GMI Long Term Review: 2008 Chevy Malibu LTZ

[chevydlrmn]

Good review. Malibu is the car that I could switch from my truck to. I didn't like driving the ex's Monte SS, Malibu is a great car to drive and look at. I would love to have a 2 door to counter Accord and Altima.

[ejfx]

Originally Posted by troy201

It seems to me the only reason GM put the 3.6 in the Malibu was to keep up with Honda and Toyota to say hey we have x amount of horsepower too.

The 3.6 was already being used in the Pontiac G6 when the Malibu began production...it was an easy decision.

[CadiEldo67]

Originally Posted by ejfx

The 3.6 was already being used in the Pontiac G6 when the Malibu began production...it was an easy decision.

Besides what other engine would they have used? If you're going to go all the way and build an awesome car...why bother with less acceptable engine?

On a side note I have to introduce my mom to a Malibu when she does decide to get a car. She really liked this 2009.5 G6 we looked at but the trade-in didn't go so well... I'm also thinking she might like the new LaCrosse, and if the next Malibu is going to be similar to the LaCrosse then that is always something to consider as well.

[goblue]

Outstanding Review Tahoe. Truly.

Overall, I enjoyed the week I spent in a Malibu - but a few minor annoyances...

The cupholder interferes with the armrest - just poor design.
No rear seat armrest or A/C outlet.
No dual zone climate control option.
Trunk opening.

This is really nitpicking, but when you see comparable cars without any omissions - its a problem. The reason it's nitpicking is the car has an amazing ride-handling balance for the price, good powertrains, and best in class styling.

Again, great review.

[Quixote88]

Originally Posted by ejfx

The 3.6 was already being used in the Pontiac G6 when the Malibu began production...it was an easy decision.

Close... It was a combination of GM wanting the extra power provided by the 3.6 and wanting to offer a "high feature" V6 to counter Toyota and Honda. The 3.5, while decent, does not play in the imports' league... Add to that the 3.6 was available in the Saturn Aura XR, which is also built in Fairfax along with the Malibu. Though the G6, Aura and current Malibu are all built on the Extended Epsilon I platform, the Aura and the Malibu are/were closer together than the G6... The G6 was far more primitive than the Aura, which was the experimental model for the then upcoming Malibu... The Aura and Malibu are very close cousins. Because the Malibu was going to offer the 3.6/6spd., and was to be built in Fairfax, the much lower volume Aura provided a good chance for GM to work out the bugs before their "mainstream" sedan from Chevrolet was to be launched... Which needed to be as trouble free as possible.

The G6 received the 3.6 after Pontiac raised a stink over the fact that "lowly" Saturn was to offer it in its premium models. At the time, the G6's "premium" engine was the 3.9, which was not as powerful, nor as civil as the 3.6.

I have an '07 Aura XR with the 3.6/6spd. combo... 22k miles without any problems at all... I've never experienced any of the tranny problems that have been reported... The tranny took a couple weeks to get used to... That is, figure out the shift points. I actually prefer it to the 4 spd. autos...

[Patate]

Originally Posted by goblue

Outstanding Review Tahoe. Truly.

Overall, I enjoyed the week I spent in a Malibu - but a few minor annoyances...

The cupholder interferes with the armrest - just poor design.
No rear seat armrest or A/C outlet.
No dual zone climate control option.
Trunk opening.

This is really nitpicking, but when you see comparable cars without any omissions - its a problem. The reason it's nitpicking is the car has an amazing ride-handling balance for the price, good powertrains, and best in class styling.

Again, great review.

The armrest can be moved by the way, it doesn't have to interfere with the cupholders.

I agree with the rest, and I'll add that the A/C doesn't blow as cold as in other cars.. namely my old 2000 Cirrus.

[Schadenfreude]

Originally Posted by prototype66

Eppi II Chevelle Malibu 2 door coupe SS V6 3.9 6 spd

Is the 3.9 even in production anymore? I don't think it is (maybe the Impala has the only application left?), but I'm not sure.

And also, to solve the trunk spacing opening issue, why don't they make a Maxx like they did with the previous version? Or if you're going to redesign it, why not make a wagon version?

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by Schadenfreude

Is the 3.9 even in production anymore? I don't think it is (maybe the Impala has the only application left?), but I'm not sure.

And also, to solve the trunk spacing opening issue, why don't they make a Maxx like they did with the previous version? Or if you're going to redesign it, why not make a wagon version?

...or they could actually make a car with a proper size trunk opening.

[goatgary]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

...or they could actually make a car with a proper size trunk opening.

Drastically changing the proportions and design of the car, resulting in...........an Accord.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by goatgary

Drastically changing the proportions and design of the car, resulting in...........an Accord.

Clearly there has to be some middle ground. My Aurora's trunk was massive, and it didn't affect the proportions of the design. If it is part of the design to begin with, then it shouldn't alter the design at the end. It's not a deal breaker for me, but in a mid-size sedan, I think trunk size and opening is important.

[mikmak]

Nice write up TaHoE. I love the look of the Malibu too. I kind of liked it when it first came out, but it gets much better with familiarity.

[goatgary]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Clearly there has to be some middle ground. My Aurora's trunk was massive, and it didn't affect the proportions of the design. If it is part of the design to begin with, then it shouldn't alter the design at the end. It's not a deal breaker for me, but in a mid-size sedan, I think trunk size and opening is important.

I loved my Aurora...one of my all time favorites but sadly its proportions are dated today. Having said that, I understand that the next Malibu will address the issue by greatly reducing the height of the bumper fascia. We'll see how that turns out since the car is using styling cues from Camaro...and that has even a smaller trunk opening.

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

For many consumers its not that clear cut.......

A consumer can like both styles and not be in the market for a V-8 so a V-6 Malibu coupe or a V-6 Camaro would greatly interest them. And being RWD vs FWD means nothing to them.

Part of the reasoning for killing the Monte Carlo was the fact that the Camaro was coming out..........

Another reason for killing the Monte Carlo was that it just wasn't that good looking of a car to most people. Some certainly like it but it seemed most thought it was akward looking. I think the market was too small to justify a new car.

Originally Posted by goatgary

I loved my Aurora...one of my all time favorites but sadly its proportions are dated today. Having said that, I understand that the next Malibu will address the issue by greatly reducing the height of the bumper fascia. We'll see how that turns out since the car is using styling cues from Camaro...and that has even a smaller trunk opening.

I also hope they make the trunk opening bigger. I don't know why they don't bring the opening all the way down to the bumper so you aren't trying to drop things in from the top where there no longer is any room.

[ponchoman49]

The Malibu is a good car but is now quite expensive in V6 trim, especially LTZ. Well over 30K is creeping towards near luxury territory and too expensive for a car that is lacking so many features that most other mid size sedans have. For example a kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata have a USB port as std equipment. Not even an LTZ Malibu has this std. You have to buy it as a radio upgrade. No rear seat armrest, overhead assist handles, glovebox light, dual zone climate control, shallow trunk with small opening and poor V6 mileage are also drawbacks that most competitors do not share. The worst part of the Malibu for me is the small interior with lack of width, headroom and shallow trunk with tiny opening. Those issues made me buy an Impala 2LT instead and so far I am happy with my decision. Yes the Malibu has 2 more gears and a smoother faster V6 but the 3900 AFM runs very smoothly and will top 30 MPG all day long on the open road and if your foot isn't in the gas pedal it will average 23-24 MPG in normal driving which is 2-3 better than the V6 Malibu. I also think the Impala has a sportier demeaner with it's tuned exhaust note, kicked up tail, rear spoiler and sharper 17" rims. Still if the size and lack of a few key features doesn't bother you then the Malibu 2.4/6 speed combo can make a decent car and the ride/handling are top notch and interior ambience top the Impala by a considerable margin.

[Red LTZ]

Nice write-up!!! I might not describe the torque steer as minimal, but other than that, I agreed with everything so far. I've had mine since June 30th. I actually think the highway mileage is good. I do 75 to 80 the whole time and get 28 mpg. For contrast my Civic gets 33 mpg at the same speed and conditions. I'll take the comfort of the Malibu.