Another review praising the Malibu.. I know, I know..

[MinneCarFreak]

Well.. we went to our Chevy dealer to look at sedans to replacing our aging Honda Accord (1998?), and I couldn't believe how nice the new Malibu looked in person. Each and every trim level has its ups and downs as you would expect, but my favorite total package would have to the LTZ. The interior is downright fantastic, both in terms of styling and fit and finish. The brick leater was awesome, and the front seats felt really sporty. The way the center console is integrated with the dash is absolutely flawless. I also loved the IP, and how the gauges look. They're easy to read, with a bit of an almost BMW-like flair to them. The back seat is pretty comfortable as well, and it seems like it'd be a fun road trip car. My only gripe is that I fear that, like most new cars today, the interior will be dulled down with everyday use; plastics scratching, leather fading, instruments losing their lighting, etc. But overall, I loved it.

The exterior, too, is amazing. I love the profile of the car, since it reminds me of a VW Phaeton, which is one of my favorite cars. The new front end is amazing, and almost European-esque, which is no surprise considering where this car originated. I also love the neat little touches Chevy threw in to make the package come together as a whole. I do fear that the tailights and lower trunk will be susceptible to damage in a rear end collision, and I also fear that in a front end collision, repairs will be costly due to the big grille and headlights. I also noticed on the LT models, GM has resorted to using the wheels on the G6?!?!? What's that about? All in all, it was an amazing car. I will report back with any updates or news that comes along.

[gmmerc5]

With the praising, I was expecting to see the last picture of you and your family drove a new Malibu off the dealer's lot.

[MinneCarFreak]

Originally Posted by gmmerc5

With the praising, I was expecting to see the last picture of you and your family drove a new Malibu off the dealer's lot.

It's coming.m My dad got a black LTZ. I will hopefully have some pictures soon. :-) I'm working on writing up a G8 review that will be published tonight.

[FenwickHockey65]

I just noticed that the headlight has a little Chevy badge in it. That's a nice touch. I looked at all four trim levels today, LTZ was by far the best. I love the chrome grille insert.

[Quickening]

Sigh I HATE dealership badging.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Sigh I HATE dealership badging.

So do I. It'll cost the dealer a sale if they have their name on the body of the car. License plate brackets, trailer hitch covers, those I can live with. But other than that, I hate seeing the dealer's name anywhere on the body.

[MinneCarFreak]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

So do I. It'll cost the dealer a sale if they have their name on the body of the car. License plate brackets, trailer hitch covers, those I can live with. But other than that, I hate seeing the dealer's name anywhere on the body.

Agreed. At least the Crown logo is a decal rather than an ungainly plaque, or heaven forbid those stupid dealer emblems small town dealers plaster on fenders, trunks, AND on the front license plate.

[MinneCarFreak]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I just noticed that the headlight has a little Chevy badge in it. That's a nice touch. I looked at all four trim levels today, LTZ was by far the best. I love the chrome grille insert.

Look closely.. there's bowties in the corner lamps and taillamps as well.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Sigh I HATE dealership badging.

They take it off or lose a sale, thats my rule. I'm not a rolling advertisement.

[gmmerc5]

Originally Posted by MinneCarFreak

It's coming.m My dad got a black LTZ. I will hopefully have some pictures soon. :-) I'm working on writing up a G8 review that will be published tonight.

Speaking for myself and I am sure many of my coworkers as well, thank you and to your dad for purchasing one of our plant's product, I hope your dad's LTZ was from the fairfax plant.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by gmmerc5

Speaking for myself and I am sure many of my coworkers as well, thank you and to your dad for purchasing one of our plant's product, I hope your dad's LTZ was from the fairfax plant.

My '07 Malibu is out of Fairfax! Thanks for a great car!

[CadiEldo67]

I think that my favorite interior color combo would have to be the Cashmere/Cocoa, on the LT-2 trim, with the Ultralux Suede. I like it on the LTZ, but I also like the Ultralux, alot...

And about the dealer badging, the local dealership went from using the stamped on lettering, to the stickers, the ol' Fiero is branded for life, the Canyon/Sierra/Montana/Grand Prix are nameless-as far as a dealership name.

[autofan]

Originally Posted by MinneCarFreak

I also noticed on the LT models, GM has resorted to using the wheels on the G6?!?!? What's that about?

The current Malibu lineup does not share any wheel designs with the G6, save for the new 4-cyl LTZ which uses the same chrome-tech wheels as the G6 GT. Could that have been the model you saw?

[gmmerc5]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

My '07 Malibu is out of Fairfax! Thanks for a great car!

Glad to know that you are happy with the 07' Malibu, and I and everyone here think you deserve to be happier, so it is time to be ready for the 09' Malibu ;-).

[fastdriver]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

My '07 Malibu is out of Fairfax! Thanks for a great car!

My 08 is out of FAIRFAX too!

GMMERC5 and the rest of the gang in Fairfax did a FANTASTIC job! Everything works, nothing has fallen off or broken, no electrical gremlins, no water leaks, no peeling trimwork, no tire road noise etc. NOTHING like my previous "Motor Trend Car of the Year- 1999 Chrysler 300M!"That, too, was a FIRST year model! Keep up the good work Fairfax and GM!!

I still feel like I'm driving an exotic rare car because of the styling and the fact that I have only seen about 4 so far in So. CT! My Mali is as nice, if not nicer, than the 05 Buick LaCrosse CXS that it replaced! The Red Jewel tint looks FANTASTIC in the sun with that glittering metallic flake! It was worth the extra $300.00!