Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Pittsburgh Pa USA
Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
Ok, so I don't have any new information, just a grip. The malibu SS had so much potential. I personally liked its styling, somewhat aggressive, but nothing too extreme, kinda like the WRX. Decent V-6 powerplant, but no manual option. The price is right, the styling was on, motor was ok, but the 6-speed option could have opened it up to be so much more.
So heres what I would have built, yes my not so professional opinion, just a cusomer. Everyone has AWD cars now, but not chevy. Ford Fusion, mazda speed 6, ect ect. So how about this, Malibu SS, matched with an AWD system and the turbo charged ecotec 4 banger for around 24-25k. Now that would have been hot. Maybe get some of the import buyers away from subaru and mitsubishi and add a new element to the "american revolution"
So heres what I would have built, yes my not so professional opinion, just a cusomer. Everyone has AWD cars now, but not chevy. Ford Fusion, mazda speed 6, ect ect. So how about this, Malibu SS, matched with an AWD system and the turbo charged ecotec 4 banger for around 24-25k. Now that would have been hot. Maybe get some of the import buyers away from subaru and mitsubishi and add a new element to the "american revolution"
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,306
From: Jersey Shore
Re: Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
Agreed, to a point. I think the where the Malibu SS fails is where all Malibu's fail. Overall styling and small design kinda puts it at a disadvantage. If there was an SS available, I would most have deffinatly went with a Maxx SS. I do like the style of the car, especialy in that laser blue, and the black interior looks sharp.
I like your thinking on a Malibu with AWD and the turbo 4cyl. That would make for a cool WRX type vehicle.
I like your thinking on a Malibu with AWD and the turbo 4cyl. That would make for a cool WRX type vehicle.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16
From: New Jersey
Re: Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
I would have never purchased my 2006 Laser Blue Malibu MAXX SS if it was a four-banger with AWD. I have driven the SAAB 9-2X (WRX clone) for a week and it is not built for those of us who enjoy torque (terrible turbo-lag).
I had a tough decision to make this year. My 1996 Z28 convertible passed the 105,000 mile mark and I started a new job that was an hour away in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I didn't want the Z28 to wallow away in that mess.
Since GM did not have a Camaro for me to replace my most-loved vehicle, and the threat of a 25 mile/1:10 minute drive in traffic made my left leg tremble (did not want a stick), and I needed a car that could replace my wife's G6 when the lease is over, I went with the MAXX SS.
While the sedan SS doesn't do much for me, the visual differences on the MAXX (along with a tint job that spices it up a little) and the fact that the 240/240 3.9 had enough torque to keep me interested while wating for the Camaro to come back. While the Malibu is not a stunner - it is a competent and good looking in MAXX SS form (get many curious looks and compliments on the road) and with the hatch, can do many things the competitors can't.
While I agree there is room for a WRX-like vehicle in the Chevy lineup - pull it from the Cobalt-class of vehicles, not the mid-sizers. I need displacement.
I had a tough decision to make this year. My 1996 Z28 convertible passed the 105,000 mile mark and I started a new job that was an hour away in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I didn't want the Z28 to wallow away in that mess.
Since GM did not have a Camaro for me to replace my most-loved vehicle, and the threat of a 25 mile/1:10 minute drive in traffic made my left leg tremble (did not want a stick), and I needed a car that could replace my wife's G6 when the lease is over, I went with the MAXX SS.
While the sedan SS doesn't do much for me, the visual differences on the MAXX (along with a tint job that spices it up a little) and the fact that the 240/240 3.9 had enough torque to keep me interested while wating for the Camaro to come back. While the Malibu is not a stunner - it is a competent and good looking in MAXX SS form (get many curious looks and compliments on the road) and with the hatch, can do many things the competitors can't.
While I agree there is room for a WRX-like vehicle in the Chevy lineup - pull it from the Cobalt-class of vehicles, not the mid-sizers. I need displacement.
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From: Pewee Valley, KY
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From: manassas, VA
Re: Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
I also agree. I had a mazda 6 as a rental for a week a little bit ago, and even though it had a V6, it was a totally gutless, torqueless 3.0L that really did not want to get out of it's own way until it was wound up to 5k. Off the line, just trying to pull into traffic or whatever was scary. It might have been a little faster overall once it got going than my old alero with the 3400, but i'd much rather have the alero for daily driving, the power was much more immediate and fun to drive.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 104
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
I mentioned in another thread i thought i read somewhere that they might put a v8 in the malibu. I think this would be a great option for those who want some extra power. V8 Impala ss and a v8 malibu in a smaller package. I think this would be a great seller.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
More could have been done with the Malibu SS. Like, perhaps making the already available and certified 6 speed manual, (from the G6 GTP) available in the Malibu SS.
The 3.9 is a nice and cheap motor, which puts out good low end torque, but a HF 3.6 could turn a Malibu SS from an "also ran" to a real contender against cars like Altima SE-R. I also like the idea of a turbo Ecotec though, but availability of a clutch pedal is a critical ingredient, IMO.
The 3.9 is a nice and cheap motor, which puts out good low end torque, but a HF 3.6 could turn a Malibu SS from an "also ran" to a real contender against cars like Altima SE-R. I also like the idea of a turbo Ecotec though, but availability of a clutch pedal is a critical ingredient, IMO.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Malibu SS, where GM dropped the ball
I would have never purchased my 2006 Laser Blue Malibu MAXX SS if it was a four-banger with AWD. I have driven the SAAB 9-2X (WRX clone) for a week and it is not built for those of us who enjoy torque (terrible turbo-lag).
I had a tough decision to make this year. My 1996 Z28 convertible passed the 105,000 mile mark and I started a new job that was an hour away in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I didn't want the Z28 to wallow away in that mess.
Since GM did not have a Camaro for me to replace my most-loved vehicle, and the threat of a 25 mile/1:10 minute drive in traffic made my left leg tremble (did not want a stick), and I needed a car that could replace my wife's G6 when the lease is over, I went with the MAXX SS.
While the sedan SS doesn't do much for me, the visual differences on the MAXX (along with a tint job that spices it up a little) and the fact that the 240/240 3.9 had enough torque to keep me interested while wating for the Camaro to come back. While the Malibu is not a stunner - it is a competent and good looking in MAXX SS form (get many curious looks and compliments on the road) and with the hatch, can do many things the competitors can't.
While I agree there is room for a WRX-like vehicle in the Chevy lineup - pull it from the Cobalt-class of vehicles, not the mid-sizers. I need displacement.
I had a tough decision to make this year. My 1996 Z28 convertible passed the 105,000 mile mark and I started a new job that was an hour away in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I didn't want the Z28 to wallow away in that mess.
Since GM did not have a Camaro for me to replace my most-loved vehicle, and the threat of a 25 mile/1:10 minute drive in traffic made my left leg tremble (did not want a stick), and I needed a car that could replace my wife's G6 when the lease is over, I went with the MAXX SS.
While the sedan SS doesn't do much for me, the visual differences on the MAXX (along with a tint job that spices it up a little) and the fact that the 240/240 3.9 had enough torque to keep me interested while wating for the Camaro to come back. While the Malibu is not a stunner - it is a competent and good looking in MAXX SS form (get many curious looks and compliments on the road) and with the hatch, can do many things the competitors can't.
While I agree there is room for a WRX-like vehicle in the Chevy lineup - pull it from the Cobalt-class of vehicles, not the mid-sizers. I need displacement.
It had manufacturers plates on it & was the 1st time I'd seen any Malibu with chrome (or at least, shiny) trim. BOY did that make a difference!
Although by every account without a single different opinion, the new Malibu is stunning, in a way, I'm going to be sorry to see the Malibu Maxx go, especially the SS version. If it came in a manual and had even more juice, I can see it becoming the "everymans Dodge Magnum".
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I really disliked the Malibu's styling, and thought the restyling fell a bit short. Then one evening, someone drove by a bar I was at in a Malibu Maxx SS exactly the same color as yours!
It had manufacturers plates on it & was the 1st time I'd seen any Malibu with chrome (or at least, shiny) trim. BOY did that make a difference!
Although by every account without a single different opinion, the new Malibu is stunning, in a way, I'm going to be sorry to see the Malibu Maxx go, especially the SS version. If it came in a manual and had even more juice, I can see it becoming the "everymans Dodge Magnum".
It had manufacturers plates on it & was the 1st time I'd seen any Malibu with chrome (or at least, shiny) trim. BOY did that make a difference!
Although by every account without a single different opinion, the new Malibu is stunning, in a way, I'm going to be sorry to see the Malibu Maxx go, especially the SS version. If it came in a manual and had even more juice, I can see it becoming the "everymans Dodge Magnum".
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