Lets assume that one day the Malibu Design Engineers will find this Forum.

What changes or suggestions would you recommend to them for the future model years of this generation Malibu?

I, for one, would like to see Memory Seats available as an option. I would also like to see the outside temp and at least one trip odometer dispayed at all times regardless of the DIC display selected.

SS model, HO V6, 6sp manual, 20" shoes, mild aero pkg. :D

I second memory seats as a standard feature...how about:

Heated Steering wheel, heads-up-display, bluetooth standard, wheel mounted shifting standard in both the 4 and 6 models (if possible), in-dash Nav, heated mirrors, wider trunk opening width, standard fog lights

And ofcourse - a fully loaded PIZZA OVEN

SS model, HO V6, 6sp manual, 20" shoes, mild aero pkg. :D
For the Malibu? Malo, I don't think the Malibu is intended to become a muscle car.

Think Camaro.

BRIGHT RED color

Wait a minute - the Malibu doesn't have an outdoor temp reading?

I agree with the memory seats. A HUD (heads-up display) would be a nice option. Foglights should AT LEAST be an option on the LT trim level, not only available on the LTZ.

I love my car and am thrilled to own it. I feel like I got $5k worth of high quality design for free. I really have to think hard to come up with anything that needs attention or improvement.


Offer Direct Injection on the 3.6l as in the CTS
Improve the ergos on the paddle shifters
Improve the ergos on the steering wheel button controls
Provide a cancel button for the speed control
Loose the Goodyear tires and go with a higher quality Michelin
Paint the windshield sprayers on the hood to match the color of the car
Reduce the thickness of the A pillar
Put a redline indicator on the tach for 6 cyl LT2's
Improve center console sliding door
Add similar grill insert to bottom opening as found on top openings
Reduce size of bowtie emblem front and rear
If you turn the keys off before putting the car in park the doors locks don't unlock automatically open after the car is put in park.
The color match between plastic panels and steel is not the best with certain colors.
Offer euro style wheels
The chrome trim around the size windows varies widely in shine and is especially poor at the rear door corner.
Improve the head rests to obtain better than marginal rating in rear end crashes.
Torque steer could be improved a tad
Consider offering a turbo 4 cyl if gas prices continue to increase
Eliminate the mold marks on rear bumper
Paint could be improved - there are a few minor glitches
Cup holders are a little small

BRIGHT RED color

Wait a minute - the Malibu doesn't have an outdoor temp reading?
Yes, there is an outdoor temp reading, but you lose it when you bring up any other DIC display.

Now we're being a bit picky but fun to play "what if this car had...."

I really have to think hard to come up with anything that needs attention or improvement.
Damn Scott, I hope you didn't lose any sleep coming with your list! :eek::D

Damn Scott, I hope you didn't lose any sleep coming with your list! :eek::D

Please don't be turned off by my list...
The slow death of Detroit weighs heavy on my mind as it has on and off since the late 70's.

Lutz lead teams and Ford quality efforts are the only visible ray of hope in the domestic auto industry. :(

Please don't be turned off by my list...
I have no problem with your list. I'm just bustin' on ya!;):cool:

I have a white LT1, and have small stone chips on the nose already at 3K miles, A compass would really handy and maybe a little more chrome accents on the rear, kinda like the Aura and Impala.

standard fog lights, xenon hid headlights,standard led brake lights

So far, I'd say the following:
Better steering (more European-style? Hell, I don't know the terminology)
Bigger, better placed cupholders. With the gallon-freaking sized cups that fast food
restaurants give out these days, they're not really useful.
hmmm .... let me think
Still thinking ...
I'm sure more will come to me after I own the car longer, but that's all I've got.

EDIT: Oh yeah, cooled seats would be spiffy.

Mine has a compass in the auto-dimming mirror. In my Sebring it was more front-and-center at the top of the center-console stack. I kind of liked that, because with the Malibu I often forget that I've even got a compass.

I have a white LT1, and have small stone chips on the nose already at 3K miles, A compass would really handy and maybe a little more chrome accents on the rear, kinda like the Aura and Impala.

1. Move the temperature readout to the compass area on the mirror (like the 07 Avalanche had). I don't really expect this, as the latest 09 changes list for the new Avalanches shows it too is going to the in-DIC readout for external temperature (ugh).
2. Backup sensors and (or) rearview camera. Big butt, small mirrors = not fun surprises.
3. For cars with the paddle shifters- add an extra line to the DIC that shows what gear the car's in, rather than overriding ALL other display info while manual shifting. I drive a steep grade to and from work daily, and the car hunts between fifth and sixth a LOT unless I manually go to sixth- it'll hold speed a LOT longer than the tranny does on its own in sixth, with two small exceptions, and I get a lot better fuel economy, but can't see any of the other DIC info until I return to Drive..
4. I second the memory seats thing. Make it memory seats and exterior rearview mirrors, with settings for driver 1 and driver 2.
5. In-dash Navigation available. I'm buying a portable, and that'll be great for me. But I really did get pampered by the setup in the Avalanche.

Those are about the limit of my current wishlist. Lots of good points in here, but the five above would have my LTZ feeling just about perfect for my use.

Oops. And something I'd have considered (as would at least a few others I've seen posting around the 'net)- make a wagon version available. That, or make the current sedan style into a notchback, keeping the same lines. The latter wouldn't gain the nice extra space, but would make a tremendous improvement in access to the trunk area.

How about a range of turbodiesel powerplants, and a wagon body?

I guess my trips to Europe made me a bit envious of the choices in wagons over there.

And I've driven an Opel Astra with a turbodiesel - if the 'Bu had that as an engine option, I'd have stumped up the extra cash to get it.

i think they took care of most of the major gripes that i and most people had in the 09 model.

bluetooth
touchscreen navigation
6spd tranny.


the last thing that they could fix in my opinion is the rear taillights. honestly it's such a good looking car from almost all angles, except the back. again there's so much attention to detail everywhere, except the back. It's almost like they got to the rear slapped something on and decided to call it a day. the proof is the oddly small trunk opening and the taillights which they kinda just stole off a vw.

having said that i really love my BU and couldn't care less about these mostly minor inconveniences.

How about...

a personal massage (man or woman depending on your preference) expert who rides with you wherever you go giving backrubs as you drive - happy endings can be included for extra :)

Fog lights on the LT level would have been great!

Fog lights on the LT level would have been great!
I missed that one. Fogs should at least be an available option on the LTs.

Also a 2 door coupe would be :cool:

Also a 2 door coupe would be :cool:

Hard to strap a grandbaby in a coupe!
But it would be cool though

Fog lights on the LT level would have been great!

I use the fog lights on my GP all the time, and was disappointed to see that you need to get the LTZ to get them on the Bu.

Speaking of design engineers and fog lights - I just took a 4-hour trip, I noticed when the fog light button is lit and it gets really hot. The cruise control button is also lit and it doesn't get hot. I can hear the dealer now, that's normal. I just don't understand why the steering wheel engineer didn't tell the fog/dash engineer about how to light up a button without generating so much heat.

Amge63: Likely the difference between using an LED bulb vs. a standard incandescent bulb. LED assemblies are still the higher cost part, but they are much more efficient. The reduced efficiency of a standard bulb just shows up as wasted heat. There are some companies that now make LED replacements for most standard automotive bulbs. Google "LED automotive bulb replacements" and check them out.

DrD

Amge63: Likely the difference between using an LED bulb vs. a standard incandescent bulb. LED assemblies are still the higher cost part, but they are much more efficient. The reduced efficiency of a standard bulb just shows up as wasted heat. There are some companies that now make LED replacements for most standard automotive bulbs. Google "LED automotive bulb replacements" and check them out.

DrD

Thanks DrD. I'm familiar with the benefits of LEDs. Just pointing out to the designers that missed it. Not sure if they packed LED in the steering wheel, but they definitely used an incandescent bulb in the hot fog light switch because they had plenty of room. The incandescent bulb will probably burn out in due time, that or the switch will melt, whichever comes first. Then I'll look into replacing it with the cooler, longer-lasting LEDs.

how about an armrest on the rear seats?

The "kickdown" when passing is way too slow to intervene...................if you kick it it should go to the next gear (or 2) down..................also the shifts in the "M" mode are wayyyyyy too slow...........an SS version should be offered, at least in the suspension area (sway bars/shocks) although the body "roll" is not THAT bad.............but Hell, I just traded in a 2007 ZO6 Corvette for the LTZ.............what do you expect!!

Hell, I just traded in a 2007 ZO6 Corvette for the LTZ.............what do you expect!!

WHY? :eek:

WHY? :eek:


One reason only........the rising cost of ownership.

I was using the Z as daily driver. With just 7 months of moderate driving, and at 13,000 miles on them, all tires needed replacing ($2,000). I just felt that is a bit of a $tretch every 7 months!

Fuel costs are rapidly rising daily and who know when they are going to stop.

Insurance was costly as was the car payment itself.

Getting ready for retirement (in about 4-5 years) also weighed in heavily on the decision.

I am sure that my future holds something else, mabe a 427 Camaro...;)

Well I'm only 6' tall but I find that from where the pedals are located (no adjustment available) I have to have the seat so far back that when I look left all I see is the 'B' pillar. I then have to lean forward to see out the window. I have moved the seat up and tilt as far as possible to stay comfortable but it's still a problem.

That's odd. I haven't had any problems with my LTZ kicking down. There's only a single 1/2 mile long stretch of passing zone in the entire 6 mile road between the interstate and my house, and I often find myself behind some older locals doing 30-35 (55 zones), and I step deep into the throttle right at the beginning of the zone, the car downshifts, then takes off like a scalded dog. Last I looked I was doing just over 80 when I pulled in. (Love the engine, btw!)

A few things to add (not sure which models) come from my LTZ Trailblazer. Memory seats, passenger power seat when you get the power drivers seat, fog lights on the LT YES!!!, rain sensing wipers, real leather instead of that suede looking ultralux spinoff, real tilt steering (the tilt in my 08 Malibu reminds me of a 1985 Honda I used to own) and make the darn power mirrors button easier to reach.

Theres a convenience on the Avalanche that has heated washerfluid system and front rainsense wipers. That would be a great addition to the car.

Theres a convenience on the Avalanche that has heated washerfluid system and front rainsense wipers. That would be a great addition to the car.

Too bad my 02 Av doesn't have that!

And for the actuall price of the package, I'm surprised it isnt available on more GM vehicles!

If I was going to list things I'd like to have on my LTZ Malibu that were on the 07 Av LTZ, it'd be:

(many mentioned above)
-Backup sensors
-Rear cam in Chevy bowtie
-Navigation unit
-Memory seats / mirrors / radio presets (heck, my 04 Malibu LT at least had keyfob associated memory radio presets)
-Dual zone auto climate control
-Rainsense wipers
-Heated washer fluid
-8000 lb towing capacity
-5.3l V8

Oops, strike the last two. Got carried away. :D

I agree about the tilt / telescoping wheel, byeuboy. The 04-07 cars suffered from the same limited range of movement. I really like having the telescoping feature, but both need at least an inch more range (more like 2 inches more would be best).