Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu First Look, First Drive, and Full Test

106 messages, Last post on Mar 30, 2008 at 3:11 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Sedan

First Look: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu - There's more to the new Mailbu than just the sheet metal and the low-sheen plastic. Even the proportions look significantly better thanks to a wheelbase that's a whopping 6 inches longer than the outgoing Malibu (now the longest in the class). From nose to tail, the Malibu measures 3 inches longer than before, and this visually pushes the wheels to the corners of the car and gives it a stable look. These dimensions should also provide GM with the means to make tangible improvements in ride quality and handling compared to previous efforts. (more)

First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu - he new Malibu shares the same basic chassis as the well-received Saturn Aura, and this means the expected MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink independent rear. It differs from the Aura only in tuning, really. Chevrolet says it used a new tuning philosophy for the Malibu, and as far as we can tell, this means the car now slots between the mushy Camry and the sporty Accord. (here)

Full Test: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ - The new Malibu jumps smack in the middle of most consideration lists. It might even sell well to the lost generation in California. (more)

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#2 of 106 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu First Look [KarenS] by malexbu Oct 09, 2007 (6:58 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Oct 09, 2007 10:12 am) ,--- By Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit \| In fact, only several thousand megatons of pressure weigh upon \| Chevy's latest sedan. \| And it has none of the self-conscious oddness of recent designs from \| Toyota and Honda. The guy talks like a poet. I'd rather listen to a mechanic --- when cars are the object... \| No longer a gloomy assemblage of medium-gray plastic sheets, Heck, I didn't know my Malibu's interior was gloomy! Always found it nice and eye-pleasing. \| It bodes well for the Malibu; just don't expect a revelatory driving \| experience. A poet, definitely a poet!... \| Stuck in the Middle With You, and You, and You \| Of course the midsize class is not big on revelations anyway. The \| major competitors form a sort of extreme bell curve, Extreme bell curve?... Which one is that: too narrow or too wide?... \| wherein the vast majority of successful entries crowd the middle What cars are far from the middle? Which entries are unsuccessful? \| The differences in these specifications often appear larger on paper \| the 2.4-liter returns fuel economy of 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway, \| which is very competitive in this class. A noticeably worse range than the 24-35 MPG EPA rating for the 2004-2005 model. Everybody is different but given the same size, and comparable power and comfort, I would take better mileage over "better looks" (better for some, inferior for others, BTW.) \| Standard ABS and traction control Good if these are the standard features! ,-- Photos \| Behold: The new face of Chevrolet (previewed by the current Impala). You got to be kidding -- have you never seen "the current Impala"?.. What's similar between its front end and the nose of the new Malibu? Incidentally, I much dislike this Malibu's nose (as shown in the pictures). I think 2006+ Impala's nose is awesome and 2004+ Malibu's noses are good. The front end of the new model seems to be totally mismatching the rest of the body. Unfortunately... Replies to this message: csandste (Oct 11, 2007 7:37 pm)
#3 of 106 Nice try GM, try again. by bbechtel16 Oct 10, 2007 (7:33 am)
Yeah...this will be another Lumina. 1. The V6 doesn't have as much power as the Japanese "big 3", yet will have worse fuel economy than all three. Though the 4 cylinder sounds OK. 2. It's ugly. I don't know what everyone else is smoking. This new Malibu will sell on price and incentives, unfortunately. Replies to this message: bmark (Oct 10, 2007 12:23 pm) jnt (Nov 12, 2007 7:52 pm) csandste (Nov 12, 2007 10:08 pm)
#4 of 106 Re: Nice try GM, try again. [bbechtel16] by bmark Oct 10, 2007 (12:23 pm)
Replying to: bbechtel16 (Oct 10, 2007 7:33 am) What the hell are you talking about, have you seen the car in person. Very good looking, what is ugly is the new Accord, and of course the Bland Camry. I guarntee this car well sell very well. Every Automotive magazine is giving it high praises. Also why don't you tak a look at the Section on Toyota Camry transmission problems.
#5 of 106 Arrival Date in Showroom by katmando90 Oct 11, 2007 (5:14 pm)
When will the new Malibu be available? Replies to this message: waiting4camaro (Oct 16, 2007 12:24 pm)
#6 of 106 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu First Look [malexbu] by csandste Oct 11, 2007 (7:37 pm)
Replying to: malexbu (Oct 09, 2007 6:58 pm) You can't compare 2008 fuel economy with earlier years. Haven't seen the car yet so can't comment with authority, I just don't like the c-pillar and rear lights. Can someone say 95 Diamante? I recently rented an HHR and was pleasantly surprised with the engine, especially because I was putting regular in a car designed for premium. I think the 4-cylinder will do just fine, and this from a happy Maxx 3.5 owner. I'll still miss the Maxx, but plan on driving mine into the ground. If I had to replace it in the next year or so, I might just take the 09 Hyundai Elantra hatch.
#7 of 106 Winner by albook Oct 14, 2007 (11:35 am)
I have to say good job GM. This Malibu is a Huge improvement over the ugly old one. Styling is subjective, But I say it beats the bland Accord and the ugly Camry hands down. It finally competes. 2 gripes I have: What idiots decided not to have a navigation system? All it's competitors have them! It's must have. And I don't like the engine numbers. No doubt it will outrun Accord, and Camry, but they know 270 hp would look so much better on paper to auto testers also testing the Accord, CAmry, and in my oppinion the second best styled sedan, the Altima. GM is finally getting it. This, the Aura, their lambdas. Cadillacs. The Pontiac G8. Competition taking notice. Replies to this message: bristol2 (Oct 16, 2007 2:56 pm) clace (Oct 18, 2007 4:54 am) mickeyrom (Nov 29, 2007 1:57 pm)
#10 of 106 Re: Arrival Date in Showroom [katmando90] by waiting4camaro Oct 16, 2007 (12:24 pm)
Replying to: katmando90 (Oct 11, 2007 5:14 pm) Word is, GM has started assembly of the Malibu Today, October 16, and will hit dealers 4-6 weeks later (Mid- to Late-November) Good Luck.
#11 of 106 Re: Winner [albook] by bristol2 Oct 16, 2007 (2:56 pm)
Replying to: albook (Oct 14, 2007 11:35 am) No doubt it will outrun Accord, and Camry, but they know 270 hp would look so much better on paper It's heavier with less horsepower than Accord or Camry. How does that translate to 'no doubt it will outrun'?? Replies to this message: clace (Oct 18, 2007 4:54 am)