2008 Malibu

[EldoFan]

In the week or so since I bought my 'bu (a '1LT' on 9/9), it's mainly been confined to city streets and occasional short jaunts on the interstate (in city). Today though I gave myself a good excuse to hop on I-80 and do the round trip to school (which I had been looking forward to like you wouldn't believe).

The custom cloth buckets are firm and supportive for a 5'10" 135lb guy like me and have good grip, keeping my butt planted front and center when sudden lane changes or other construction related snafus demand quick moves, with some at speeds up to 65mph (my section of I-80 is carved up pretty good east and westbound....).

One thing that always bugged me about my Voyager is that by the time I'm 3/4 of the way into my trip there/back.....my back is stiffened to the point where I'm constantly shifting around in the seat to regain some semblance of comfort. Not a problem with this ride.

The overall isolation you get in the car can not be overstated. Once I got on the interstate, got up to speed and set the cruise at a hair over 75, it was as if I was floating on air. Even when hitting rougher patches of concrete and passing gargantuan semis, I felt like I was sitting in a tomb. That's not all bad though, because the stereo system more than made up for it.

For the baseline factory system (at my dealer, the only examples with the upgraded Pioneer setup were the top-dawg LTZ's), it's incredible.....a quantum leap over whatever Chrysler put in my van & the Delco/Bose setups in the '86 Century & '91 Delta 88 that used to occupy my garage. Compared to my Dad's Accord (that has a tiny factory sub in the trunk), I can tell mine thumps way deeper & louder (and that's without a sub) with no distortion. Equalizer options/controls are great and hooking up my iPod mini only makes things better.

Using the aforementioned Accord as a reference, road manners are similar IMO, but the Malibu has a more 'planted' feeling on the road and the steering gives better feedback (though that's not saying too much for cars in this class). Power is phenomenal given the car's small engine and delivery is silky smooth, making the ecotec nearly a dead ringer for the 2.4L in the Honda (down 9HP--160--vs the 'bu's 169.), though the sound is slightly coarser.

For people who like to keep one hand on the shifter, pretending their slushbox is really a stick (like I did most of the way back....haha), the center armrest provides a generous amt. of travel back/forth and is covered in a pleasant feeling soft touch vinyl (or leather?).

Storage options abound and with me carrying a cell phone, ipod, garage opener, shades & other assorted nick-nacks/necessities, the deep well storage bin in the armrest as well as a compartment atop the dash provide some great convenience as well as relief from overcrowded pockets.

The A/C provides hurricane force relief on warm days when rolling down the windows isn't an option (I kinda like to keep them up when I'm barreling down the interstate at nearly 80mph....) and cools the car remarkably quick. Same with the heat (the last few mornings I've got out of work, it's been in the low 40's and the windows have been lightly frosted).

A great thing too has gotta be the style factor. Some hate it, others (including myself) like it. Rolling around campus mid-morning, I definitely caught some glances, esp. up around the Student Union where people like to chill outside on nice days. My older brother (owner of an '06 325i and soon, an '08 G37 coupe) rented one just a few weeks ago and after I sent him pics of mine, recounted how much he loved his rental, giving the interior esp. high marks and asking me "how much extra did you shell out for that chrome?" (the wheels--std on 1LT's).

So yeah, all in all it's a definite winner from Chevy....something they should've been building 10yrs ago! If you're in the market for a 4dr of moderate size, you'd do well to put the Malibu on your list.

[eurohazard]

You might want to consider just using one thread, and just giving updates every so often. I love the info and details.......but it will be easier on the reader(s) to kind of follow along with the progression. That's just my $.02 though.

['Vette Dude]

Was that the longest ever post on GMI?
But yeah, I love my Aura.

[Canyonaro]

Not too bad, I would agree with most all of what you have said, well done. Update us with your car every so often if you could. I would be interested in a long term.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by EldoFan

For the baseline factory system (at my dealer, the only examples with the upgraded Pioneer setup were the top-dawg LTZ's)

This Pioneer system you speak of is it from the factory or something aftermarket the dealership did?

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

This Pioneer system you speak of is it from the factory or something aftermarket the dealership did?

From Chevy's site:

The Premium Audio Package, standard in LTZ and available in 2LT, includes an AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer and premium eight-speaker sound system including two subwoofers.


If I remember correctly, the speakers and subs are all Pioneer units although someone with more knowledge might be able to set me straight

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by EldoFan

From Chevy's site:

The Premium Audio Package, standard in LTZ and available in 2LT, includes an AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer and premium eight-speaker sound system including two subwoofers.


If I remember correctly, the speakers and subs are all Pioneer units although someone with more knowledge might be able to set me straight

Thats where I checked but it didn't tell me the brand. I believe you though since you saw it up close.

[USA1Fan]

I have an 08 LTZ, and if the speakers are Pioneers, they're not labeled such anywhere you can easily see. Maybe if I pulled something apart.. NAHHH..

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by USA1Fan

I have an 08 LTZ, and if the speakers are Pioneers, they're not labeled such anywhere you can easily see. Maybe if I pulled something apart.. NAHHH..

How are you liking your Malibu LTZ? Giving you decent fuel economy?

[robsBU08]

I have had my 2008 Malibu 2LT for about 2 months now, and absolutly LOVE the car. I love seats, I love the dash lay out, I love the cool blue lights that come down from the interior mirror, I love the XM, I love the onstair, it is a very well thought out car. There are even little bowties in the headlights, side marker lights, and reverse lights. The only thing i wish is that the 4-cylinder had more power, but not at the loss of any fuel economy. I used the ONSTAR navigation for the first time the other day and thought it was VERY cool how the directions where downloaded directly to my car, VERY SLICK!

Great job GM

[USA1Fan]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

How are you liking your Malibu LTZ? Giving you decent fuel economy?

Absolutely. Between my relatively conservative driving style and mostly highway round trips to work, my overall fuel economy is right at 29 mpg so far, with just over 10000mi on it. This puts the 3.6 behind the 3.5 4AT 2004 sedan that we had- it averaged 32-34 for the same driving. I'm fortunate that my in-town / city driving is very limited. I'd guess that the car would be low to mid 20's in the Chicagoland suburbs (where the '04 got 25-27 mpg).

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by USA1Fan

Absolutely. Between my relatively conservative driving style and mostly highway round trips to work, my overall fuel economy is right at 29 mpg so far, with just over 10000mi on it. This puts the 3.6 behind the 3.5 4AT 2004 sedan that we had- it averaged 32-34 for the same driving. I'm fortunate that my in-town / city driving is very limited. I'd guess that the car would be low to mid 20's in the Chicagoland suburbs (where the '04 got 25-27 mpg).

Awesome, did you break it in before it got 29 MPG? Or did it always deliver this fuel economy?

[USA1Fan]

Pretty much consistent the whole time. The only real break-in period was the first 500 miles, when I drove by the manual's recommendations, varying speeds, limiting max speed, no cruise, off the highway using rural roads to and from work as much as possible (including more stop and go than I see otherwise). Even then it was over 25 mpg. I'd love to speak about 'city' fuel economy, but I'm afraid my driving hasn't really hit what some consider city conditions over a whole tank, so when others are getting ~20 or less, I can't feel their pain.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by USA1Fan

Pretty much consistent the whole time. The only real break-in period was the first 500 miles, when I drove by the manual's recommendations, varying speeds, limiting max speed, no cruise, off the highway using rural roads to and from work as much as possible (including more stop and go than I see otherwise). Even then it was over 25 mpg. I'd love to speak about 'city' fuel economy, but I'm afraid my driving hasn't really hit what some consider city conditions over a whole tank, so when others are getting ~20 or less, I can't feel their pain.

Would you say if you're going to drive mostly highway the V6 is worth the extra $1000? Since people driving highway seem to be getting in the upper 20's.

[USA1Fan]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

Would you say if you're going to drive mostly highway the V6 is worth the extra $1000? Since people driving highway seem to be getting in the upper 20's.

That's another tough question. Mostly highway would probably push the advantage even more toward the 2.4l, since it gets even better hwy numbers. The real answer for me goes like this though- is ~28-30 good enough for you? Do you want the ability for the car to SCAT when you romp it if you have need? Then get the V6. If extra OOMPH hiding in the rafters isn't important, or if you want better than 30 mpg highway, then the 2.4's more likely to make you happy.