[Lee]

Not much activity here so I'll list my pros and cons of our Malibu LTZ
I may edit this as we get more miles on it. 1,500 miles as of 3-14-08

Pro
Comfortable ride and good handling
Quiet
Comfortable LTZ seats
Plenty of leg and head room, front and back for 6 footer
Good control and switch location and feel
Nice style inside and out. I was not sure about the ebony and brick leather at first, but like it now. My wife likes how the two tone shows off the dash design
It appears the gas mileage will be good, we are getting high 20s on the highway so-far
I like the blue instrument lighting and the lighted door handles
Adjustable console
Looks and feels like a more expensive car
Onstar Turn by Turn Navigation


Con

Like the wheels, but wish they were polished
Don't like the windshield washer nozzles on the hood
Steering wheel buttons are small
No leather trim on the door panels
The Malibu is my wife's car
My wife's Malibu makes my 08 Equinox Sport feel cheap.


OK, now lets hear yours.

 

[Deejay]

PRO
- That flap that pops out when you open the sunroof to reduce excess wind noise
- Bright headlights

CON
- No in-dash navigation option (not a big fan of onstar)
-

 

[MalibuCanuk]

I agree with your comments especially about the nozzles on the hood ,you have to keep cleaning the washer fluid off the hood and I would add
the adjustable pedals are great also and the fit and finish is perfect on my NEW LT2.

 

[USA1fan]

Hmm. I agree with the pros everone else has posted so far. Although in-dash nav would be nice, I don't mind so much, since it gives me more incentive to buy a portable (Garmin, etc.) that I can take with us in whichever vehicle we use.

Add to the pros:
-Strong power with the 3.6L V6 /w 6 speed automatic. I second the highway fuel economy, as I've seen between 26-28 so far, and expect to easily break 30 during the warm months.
-Premium audio is outstanding. Also, it's a 6 disc MP3 / WMA capable changer (6 compressed CDs should provide enough music to last a l-o-ooo-n-n-g time before needing to swap out discs).

Cons:
-We managed to bump our heads (both myself AND my significant other) getting into it at least twice before adjusting to the lowered A-pillar / raised doorsill.
-Small trunk opening, especially heightwise (can deal with the width). For a vehicle with such a large trunk (and it is pretty big), maybe a hatchback (notchback?) setup, with the glass lifting to allow easier entry to the trunk would've been in order.
-Gear spacing for the six speed could be better. I drive hilly interstate a lot, and the tall sixth is just a bit too tall, while the lower fifth is maybe a bit too low. It seems that maybe fifth could've been a bit taller, and the other three between 1st and 5th spaced more evenly. The only reason this is an issue is that the downshift between sixth and fifth can be a bit rude. And since fifth is geared so much lower, it doesn't take long before the tranny decides it's okay to shift back to sixth. This results in a predictable cycle. I basically end up putting the shifter in manual mode, then downshifting to fifth and letting the car run at higher rpms until I clear the hills in question..

 

[Lee]

-Gear spacing for the six speed could be better. I drive hilly interstate a lot, and the tall sixth is just a bit too tall, while the lower fifth is maybe a bit too low. It seems that maybe fifth could've been a bit taller, and the other three between 1st and 5th spaced more evenly. The only reason this is an issue is that the downshift between sixth and fifth can be a bit rude. And since fifth is geared so much lower, it doesn't take long before the tranny decides it's okay to shift back to sixth. This results in a predictable cycle. I basically end up putting the shifter in manual mode, then downshifting to fifth and letting the car run at higher rpms until I clear the hills in question..

Our Malibu shifts well and smooth, but my Equinox Sport with the same engine and Trans sounds like it shifts like your car.
I asked the shop if there was a software update on the trans, but there is not at this point for the Equinox.

 

[Malibooboo]

I wonder if the head clearance is any worse than my 2004 Grand Prix. I have bumped my head from time to time in the GP. It is also a pain to order at drive-through fast food, banks, gas stations, etc.

 

[Lee]

I wonder if the head clearance is any worse than my 2004 Grand Prix. I have bumped my head from time to time in the GP. It is also a pain to order at drive-through fast food, banks, gas stations, etc.

My wife had a 97 Grand Prix before the Malibu and the Malibu feels like it has a little more head room. Can't remember how the Malibu compares to the 07 Grand Prixs we looked at for head room.

 

[MalibuCanuk]

I`m 6'2" and it`s taken me a while to get used to it .I must admit I`ve bumped my head a few times as well.

 

[USA1fan]

I've adjusted to the headroom on entry and exit. But it took our recent warmer (70+ F) weather for me to discover another minor annoyance, if I can even call it that. The previous Malibu (either of them, the 97 or the 04 we had) was great for just rolling down the window, then rest your elbow on the top of the door. Not this car. I never really paid attention to just how high the beltline really is from inside until I started to put my arm on the windowsill..

 

[Malibooboo]

I've adjusted to the headroom on entry and exit. But it took our recent warmer (70+ F) weather for me to discover another minor annoyance, if I can even call it that. The previous Malibu (either of them, the 97 or the 04 we had) was great for just rolling down the window, then rest your elbow on the top of the door. Not this car. I never really paid attention to just how high the beltline really is from inside until I started to put my arm on the windowsill..

I have that issue now in my Grand Prix. The window sill is so high that I can't rest my elbow on it. But I can rest it on the door handle.

 

[Pizza Man]

Our LTZ is actually my wife's car, she absolutely loves the adjustable pedals.

She stands only 5'2" and up until this car she was forced to sit almost on top of the steering wheel. I always worried about her close proximity to the airbag.

The Malibu has lots of chrome and I wish the 18" wheels were chrome. I mentioned this to the wife and now she's after new wheels!

 

[salgeek]

The Malibu catalog indicates 18" - 6 spoke chrome wheels are available as a dealer accessory. They are sweet looking.

 

[Lee]

The Malibu catalog indicates 18" - 6 spoke chrome wheels are available as a dealer accessory. They are sweet looking.

Those are great looking. Early on I asked how much, but can't remember now. $2,000 to $3,000 ???

 

[Pizza Man]

The Malibu catalog indicates 18" - 6 spoke chrome wheels are available as a dealer accessory. They are sweet looking.

Those are great looking. Early on I aked how much, but can't remember now. $2,000 to $3,000 ???

I'm sure they'll be expensive.

I've heard about Chrome Wheel Exchange Dealers that will sell you a set of OEM alloy wheels that they've chromed in exchange for yours. They tend to be far more reasonable, but I don't know of anyone that has purchsed them.

 

[Malibooboo]

It's going to be tough enough to foot the bill for the LTZ, let alone aftermarket wheels!

 

[Lee]

It's going to be tough enough to foot the bill for the LTZ, let alone aftermarket wheels!

I understand that

 

[Malo83]

I'm sure they'll be expensive.

I've heard about Chrome Wheel Exchange Dealers that will sell you a set of OEM alloy wheels that they've chromed in exchange for yours. They tend to be far more reasonable, but I don't know of anyone that has purchsed them.

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/chrome_exchange.php

 

[Pizza Man]

Thank you, Malo!

 

[2010LT1]

Coming out of a 2003 Mazda 6 V6 5sp Man

Pro:
XM
Onstar ( I rolled the 6 so piece of mind)
fuel milage
good styling
17" crome wheels
good performance for a 4cyl Auto
comfortable rear seat for kids
does not seem like an old person car like the Impala

Con:
Acceleration (that being said test drove a G6 V6 auto and was no better)
cloth diffuser on sun roof (mazda and mitsubishi before that where metal or plastic more durable and looks beter)
rear visability (I have had worse see mitsubishi)
I have not found that sweet spot for the seat yet.


Of course rolling the paid for 6 before the wifes Acadia was paid for I lowered my standards some. 2 years old (18300 miles looks new) no leather seats, and not top of line model, Yes my 6 had it all when new in 03 except auto and ugly body kit.

 

[Prime]

Im glad the cons so far are nothing that really bother me. I think i did a good choice in picking one up. well not yet, but im looking into it. is the LTZ model really worth it compared to a LT model?