A week in a new Malibu

[DaveL]

I had a Malibu for a rental car last week and over the course of about 750 miles of driving was impressed. My own wheels are a 2004 4 cyl Accord, and while the Malibu fell a little short of that benchmark in handling (not quite as crisp) and interior materials quality (still a little too much hard plastic), it was a worthy competitor overall. In fact, it felt like they used my Accord as the model for much of the interior layout in the Malibu, cheapening it up just a little. Too bad GM didn't develop this version 7-8 years ago so Honda could be catching up to GM, rather than the other way around. By way of comparison, I have rented other Chevy's in past years that I could not wait to return, as they almost felt dangerous to drive, but I enjoyed driving this one.

One probably minor issue was that at 11K there was already something wrong with the TPMS and a warning message that it needed servicing kept appearing periodically. Two things I liked better about the Malibu were the trunk hinges (the Accord uses the luggage crusher style) and the oil filter (the Accord's is in the back of the engine, while the Malibu's is in front and is a cartridge style with the cap on top - looked like a nice design).

 

[mstrjon32]

I don't know who GM found to make their TPMS sensors, but they need to fire them and get someone else. I've had 3 of them go bad in my car prompting that annoying "Service Tire Monitor System" message. My warranty is out in about 100 miles, so I fully expect the 4th to go soon after.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: DaveL
One probably minor issue was that at 11K there was already something wrong with the TPMS and a warning message that it needed servicing kept appearing periodically.


With it being a rental, who knows how it has been treated. It may still be on the factory fill oil as well...

I had a new Malibu as a dealer loaner and was impressed as well.

 

[chet2]

well GM could really use the bizness so i hope they can sell a lot of the malibus...i know the assembly line workers in KC would appreciate us buying a malibu...my next car is a cobalt with the cartridge filter...very easy to change...i work at a supplier

 

[oilboy123]

I just changed a cartridge filter on a Saturn last week. I like the set up. Wish my car had one.

Nice way to know what is going on in the motor.......

 

[GMBoy]

Was the rental a base model? I assumme it was. AS you move up to the LT and LTZ models the interiors are much nicer.

 

[qship1996]

The real test will be to drive both when they have 80-100,000 miles on them.

 

[DaveL]

I think the rental was a base model, so the interior comparison to my Accord EXL may not have been fair. I agree that the real test will come with higher mileage on the Malibu, including consideration of the repair history. My point of reference for the comparison described above (2004 Accord) has 65,000 miles and two repairs that I recall. The first was a recall notice related to the airbag wiring harness and the second was replacement of a part in the audio display panel - under warranty.