GM's woes don't carry down to this Malibu

[91 s-10baja]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05153/514117.stm

GM's woes don't carry down to this Malibu
Thursday, June 02, 2005

By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

General Motors may be having serious troubles on the financial and model fronts, but don't assume that you should wipe it off your shopping list.

Some of the motor giant's cars and trucks need replacement, this much is true. But it is equally true there are some stellar models that you'd be wise to check out.

Chief among those is the 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx. This versatile front-wheel-drive, five-door "extended wheelbase" sedan is chock full of consumer-friendly features.

The Malibu Maxx has won many awards, including "recommended'' and "best buy'' designations from Consumer Guide and Consumer Digest, respectively, "Best Cars for Families" by Parents Magazine and the AAA, "Car of the Year" from the Detroit Free Press and the "Most Dependable Entry Midsize Car" by J.D. Power and Associates. To top it off, it also earned 19 out of 20 stars in impact tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The bottom line here is that you are making a huge mistake if you are in the market and don't consider this car

[mbukukanyau]

If only GM had given malibu an interior as good as opel's or acura TSX. They have the highest qualuty sedan on the market, better safety than volvo, V6 engine with better mileage than import 4 bangers, Gee! GM is soo blind!

[paul8488]

I find it amazing how much I like the MAXX and how little I like the sedan. If this was 5-speed I'd seriously consider it for my next car... as it is I almost would anyways. Surely an SS version will have a stick.

[plane]

The LT interior is quite nice. In fact, amazingly nice. Despite popular perception and innuendo, GM actually does build cars that are as good as and often better than the competition. This is definitely the case with the Malibu.

[AdmiralViscen]

This is exactly how a review should be written. Separate the corporation from the vehicle.

[BigAls87Z28]

I still think that most of GM's woes of slumping sales are of old and outdated product.
What new car isnt selling at or above previous levels?
The interior of the car is actualy very high quality, just has a very bland and drab appearance. The SS's upgrades of almost EXACTLY what I wanted changed in my Malibu Maxx is all it really needs. I would like to see a black and grey interior, as well as black and tan. A 5spd option would be nice, but I think that just using the 6spd from the GTP would be more then fine. Or even getting the 6spd autos with the electronic shift would suffice for 90% of the drivers out there. Anyone else who wants a real sporty car is probably gunna and probably should shop at Pontiac.

As for the article, I deffinatly agree with almost everything except its handling. While the car shows good handling, I dont think it offers enough. Take that with a grain of salt because I really take this thing into the corners and put this chassis through the ringer. I think that the Maxx SS is what I need.

[KingElvis]

I'm trying to get Mrs. Kingelvis to take a look at the Malibu - I like the 60 degree V6 - nice and smooth and it revs high - 200hp in a 3200lb car is nothing to be ashamed of - especially given the great mpg.

Personally, I like the restrained look much better than something like the Nissan Altima, which I see as way too 'busy' with all those extraneous character lines. I think it's just as good as an Accord, but you can get it for only $15G with this new employee discount deal.

[saturnsteve]

I had a 1998 Malibu, and that thing was a piece. And to make it worse, it was built here in OKC. I have not driven a new one, but I am sure that it has to be better than the '98 that I had. I agree that the interior is terrible. The AURA is on the same platform, and I am sure glad that they got the interior right on that one!

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

I think that the Maxx SS is what I need.

Do you know if the MAXX SS is actually going to be produced? If so, do you know for sure what engine and transmission will go into it? The MAXX would suit me perfectly, and an SS would make it all the more appealing.

[91fairladyZ]

According to this months MotorTrendm it will be produced. And they like them. It will have the 3.9 with a sportier suspension and a 4spd auto.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by paul8488

I find it amazing how much I like the MAXX and how little I like the sedan. If this was 5-speed I'd seriously consider it for my next car... as it is I almost would anyways. Surely an SS version will have a stick.

It's weird, but I feel the exact opposite. The MAXX does nothing for me, but the sedan I love. If I were in the market for a midsize FWD vehicle, the Malibu sedan would definitely be at the top of my list. The only thing I don't like is that the interior looks 'plastickey' to me.

[zeobandit]

I like the Maxx better then the sedan, but I would buy either one, depending on what my needs are. Neither is ugly to me.

[cc3399]

They really need to freshen up the front and the rear of that car to make it look more aggressive. It looks sooo lame and tame it's impossible not to think of it as a rental car.

[bobojay]

I saw the '06 Malibu Maxx SS and Malibu (not SS) sedan at the Fairfax plant last week. The front fascia and grille is different on both models. The SS's will have the new 3.9 engine in them w/4spd. auto. I "think" the 5 or 6 spd. auto may come in '07. Both had black (ebony) interior in them with light grey accents. Don't know if all I saw will make it into production. I know the ebony interior is coming...........The plant is pumped!! about these cars. Just wish more people would go see and consider how much better these Malibus are over the Camry.

[paul8488]

Well I'm really interested in the MAXSX now that we get talking... but I just don't know if I'd switch to automatic. I know the idea is to get back to good value Chevs and sporty Pontiacs, but if Chev is going to be a full lineup I really wish there were a few more manuals. I mean if they're allowed to have an SS model, surely it's not much of a stretch to adding the 6-speed manual going into the G6 GXP. Then again I'm kinda cheap, so would be just as happy with a 4-cyl MAXX with a 5-speed, if they made it.