My apologies if anyone else has posted this...as the regulars know, I'm not here nearly as much as I'd like to be...I lurk, but not for long

I was at the Big E in Western MA last week for our annual fair, which is sponsored by Chevy...and I was able to look at what I was told was 1 of 7 or 8 2008 Malibus in the entire country. It had to be LT or LTZ spec, with a very tasteful black leather/suede interior, 17" 5 spoke alloys, and various power goodies...with a 2.4 no less

My overall impression? VERY well done...but the nose is simply terrible. My fiancee and I were looking it over for a good half hour...and while she agrees that the interior is phenomenal and the overall style is pleasing, she wouldn't own it solely based on the nose. I think that's a little short-sighted, but I wonder what other shoppers will think.

Overall, the interior is as beautiful as the online shots show, and the panel gaps and fit and finish on this pre-production car were PERFECT. I love the small features on this one too, such as the rear window shade. I can see GM went a long way with this car...I hope the buying public agrees.

Its just too bad the nose kills an otherwise nice design...I thought we had eradicated the damn bar awhile back, no???

 

The front of the Malibu doesn't look great but it doesn't look too bad to me either - then again I don't think the Camry or Accord look bad up front either but I know some others here do, so maybe I'm just more forgiving for exterior looks than others...

The new Malibu looks like it will be pretty nice. The only problem I have is what the hell is a 4-speed auto still doing in a all new 2008 model year release like that? I know the V6 gets a 6-speed auto, but that starts getting pretty expensive, not to mention the V6 won't be out until 2008.

 

Well, only the lower end 4 cylinder cars (or maybe all 4 cylinders initially, until the six speed debuts?) will have the 4 speed auto. Upper trim level 4 cylinders, and all V6s, will have the six speed auto.

For reference, the entire Scion lineup (including the just re-done xB and the new xD) come either with 5 speed manuals or 4 speed autos. According to another thread, when the Challenger debuts it will have a 4 speed auto with its V6 model.

I know they aren't competitors for the Malibu; I'm just saying that the 4 speed auto is still around in several different cars.

It would be nice if the six speed auto were the only thing available, I agree. But I recall from the press releases at the car's debut that the 4 would also get the six speed auto, albeit a few months after the car launches, IIRC.

 

The new Accord isn't ugly, but the Malibu is still better-looking than it. The new Camry is hideous.

 

Are you talking about the pics on Cheers and Gears? Those pics, for me, just cemented that the new car isn't very good looking. Horrible nose and tail with a borring midsection.

That grey intior isn't great either, made me think of 'Space 1999' or 'Star Trek:The Motion Picture'. Perhaps when I see the other color schemes I'll change my mind, the interior previously made me want to point out GM design again.

Overall, in looks and features, I don't see what would make you consider a Malibu over a Camry, Accord, or shortly the red hot looking Mazda 6.

 

Indeed. People seem to forget that it isn't just the Domestics still using 4 speeds.

 

That's a fair call. Sometimes it's the little things that put people off. I personally don't like Chevy's face on Malibu.

This is GM's main problem. IMHO women have a BIG say on purchasing decisions... GM haven't quite worked out what makes women want to be seen in Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas etc... If GM can crack the code they'll be rockin' again. The exterior styling certainly helps females to confirm their decisions. In this respect, the Camry and, to a lesser degree, Accord, seem to have a more upscale look.

 

I can't figure out for the life of me what my fiancee sees in the Camry...she likes the stupid thing. I think its ugly as sin. Thankfully, the Comp G in my sig is hers (my demo of the week is an Explorer Limited ), which has years of life left in it before we even consider another car. I was hoping the Malibu might be it down the road, in something like an SS guise...

Our next car will actually be a truck in a year or two (due to my Dodge affiliation, it will end up being a Ram Quad Cab 1500 instead of the Silverado I want ) because we're buying a bigger house and she wants horses, and the GP will probably be replaced with a used G8 or Impala down the road, if I can talk her into realizing RWD does not = fiery death...

I'm not quite sure if/where a 5th gen enters this equation like it once did...I'm thinking something cheaper like a 350 IROC to stow away will finally be mine. I've spent over $8,000 re-doing my RS in the last 18 months, and I love the damn car. I've made that car the reliable, fun summer driver I've always wanted, while keeping the 30th down to 1k a year in miles. Indeed, the RS has significant design flaws here and there...but the looks that car gets, and the stupid grin I get on my face driving it more than makes up for it. If the 5th gen doesn't have some sort of significant open roof option for the COUPE, I think I'm bowing out...

To think I was one of the lucky ones to be at the debut at NAIAS, its weird for me to say that...but that's how much an open roof option means to me. Sorry, that's another forum I know...I guess now that I'm here a little I want to spout off

 

Buy a vert then! lol

Where you been?

I agree on the styling. It's not....bad....but it could be better. Same w/ my Impala, it's not ugly, but not particulary striking either. It's very...invisible. It wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me if I were in the market, but I was a little disappointed in it as well.

Now then, as to the IROC question, if you're interested, there is a dealer near me that has somehow gotten their hands on some low mile (less than 20k) 3rd gens. They are pricey, but are 100% stock, and mint. Had to be from someones collection. They've been sitting on the lot for a while, so maybe they'll deal. PM me if you're interested.

 

I saw the new Malibu at the Texas State Fair last weekend. It was beige. It was up on a look but don't touch pedestal. I didn't even slow down to check it out.

I'm sure it'll be great in terms of reliability and fit and finish. But it's about as interesting as a piece of notebook paper. There's a place in the market for cars like that, but I wouldn't know anything about that...

 

I don't think it's a big mystery. It's pretty well understood that people buy Camrys and Accords based on their reputation for reliability and fuel economy (Accords might get additional attention for their driving dynamics). The reason GM hasn't "cracked" this is because it's a reputation, and reputations take a long time to build. People don't buy a Camry because it's boring looking, rather in spite of it because they value its other perceived attributes more. The problem with making the Malibu somewhat homely is that it doesn't have the sterling reputation to lean on as its trump card. So it has neither the looks nor the reputation, so what's the compelling reason to buy it?

 

Surprised it didn't put you to sleep just looking at it.

 

You nailed it. I cant for the life of me understand why people cant understand that. The Hideous Camry sells because of reputation. You could make yourself look like bill gates but you arent likely to be as successful. What style invokes reliability and reputation? build cars that are reliable for several years and they will look like however your designers decide.

BTW Im not big on the styling. The interior reminds me up the Lumina... my friends moms blew up at 130k miles and doesnt make me think of quality. Im still not sure about the bar but it beats out that crappy toyota. I like the Accord.

 

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uhhhhhh........there were three of them there -- the Amber Bronze LTZ on the turntable -- with a Dark Blue Malibu Hybrid next to it (dual turntable) -- and the reason the LTZ was on the turntable -- was that it's an 'EX" VIN -- meaning it's a pre-production car with rough parts.

ON the floor was a Malibu LS -- the base car -- no additional options....may I suggest that if you're there that you take a quick look? For the price? ....well, I'll let the rest of you be the judge.......

Also -- there's an LT over at the other end of the fair -- so you can actually drive one on the course.

 

Why cant NJ have a "state fair" where I can drive a new Malibu?