[dpopeck]

I see a lot of discussion about whether to get the 4 or 6 cylinder engine, and the tradeoff seems to be between fuel economy and power.

I know most folks don't work on their own cars, but I'm surprised no one mentions the fact that there's more "working" room with the 2.4 for doing normal maintenance. For example, it looks like changing the upper and lower radiator hoses would be a breeze whereas the 6 cyl. pretty much takes up the whole engine bay.

It's not like I'd be tacking major engine work, but it is nice to be able to do some routine maintenance myself instead of having to take everything to a mechanic.

Also, in theory at least, it should be cheaper to have work done on the 2.4 since it should take a mechanic less time to do the work since things are more accessible.

 

[Slide81]

In theory, yes, an I4 would be more cost effective to work on. Especially for things like...changing spark plugs. The 3 in the rear bank on a FWD V6 are always a pain to get to.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Yes and no. Almost everything is good for 100K and 99% of owners won't keep the car nearly that long. I know once I'm close to 80K or so, it will be time for a new car. I've only got 8K, so that might be a while LOL.

 

[hank123]

na the v6 is not that hard to work on. Any the power is pretty good. I have gotten 28MPG before on the hwy at 5000 feet. Most of the time I get 22-24mpg.

 

[KSSky]

I can tell you this about the 3.6L...changing the oil the first time is the pits. Somebody in the factory in KC was in a bad mood the day they put the filter on. I tried and tried, bought a oil filter wrench made just for the filter and still can't loosen it. Even a big pair of slip jaws didn't move it. You can't get (and stay) on the filter with a wrench from the bottom so I had to hold it on the filter and have my wife try and pull the wrench...no go.

There is little room to get to the filter from the top because the air duct is in the way..... from the bottom you have to reach half way up the engine to get to the filter....while trying to avoid the wire going to the O2 sensor !!!

It looks like when you do get the filter off oil is going to drip on the sensor wire while you are fenangling the filter back down.

Needless to say I'm not happy about the oil filter placement on the 09. Taking it to the delaer for oil change hopefully they don't over tighten.

I had a 1998 subaru and now a 2010 subaru and 2007 saturn sky..... all with logical..easily reachable oil filters.

 

[2001FZ1]

I can tell you this about the 3.6L...changing the oil the first time is the pits. Somebody in the factory in KC was in a bad mood the day they put the filter on. I tried and tried, bought a oil filter wrench made just for the filter and still can't loosen it. Even a big pair of slip jaws didn't move it. You can't get (and stay) on the filter with a wrench from the bottom so I had to hold it on the filter and have my wife try and pull the wrench...no go.

There is little room to get to the filter from the top because the air duct is in the way..... from the bottom you have to reach half way up the engine to get to the filter....while trying to avoid the wire going to the O2 sensor !!!

It looks like when you do get the filter off oil is going to drip on the sensor wire while you are fenangling the filter back down.

Needless to say I'm not happy about the oil filter placement on the 09. Taking it to the delaer for oil change hopefully they don't over tighten.

I had a 1998 subaru and now a 2010 subaru and 2007 saturn sky..... all with logical..easily reachable oil filters.

I have run into this before where the filter is stuck on. a long screw driver and a hammer have never failed. Pound that screw driver through the filter and you will have a long lever that won't slip off.

 

[closer9]

Wow, and again I'm glad I got the 3.5. Changing the oil hardly took anytime at all. The filter was very easy to get to, etc, etc...

Now, the filter in my Buick... It helps keep the engine cradle from ever rusting...

 

[Malo83]

I can tell you this about the 3.6L...changing the oil the first time is the pits. Somebody in the factory in KC was in a bad mood the day they put the filter on. I tried and tried, bought a oil filter wrench made just for the filter and still can't loosen it. Even a big pair of slip jaws didn't move it. You can't get (and stay) on the filter with a wrench from the bottom so I had to hold it on the filter and have my wife try and pull the wrench...no go.

There is little room to get to the filter from the top because the air duct is in the way..... from the bottom you have to reach half way up the engine to get to the filter....while trying to avoid the wire going to the O2 sensor !!!

It looks like when you do get the filter off oil is going to drip on the sensor wire while you are fenangling the filter back down.

Needless to say I'm not happy about the oil filter placement on the 09. Taking it to the delaer for oil change hopefully they don't over tighten.

I had a 1998 subaru and now a 2010 subaru and 2007 saturn sky..... all with logical..easily reachable oil filters.

On the v6 the best way to change the filter is to remove the intake tube, loosen the 2 clamps on the ends and remove the single mount screw and slide the tube off the engine and air filter box and it's a straight shot to the filter,Easy.

 

[CuLaTerZ]

I read a story online recently, but I don't recall the website (may have been a link on MSN.com). It rated the reliabilty of current model vehicles. The Malibu did not make the top 10 but the V6 Malibu was rated as "above average". I was happy to read this.