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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#7 of 106 Winner by albook Oct 14, 2007 (10:35 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 1:56 pm) clace (Oct 18, 2007 3:54 am) mickeyrom (Nov 29, 2007 12:57 pm)
#10 of 106 Re: Arrival Date in Showroom [katmando90] by waiting4camaro Oct 16, 2007 (11:24 am)
Replying to: katmando90 (Oct 11, 2007 4:14 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 (1:56 pm)
Replying to: albook (Oct 14, 2007 10:35 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 3:54 am)
#12 of 106 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu First Look [KarenS] by escambiaguy Oct 17, 2007 (9:52 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Oct 09, 2007 9:12 am) I think they done a good job with this one. It's a shame the hybrid can't do better than 24/32mpg though, it's almost not worth the extra cost just for two more mpg. I think GM borrowed some styling ques from Acura. The whole car looks similar to the Acura TL, and the rearend looks very similar to the old NSX.
#13 of 106 2008 Malibu is for midgets? by orbit9090 Oct 17, 2007 (6:19 pm)
The new 2008 Malibu is so low slung, it will generally appeal only to midgets and trailer-park-teens. Come-on GM, give us an affordable mid-size sedan we can get in-and-out of without wrenching our necks and backs! Replies to this message: csandste (Oct 17, 2007 8:14 pm)
#14 of 106 Re: 2008 Malibu is for midgets? [orbit9090] by csandste Oct 17, 2007 (8:14 pm)
Replying to: orbit9090 (Oct 17, 2007 6:19 pm) Have we really gotten to the point where a car that's 57+ inches tall is low slung? Amazing change in size in the last decade or so.
#15 of 106 Re: Winner [bristol2] by clace Oct 18, 2007 (3:54 am)
Replying to: bristol2 (Oct 16, 2007 1:56 pm) The 3.6 horsepower is sae certified, meaning the japanese sedans make more horsepower on paper. Plus it has more low rpm torque than the japanese engines. In all the tests I've seen, the 3.6 aura and g6 are at least equal if not faster than the altima/accord/camry.
#16 of 106 RENTAL CAR QUEEN by toyota4life Oct 18, 2007 (5:07 pm)
Nice rental car,the accord has nothing to worry about ,Needless to say the camry that sells 40+ thousand in one month,the fugly interior looks like my 5 yr son coloring book ,YUK yea a little brown here a little black here ,nice try GM Replies to this message: bmark (Oct 18, 2007 6:51 pm) pao (Oct 19, 2007 4:17 am) albook (Oct 21, 2007 6:57 am) bmark (Oct 21, 2007 9:30 am)