Topic: CD Article: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

[Autos_Editor]

Today's First Drive:


Bigger and roomier than the previous Malibu, the redesigned 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is now a genuine competitor to the popular Camry and Accord says Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon.  "I was more than impressed.  I was excited," he says.
   

  More:

Read the article | View the photos | All The First Drives

[rrocket]

I too REALLY like this car. It's a good value I think.  I looked at one closely on the weekend.  Interior was great, overall styling quite good.  I didn't have a chance to take it for a drive though.  I would buy one...but with all the troubles we've had with our current GM, I don't know if I can trust the General to not disappoint us long term.....Once bitten....

[articsteve]

They're making the same mistake as they did with the Aura by using the same 4 cylinder mated to an antiquated 4 speed. 

[sailor723]

I too REALLY like this car. It's a good value I think.  I looked at one closely on the weekend.  Interior was great, overall styling quite good.  I didn't have a chance to take it for a drive though.  I would buy one...but with all the troubles we've had with our current GM, I don't know if I can trust the General to not disappoint us long term.....Once bitten....

I think GM is going to have to build good quality cars for a LONG time before they can turn their reputation around. Look how long it's taken Hyundai to shake the stigma left by the Pony/Stellar/Excel etc. Justified or not....right now I automaticly equate GM with crappy fit and finish,lots of repairs and poor resale value.

[safristi]

Bridge ,,Wing ..GRANT!!!   whomever...can we get a programme to meld "same threads " together.....there is an increasing number of threads that are all on the same TOPIC...spread wherever...Just a suggestion...BY NOON would be acceptable.... signed Is_MELD _A_OPTION.....like ma shoes..?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The pricing on this car is as exceptional as the product itself. I don't like some of the interior combos, and how you're forced into something depending on the trim level, but other than that not too much to fault.

Well done!

[Spheric]

American cars are great when going in a straight line....

[Snowman]

American cars are great when going in a straight line....

  Another well informed post. 

[2latecrew]

I've already said my opinion (mostly positive) about this car.

I don't mean to totally sidetrack the thread but this is just too good an example to pass up. this is a BRAND NEW model. There are no incentives as of yet anywhere its brand new.

$33,610 for the LTZ model in Canada
$26,995  for the LTZ model in US

$6600!?

This was/is a prme opportunity as all the development for this car while not done with the $ at par for sure was done with the dollar well over 85cents. If this thing is as good as it sounds imagine had they offered the LTZ VS with all those goodies for 29,995. It would KILL anything else in its class for value.

The US 4cyl starts at 19995 . Once again even if they came in at 22K in Canada they would KILL anything in its class for value. Heck they'd probaly pick up a lot of smaller car buyers from other brands (at the risk of canabalizing Conbalt sales which is another story)


I hink this car will do well regardless. But I think they had an opportunity to make a major statment on a very important market (midsized). They didn't have to match Us pricing even. But they they could have hit a pricepoint had they not been either so greedy or more likley stuck in the past with future plans for big rebates. Its just my opinion but I think they still price their cars (even ones as good as the new malibu) with the idea they will offer some rebate in the future rather than offering an oustanding value right form the start.

[cdndriver]

Why does General Motors use steering wheel from Toyota Corolla in so many of their cars? And finally, could someone explain why Saturn Vue Redline has a Honda V6 under the hood?

[articsteve]

could someone explain why Saturn Vue Redline has a Honda V6 under the hood?

You mean what was in it for Honda?  That was a puzzle really.  Perhaps Honda got some access to some GM technology in exchange.  Anyways, that all history now and watch sales wane on the V6 models. 

[carcrazy]

I think GM priced the Malibu relative to the Canadian market MSRPs and compared to its competitors, they priced it well.

Malibu LTZ           $33,610
Accord EX-L V6     $34,990
Altima 3.5SE         $36,448 (CVT/Sunroof/Leather Packages)
Camry XLE V6       $37,525

GM will play the "exchange rate" rebates like the other manufacturers. In the end, the real purchase price will be significantly lower which makes it an even better value.

[Cortina]

How would you keep a straight face with that interior?



  I'm not sure!!!! How would you ever keep it clean?

[windstarguy]

Judging by the photos, it looks like if you prang the front bumper you're going to be in for an expensive repair, as the grill is going to take a hit along with the bumper. Same thing as the Mitsubishi Outlander's rear bumper, which also looks like an expensive repair, as it doesn't seem to protect the tail gate if you say, back into a post.

I know the idea is not to hit stuff with your car, but hey, stuff happens, you know?

[articsteve]

I think GM priced the Malibu relative to the Canadian market MSRPs and compared to its competitors, they priced it well.

Malibu LTZ           $33,610
Accord EX-L V6     $34,990
Altima 3.5SE         $36,448 (CVT/Sunroof/Leather Packages)
Camry XLE V6       $37,525

GM will play the "exchange rate" rebates like the other manufacturers. In the end, the real purchase price will be significantly lower which makes it an even better value.

Those are all wonderful comparisons, but in the Canadian market 85% of Camrys and Accords are sold with the 4 cylinder; proven motors and transmission combos that will crush the GM 4 banger/4speed slushbox.

[carcrazy]

Judging by the photos, it looks like if you prang the front bumper you're going to be in for an expensive repair, as the grill is going to take a hit along with the bumper. Same thing as the Mitsubishi Outlander's rear bumper, which also looks like an expensive repair, as it doesn't seem to protect the tail gate if you say, back into a post.

I know the idea is not to hit stuff with your car, but hey, stuff happens, you know?

It depends how you look at it. If you damage the grill only, it should be cheaper to replace than fixing the bumper. The same goes for the Outlander - if you hit the corner of the bumper, that's a separate piece so it's cheaper to replace/fix than the whole bumper. If you hit in the middle, you replace only that section. The tricky part is if you damage the hinges (flip down section) you may be in for more trouble.
I would be more concerned about the SUVs with the tailgate integrated into the bumper (e.g. the CRV and few other Honda/Acura models). If you hit the upper part of the "bumper" you actually hit the tailgate, which is metal and becomes prone to rust. To replace the whole tailgate... that must hurt your pocket really bad.

[carcrazy]

I think GM priced the Malibu relative to the Canadian market MSRPs and compared to its competitors, they priced it well.

Malibu LTZ           $33,610
Accord EX-L V6     $34,990
Altima 3.5SE         $36,448 (CVT/Sunroof/Leather Packages)
Camry XLE V6       $37,525

GM will play the "exchange rate" rebates like the other manufacturers. In the end, the real purchase price will be significantly lower which makes it an even better value.

Those are all wonderful comparisons, but in the Canadian market 85% of Camrys and Accords are sold with the 4 cylinder; proven motors and transmission combos that will crush the GM 4 banger/4speed slushbox.

The price, because this is what we were talking about until now, seems to preserve the hierarchy for the 4 bangers models so Malibu is still priced below its competitors for the I4 models.
We weren't debating Malibu vs. Camry theme yet, but here we go.... Let the show begin. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Crush?

[articsteve]

What the heck is that chart? 

Let's assume that mileage is equal; I'm talking driveability. Look at the Aura, a flop.  It's the same powerplant combo. 

[articsteve]

The price, because this is what we were talking about until now, seems to preserve the hierarchy for the 4 bangers models so Malibu is still priced below its competitors for the I4 models.

If ppl bought simply on price including 0% financing GM should have 50% of the market.

We weren't debating Malibu vs. Camry theme yet, but here we go.... Let the show begin.
 
Did I exclude Accord in my post    Or was that you. 

Chevy is running 2 Malibu commercials currently.  First targets the Accord by name and the second, the Camry.  So they are hoping to start a debate between the three.  If they offer 0% financing they'll move them, but when does come the point that a manufacturer must no longer sell a car at a loss.