of a wagon, a cool "Euro" look, and a gigantic back seat (with seats that recline and slide forward and backward) that's more comfortable for full-size adults than any other vehicle I've ever owned, including SUVs.
 
-A very nicely engineered Epsilon chassis that offers a very good balance of handling and ride.
 
-Until you get to the '07 Camry, which looks fairly nice, the older generation Camry is a car I just would not have bought because I do not care for its looks. Obviously that's just personal opinion.
 
-Excellent real-world economy that's better than the EPA estimates (at least in my case)
 
-100 percent reliability, with no return trips to dealer (for anything) in 32,000 miles (basic service done myself)
 
-Fun to drive and great power
 
-Less expensive by at least $5,000 than Camry
 
I am not saying the Malibu is "better than" the Camry. The Camry is a good car, too. I do think, though, that the Malibu is a far better value, and I like the handling and driving feel of the Malibu better than the Camry.
 
Some people say the Camry's engine is more refined, but I prefer the throaty sound of my V6 to the Camry's engine's almost appliance like quietness.

#4 of 804 Re: Agree with above, and add... [maxxind] by shadow5599

Jun 23, 2006 (9:50 pm)

Replying to: maxxind (Jun 23, 2006 9:05 am)
The Malibu is far vetter value, just as GM has always been for me.
 
There's something else I've come to enjoy about the Malibu, and it wasnt a reason why I bought it. I live in a city of about 200,000 population and I've seen only one other Malibu of the same year/color as mine. Now, if I had a silver or tan Camry or Accord, how would I ever find MY car in a large parking lot??
 

#5 of 804 Re: Agree with above, and add... [maxxind] by njerald

Jun 24, 2006 (9:00 am)

Replying to: maxxind (Jun 23, 2006 9:05 am)
and the Maxx is butt ugly also, IMO.

#6 of 804 Re: Agree with above, and add... [shadow5599] by venus537

Jun 24, 2006 (9:45 am)

Replying to: shadow5599 (Jun 23, 2006 9:50 pm)
if you want to see another car just like yours, go to a car rental place.

#7 of 804 Additional comparison by Karen@Edmunds HOST

Jun 26, 2006 (8:14 am)

The Accord has been added as requested.

#8 of 804 Re: Agree with above, and add... [venus537] by shadow5599

Jun 26, 2006 (8:31 am)

Replying to: venus537 (Jun 24, 2006 9:45 am)
Its not that I want to see another car like mine, the point was that I dont see alot around, unlike the tan & silver cars I referred to.
 
It's been brought up that stats say people who buy imports are better educated and wealthier.
 
As far as GM vs imports I've never really considered people who buy particular brands as being smarter, or people who earn more being more intelligent. I know rich people who aren't educated and I know educated people who arent rich. It all depends on what a person wants out of life. I happen to be educated but havent made work the most important thing in my life so I'm not getting financially rich but I am rich in other areas. I certainly dont follow that social perception of what you drive makes you better or more intelligent. Vehicles are an expensive luxury which cost most people alot of money. I've always been a smart buyer who considered cost of ownership above keeping up with the Jones'. I could care less what people think of me based on the car I drive.
 
I've stated before that most of my past vehicle purchase decisions have been made with my immediate needs and cost of ownership in mind. I've also made financially intelligent choices and I've proven time and time again that you dont have to lose vast amounts of money to drive a dependable, good looking and comfy vehicle. And dare I say that all my vehicles have been North American.
 
A "rich" friend recently poked a bit of fun at me for buying another "North American piece of crap". Why dont you get smart and buy "jap" he said. They depreciate so much less. Based on percentages that's true.
 
He proceeded to tell me how smart he is for buying a Japanese suv, purchased new for about $45k. He figures it's great that after 4 years it's still worth about $30k, a reasonably low depreciation rate and if he was to sell at that point, all it'd cost him to drive that suv is about $15k.
 
Pretty good I say but now lets take my last car, a one year old GM which was purchased for $12k. It had all the features, was a great car to drive, safe, economical and looked sharp. If I sold it after about 4 years, I'd get about $7k. Thats a loss of $5k, a bit less than his loss of $15k and that's not including other possible differences such as financing or fuel costs. The only response after a fairly long pause was, "sure but I got to drive a better vehicle." So his main reason for losing vast amounts of money is image. He'd be perceived as poor and stupid for driving a GM.
I tend to disagree on who the stupid one is.
 
It turned out by an unfortunate turn of events that my previous vehicle only made it to the 2 year point. My insurance settlement at the time of it's demise was $500 less than I paid for it 2 years earlier. A cost of $500 to drive a nice car for 2 years. I guess I'm not too bright for using my money to buy a better house to live in, education for my kids and fun leisurely times with my family rather than buying expensive products that ineveitably lose piles of money. I can also take pride in supporting my own continent's auto industry for the past 30 years.
 
Different people place different things on their priority list in life and I certainly do appreciate an expensive vehicle but I dont think anyone deserves to be called less intelligent because they choose to drive GM and in the end, throw away a lot less money to drive a nice car.

#9 of 804 I have a Maxx-- some thoughts: by csandste

Jun 26, 2006 (9:35 pm)

1. As stated above the Maxx's engine may be a bit less smooth than the others but it should be durable, gets great mileage (about 24 mpg mixed, 30+ on the road)and has a great torque curve which only needs a 4 speed transmission. I had to spend $800 on a 60K inspection--with timing belt-- on my last car, an Elantra. This should be a lot less expensive.
 
2. For whatever reason, I find GM dealers a lot less arrogant than Toyota or Honda dealers.
 
3.-I find the Maxx better looking than the Malibu sedan but both are on the ugly side of the midsize group. You don't have to look at it when you're inside, however. I wish Hyundai, Ford, Toyota or Honda made a big hatch. With the exception of Mazda and the Maxx that's it. The flexibility of the hatch is great too bad Americans hate 'em.
 
4. Any depreciation is offset by the bigger discounts on new cars. I paid $16K for my Maxx, $6 thou off list.
 
5. I think the Maxx's interior is a bit Equinoxish, not as classy as the Camry and no where as good as an Accord. Still, it's very comfortable, flexible and straight forward. It's great for long trips.
 
All in all I'm happier with the Maxx than any car I've owned (and I've owned 30+ of 'em), sure the others are better than ever as well. I'm sorry GM never figured out how to market them. Had a woman with a 'Bu sedan ask me about it. Would have bought one but the dealers never told her about it.
 
It is good to see the Japanese (especially the Civic) taking a few more risks with design. Things were getting more and more boring during the nineties. I think the Koreans are going down the same road. The newest versions of Hyundai and Kia are much better than the previous generations but somehow seem less creative and some are decontented. Maybe it's the strengthening Won.

#10 of 804 Re: Agree with above, and add... [shadow5599] by venus537

Jul 16, 2006 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: shadow5599 (Jun 26, 2006 8:31 am)
The only response after a fairly long pause was, "sure but I got to drive a better vehicle." So his main reason for losing vast amounts of money is image. He'd be perceived as poor and stupid for driving a GM.
I tend to disagree on who the stupid one is.
 
i suggested that people who buy foreign vehicles tend to be more educated and wealthier in rebuttal to those posters who implied foreign car buyers are being ignorant for paying more for their cars. you know, that very old adage for GM loyalists: "it's the consumer's fault" for not knowing the goodness of their vehicles.
 
your "rich" friend stated that he was driving a better vehicle and you dismissed that as image. excuse me, your car may fit your needs but his needs are obviously different than yours. it sounds like he was in a market for a new SUV and not a 1 year old used sedan. the question should be: is he better off driving a comparable new GM SUV than the vehicle he drives now? not how his vehicle compares to yours.
 
yes, people who choose to drive GM cars shouldn't be considered less intelligent. by the same token, those who choose to buy hondas and toyotas shouldn't be considered poorly informed either.
 
you're not wrong in thinking you drive a nice car but i'm not wrong either in thinking there are nicer vehicles that are worth the extra money.

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