The Maxx is a GREAT idea that just needs some tweaking . They are obviously popular as I see "about" as many of them as the 4 door Mailbu . Even the new SS's Ive seen on the road have all been Maxx's , not the 4 door . GM would be wise to take the idea and expand upon it . Base it of elipson , but make it unique apart from the Malibu . Something proportionate on the inside to current Maxx with all the utility of Vibe , which I think has alot of cool features . Make it sporty and athetic looking and not bread and butter , very contemporary styling . When I said utility of a Vibe , I didnt mean the size though . Styling wise , mimmick more a slightly elongated low slung sport hatch with 4 doors and rear lifgate like the current Maxx . If it was all tall and big looking like the Vibe , the theme of the car Im tring to explain would be lost totally . A bigger Madza3 type hatch comes to mind for what Im trying to visualize . Have a model with a 3.9 , 6 speed and handling attributes of a Cobalt SS/SC and hell , it would tempt me as a daily driver .

 

why can't they make them both again, but make them both attractive as opposed to making them look like appliances?

 

I'm afraid GM has difficulty discerning the difference between a car that fails because of its very idea and a car that fails due to its execution.

The Maxx, along with a ton of other GM stillborns (Fiero, last-gen Bonneville, last-gen Camaro to name a few) falls into the latter category. Had the Maxx been a bit prettier, a bit better, it would have been a breakout success. It does something different, offers terrific value, and has an off beat charm.

And as usual, the package seems to be coming into its own right before it gets the axe. The cleaned up front end, better wheels, and the available 3.9L make this car a true dark horse in the segment.

Of course, GM is going to trot out its usual "there's no market for XYZ in today's business." I wonder when GM is going to say "We've decided there no longer is a market for cars in the North American market and thus will not offer cars any longer."

 

GM's the one that going to have to look at its numbers to see if it makes financial sence.

For us here, we sell a pretty good mix of the two (sedan and Maxx). In reality, the Maxx is an easy sell to those who don't mind the "hatchback" or "wagon" look. Once the customer sees the configurable cargo area with sky lights and how nice it really drives, there really is nothing to compare it to value wise.

I'm a fan of the Maxx and feel it is worthy of another generation, assuming it makes financial sense to GM.

 

I like the "Maxx" idea. I think it should be spread through the sedan range.

The Aveo 5-door, should be the Aveo Maxx and make the back end as long as the sedan.
Keep the Malibu Maxx, but make it look less like the sedan at the back.
And definitely bring out an Impala Maxx SS

 

We rented a MAXX about a year ago while in Charlotte. I really enjoyed that car. Rode extremely nice, competent handling, nice features, the rear hatch area extremely useful. The only things I would have changed were the dash (better materials and a little less busy), the door panels & headliner (better materials), the front-end (although the '06s are a real improvement), and get rid of those God-awful side swooshes and add some more tumblehome.
I really liked the MAXX and recommend it to people with small families on a tighter budget.
I hope they don't axe it. I think it's way better than the 4-door Malibu.

 

OK Guy.......no black Suburbans........

.........and if I DO decide to hit you, it won't be where you mentioned......



anywho............

The Maxx offers the buyer a lot for the money. But it looks awkward in certain colors......The Black SS is great looking.....so is Dark Blue in LTZ trim and chromed rims........

We put 'em in all autoshows....and try to get our product specialists to demonstrate the many features....esp. the back adjustable seat.....to anyone who will listen.

They have sold very slowly.........that said, the people who have bought them love them! Tons of leg room in the back and a DVD system (optional) make it a great 'road trip' car for four.

 

Let's just hope it picks up and doesn't become an "Aztek".

 

I bought a Maxx in 2004 and continue to be impressed by the features on this car. I get 22 MPG around town and over 30 MPG on trips. It is a loaded LT and the 3.5 is more than adequate when merging or passing. We have found it to be extremely versatile and everyone who has ridden in it has commented on how nice it is. I got tired of waiting for the Nomad concept to materialize and this car struck a chord with me. I like the styling combined with the utility and the ergonomics are second to none. I think it would be a mistake if Chevrolet decided not to pursue this type of vehicle in the future.

 

My parents bout a Maxx as their first ever new car purchase, and they are very happy with it, they love the versitility of the cargo area, among other things.. it's got a bit of pep with that 3.5L.. (my dad won't race my v6 camaro 200hp vs 200hp heh).. i think it looks OK but i like somone's comparison to an appliance.. i'd agree with that, though it looks like a nice appliance hehe..

i think they should keep it with the new Malibu lineup.. restyled of course, same or better practicality and versatility inside.. RWD and AWD..

 

I woulda considered one were it not so aesteically challenged.

Sorry, but if I think a car looks lame, I am not going to buy it.

 

agreed...Malibu's biggest problem is its exterior. Whoever gave GM the idea that having no creativity in exterior design, a la Japanese automakers, would help sell the idea that GM's cars are like the Japanese cars, should get fired and have thier house set on fire. When I compare Nissan, not the best designs in the world, to MC, Impala, Cobalt, and Malibu, I want to puke at how low GM design has gone. Reused Honda front end styling? Please change this immediately.

A car that looks good, a girl that looks good, a house that looks good.....ALL will have a much easier time of attracting people!!!

Aside from the aesthetics, Malibu needs fixes in the interior quality/design and maybe a bit more width for even more space inside.

 

I like both!..
I have seen them up close, and think each have a place. I see the Maxx more popular with young urban types,(European) while the other, by more traditionalists(american).
The only thing I can see that looks a little out of place today is, the long overhangs and relatively small wheels. Not to change the ride height, but as BMW, let larger wheels fill a larger opening in the fenders.
But I love the body lines, the light and color changes on them make them very interesting.
I don't like the LACK of exterior/interior colors.(How many gray tones do we need??)

 

I just sat in an '06 MAXX SS at our local car show. It was really nice. And actually, the dash and door panel materials are not bad.
The car has a TON of rear legroom.

If this car is not selling, then GM needs to work on the design details, becaue the basic shape is good. Like I said, more tumblehome, stronger wheel opening flares (like the Camaro concept) and lose those AWFUL side swooshes.

 

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but the Maxx really helped to renew my faith in GM. I am a huge fan of the muscle era GM cars and I really miss Olds, even if it was only a shadow of its former self. I had basically written off all american cars as having poor quality, cheap looking interiors, but when I got the chance to spend some time in a Maxx, I was very pleasantly shocked. I wish I could extend praise to the exterior, but to say that I am not a fan of wagon bodystyles is a massive understatement.

This car singlehandedly brought me back into the GM fold. I grew up with american cars, and I wanted to support our auto industry, but when the time came to actually put my money where my mouth was, there wasn't much out there that I could both afford and stomach. The dash was a little plain, but reasonably well laid out, and well put together, i.e. seems were tight, vehicle was very quiet, seats were excellent, in general it was miles away from what I was used to in my camaro. (not to badmouth the camaro's interior too much, if GM had to save money somewhere, I'm glad they didn't do it in the engine/suspension)