The new Chevy Malibu!
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I just was looking at the Malibu's tonight and I really can't see how even a BMW or Mercedes driver can blak at the Malibu's quality. It might not be as good but in is still high quality and a very tight car! The one I drove was SOLID and very plush inside with padded dash and doors and a thick head liner!
GM sells millions of vehicles a year...apparently not everybody really cares about interior plastic.
FWIW, I used to be pretty hung up about interior stuff. No longer. Once you have a 2 year old, the completely cheap plastic interior (like in my Impala) actually becomes a selling point as she puts her feet all over it climbing up into the car seat
Nowadays if I can vacuum up most of the dirt and there's no funky smells I'm a happy camper.
FWIW, I used to be pretty hung up about interior stuff. No longer. Once you have a 2 year old, the completely cheap plastic interior (like in my Impala) actually becomes a selling point as she puts her feet all over it climbing up into the car seat
Nowadays if I can vacuum up most of the dirt and there's no funky smells I'm a happy camper.
People that know the difference and care about it do.
What sells the most is rarely a good indication that a product is particularly good at anything. Fram filters and Budweiser beer being two prime examples.
My sister is a huge BMW fan and the new Malibu is as tight and solid as her 2003 Beemer. Both have nice padded dash and doors and the doors open and close with a nice solid feel and no rattles at all! The leather in her Beemer is nicer then GM's but that is just about it! GM is really closing the gap with some of it's new cars.
I have to ask if that Malibu uses real wood trim panels? Does it use aluminum suspension components? Does it offer a 5 speed automatic or 6 speed manual? Is variable valve timing used on the engine's DOHC design? Does the Malibu even use DOHC format? Are front and side impact airbags standard along with 4 wheel ABS and traction control?
If you disassembled the BMW and the Malibu do you honestly believe you'd find equal mechanicals? BMW doesn't just charge those exhorbitant prices because they can. You actually get something for your money. The question is whether the consumer feels that they're getting their money's worth.
If you disassembled the BMW and the Malibu do you honestly believe you'd find equal mechanicals? BMW doesn't just charge those exhorbitant prices because they can. You actually get something for your money. The question is whether the consumer feels that they're getting their money's worth.
I think you are out of line putting down a competent, moderately priced car down for being a competent, moderately priced car. Not everybody has the money, or the priorities to be driving a BMW.
Your Beemer would be useless when it came to hauling a load of rock.
Fowvay;
People have different priorities. As I said before, a lot of Americans (thankfully) couldn't give a rats' A about real wood trim.
The bottom line is that the Malibu / Impala purchaser is getting the same 10-15 years worth of transportation at a MUCH lower cost per mile. I could have a couple BMWs (paid for), but figured it would be better to buy a house and send my daughter to college someday.
I used to be a worried about what people thought of my car but simply grew out of it...
People have different priorities. As I said before, a lot of Americans (thankfully) couldn't give a rats' A about real wood trim.
The bottom line is that the Malibu / Impala purchaser is getting the same 10-15 years worth of transportation at a MUCH lower cost per mile. I could have a couple BMWs (paid for), but figured it would be better to buy a house and send my daughter to college someday.
I used to be a worried about what people thought of my car but simply grew out of it...
I don't give a crap what people think of my car. Likely, I will be able to retire with some financial security while they're ******* and moaning about their lack of social security.
The BMW it twice the price so yes you will get a "better" car. I'm comparing the overall quality given the materials and price involved. The Malibu is built just a good, tight and solid as the BMW given it's price. You get a better car(value)with the Malibu when looking just at price.
Go look at one and then honestly tell me it is not as solid as the BMW....you can't!
The new Malibu base engine is a great step up from previous 4cylinder engines the genral has offered. THe problem I see is that it is also the same engine that the Cavalier uses and the Cobalt uses. THe 3.5 is not that impresive if you drive a Camry or Maxima then drive it. It is based on the 3.4 V6 so rest assured the intake gasket problems and piston slap will make their way into this model just the same.
The body styleing and interior are definately a step in the right direct interms of styleing but the material are cheap feeling. The do look really nice though. If you park it next to a Camry you can see all of the copying going on in terms of exterior styleing.Fit and finish on them is excellent compared to the Malibu CLassic wich will still be offered for rental companys and fleets.
While I am very pleased that they made some great strides the V6 could have been so much better. They could have used the 3.8 wich is the best engine they have from a durability stand point. THey could have used a derrivitive of the new High content 3.6V6.
The body styleing and interior are definately a step in the right direct interms of styleing but the material are cheap feeling. The do look really nice though. If you park it next to a Camry you can see all of the copying going on in terms of exterior styleing.Fit and finish on them is excellent compared to the Malibu CLassic wich will still be offered for rental companys and fleets.
While I am very pleased that they made some great strides the V6 could have been so much better. They could have used the 3.8 wich is the best engine they have from a durability stand point. THey could have used a derrivitive of the new High content 3.6V6.
Guys,, you're taking my post all wrong. I replied to a post that appeared to say that the Malibu had closed the gap on the BMW. It hasn't.
Nobody in their right mind would think you're getting the same quality and mechanical soundness in a $20,000 car as you were getting in a $40,000 car.
As for what people desire,, to each their own. I don't have a problem with the Malibu and I actually sort of like the new Impala. But in no way am I blind enough to think that one competes with a 3 series BMW and the other competes wth a 5 series BMW. As I mentioned way back at the beginning of this topic, both brands will start and get you where you want to go. If you're going to use the financial argument then it's tough to beat Hyundai and Kia for cost per mile expenditure.
I am thankful that I can afford to drive whatever I want. I have owned a little bit of everything along the way. Each company has it's own philosophy about how they want to make something. Some companies choose to make nice cars,, and some companies choose to make nice profits. I've said it before and I still believe this; General Motors might be able to buy BMW, but they sure can't build one.
Nobody in their right mind would think you're getting the same quality and mechanical soundness in a $20,000 car as you were getting in a $40,000 car.
As for what people desire,, to each their own. I don't have a problem with the Malibu and I actually sort of like the new Impala. But in no way am I blind enough to think that one competes with a 3 series BMW and the other competes wth a 5 series BMW. As I mentioned way back at the beginning of this topic, both brands will start and get you where you want to go. If you're going to use the financial argument then it's tough to beat Hyundai and Kia for cost per mile expenditure.
I am thankful that I can afford to drive whatever I want. I have owned a little bit of everything along the way. Each company has it's own philosophy about how they want to make something. Some companies choose to make nice cars,, and some companies choose to make nice profits. I've said it before and I still believe this; General Motors might be able to buy BMW, but they sure can't build one.
Especially after Ford takes the Mazda 6 and turns it into the Ford Futura (or whatever it's going to be called). Then you won't pay the "import car" surcharge for any replacement parts you may need.
The same can be said about your POS Mazda!quote:
Originally posted by mnztr:
On the whole I think it's a pretty ugly car, at best unremarkable. The Maxx is really ugly. Why would one not buy a Mazda 6 instead of this POS. The Malibu is quite expensive, resale value will probably be typically abysmal, and I've already heard of quality issues. In other words, typical GM BS. Anyone that buys this car is a SUCKER. The Mazda 5 door and wagons are works or art compared to the Maxx. I am completely dumbfounded as to how such ugly cars as this and the Aztek ever see the light of day.
I agree with you the car is a bit ugly.....BUT only the front end. A new set of headlights that look slicker or have more "flow" would dramatically change the look of this car. The current headlight set makes the front end look like a Chevy truck. These new Malibus do have a better look and much better feel to them. As I stated, we have the 04s and 03s....BRAND NEW and they look nothing alike. I will not compare a Bimmer to a Malibu, but it does seem GM is moving in the right direction. The engine still needs to be checked for piston slap and gasket leaks. Time will tell.quote:
Originally posted by mnztr:
On the whole I think it's a pretty ugly car, at best unremarkable. The Maxx is really ugly. Why would one not buy a Mazda 6 instead of this POS. The Malibu is quite expensive, resale value will probably be typically abysmal, and I've already heard of quality issues. In other words, typical GM BS. Anyone that buys this car is a SUCKER. The Mazda 5 door and wagons are works or art compared to the Maxx. I am completely dumbfounded as to how such ugly cars as this and the Aztek ever see the light of day.
On the whole I think it's a pretty ugly car, at best unremarkable. The Maxx is really ugly. Why would one not buy a Mazda 6 instead of this POS. The Malibu is quite expensive, resale value will probably be typically abysmal, and I've already heard of quality issues. In other words, typical GM BS. Anyone that buys this car is a SUCKER. The Mazda 5 door and wagons are works or art compared to the Maxx. I am completely dumbfounded as to how such ugly cars as this and the Aztek ever see the light of day.
Well I don't drive a Mazda 6, but you know, they are made in the USA in case your car judgement is blinded by patriotism. I'd say one would have to be pretty much blind to say the Malibu Maxx is as pretty as the Mazda 6.....you type pretty good for a blind man!!!
Last Z: Are you saying that time will tell if the 3.5 engine has the same shortcomings as the 3.1 and 3.4 or do you already know that it does.
It would be a shame if GM didn't correct these
problems when they were redesigning the engine.
It would be a shame if GM didn't correct these
problems when they were redesigning the engine.
Well.....I have to say that the new malibu is pretty ugly.......but so are most cars in that class. The nissan altima and the mazda 6 are the only 2 that I think look good in the midsize car class. Now the RX-8 on the other hand, would probably be fun to drive.........if you could somehow keep from looking at it.
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