Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Chevrolet Malibu 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
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)
|
First, fuel economy for the previous model can't be directly compared to the new model as they use different standards. You would first have to convert the old model to the new standards, or vice-versa, before directly comparing. With that said, it looks like real fuel economy is about similar. Secondly, yes the Accord, Camry, and Altima have more peak horsepower, but peak horsepower is most relevant for bragging rights. What that peak horsepower doesn't tell you is what the power curve looks like. The Malibu's V6 should pull better than the imports' in the mid-range, which is the most important part of the power curve for this type of car. To get the 270 hp out of the competitors' engines, or any type of power for that matter, you need to go to WOT. Really, who drives a mid-size family hauler like that? In reality, the Malibu's V6 should give it very nice daily driving characteristics, which is what really matters here. Finally, styling is subjective. What is attractive to one person isn't attractive to others, and there is nothing wrong with that. Everyone has different tastes. So lets not insult each other or use harsh words to get our point across. It is pointless, and just makes you look like a child, troll, or fanboy. There. With that out of the way, lets talk about the Malibu. It is so different from the old model, it can scarcely be called a Malibu. If it is indeed a more refined version of the Aura, then I think it will be rather successful, given the broader market base of Chevy over Saturn. It may not set sales records overnight, but this is sending GM in a very good direction.
|
|
| First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu | |
| Every time I see a Malibu- on the net or the road (saw one yesterday!) I like it more and more. Definitely better looking than Accord and Carmy in my oppinion. But that's always been GM's strong point. As interior/ ride quality goes, I know they have a winner too. | |
|
|
| Interesting comments on the OnStar Navigation in the Malibu test drive article. I use mine often in my Saturn Aura and would not trade it for in-dash navigation system. At $100 a year for the Nav service compared to $2K for an in dash system, I'll sell the car long before I recoup the cost of an in dash unit. The system is also truly hands-free, and you can enter destinations or modify them while the car is in motion, unlike an in-dash system which is locked down while the car is in motion. I have run into tech heads who look down thier nose at it, but I find it safer and less distracting than using my Tom-Tom. Don't know where you're coming from, Edmunds. | |
|
Replying to: stovt001 (Oct 22, 2007 6:50 am) I wonder how many Japanese engines had GM torn apart to understand the VVT technology?
|
|
|
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 05, 2007 7:12 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: clace (Nov 05, 2007 7:41 pm) Aura xr 6.4 sec g6 gtp 6.2 sec accord v6 7.1 sec camry v6 6.5 sec altima v6 6.6 sec altima coupe v6 6.4 sec ps, the great vq uses premium
|
|
|
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 05, 2007 7:12 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 05, 2007 7:12 pm) |
|
|
|
|
Of course this car will take sales away from a Camry, just as a new Camry may take sales away from a BMW - question is, will is be a measurable sales change? I like the interior A LOT! Exterior is a little TOO bland to me. But we'll see what front skirts etc they put on there for different packages. I had a Camry 4cyl about a year ago as a rental on a business trip, I LOVED it! I think it is basically styled, but just enough to be interesting. I like the interior. I don't like the new Accord from Online photos, and quick drive by the dealer. But I will RESERVE full judgement until I am inside one.. that's what people need to learn, drive it first.. then say you like or don't like.. I owned a 350z Convertible - so I know about a VQ engine - it's melodious (if that's how I should use that word). I loved that engine.. and btw I ONLY put regular gas in it, and it ran - and DYNOED fine! (240.xx hp) Was a joy to drive, and Nissan tunes a lot of their newer cars on the sporty side - this Malibu obviously isn't trying to get that market segment - Nissan has solid hold on the "sporty" side with Honda getting a few. Toyota and Malibu are non-existent for a sporty sedan. (Unless we see a GTP/GXP model soon). *Current owner of a VQ30 Maxima and Toyota Prius. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu First Look, First Drive, and Full Test
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
