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

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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#44 of 106 Re: Addressing some Misunderstandings [sarah12] by fshi Nov 08, 2007 (6:43 am)
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 07, 2007 4:06 pm) I do not get it. How do you conclude 3.6 is on the trailer of bmw,lexus,infinity,and mercedes? and remember cts tested is the largest and heaviest. I see them very comparable. their hp number, torque number are very similar, still do not get what you said, gm3.6 is on the trailer of those cars'. As you said, honda 3.5's performance is due to its fuel economy considerations, can i conclude cts's performance is due to its priority of ride quality and giving more room to the passenger? Do not use double standard.
#45 of 106 Reminder by KarenS HOST Nov 08, 2007 (8:18 am)
Please focus your comments about the article, which is focusing on the Malibu. Thanks for your cooperation!
#46 of 106 Re: Addressing some Misunderstandings [sarah12] by clace Nov 08, 2007 (8:31 am)
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 07, 2007 8:49 am) yes, the 3.5 is the pushrod iron block engine. It is still in the aura xe, g6 gt, and base impala. It's apparently not offered in the malibu. I am assuming the malibu v6's performance would be on par with the toplevel aura and g6, seeing as they have the same powertrain.
#47 of 106 Re: OF COURSE [graphikzking] by albook Nov 08, 2007 (1:48 pm)
Replying to: graphikzking (Nov 06, 2007 10:55 am) Toyota and Malibu are non-existent for a sporty sedan. (Unless we see a GTP/GXP model soon). Think you're a little confused- the Pontiacs have GT-GXP trim. Chevy is LT/LS/SS. And there is nothing that sporty about the Nissan Sedans. I'm not biased toward GM, but the Impala with the 240 hp V6 drives just as well as the Altima (only a little slower). I have driven both extensively. And the G6 drives way sportier than any Altima or Maxima- or Camry (but we already new that). GM's strong points are their engine performance, and styling (more subjective). Their V6s usually perform pretty well on the track. Some one posted 0-60 numbers. Replies to this message: sarah12 (Nov 08, 2007 3:43 pm) clace (Nov 09, 2007 5:03 am) albook (Nov 09, 2007 6:56 am)
#48 of 106 Re: OF COURSE [albook] by sarah12 Nov 08, 2007 (3:43 pm)
Replying to: albook (Nov 08, 2007 1:48 pm) albook: It's not the Malibu that's been named as a "four door sport car", but, the Maxima and the Altima. It's not any Chevy's DOHC that's been voted as WARD'S best for a record setting thirteen years in a row, but the now-legendary Nissan's VQ DOHC. I suggest you refer to the article about the new Altima (full test or first test drive). Or, just google Nissan VQ; you will find out that this engine is considered as the world's benchmark V6 for its smoothness, reliability and, PERFORMANCE. I doubt the Impala,V6, drives as well as the Altima's. Replies to this message: clace (Nov 09, 2007 5:03 am) albook (Nov 09, 2007 6:56 am)
#49 of 106 Re: OF COURSE [sarah12] by clace Nov 09, 2007 (5:03 am)
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 08, 2007 3:43 pm) Im getting sick of all this ward's best nonsense. The competion's engines have caught up to and or surpassed this vq engine, and even if they hadn't, its still not much fun with the strange driving cvt tranny. The gm dohc has been on the list before, and other than the vq, no other engine seems to have much staying power on this list. Any list of the best engines that doesn't have the porcshe flat 6 on it every year brings up questions.
#51 of 106 Re: OF COURSE [sarah12] by albook Nov 09, 2007 (6:56 am)
Replying to: sarah12 (Nov 08, 2007 3:43 pm) Sorry people, this is getting off topic.. But I too am sick of the Nissan performance coolaid. Nissan's VQ engines don't get awards from anyone. The CVT is ridiculed frequently. How come only a few know about WARD's? My point. The only people calling Nissan's sedans four door sports cars are Nissan. Motortrend and Car and Driver and everybody else that matters call them sporty sedans. MT just said they were a bit dissapointed with the new Altima. They won't be so with the new Malibu. Infact, I could see it taking car of the year. Given the numbers someone posted of the Altima and G6 and Aura, we know the MAlibu will be quicker, and after all the work GM has done tuning it, just as smooth, or smoother. And that's with less HP! Just think- when the SS arrives, the Nissans will have NO chance. Oh- also: the head sports sedan award doesn't go to the Altima, but the Pontac G6, or MAzda 6-which blow the doors off the Altima-just as their Mazda three exceeds the awkward Sentra.
#52 of 106 Could it be by tired_old_dave Nov 09, 2007 (2:25 pm)
After reading First Look and then reading Kirk The Maxx Guy post of goodbye maxx and too many sedan trunks, a crazy thought popped into my fingers. More hp than our '04 3.5, longer wheelbase, a little longer overall, and increased production capacity for the new Bu. Waited for the maxx but the moving rear seat/cargo area gap and back window angle-all said no. And like orbit9090 getting a little too old to crawl down into our bu---but is a station wagon coming. Almost bought one of the last accord wagons.
#53 of 106 Impressed by ne1butu2 Nov 09, 2007 (5:05 pm)
I would never have ever thought I'd look at a Malibu and say "wow." About six months ago, right before the spy shots started appearing on blogs, I saw a red one on the streets of Manhattan. Honestly, I was shocked when I saw the bowtie and 'Malibu" on the rear deck and didn't really know what to think of it... other than it looked really nice and drew a lot of positive attention. I drive an S4 Cabrio and would probably never be in the market for a midpriced sedan like the Malibu. But I do think that it looks like a much smarter design, more athletic and more refined than the competition. It's going to sell like crazy. Replies to this message: flemo123 (Nov 12, 2007 1:24 pm) albook (Nov 12, 2007 2:07 pm) flemo123 (Nov 12, 2007 6:26 pm) and 4 more...