Just checked out a Malibu Maxx SS.....

Welp, I'd like to tell you how much I liked....but all I can say is man alive... this car is one ugly mo-fo. Those SS wheels (excuse me for a moment while I :barf: )...are simply horrid. Maybe a nice set of wheels could have saved it. But these wheels do the Maxx SS no favors. As ugly as these wheels are on there own, they seem to combine in a frightful synergy with the Maxx's proportions to give a hideous result. A sobering thought is, someone at GM had to actually sign off on this package....maybe they never bothered to look at it.

Ok, enough on that from me. Looks are purely subjective. Maybe my tastes aren't any indication of how successful this car might be. It's probably a good value...right? Well, the one I saw stickered for over $27,700. :blah:

A clue for you: not everyone wants a sleek fastback. Some folks want a wagon, a wagonlike vehicle with some flair, or maybe something in between. And the sliding rear seats of the Maxx are a great feature, to those who value versatility.

A clue for you: not everyone wants a sleek fastback. Some folks want a wagon, a wagonlike vehicle with some flair, or maybe something in between. And the sliding rear seats of the Maxx are a great feature, to those who value versatility.

Here's a clue back at ya.......

Some folks want a wagon, a wagonlike vehicle with some flair, or maybe something in between.......which is NOT UGLY. A manual trans would be nice also.

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/photogallery/

I dont think it looks that bad

Yeah, the regular Malibu isn't bad, it's the Maxx SS that I find ghastly.

The new Malibu in any form doesn't do anything for me.

BTW: Its sad IMHO, I remember a time, not too many years ago, when I thought the SS badge meant something special... I wish GM wouldn't slather it on anything, and everything in their lineup. :shame:

Im one of thoes who want a quick nimble wagon. Id trade up to an SS if given the chance. I think it looks great combined with the new front grill and upgraded performance.

BTW: Its sad IMHO, I remember a time, not too many years ago, when I thought the SS badge meant something special... I wish GM wouldn't slather it on anything, and everything in their lineup. :shame:

my exact thoughts.......hey, let's put an SS badge on it..that'll sell more.

and my thoughts on the new malibu, monte carlo, cobalt.......FWD= POS

Remember.....this is just "my" opinion

(watching the can of worms as it explodes again and again)...

The issue - with me anyway - is not that cars like Malibu, Impala, Cobalt, et al, come in SS trim. My thoughts are that these cars should be available in SS trim. After all, these are the vehicles that Chevy sells.....no?

My beef is that the Maxx SS could have been a more appealing package at little or no additional cost.

The sad thing is, if I had to guess, I think the reason why all the SS models get hideous wheels is because all the good 5 spokes end up with Pontiac, and this is a way of differentiation :D

Seriously though, check out the wheels on a GXP and G6 GTP...ESPECIALLY the GTPs 18s. Those wheels are gorgeous. SS wheels = :hurl:

Anyhoot, I do like the fact the Malibu SS approaches the theory of cheap speed. I think it bases around $23,900, $800 shy of a G6 GTP...and it comes with some nice features standard (leather/cloth buckets for example) that you pay more for on a G6. So sure, you miss the 6 speed, but at least its cheaper and still quick with the AT. I wonder what the 0-60 is on the AT versus the M6 in a G6...the AT feels very quick...

i want to know why the SS and LTZ are the same price? :confused:

I don't mind the wheels on the Malibu SS or the Impala SS. I think they're just boring, but not bad. :shrug:

i want to know why the SS and LTZ are the same price? :confused:

For the same reason an Impala LTZ is only $600 behind the SS version...more standard content in the LTZ.

I know the LTZ Malibu has heated leather standard, along with chrome wheels and some other goodies that aren't standard on the SS. Hell, you can't even get leather on the SS...those leather/cloth seats are your only option.

Speaking of seats, the local dealer has a $24,700 Cobalt SS Supercharged with the $1,500 Recaro/diff package :bow: Those seats are beautiful. This thing has side airbags, XM and the roof too. To get all that that car has for under $25k is pretty damn good if you ask me. I know its small, but it sure is fast and it sure looks sweet :)

Am I dysfunctional? I've always like the way the Maxx looks. No, it's not a sleek sport sedan, it's not even a sleek wagon. It's stubby and has a sort of pitbull face.

But hey, if you want a sleek sport sedan with a 6-speed, GM has this brand called Pontiac. Want a sweet sport-wagon? How about a Saab 9-3 Sport-Combi?

The Malibu Maxx SS is a quasi-cool, quirky ride for the quasi-cool, quirky individual who likes to carry around groceries, take along a couple of friends and blow away an annoying Civic on the way back.

So sure, the Maxx doesn't appeal to many people, but isn't that supposed to be the advantage of a company with eight unique brands?

The issue - with me anyway - is not that cars like Malibu, Impala, Cobalt, et al, come in SS trim. My thoughts are that these cars should be available in SS trim. After all, these are the vehicles that Chevy sells.....no?

My beef is that the Maxx SS could have been a more appealing package at little or no additional cost.

I know what you mean. I think the LTZ looks better than the SS. The SS should have been given the "Cross Country" treatment.

The Maxx's front is ok looking. I think the back looks better. If the LTZ comes with a 3.9 AWD it would be great!! Even the Mazda 6 is getting into the AWD game. Where are GM's AWD sedans and wagons?? Not the Vibe....it's a crossover.

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/photogallery/

I dont think it looks that bad


Same here. I happen to think that the SS version looks better than the regular version.

It's far from attractive, but i personally wouldn't call it fugly.

Speaking of seats, the local dealer has a $24,700 Cobalt SS Supercharged with the $1,500 Recaro/diff package :bow: Those seats are beautiful. This thing has side airbags, XM and the roof too. To get all that that car has for under $25k is pretty damn good if you ask me. I know its small, but it sure is fast and it sure looks sweet :)

They are EXTREMELY comfortable too :) Please Chevy , slap some seats this good in the new Camaro .

Some nice thin spoke 5 stars ~or BBS type wheel woulda went a LONG ways . The Impala , Malibu and Monte version of the Cobalt SS wheel looks horrid . The center section got fatter , the spokes got a tad shorter and their machined ? I think its the metal like graphite paint that makes the SS wheels on my Cobalt , it looks cool . Paint em silver , or machine them ...then :yuck: :barf:

Audi A3 starts WAY under $30K loaded . I bet if optioned right you could get a 3.0 with the DSG trans for under the SS's $28K sticker . That where the SS is gonna lose all its appeal :)

Malibu really should be a Vectra wearing a Chev badge. I don't know why GM do so much Americanizing of cars that are already good looking and well executed. I know that it's now become Saturn's role to be Americas Opel... but the Malibu is simply a Vectra that's been beaten with the ugly stick.

GM will eventually learn ...with the changes that Lutz has hopefully institutionalized in place.

I looked at on last week---its not bad. As for the rims---there are virtualluy the same as Impala SS, Cobalt SS S/C and SS (I own an SS) and I like 'em.

Much better then those salad shooter rims from 93-95 Camaros! :D

I looked at on last week---its not bad. As for the rims---there are virtualluy the same as Impala SS, Cobalt SS S/C and SS (I own an SS) and I like 'em.

Much better then those salad shooter rims from 93-95 Camaros! :D
What a bold statement. I'm on the other side. I even traded 16x8 chrome ZR1s off of my Z to get the stock salad shooters on. :eek:

IMO, the salad shooters fit better on the Camaro than the new SS wheels fit on the Monte and Impy. I do like them on the Cobalts though. :)

I've been playing around with orders for the MAXX for Autoshows........some colors just don't work AT ALL........

Best looking one thusfar in my opinion? A Dark Blue LTZ with chromed wheels that we had at Anaheim.......gonna change some orders now.....

Speaking of seats, the local dealer has a $24,700 Cobalt SS Supercharged with the $1,500 Recaro/diff package :bow: Those seats are beautiful. This thing has side airbags, XM and the roof too. To get all that that car has for under $25k is pretty damn good if you ask me. I know its small, but it sure is fast and it sure looks sweet :)
With the performance package, this little machine really rocks. Those seats really hold you like a glove too. Our pair of SS Supercharged Cobalts have been the most popular cars on the lot as of late.

As it goes for the MAXX SS, I like it. We have a Laser Blue one that is sold already to a lady that works in the office here. She loves everything about it. She's going from a 40th Aniv GP sedan.

A clue for you: not everyone wants a sleek fastback. Some folks want a wagon, a wagonlike vehicle with some flair, or maybe something in between. And the sliding rear seats of the Maxx are a great feature, to those who value versatility.

http://www.dodge.com/magnum/index.html?context=vehiclePage&type=vehicleLink

I am sorry, but the Maxx is just too damn ugly, and the SS leaves much to be desired.

What a bold statement. I'm on the other side. I even traded 16x8 chrome ZR1s off of my Z to get the stock salad shooters on. :eek:

IMO, the salad shooters fit better on the Camaro than the new SS wheels fit on the Monte and Impy. I do like them on the Cobalts though. :)

well I am pretty bold...sometimes ;) I know the salda shoters aren't widely loved but to each there own. I don't think there ugly just a little.....well not agressive enough for my tastes.

They are EXTREMELY comfortable too :) Please Chevy , slap some seats this good in the new Camaro .

Some nice thin spoke 5 stars ~or BBS type wheel woulda went a LONG ways . The Impala , Malibu and Monte version of the Cobalt SS wheel looks horrid . The center section got fatter , the spokes got a tad shorter and their machined ? I think its the metal like graphite paint that makes the SS wheels on my Cobalt , it looks cool . Paint em silver , or machine them ...then :yuck: :barf:

Audi A3 starts WAY under $30K loaded . I bet if optioned right you could get a 3.0 with the DSG trans for under the SS's $28K sticker . That where the SS is gonna lose all its appeal :)

C&D just did a review of teh A3. It starts at 25k with the new 2.0T engine. They said nothing about a V6. They had a loaded 2.0T engine that ended OVER 30k.
First thing my gf said when she saw it was "wow, it looks like your car, only Audiish".
I think the wheels look a little chunky on the Malibu SS's. Fit beter ont he Maxx but the sedan looks eh.