I noticed an Enterprise sticker on the back of one. Is this really such a bad thing? You won't find many private owner 2006 Malibus on the used car market. At least I haven't seen any! It is all the rentals flooding the market that makes the price so attractive.
2.2l Ecotec 2007 Malibu
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People say that rental cars are abused.
On the other hand, privately owned cars are abused too. Especially leased cars. And didn't we have some idiot on here a while back who posted about needing help fooling the dealership into thinking that wifey's Exploder had actually gotten the oil changed at least once in the 20K before the engine locked up?
On the other hand, privately owned cars are abused too. Especially leased cars. And didn't we have some idiot on here a while back who posted about needing help fooling the dealership into thinking that wifey's Exploder had actually gotten the oil changed at least once in the 20K before the engine locked up?
I'm not paying $12k for a 4 cylinder vehicle that someone used to try to uproot small trees in their yard.
Oh dude, COME ON!! I agree whole heartedly that the Ecotec is a STELLAR engine, but put your Cavi against a Miata in ANY form of motorsport and you'll get wasted. Especially a Mazdaspeed Miata. Just a regular one with 20 less hp would whip a cavis ________ on an autocross course. Perhaps you have the edge in a flat out drag race (not against a turbo mazdaspeed though).
What kind of moron would rent a Malibu for that? I think the $19.99/day Uhaul van would be a better choice.
The Ecotec must be a reliable motor, I have driven many Malibu rental cars w/ around 20-40K on the odometer which is the equivalent of 80-100K miles of normal non abuse miles and the engines are still strong, in a 2005 Base malibu it returned 37.5mpg. The engine is very anemic but serves its purpose nicely - its a far superior engine to the Quad 4 it replaced in the 2002 model year.
I have very limited experience with the Ecotec but I have been getting 31 mpg average mpg with mixed driving. Have 2800 miles on the new Cobalt so far. The actual mpg is within 1/2 mpg of the computer, so for fun I reset the computer while driving to Richmond up I-95 the other day with cruise set at 68 MPH. The computer said it was getting 38 mpg. Very quiet engine and seems to serve its purpose well.
From what I have seen, it turns out nice UOA's.
I would second the idea that for only a 1 or 2 mpg penalty you can have a significant amount of exta power by gettting the v6.
Several years ago I have a '98 malibu with the 3.1L v6. That was a pretty fast little car that got great fuel economy. I'm sure the new v6's make even more power!
I would second the idea that for only a 1 or 2 mpg penalty you can have a significant amount of exta power by gettting the v6.
Several years ago I have a '98 malibu with the 3.1L v6. That was a pretty fast little car that got great fuel economy. I'm sure the new v6's make even more power!
1) The 6 cylinder isn't a reliable as the 2.2l 4 cylinder.
2) The 6 cylinder will cost a bit more $$$.
2) The 6 cylinder will cost a bit more $$$.
3) The 6 cylinder is probably a pain to replace the spark plugs on.
I think it depends on what you are looking for - Reliability and good MPG = Ecotec. More power = 6cyl. As someone stated - the new Mazdas are nice for power/speed. But if I was looking for an economy car - I wouldn't hesitate to get the new Chevy Cobalt with the Ecotec. If you have some extra $$$ - look at the Pontiac Solistice and the Saturn Sky. I believe both have an updated Ecotec.
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I have one of the more original 2.2L Ecotecs. It is in a light Pontiac Sunfire tho (2300 pounds) so the car is very zippy and does get close to 40mpg (38.7 MPG avg) at 75mph on the 210 in Los Angeles.
The "buzz" that most people talk about is in high RPMS. At 1-3k rpms the engine is hardly noticable and really smooth. Yes, the city MPG drops considerably (I got 26MPG on city only) but highway I've gotten 47MPG going 50-55mph on flat roads in Iowa.
I've tested the 0-60mph and clocked 6.9 seconds with a friend timing. Even raced (to speed limit) a friend in Scion coup and passed him pretty easily. My sisters 05 sunfire auto tranny has a 8.0 sec 0-60. ??? I've got a manual tranny, maybe thats why. So anyway, that speed comes in very handy when trying to pass people and brings a surprised look to everyone who thinks you have a 12+ sec 0-60.
Top speed is limited at 110 - the gas petal just sinks in and doesn't work until you drop to 109. (innocent look)...
Engine temperature is 190F normally. If you sit in traffic it goes to 226+F before the fan turns on (having the AC on keeps the engine temp under 200 though).
And yes - changing oil on this thing is the best thing since sliced bread. Cartridge oil filter is hard to find and they are expensive $5-7. I suggest the Nappa Gold or the Purolator and *seriously* recommend you stay away from Fram - their oil filters for this car have cracked pieces of plastic that fall off + bad design. The oil sump for my car is 5.5 quarts so get used to buying 6 quarts. The UOAs are excellent even at 7500 miles.
This engine does not like being cold - lot of ticking and clacking on start up so let it warp up for a few seconds. A lot of 2.2L Ecotec owners have noticed more noise with lighter oils - GC or another heavier oil helps quiet that startup noise. I have not noticed much of a MPG difference between a light 5w30 and a heavy 0w30. The engine seems to high rev a little easier with a lighter oil though.
One thing I noticed - I keep getting better MPG as the car ages.
Hope this helps - Paul
A 2300lb sunfire? You sure about that?
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A 2300lb sunfire? You sure about that?
that, along with many other things in that essay are probably made up
Are you guys really telling me that your EcoTec cars are averaging over 30 mpg? If so, I 'll go buy one. Why don't any of the magazines or Consumer Reports show such good milage?
JHZR2
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my ecotec-block 04 saab 9-3 got 37.56 MPG last tank... 2.0L, 175 hp, 195 lb-ft from fast idle...
Thats more or less normal...
JMH
Thats more or less normal...
JMH
If you make 10 mi+ trips, then sure. But in-town, the Ecotec's mileage stinks if you make 1-2 mi trips. You'll get very low 20s...we had one for a rental while the Saturn was at the body shop several years ago. My mom commented that it had outstanding torque, but the gas mileage was worse than the Saturn.
I'm sure the Ecotec is a reliable engine, as with most engines on the road today if they're maintained properly. Thus, I don't see what's the big deal over that engine...and it isn't particularly quiet or refined.
Sure, I could live with the Ecotec, but the rest of the car is just...blah. GM cars are fairly dated compared to the competition. I'd rather give up some reliability, money, or power in return for a more well-rounded, overall package...
I'm sure the Ecotec is a reliable engine, as with most engines on the road today if they're maintained properly. Thus, I don't see what's the big deal over that engine...and it isn't particularly quiet or refined.
Sure, I could live with the Ecotec, but the rest of the car is just...blah. GM cars are fairly dated compared to the competition. I'd rather give up some reliability, money, or power in return for a more well-rounded, overall package...
That might have been the case 5 years ago but gm has really made a huge turnaround. All of their newer vehicles are top notch IMO.
Then why aren't people rushing out to buy Cobalts? Or Malibus? Or Impalas?
Perhaps you're one of those people who aren't as picky as I am (absolutely nothing wrong with that), but the Cobalt simply doesn't measure up in terms of refinement, quality, and build quality with the class leaders.
Actually people are rushing out to buy those cars, well the cobalt and impala. I work in the plant that builds the impala and our 3rd shift was just recently saved because of extremely strong impala sales.
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