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Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu First Look, First Drive, and Full Test
106 messages, Last post on Mar 30, 2008 at 2:11 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)
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Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 05, 2007 6:12 pm) |
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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. |
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Replying to: clace (Nov 05, 2007 7:12 pm) Regardless of the extra 24hp, may be it is unfair to bring the CTS here.However when I was talking about the performance numbers, I refered to consumer guide's observation. Who is more credible than edmunds.com and consumer reports.org? I will leave that up to you. According to consumer guide though, none of GM's 3.6L V6s out perform the Japanese 3.5L V6s. The pontiac G6 has two V6s; 3.9L and 3.6L. The 3.9L doesn't belong here, and the 3.6L is not even DOHC. It is just an OHC that has a 0-60 of 8-8.4sec. Also, when comparing the new Honda's V6 you have to specify wether the engine is with VCM or without.Due to Honda's high regard to fuel economy, they've came up with a VCM technology-a technology that monitors the 0-10mph acceleration of the car. What the VCM does is that no matter how hard the driver steps on the accelerator, the car maintaines certain constant acceleration until it hits 10mph.In the mean time a second or two is lost. Talk about the CTS's V6 vs that of BMW's, Lexus's and Infinity's or even Mercedes's. Each of the above vehicle puts the CTS on their trailer. 
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| has anyone looked at the most important feature of the malibu. price!!!!! fully loaded the malibu is a runaway winner on the sticker. easily 3-5k less than the transplants. it's a no brainer | |
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Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 06, 2007 12:53 pm) gm 3.6 is a DOHC, 3.5 is a pushrod. 3.6DOHC is very capabale. with SIDI it is competitive with any BMW,LEXUS and INFINITI. 300hp is about the maximum of these engines. Honda V6 has very poor fuel economy 21/29 (old EPA standard), even impala can get better fuel economy (21/31). Honda V6 has never been a fuel economy leader. Now Honda V6 has a good fuel economy, it has poor performance. DO NOT BLEND Honda I4's economy with V6's. Regarding your comments about GM 3.6DOHC+SIDI, go read some technical description and come back talk about it. It is rediculous to make a statement like GM should tear down HONDA/TOYOTA engines to learn about VVT. That tells how much you know about engine technology.
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Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 06, 2007 12:53 pm)
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Replying to: fshi (Nov 06, 2007 5:53 pm) VVT was born in Italy, lived in the US sometime with no growth (GM's attempt to vary valve lift it did not succeed and GM dropped the whole technology),went back to Italy and got mass produced by Alfa Romeo. Then, went to Japan to be electronically controlled by Honda (VTEC) and Nissan (NVCS), and came back to the US. Note that the VCM is available on the Honda's V6, and we're not talking about the I4s here, but the V6s so, you are the one who is doing a little blending here. 
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Replying to: clace (Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm) What is your prediction on the LTZ's numbers (the V6)? |
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I suppose that my comment is really directed at GM as a whole and is not a comment about the new Malibu. As a quick side note I think that GM has done a more than commendable job of executing the Malibu and all of its recent model introductions but there is a lingering question about their sales philosophy that I think needs to be addressed. Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones, they don't do it and why? I currently own 2 07 vehicles: BMW 550i and Range Rover and both have bluetooth. My wife and I recently drove both to our summer home up north and were able to talk to one another for the whole trip without holding a cell phone to our ear. Ford gets it (Sync) why doesn't GM? I considered the 07 Escalade but it had no bluetooth and the tilt steering wheel was manual and not electric what gives with that? Also navigation systems are not offered in all GM models and I absolutely hate OnStar. My experience with it pretty much matches yours. Anyway I just hope that someone at GM reads this and understands that they need to add options that buyers want; this ain't the 50's and they don't get to dictate what the market does anymore. Thanks for the forum! |
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Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 07, 2007 8:49 am) 3.6 is the hi-tech engine, with DOHC, VVT, DI stuff. bottomline is that honda V6 was not a benchmark for fuel economy before, it is even below the low cost GM 3.5. as for GM DOHC3.6+DI, you said it is in the trailer of lexus, bmw, infinity, mercedes, hehe, go read the most recent edmunds comparison of luctury sports cars...
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