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a future purchase towards a bigger car,chevy has nothing,IMO,that can compete.where is a new cavalier?the current outdated model simply can't be spoken in the same breath as some of the other cars in its class.also,GM seems to have basically ignored the sportier sides of these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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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?