Will enthusiasts embrace the Malibu SS?
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Originally posted by jg95z28
True. However I thought the same thing about Hondas when I was a teenager, and look who's embracing them today. The Malibu is just as sporty as an Accord... at least it is IMO.
I think the key here is price and available aftermarket performance parts. If Chevrolet were to create their own aftermarket accessories gear exclusively towards the Malibu, especially an SS performance model priced around the price of the Malibu LT (~$24K MSRP), it might just catch on, especially if they offer a first-time buyers discount program.
True. However I thought the same thing about Hondas when I was a teenager, and look who's embracing them today. The Malibu is just as sporty as an Accord... at least it is IMO.
I think the key here is price and available aftermarket performance parts. If Chevrolet were to create their own aftermarket accessories gear exclusively towards the Malibu, especially an SS performance model priced around the price of the Malibu LT (~$24K MSRP), it might just catch on, especially if they offer a first-time buyers discount program.
Ps: the Malibue is no where near as sporty as the v6 accords. Then again, it isn't as expensive.
I say ignore the Malibue SS all together. Just work on making the Cobalt SS's a real winner. Invest heavily in them. There's no reason why their should be 2 mid-sized performance sedans (Imp SS and Malibue SS). I'd be more interested in an Imp SS or Cobalt SS, and i think the enthusiasts for the most part would too.
Last edited by RiceEating5.0; Sep 22, 2003 at 12:48 PM.
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From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by Darth Xed
I won't argue that, in fact, I agree... however, these people are, IMO , more likely to go with an Impala SS, a Grand Prix GTP, or the like...
I won't argue that, in fact, I agree... however, these people are, IMO , more likely to go with an Impala SS, a Grand Prix GTP, or the like...
But an Epsilon based Malibu, with it's sophisticated chassis, really could have the potential to be that kind of car....especially if it were combined with a glorious motor and a 5 or 6 speed manual.
Who knows, maybe if it were good enough...I might even be able to overlook the frumpy sheetmetal.
Last edited by Z284ever; Sep 22, 2003 at 07:01 PM.
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From: Ohio
Originally posted by Z284ever
Yeah, those are cars to consider. But the Impala SS and GTP...even with the upgraded Comp G package are not in the same vein as cars like the corner carving Acura TSX, Audi A4, Mazda6, and even the former SVT Contour. With the Impala SS and GTP, you probably won't go out of your way just to find a twisty bit of road to blast down, so you can row through the gears .....purely for the thrill of it.
But an Epsilon based Malibu, with it's sophisticated chassis, really could have the potential to be that kind of car....especially if it were combined with a glorious motor and a 5 or 6 speed manual.
Who knows, maybe if it were good enough...I might even be able to overlook the frumpy sheetmetal.
Yeah, those are cars to consider. But the Impala SS and GTP...even with the upgraded Comp G package are not in the same vein as cars like the corner carving Acura TSX, Audi A4, Mazda6, and even the former SVT Contour. With the Impala SS and GTP, you probably won't go out of your way just to find a twisty bit of road to blast down, so you can row through the gears .....purely for the thrill of it.
But an Epsilon based Malibu, with it's sophisticated chassis, really could have the potential to be that kind of car....especially if it were combined with a glorious motor and a 5 or 6 speed manual.
Who knows, maybe if it were good enough...I might even be able to overlook the frumpy sheetmetal.
Perhaps this is where the Saab version of the Epsilon platform (9-3) fits into the equation?
http://www.saabusa.com/main/US/en/model_intro_93s.xml
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From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by Darth Xed
Perhaps this is where the Saab version of the Epsilon platform (9-3) fits into the equation?
http://www.saabusa.com/main/US/en/model_intro_93s.xml
Perhaps this is where the Saab version of the Epsilon platform (9-3) fits into the equation?
http://www.saabusa.com/main/US/en/model_intro_93s.xml
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From: Sarasota FL
I tend to have a different opinion than most here, apparently...
I DO think the car can be embraced by the enthusiast crowd. Consider this. Look at the success of the GTP. It is a pretty BIG car. Typically, the size car that gets embraced is around a Malibu/Accord style car.
Take this plain jane Malibu that the mags have raved about the chassis and the interior. Add a nice spoiler. Subtle ground effects. Nice shiny 16 or (preferably) 17 inch wheels. Add the not-yet-determined HP increase (will it be supercharged like the G6??). Price it at a top-line LT price (around $24k or so). I think you have a winner.
I'd buy one if it met this formula if I needed to replace my Grand Am...
I DO think the car can be embraced by the enthusiast crowd. Consider this. Look at the success of the GTP. It is a pretty BIG car. Typically, the size car that gets embraced is around a Malibu/Accord style car.
Take this plain jane Malibu that the mags have raved about the chassis and the interior. Add a nice spoiler. Subtle ground effects. Nice shiny 16 or (preferably) 17 inch wheels. Add the not-yet-determined HP increase (will it be supercharged like the G6??). Price it at a top-line LT price (around $24k or so). I think you have a winner.
I'd buy one if it met this formula if I needed to replace my Grand Am...
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From: Albany, NY
Originally posted by Darth Xed
Perhaps this is where the Saab version of the Epsilon platform (9-3) fits into the equation?
http://www.saabusa.com/main/US/en/model_intro_93s.xml
Perhaps this is where the Saab version of the Epsilon platform (9-3) fits into the equation?
http://www.saabusa.com/main/US/en/model_intro_93s.xml
add that, 17" rims, a classy body kit, and a 260HP+ V6 for about $25-26K and you have a winner.
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From: Ohio
Originally posted by Z28x
Why can't the Malibu use the SAAB 6 speed Manual?
add that, 17" rims, a classy body kit, and a 260HP+ V6 for about $25-26K and you have a winner.
Why can't the Malibu use the SAAB 6 speed Manual?
add that, 17" rims, a classy body kit, and a 260HP+ V6 for about $25-26K and you have a winner.
Product diversity, I'd think... especially for a "nitchier" market like Saab... If you give the Saab parts to the Malibu, the Saab loses some of it's reason for being... some of it's exclusiveness...
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From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by Jason E
I DO think the car can be embraced by the enthusiast crowd. Consider this. Look at the success of the GTP. It is a pretty BIG car. Typically, the size car that gets embraced is around a Malibu/Accord style car.
I DO think the car can be embraced by the enthusiast crowd. Consider this. Look at the success of the GTP. It is a pretty BIG car. Typically, the size car that gets embraced is around a Malibu/Accord style car.
It's the right size.
It's a Chevy......regardless of what GM's master scheme is, performance enthusiasts have an affinity for Chevy.
It's foundation....that is it's chassis....is performance oriented.
If Chevy can execute this car properly....and bring it in at a "Chevy price"....I can see success.
Just give it a six speed manual.
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From: five-one-oh/nine-oh-nine
here's your "Malibu SS" 
GM would have to do something mean to the car to make it look like something interesting to attract anyone other than your average Saturn owner. when i first looked at the new mailbu pics i though it looked clean. but the more i look at it the more forgetable it looks rather than growing on me. it looks like Saturn designers were set loose on it with one mandate. that would be the chrome bar.
GM would have to do something mean to the car to make it look like something interesting to attract anyone other than your average Saturn owner. when i first looked at the new mailbu pics i though it looked clean. but the more i look at it the more forgetable it looks rather than growing on me. it looks like Saturn designers were set loose on it with one mandate. that would be the chrome bar.
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From: The Golden State
Originally posted by morb|d
here's your "Malibu SS"
GM would have to do something mean to the car to make it look like something interesting to attract anyone other than your average Saturn owner. when i first looked at the new mailbu pics i though it looked clean. but the more i look at it the more forgetable it looks rather than growing on me. it looks like Saturn designers were set loose on it with one mandate. that would be the chrome bar.
here's your "Malibu SS"
GM would have to do something mean to the car to make it look like something interesting to attract anyone other than your average Saturn owner. when i first looked at the new mailbu pics i though it looked clean. but the more i look at it the more forgetable it looks rather than growing on me. it looks like Saturn designers were set loose on it with one mandate. that would be the chrome bar.
As much as a showstopper as it was, I wonder why nothing like that was ever considered for production.
.
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From: Oakland, California
I'm not sure why it took me so long to think of this... and if someone else did, please excuse me because I only skimmed over the rest of the thread... but
Isn't it ironic that we're talking about a "Malibu SS" when both "Malibu" and "SS" were both trim models on the Chevelle in the mid-sixties?
Isn't it ironic that we're talking about a "Malibu SS" when both "Malibu" and "SS" were both trim models on the Chevelle in the mid-sixties?
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Originally posted by jg95z28
Isn't it ironic that we're talking about a "Malibu SS" when both "Malibu" and "SS" were both trim models on the Chevelle in the mid-sixties?
Isn't it ironic that we're talking about a "Malibu SS" when both "Malibu" and "SS" were both trim models on the Chevelle in the mid-sixties?
Then again, we live in a time of irony where the names of rear drive v8 cars are plastered over fwd v6 cars
. Very few things mean/are what they used to.