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Happened into a new leftover version of the discontinued Maxx yesterday, while perusing the Chevy lot for HHRs (they had 2 1/2).
This is the LT (base) version, stickered at just under 21 grand and with no options. It has 4-W-discs with ABS and side curtain airbags, and a few other gadgets. It has a 3.5 with 217 HP and 217 TQ and the ubiquitous, as they say in the car magazines, 4-speed GM automatic.
My last Chevrolet contact was when I sold my 2004 Impala 3.4. This Maxx is light years past that car in every way except space utilization.
It drives solid, the suspension cures all the incompetencies of the last-gen Impala. [I realize this is not a direct descendent of the Impala. But it's in the same price and size class, and that's close for me.] Little lean in corners, and far better jounce and rebound control.
The motor is smoother, quieter, and feels strong rather than strained.
I like the wagon layout. But who forgot the rear wiper on the 40-degree slope of the back glass?
And what's with Americans? Don't they know anything about nooks and crannies and cool storage spaces molded into plastic that has to be molded anyway?
NO? :think:
My Accords had storage slots in all four doors, they had cup holders in all four doors, they had stash spaces for sunglasses in the roof, giant glove boxes...Are they lazy at Chevrolet, or just stupid?
Put dead space to work. :doh:
Stickered at near 21 grand, the saleshomie said they'll be taking $16,500 for it or 16 even if you're active military. Guess us retired mils can just piss off, eh?
This car is leaps and bounds ahead of my old Impala. The seat is a two-way power job, up and down. It comfort dynamics are better than the Impala's, but that's like saying getting your arse kicked by two thugs is better than by four. It feels OK but I fear its long-trip comfort will be lacking.
The powertrain (and the suspension) gets A from me. It has effortless power, and I think it will get into the middle 30s on the highway. The MPG genie kept climbing (it had 60 miles on it); when I left the dealer it showed about 18, by the time I had gotten back it showed 24. Not bad for some highway and some town piddling.
We are considering this car, but a smaller vehicle with better seats will probably trump it.
This is the LT (base) version, stickered at just under 21 grand and with no options. It has 4-W-discs with ABS and side curtain airbags, and a few other gadgets. It has a 3.5 with 217 HP and 217 TQ and the ubiquitous, as they say in the car magazines, 4-speed GM automatic.
My last Chevrolet contact was when I sold my 2004 Impala 3.4. This Maxx is light years past that car in every way except space utilization.
It drives solid, the suspension cures all the incompetencies of the last-gen Impala. [I realize this is not a direct descendent of the Impala. But it's in the same price and size class, and that's close for me.] Little lean in corners, and far better jounce and rebound control.
The motor is smoother, quieter, and feels strong rather than strained.
I like the wagon layout. But who forgot the rear wiper on the 40-degree slope of the back glass?
And what's with Americans? Don't they know anything about nooks and crannies and cool storage spaces molded into plastic that has to be molded anyway?
NO? :think:
My Accords had storage slots in all four doors, they had cup holders in all four doors, they had stash spaces for sunglasses in the roof, giant glove boxes...Are they lazy at Chevrolet, or just stupid?
Put dead space to work. :doh:
Stickered at near 21 grand, the saleshomie said they'll be taking $16,500 for it or 16 even if you're active military. Guess us retired mils can just piss off, eh?
This car is leaps and bounds ahead of my old Impala. The seat is a two-way power job, up and down. It comfort dynamics are better than the Impala's, but that's like saying getting your arse kicked by two thugs is better than by four. It feels OK but I fear its long-trip comfort will be lacking.
The powertrain (and the suspension) gets A from me. It has effortless power, and I think it will get into the middle 30s on the highway. The MPG genie kept climbing (it had 60 miles on it); when I left the dealer it showed about 18, by the time I had gotten back it showed 24. Not bad for some highway and some town piddling.
We are considering this car, but a smaller vehicle with better seats will probably trump it.
ics:]
