[holepuncher]

I've got the 09 LS. I'm not one that really fussy about the ride of a car and overall it rides nice. Nice feel, well composed over hard bumps and a quiet ride but quiet only on smooth roads. I feel and hear every little bump. It seems as though the body is constantly in motion. Every little bump upsets it or jars it. I've read through these forums and not heard anyone describe the ride as I have but instead use words like smooth or plush when describing the ride. Tire pressures are reading 29 on the DIC and verified with a digital pressure gauge. My last car was the 2004 malibu (I hated that car with a passion from 1000 miles on) and the overall ride of the 04 is no comparison to the 09 but the ride was noticeably softer and less busy/jittery. Did I get a defective one. Probably another lemon like my last car.

 

[holepuncher]

OK. Thanks for your replys. Its like this. On a smooth road the car is very quiet - make that impressively quiet - easily as quiet as my mothers 2005 Deville. It will glide over gaps in the pavement (cracks) without feeling it or making a sound. Hit something like a manhole/sewer cover - even ones that look flush with the road and its very noticeable - a little jolt and a thump. Its not overly objectionable. I dont know, maybe its because the overall feel, quietness and integrity of the car suggest to the mind that you should not notice it but yet it ends up feeling a little harsh. The car seems very well made. I only have 350 miles on it now. If its stays just like it is now after 5000 or so miles I'll be happy. Of course the amount of driving I do it will take me a year to get to 5000.

 

[holepuncher]

I have not driven the car much thus far but today I took it on some roads that are, lets say not too well taken care of. I aimed at every bump (not the potholes though). OK. I'm impressed now . Over hard bumps the thumps do not get much louder than the soft bumps nor does the body motion increase much. Especially impressive is hitting a series of bumps one after the other. The car does not quiver, sidestep, shake or make booming noises. Feels like it stays in contact with the road.

Speedster is probably right. The quietness makes the thumps more noticeable. Next I need to take it on some twisting, winding side road, at just a couple of MPH over the speed limit . Might be fun. Still a lot of sand and salt on the roads here though.

 

[holepuncher]

Good to hear that you're now more satisfied with the ride.

Making a car quieter not only makes the ride seem harsher, but can make any small rattles much more evident.

Over all I am happy with it. I still feel that it is somewhat jittery over insignificant bumps but it does handle large bumps with grace. One thing that I have NOT heard is a single rattle or creak at all from anywhere. I hope it stays that way. My wife says the car is so quiet it makes you sleepy. I had the opportunity yesterday to drive a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The Malibu is all over it as far as quietness and isolation not to mention that the dash of the CTS is plain and almost cheap looking.