Will Altima, Mazda6, et al fear Malibu SS?

Will Malibu SS scare the competition? It will have a larger version of the Malibu's 200 horse 3.5...probably a 3.9L. It will have a retuned suspension and bigger wheels. A manual trans is unlikely.

Will it compete?

Wouldnt the Malibu SS get AWD and 275 hp like the new Grand Am will have avail . ? Sounds logical since the 2 cars are on the same platform .

I've never understood how they could call something "super sport" and not offer a manual transmission.

It also needs to be cheaper or faster than regular V6 models from other car companies (For an example of why this is necessary: consider a 240HP Supercharged MonteCarlo SS vs. 260HP Accord Coupe).

Originally posted by 90 Z28SS
Wouldnt the Malibu SS get AWD and 275 hp like the new Grand Am will have avail . ? Sounds logical since the 2 cars are on the same platform .

That'd be pretty damn cool.

Originally posted by WERM
I've never understood how they could call something "super sport" and not offer a manual transmission.

It also needs to be cheaper or faster than regular V6 models from other car companies (For an example of why this is necessary: consider a 240HP Supercharged MonteCarlo SS vs. 260HP Accord Coupe).

Doesn't the accord have 240hp?

I stand corrected. It is 240HP, not 260. The 260 is the rating in the Acura. However, my point remains the same - that a "SS" model should be faster than its average competition.

So let's see, we have the Malibu SS, offering no manual transmission, horsepower in the low-mid range of the competition, bland styling, and modern Chevy interior quality...

Yeah, it'll compete alright. :rolleyes:

When is GM going to learn that they have a bad image in the market, and to catch up they truly have to offer a superior value? The Malibu SS is just another example of the sub-par crap they've been pumping out in the last decade, and we wonder why no one buys anything but their trucks.

If it got AWD and 275hp, then it'd actually be a competitive, fast car, that can haul your groceries and have the safety bonus of AWD in bad weather. But something tells me that's just too obvious to actually be done.

A 265 Horsepower Nissan Maxima SE: about $26,000 !

240 Horsepower Honda Accord EX sedans, about $27,000!

The $24,000 Nissan Altima SE that will match 5.0 Mustangs in the 1/4 mile: Priceless!

Seems everyone else can make well equpted family cars that are quick and don't sell for thousands of dollars more just for a decal.
For everything else, there's Chevy's SS's.

The name soon to be pimped out on everything from Daewoo based econocars to Chevy diesel dump trucks. :p

Actually the Malibu's Epsilon platform has the goods to make the SS an excellent performer.

But I think AWD will be out of the question for Malibu, 275 hp is probably EXTREMELY optimistic, and the big deal killer for me would be no manual trans.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by guionM
[B]A 265 Horsepower Nissan Maxima SE: about $26,000 !

240 Horsepower Honda Accord EX sedans, about $27,000!

The $24,000 Nissan Altima SE that will match 5.0 Mustangs in the 1/4 mile: Priceless!

Seems everyone else can make well equpted family cars that are quick and don't sell for thousands of dollars more just for a decal.
For everything else, there's [B]Chevy's SS's.

[QUOTE]

You're right about everything, except for the new Maxima. It's gone way upmarket. Expect to drop $30k on the new Maxima SE. It seems as if new Infiniti model are better deals in base form than their loaded Nissan counterparts. If you don't believe me, compare the larger GX35 SUV with the Altima-based Murano.

In any case, Chevrolet sedans seem to have fallen from grace with consumers in recent years. Chevy has dug a pretty deep hole, and the SS-badge isn't enough to get them out. The success they've been having with big truck and SUVs would almost seem to be a case of "being in the right place, at the right time." Corvette aside, does any any non-truck Chevrolet stand half-a-chance against the competion?

Chevy will have to do something about that seriously bland styling. Its got to look the part of a sport sedan like the Altimas, Accord v6 coupe, and Mazada6's. The Malibu doesn't need to look all homely and bland like the current generation (i'm sure it will since i've seen the upcoming Max). It needs to look more sleek and aggressive.

If they get the styling and performance down right, the Malibu will be a capable contender. But that's wishiful thinking in my book. Either the styling, performance, or both will probably be lacking behind the competition.

Originally posted by redzed

You're right about everything, except for the new Maxima. It's gone way upmarket. Expect to drop $30k on the new Maxima SE. It seems as if new Infiniti model are better deals in base form than their loaded Nissan counterparts. If you don't believe me, compare the larger GX35 SUV with the Altima-based Murano.

You're right there.... I have no idea what the point of the Maxima is anymore.

In any case, Chevrolet sedans seem to have fallen from grace with consumers in recent years. Chevy has dug a pretty deep hole, and the SS-badge isn't enough to get them out. The success they've been having with big truck and SUVs would almost seem to be a case of "being in the right place, at the right time." Corvette aside, does any any non-truck Chevrolet stand half-a-chance against the competion?

I certainly hope they don't put undersized wheels and tires and give them duller styling to help justify pricey SS models. We all know what happened when they tried this on the Camaro.

But you are right about Corvette - Chevrolet has a problem in that they only have one car that people rally behind and get excited about - but most can't afford it. All of their other excitement generating models have been discontinued or reborn in sanitized FWD form, to the protest and disgust of loyalists everywhere. Everything in the pipeline seems like it will be more exciting to AVIS than performance gurus with less than $35,000 to spend.

Originally posted by WERM
Originally posted by redzed

You're right about everything, except for the new Maxima. It's gone way upmarket. Expect to drop $30k on the new Maxima SE. It seems as if new Infiniti model are better deals in base form than their loaded Nissan counterparts. If you don't believe me, compare the larger GX35 SUV with the Altima-based Murano.

You're right there.... I have no idea what the point of the Maxima is anymore.

In any case, Chevrolet sedans seem to have fallen from grace with consumers in recent years. Chevy has dug a pretty deep hole, and the SS-badge isn't enough to get them out. The success they've been having with big truck and SUVs would almost seem to be a case of "being in the right place, at the right time." Corvette aside, does any any non-truck Chevrolet stand half-a-chance against the competion?

I certainly hope they don't put undersized wheels and tires and give them duller styling to help justify pricey SS models. We all know what happened when they tried this on the Camaro.

But you are right about Corvette - Chevrolet has a problem in that they only have one car that people rally behind and get excited about - but most can't afford it. All of their other excitement generating models have been discontinued or reborn in sanitized FWD form, to the protest and disgust of loyalists everywhere. Everything in the pipeline seems like it will be more exciting to AVIS than performance gurus with less than $35,000 to spend.

1. Nissan has moved the Maxima upmarket to compete in the Toyota Avalon price class. (It makes me wonder if there will be an new Infinit I35.) In contrast, the Altima is head-on against the Camry/Accord. This all makes sense in marketing terms, because the old 4-cylinder Altima fell beneath the Camry-class, and the Maxima fell uncomfortably above it. However, $28,000-$35,000 Maximas are just plain scary.

2. I don't think the SS package depreciated the Z28, and similarly, an Malibu SS won't make the base car any worse. Of course the big problem with "packaging" vs. "pick-and-choose" options is that it removes consumer choice.

3. The current Chevy carline has become an unappealing mix of downmarket FWD products, but mostly because of changing buying patterns. The Caprice died a slow death while the Tahoe rocketed up in the sales charts. If the future Malibu promises to be dull and underpowered, at least by current standard, it because the current model only found success in a very downmarket niche. It was, after all, "the cheapest V6 sedan on the market." As long as Chevrolet produces direct replacements for all of its depressing throw-away sedans, nothing can change. Making a Malibu SS doesn't seem to change that.

Originally posted by redzed

2. I don't think the SS package depreciated the Z28,

I cannot tell you how much I disagree with this point!:no: :no: :shock:

Call the 4th gen Z/28 a sport.......because everything the 4th gen SS was, was on the Z/28's tab.

Originally posted by Z284ever
I cannot tell you how much I disagree with this point!:no: :no: :shock:

Call the 4th gen Z/28 a sport.......because everything the 4th gen SS was, was on the Z/28's tab.
I agree, all the 4th gen SS was an up graded Z28. It totally made the Z28 look like the down graded version. Even though the 4th gen is my favorite when it comes to styling and performance the line up was all wrong.

the malibu,while it may well be a nice car,may be doomed from the start due to assumptions from an older(mid-20s to 30s)buyer who's spoiled on accords and camrys.it will sell,but it won't convert a loyal honda owner.GM needs to concentrate on the entry-level buyer and get some brand loyalty in on the ground floor.the focus,protege,civic,corolla,golf...these are really nice entry-level cars and i think go along way towards a future purchase towards a bigger car,chevy has nothing,IMO,that can compete.where is a new cavalier?the current outdated model simply can't be spoken in the same breath as some of the other cars in its class.also,GM seems to have basically ignored the sportier sides of these models and why they appeal to a younger buyer,where is the answer to a SVT focus or SRT4?the saturn is a start,a late start,but shouldn't there be a car to carry the chevy flag in this sporting segment?they NEED a new cavalier.

I thought I read the Malibu SS would have the new 260HP 3.6L DOHC V6. If they are smart they will make sure this car gets a manual, maybe they will use the Saab M6 since both cars share the same platform.

Originally posted by WERM
(For an example of why this is necessary: consider a 240HP Supercharged MonteCarlo SS vs. 260HP Accord Coupe).

Accord Coupe is 240HP NOT 260. Plus the MonteCarlo SS has over 60 ft/lbs. of torque more than the Accord, but your right about the MonteCarlo SS having a manual, even if they only sell 10% of them with that trans. it is important for the cars image.

Originally posted by stars1010
I agree, all the 4th gen SS was an up graded Z28. It totally made the Z28 look like the down graded version. Even though the 4th gen is my favorite when it comes to styling and performance the line up was all wrong.

To get the hood scoop Z28 has had for 20 years, you had to spring for the SS after 1997.

To get aggressive performance wheels & tires (something Z28 always had) you had to get the SS.

I'd say it was downgraded, big time.

If Chevrolet wanted to get a true traditional Camaro SS, they would have taken the Z28 (w/o scoop), added SS badges and an optional 6.0 engine, optional stripes, and that would be a Camaro SS.

Traditional Z28s would essentially be what the SS turned out to be.

Originally posted by guionM
To get the hood scoop Z28 has had for 20 years, you had to spring for the SS after 1997.

To get aggressive performance wheels & tires (something Z28 always had) you had to get the SS.

I'd say it was downgraded, big time.

If Chevrolet wanted to get a true traditional Camaro SS, they would have taken the Z28 (w/o scoop), added SS badges and an optional 6.0 engine, optional stripes, and that would be a Camaro SS.

Traditional Z28s would essentially be what the SS turned out to be.

Actually, from my perspective, the 4th gen Z/28 should have been more like the 4th gen SS with the 1LE suspension. The SS should have had no scoop, 16 inch wheels and a standard 5.3 with optional LS1. Don't forget, that the VAST MAJORITY of 1st and 2nd gen Camaro SS's came with the tepid L48 smallblock......just like the one I used to have.

I think the differences between the SS and Z/28 were fine. I just wish they could have had some nice looking 17" wheels as an option. Mustangs have had 17" wheels available or standard since about 94 or so.

Originally posted by Tirefryin94z
I think the differences between the SS and Z/28 were fine. I just wish they could have had some nice looking 17" wheels as an option. Mustangs have had 17" wheels available or standard since about 94 or so.

I always thought the Z28 should have got 17" too. Maybe they could have put 245/45/17 on the Z28 and 275/40/17 on the SS

The Silver Malibu maxx has 17" rims, I asked at the NY auto show, They said those rims will be on the car when it comes out too. It's about time GM needs to start putting bigger rims on there cars.

The 2005 equinox with get 18"s:bow:

Originally posted by Z28x
I always thought the Z28 should have got 17" too. Maybe they could have put 245/45/17 on the Z28 and 275/40/17 on the SS




HA! If Chevy had allowed the Z/28 to have 17" wheels (which should have been standard), do you think anyone would cough up the extra cash for an SS?