[Richard]

I went to the Malibu website. They have the 2011 Malibu listed and I downloaded a 2011 Brochure. They really push the LTZ in their brochure. They only show that model on the first several pages.

Anyway, I noticed 3 changes that I wanted some opinions on.

1. There's no more paddle shifters for the manual mode. There's a button on the left side of the shift knob with a + and - sign on it. Chevy really touted the paddle shifter feature. The good thing about the paddle shifters is you don't have to take your hand off of the steering wheel to shift. The button on the 2011 is very simple to operate, but you have to take 1 hand off of the steering wheel to shift. Why do you think they did away with the paddle shifters?

2. It's confirmed - There's no more Universal Home Remote / 3 Channel Garage Door Opener. I love this feature. I park in a garage with an automatic garage door. I don't have access to the original remote, so it's great having this feature built right into the car. This is really a high tech feature that's usually offered on higher level luxury cars.
Why do you think they did away with this feature?

3. Onstar - For 2011, you only get 6 months of free service rather than 1 year. Interesting question - What if you buy a leftover 2010 new? Would you get the 1 year of free Onstar, or would you get the 6 months now that this is the standard on new Chevy's. That's a $150 difference.

The redesigned Malibu has had a reputation of being a great value. It still is, but it's a shame that some of that value is being taken away.

 

[Silver LTZ]

1- I would prefer that. A manual is shifted via a floor shifter and it gives a more natural feel. My old G6 GTP had it's manual control via the floor shifter. I liked it better. Bottom line is no matter where they are the paddle shifters suck.

2- Nice feature, but I wouldn't really miss it. Having a garage door opener on the visor isn't the end of the world.

3-If you buy a '10 you would have to get the full year. It would go by the VIN.

 

[gopedxr7]

i prefer the manual shift on the floor of my parents 2010 jetta than on my brothers 2010 malibus steering wheel mounted controls.

dumbest thing to delete is the garage door opener, i have no idea why they deleted this. this car has been way too decontented

so far....
power adj pedals
drivers side auto dim mirror
garage opener
electroluminesent gauges
and more...

Alan

 

[boohoo]

my 06 has the +/- on the shifter...i like it just fine. as mentioned its a more natural feel

as for onstar...idk if i like that idea. just watch eagle eye

 

[Sandhopper]

I would like it even better if it was like the tiptronic I had in my VW. That felt alot better than either the paddles or the buttons.

 

[jes2]

I went to the Malibu website. They have the 2011 Malibu listed and I downloaded a 2011 Brochure. They really push the LTZ in their brochure. They only show that model on the first several pages.

Anyway, I noticed 3 changes that I wanted some opinions on.

1. There's no more paddle shifters for the manual mode. There's a button on the left side of the shift knob with a + and - sign on it. Chevy really touted the paddle shifter feature. The good thing about the paddle shifters is you don't have to take your hand off of the steering wheel to shift. The button on the 2011 is very simple to operate, but you have to take 1 hand off of the steering wheel to shift. Why do you think they did away with the paddle shifters?

Answer: cost, cost, and then cost. The vast majority of drivers didn't buy the Malibu to imitate a driver in "Fast and Furious". Looks nice, and I actually don't have any problems using the shifters, but most drivers would, and they'll complain if they can't figure 'em out. Additional cost in service & customer satisfaction. So, down on the floor shifter they go - simpler to use, and a more logical place for the benefit of the mechanically-challenged.


2. It's confirmed - There's no more Universal Home Remote / 3 Channel Garage Door Opener. I love this feature. I park in a garage with an automatic garage door. I don't have access to the original remote, so it's great having this feature built right into the car. This is really a high tech feature that's usually offered on higher level luxury cars.
Why do you think they did away with this feature?

Answer: again, cost. I don't use mine because my garage is filled with half junk, and 1/2 '71 Monte Carlo. But, it's a nice option. Here's a bet - look inside a new Buick La Crosse or Regal, and I'll bet a beer they are there. Market segmentation strikes again....


3. Onstar - For 2011, you only get 6 months of free service rather than 1 year. Interesting question - What if you buy a leftover 2010 new? Would you get the 1 year of free Onstar, or would you get the 6 months now that this is the standard on new Chevy's. That's a $150 difference.

Answer: Guess. And once again, I'd suspect that the more costly makes in the GM lineup may retain the 1 year free Onstar service, but maybe not.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Answer: cost, cost, and then cost. The vast majority of drivers didn't buy the Malibu to imitate a driver in "Fast and Furious". Looks nice, and I actually don't have any problems using the shifters, but most drivers would, and they'll complain if they can't figure 'em out. Additional cost in service & customer satisfaction. So, down on the floor shifter they go - simpler to use, and a more logical place for the benefit of the mechanically-challenged.

Don't think it is cost in this case. The parts and materials are there no matter if they are on the steering wheel or floor. And the tooling costs to change the factory over the the floor shifter adds cost if anything. I like to "change" my gears on the floor regardless. Bottom line is GM's automatic "shifters" all suck. Way to slow to react.

 

[Richard]

Don't think it is cost in this case. The parts and materials are there no matter if they are on the steering wheel or floor. And the tooling costs to change the factory over the the floor shifter adds cost if anything. I like to "change" my gears on the floor regardless. Bottom line is GM's automatic "shifters" all suck. Way to slow to react.

I agree. It's usually adds cost to change a feature rather than to keep it status quo. But I do feel that the whole reason for the paddle shifters was so that you can keep both hands on the wheel when you shift. I personally don't like the paddle shifters either. They're sort of in my way. I like to keep my hands on the part of the wheel where the paddles are located and I had to adjust a bit because of that.
When I first got the car, I thought that one paddle was for upshifting and the other was for downshifting. If you're going to include 2 paddles, that would be a better idea. It's much easier to press on these paddles than to pull back on them.

With my previous car, you used the floor shift to change gears, but not with a button. You moved the shifter over to the right and slid it forward to upshift and backwards to downshift. This made sense as it most resembles a true manual.

Regarding the Universal Home Remote, I like it because I can take advantage of it. There are many people who don't have access to automatic garage doors, so this feature would be of no use to them. That could be why they discontinued it.

I should have also noted that they did add a new feature to the LTZ. The Interface Package is now standard on the LTZ which includes the rear power center with a 110 volt outlet and a USB Port. It's available on the LT's.

Regarding Onstar, someone had asked if they left it at 1 year free coverage for higher end models. The only model that retained the 1 year coverage is Cadillac. All other GM Models, including the Buick Lucerne, have gone to 6 months. But it is nice that the Directions and Connections plan is standard on the Malibu. Except for Cadillac, most other models come with the Safe and Sound Plan which is $100 less per year.

Here's the link to the 2011 Malibu Brochure:

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/en/overview/11_Malibu_Catalog_web.pdf

 

[Arjay67]

When I began looking for a new car (March 2010) I was looking at the 2010 Malibu. By the time I was ready to buy (Aug 2010) there were hardly any 2010's left so I wound up buying a 2011. Yes, I noticed the changes and deletions but those weren't significant enough for me.

1. I always felt that the paddle shifters (on any car) were lame. Even using the "manual" shift mode as it is I find it to be very slow in response. It's a gimmick.

2. HomeLink would have been very nice. I had that on my Sierra and enjoyed being able to set one button for home, one for my parents and one for my outlaws. (most call them in-laws)

3. 6 months vs. 1 year of OnStar was a shocker. This too me is an important feature of any GM vehicle. I was unhappy when I saw the change on the window sticker but purchased anyway. This move sucks just as much as years ago when XM when from 1 full year to 3 months. Yeah, I want the 1 year of both included, but I will still renew both.

ON THE PLUS SIDE:

1. I purchased the 1LT trim level so the addition of the aluminum wheels over the steel/plastic were a big upgrade!

2. In the 2010's the Mocha Steel Metallic always seemed to come with the gray dash trim and dark gray cloth. In the 2011's the wood trim and cocoa/cashmere interior began to appear at the local dealers. This combo, IMHO, dresses up the interior. It may have been available on previous year's but I never saw any in the area and none of the dealers had either.

 

[DrivenDaily]

I had my '09 black 2LT V6 serviced at a different dealer than where I bought it. While leaving I stopped and looked, and also drooled, at an '11 Red Jewel Tintcoat LTZ V6. Wow! I want that color so much. And it has the cocoa/cashmere interior. Plus the tap shift is on the shifter, where it should be. I, too, dislike the paddles on the steering wheel because they are in the way of where I like to put my hands as well.

I'm gonna go by and see how bad off I am (upside down). If I can swing it I'm gonna get it. If not, I'll still love the one I have.

 

[cornerspaace7]

The parts and materials are there no matter if they are on the steering wheel or floor.

 

[gopedxr7]

it may also be due to the same reason why jeep and other companies offer full time 4wd instead of shift on the fly systems. people who dont use them right, break the system. i am actually nervous to use the pedal shifters because i do not know how to use them properly yet. another reason could be for drivers who do not use them find them in uncomfortable locations on the steering wheel.

but to me as far as image is concerned. the padal shifters look and sound more high end than the floor mounted ones. its a option found typically on high end and exotic cars not on a chevy car. so in that sense i wish they kept it.

as for the homelink, i still stand it was a dumb move. the LTZ in particular should have no dud or blank panels anywhere.

 

[DrivenDaily]

The exotic cars have paddle shifters that:
1. are behind the steering wheel and they don't turn with the wheel,
2. shift Down on the left and Up on the right, not both on both sides
3. react waaaay quicker than these gimmicks
4. actually work
5. are mounted in very expensive cars

I'm glad they moved them from the wheel because they were in the way of where your hand goes when taking a trip.

When I had a 4-speed auto in my old car I took a hand off the wheel to shift and it wasn't bad at all. You learn to use it that way. If it was all that important to keep both hands on the wheel I would and it would be shifting automatically, so I guess it's a wash. None of our street cars are actually race cars, so having only 1 hand on the wheel at speeds below 50 (for the most part) is a lot safer than if we were in a real race car doing 100+. But it's still safer to have both hands on the wheel. It's also safer to drive at lower speeds and operate the vehicle like a sane person! So it's still a toss up. But I prefer the shifter-mounted control over the ones on the wheel.

 

[snowleopard]

I know a few week old topic, but I have to say I love the paddle shifters. To me, it makes it easy when I'm in super traffic going home (a 45 minute drive give or take) and need to constantly switch between 6th for cruising and 4th for passing. If it were mounted on the shifter, my hand would constantly either be on the shifter (not bad, but not fun if you really need full control to maneuver between dozens and dozens of cars and need to move quickly and perfectly) or I wouldn't shift and I'd be in 6th and passing would be bleh. With the paddle shifters, I keep both hands on the wheel (thus I can maneuver much quicker and easier) and the shifters allow me to just tap and I'm in the gear I need. I think having them on both sides helps the ambidextrous and it makes it easier, but I also never put my hands where they are sitting (so I don't have that problem as some have stated they do).

I don't personally like the shifter +/- mainly because your thumb is -going- to get tired if you've got to constantly shift gears. This car is not a manual, it's an auto (I know they don't offer manual). They should either have the paddle shifters or they should do the push up/push down style (which is closer to a floor shifter than a button). The button is just too... "Really?" personally.

 

[DrivenDaily]

I agree mostly. The biggest thing I like is the paddles aren't where I put my hands. If the paddles were behind the wheel (like many other cars) then I'd like it even better.

 

[closer9]

I'm not trying to be a butt here, seriously. However, I've never seen so much talk about manual shifters in an automatic car as I have on here. I've played around with several such devices, and always found them cheesy to say the least. With a few truck towing exceptions I've never owned an automatic that didn't shift when it was supposed to. The 6cyl/4spd combo I have in my 'bu just seems to work great. I've never wanted it to shift when it didn't...

I absolutely love driving a manual transmission vehicle (My 4WD Dodge is a 5-spd, and I love it!), but when I'm in an auto, I want it to do the shifting...

Just my thoughts. I'm not trying to trash anyone. If you guys like the paddle shifter or the manual knob button shifter that's what it's there for, enjoy...

I will however say I think losing the garage door opener was a dumb move. I would like to have that option in my 1LT. It doesn't kill me to open the little compartment on the left to get to my opener, but up above would have been nice.

 

[realoldman]

Universal Home Remote. I will not buy a car without it. I hope GM is looking because I think the Malibu is a great car and I plan on getting another one soon until I heard this. My opion is getting more not less. I am willing to pay extra for it if necessary.

 

[tomx20]

Sort of off topic but I found this last night of the re-designed 2012 Malibu.

 

[snowleopard]

Oi...

Don't like that nose (grille), it seriously looks like a piggy nose!

The headlights I like since they have projectors although they're nothing perfect.

The taillights... seriously, did GM run out of ideas? It's the Camaro taillights!


So, now the Malibu has the Aveo grille, the Cruze steering wheel, and the Camaro gauges and taillights. All of this is wrapped in a mostly bland interior/exterior combination.

If they didn't have the time or money for a new design, why not keep the current design and just "refresh" it? :S

 

[Silver LTZ]

Oi...

Don't like that nose (grille), it seriously looks like a piggy nose!

The headlights I like since they have projectors although they're nothing perfect.

The taillights... seriously, did GM run out of ideas? It's the Camaro taillights!


So, now the Malibu has the Aveo grille, the Cruze steering wheel, and the Camaro gauges and taillights. All of this is wrapped in a mostly bland interior/exterior combination.

If they didn't have the time or money for a new design, why not keep the current design and just "refresh" it? :S

You are aware that is a test mule?