First Drive: 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: LAMONTBURNS
I drive a 2002 myself. Runs great. Like the looks of this one too.

Just wish it was not called a Malibu.

How are the seats? We use them as company cars and the seats tear your back up after a while.

 

[EvilYoda]

We have a 2003 Malibu, and it's not very impressive, so it's interesting to hear all the commotion about the change in the new model...I think it looks pretty ugly too, but if it drives well, then that's what really matters to most of the people looking at this segment.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
The interior looks like a cheap knock-off of the camry's.

Sometimes I wonder why certain people even bother posting in car threads.

Malibu interior
Camry interior

Better Camry interior shot:

Camry Interior

 

[Banana]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
I actually like the exterior design, but the interior just feels about as inviting as my proctologist's office.

Bad case of hemorrhoids?

I rent from Avis a lot and end up with the Malibew frequently, so I'm glad it's being improved. My biggest gripe with the old model is that the center AC vents don't aim lower than horizontal--what a gaff! Also, the steering wheel is too far away from the seat back, so I either have to sit too close to the dash, or hold my arms straight out. (Yeah--I have short azn arms . . . )

 

[BigSmooth]

It's obviously a better vehicle than the previous Malibu, but it's as ugly as most other Chevys (except the Corvette). I really don't like the front end.

 

[TheAudit]

I hated the old Malibu, they couldn't have made it any more boring.
I ended up with one as a rental and it didn't drive all that badly but I would never have recommended it.
Nothing about the new model is going to change my opinion either.

 

[Cfour]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: Cfour

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: NFS4

It's already started. I saw a TV commercial today advertising the brand new '04 Malibu with a $1,000 cash rebate and 0% financing

It's almost tiring to watch GM build another crap car. I mean seriously, is it that hard for GM to build a class competitive car? I could make half a million GM sucks jokes, but this rolling defect makes it pretty clear that GM is it's own worst enemy.

Crap just like all the new Cadillacs coming out? Crap like the new GTO? Even this car you try to rip on is getting great reviews. Face it man, try to name one "bad" car that GM has come out with since Lutz came on board.

Buick Raineer, "updating" the Pontiac Sunfire and Chevy Cavalier, Saturn Ion, his decisio0n to keep GMs family of craptastic minivans - yet just give them new names so they seem like new models, etc. etc. etc. The Caddy lineup is the only thing that shines out of all of GM's brands. AS for the GTO - why should Lutz get all of the credit for it? All he did was take a muscle car that was fully developed in another country, slap a name that has history to many americans, and add a new grill.

Well actually, he had little or NO influence on all the cars you mentioned above. Also, the cavalier is AXED. It is being replaced. And the GTO is considered to be his pet project, and was pretty much responsible for it being imported.

 

[RU482]

I heard the Malibu has electric (instead of hydraulic) streering. In a 12V system...Yikes!

 

[Babbles]

I think the exterior desing looks great, I am not a big fan of hatchbacks and I think that looks great too. Now the interior, that may be another story. While it does not look bad, per se, it just does not look good either. The particular color scheme they chose to show for the photo really bites.

Heading in the right direction, I think, but not quite there yet.