Snarky Malibu Billboard

[Edaw 0]

One more again.

Originally Posted by hrcslam

For those who don't get the Play on words in the Ad.

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

Accord Ac*cord", verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Accorded**; p. pr. & vb. n. {According**.] [OE. acorden, accorden, OF. acorder, F. accorder, fr. LL. accordare; L. ad + cor, cordis, heart. Cf. {Concord**, {Discord**, and see {Heart**.]

1. To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust; -- followed by to. [R.]

Her hands accorded the lute's music to the voice. --Sidney.

2. To bring to an agreement, as persons; to reconcile; to settle, adjust, harmonize, or compose, as things; as, to accord suits or controversies.

When they were accorded from the fray. --Spenser.

All which particulars, being confessedly knotty and difficult can never be accorded but by a competent stock of critical learning. --South.

3. To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as, to accord to one due praise. ''According his desire.'' --Spenser.

[Millefune]

That "quality feel" is your perception. And the Accord is ugly, no ifs, ands, or buts.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by fyreline

When we were shopping for a new car for my wife to drive, we drove a couple Malibus. Very nice cars, but in the end we bought a new Accord EX-L V6. It's just got more of a quality feel to it. Not sure how Chevy can overcome that.

That "quality feel" difference is in your head, not in the cars. Here's the proof:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...in-a-bran.html

[Mustapha Mond]

Originally Posted by Olds88

That "quality feel" difference is in your head, not in the cars. Here's the proof:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...in-a-bran.html

Excellent post. It goes to show just how powerful Toyota's brand is, or was. Much as I love GM there is no denying they have some work to do to on their image. Consistently making the best products in the world should take care of that, but I guess we will have to be a little patient.

"If, rather than Chevy, the Cobalt was labeled a Ford, the rating fell to 6.2 and if called a Chrysler to 6.1. "

-Elliott

[fyreline]

You can disdain it all you like, but having driven both (and several other cars, including the Camry and Altima) many times before buying, the Honda Accord simply has a more "quality feel" to it than the Malibu. And of course it's in your head - it's a "feeling" after all - but it's still there, and it's real, and all the whining in the world isn't going to make it go away. This perception problem is Chevy's biggest obstacle to overcome, in my opinion. For me, they didn't do it on this particular car. As for the Accord being ugly, that's a matter of personal opinion. I wouldn't say the new Malibu is attractive from every angle either.

We are enjoying the Accord very much, and get a lot of compliments on it. It was the right choice.

For myself, I'll stick to my C6 Corvette. There's something Honda can't compete with!

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by Olds88

That "quality feel" difference is in your head, not in the cars. Here's the proof:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...in-a-bran.html

That article is about reliability, not interior quality.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by bradyholt

That article is about reliability, not interior quality.

Actually it addresses both.

Originally Posted by The Article

In addition to showing the cars with their true names, it switched badges to see what, if any effect, brands had on consumer perceptions about quality and reliability and if the name had any impact on whether they held the car in high or low esteem.

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by Olds88

Actually it addresses both.

That's not the "quality" that's meant by what interior plastics feel like.

[Millefune]

Who here regularly strokes their dashboards and center consoles? Regardless, the Malibu's stitched dash was way better than the Accord's I fondled.

[Mustapha Mond]

Originally Posted by bradyholt

That's not the "quality" that's meant by what interior plastics feel like.

Actually my G5 switches do have kind of a cheap feel so I can somewhat validate your position. I know my car is at the lower end of the scale but really for very little money they could have given the HVAC and window controls a much more solid feel. They feel like lightweight molded plastic, which is of course what they are. The window switches have "play" in them. The sliding shade below the sun roof also has a little play, when the roof is open there is always a slight rattling sound between the glass and the sliding panel that I can't isolate. It's intermittent and not that bothersome, but still I do notice it.

The overall fit and finish wasn't quite first rate. For example the little storage compartment adjacent to the driver's door that hides the switch to open the trunk was not installed correctly, but that was easily remedied. I suppose that is something the dealer should have caught. I like how GM vehicles are designed, and I've never considered any other make, but sometimes they could work a little harder on the little things like switch gear. People notice these things and for some the impression is not positive. So I can somewhat validate to a certain point a cheap feel, at least with my vehicle. From what I have seen Malibu is much higher quality.

I can forgive the hard plastic dash and it seems sufficiently high quality as are most of the fabrics and such. I am not that fond of the covering on the armrest but it seems to be durable enough, if a bit rubbery feeling.

I would not entirely disagree if someone found quality lacking in the Cobalt/G5 line because that has been my experience. It is not unreasonable for me to see how someone could be more impressed by a Honda.
-Elliott

[Millefune]

Drive a Civic, and it won't feel any more expensive or higher quality.