ponchoman49

A good review but I am dissapointed that the new Bu is coming to the table with less interior room than it's target competitors and lower V6 gas mileage.

I also had a chance to compare all three of these same cars side by side. The new Malibu does indeed look better inside and out compared to the old one and most of the wheel designs are an improvement save the Impala SS like chrome versions on LT2's. But the sad reality set in once I sat inside each car and compared trunks. The Impala is noticeably larger inside with greater width and headroom. It's trunk is larger too. The old Malibu actually feels bigger inside than the new one and it's trunk opening is larger and it seems a bit deeper too. I really don't understand where the longer wheelbase and greater overall length came into play on the new Bu. The center console is wider and the roofline lower to make sitting in the driver's seat feel a bit tight. I really liked the dash on the new Bu. The Corvette like swoops were very neat and retro and the Fusion/500 like dashtop storage was a thoughtful touch. Kudos to Chevy for listening and giving customers the option of exterior bodyside moldings. Demerits for no overhead assist grips, rear seat center armrest and fold flat passenger seat which the previous model had. Also eliminating the Maxx was a mistake. I would also like to see Chevy offer the 224 HP version of the 3500 combined with the 6 speed automatic at least on lower trim levels like the LS and LT1. The mileage figures of the 3.6 liter V6 have already scared off my dad and some friends even though I explained that they are all lower across the board. The Accord, Camry, Sonata, Impala and Altima get better V6 mileage. The prices of the 08 Malibus I checked out were all far to close to the Impala. The 4 cylinder LT1 was almost 22k and the LTZ's were all over 28K which is the same prices as a LTZ Impala with leather, moonroof, sound system, rear seat armrest, overhead assist grips and more interior and trunk space. But the Impalas interior wasn't quite as nice looking as the Malibus and I don't care for the rather plain looking Impala center console with no floor shift indicators and the huge chunk of plain plastic on the passenger side of the dash. Decisions decisions. Space is important to me and the new Bu is a dissapointment in that area. It's also a bit pricey but you do get higher quality interior materials for the money and more modern exterior styling and that lovely 6 speed automatic. It's too bad the V6 wasn't better on fuel and that Chevy couldn't overcome the lack of interior features that come std equipment on every one of it's competitors.

I can't wait until the NA designed version comes out with real Pontiac styling hopefully. This one is just trying too hard with the hood scoops and bland generic side styling and non descript, un pontiac like taillights.

It amazes me how quickly things age these days and then looked at like a rolling piece of $h! on wheels. The 04-07 Malibu was pretty well received back in 2004 and offered several neat innovations not offered on most other mid size sedans: factory remote starter, telescoping wheel, fold flat passenger seat, power pedals, electric steering, ultra Lux seats on LT models, the Maxx hatch/wagon, 32 MPG highway rating from a V6 etc and I never mistook one for anything other than a Malibu. Now it's looked at like a total piece of crap that didn't compete well with anything. I would like to see 2008 Malibu owners obtain 32 MPG with the Malibus only 3.6 liter V6 option. I would like to see any new 08 Malibu model with a fold flat passenger seat or a Maxx model. Try buying a V6 for under 19K or a Ecotec for 17K. The new 08 Malibu also has less total interior space than the 04-07 despite a longer wheelbase!

This bland generic Toyota clone with a Pontiac grille grafted on doesn't deserve to have a Pontac badge and GM needs to get there head out of there arse and come up with there own small wagon with superior Ecotec powertrains.

I had 2 1980 Grand Prix's one LJ and one SJ with factory moonroof. It always amazed me just how different those 2 cars felt in everyday driving. The SJ had the bucket seats and floor shifter, guage package and the HO 301 4BBL V8 that really would run. The LJ was far tamer and quieter and cushier by comparison. I wish I still had those 2 cars, one was destroyed in a fire and the other was sold on Ebay when I lost my job 4 years ago. I really want to find another clean southern lower mileage SJ GP. That was a really nice car with a sport/luxury edge to it.

1981 was a bad year for those old 3.8 liter 2BBL vin code "A" 231 engines. Sounds like yours may have been out of tune right from the factory. I had a 1981 Cutlass 4 door with that engine and 60K miles and it to was a dog. A trip to my trusted mechanic brought about a carb rebuild, timing adjustment and a new TPS(throttle position sensor) and after that point the old 231 really livened up and would easily dust my 1979 Fairmont 4 door sedan 200 straight 6 so I may have had one of the better running 231's of that era. We used to have a used car dealership and sold a ton of cars with those engines from the 1981-1987 period. Never in all my years of driving did I see an engine that varied so much in power from one specimen to the next. By far the best was my dads 1982 Cutlass Supreme coupe with 40K miles and in perfect running shape. The order sheet listed positraction 3.08 gears on the options and that car would actually lay rubber with a 231 V6!

I got to see 3 new Malibus at 2 different dealers this past Saturday. One was a red LTZ with two-tone tan interior and the other 2 were LT2 V6's in tan exterior with the chrome Impala SS like rims. I brought my friend along who has never seen this car yet to see what his impressions were. The first words out of his mouth were "not sure I like the rear end" but the front is nice! The LT2 models had bodyside moldings which spruced the side look up but neither one of us cared for the Impala SS like chrome wheels. The red LTZ was sharp and it's alloy wheels looked nice going by us. We followed this car as the salesman drove it up front for an eagerly awaiting customer for a test drive. The 3.6 liter V6 sounded quiet and smooth as glass as the sales guy drove it by us. My pick would be a red LT2 with optional bodyside moldings and the two-tone tan interior without the optional chrome wheels. I would really like to see a nice blue, red or white accent interior option as the black/tan and gray is really getting depressing(my friend actually brought this up after we looked at some new Impalas and Cobalts) and Chevy really needs to revise the options and models on this car to simplify things and lift some of the color restrictions off but overall in the right exterior color this car is pretty sharp.

The no door handles thing looks retarded along with the massive overkill sound system that has a killer guarentee- to make you deaf before you reach 40.

I would consider it for .50 cents

Yup thats a 2007 writeup and engine specs. The 2008 model will have much different engine specs and more LS std equipment plus the new Hybrid.

I like the retro interior so that is really just preference. Many of todays genric blah gray, tan and black interiors are so same ol same ol that this is a refreshing change. I do agree that the 4.0 liter is unrefined and tractorish sounding which is weird because the rental 2007 Explorer with this same drivetrain combo and 5 speed automatic was much more refined. And I do see what some of you meant about this car feeling like an 80's or 90's Mustang. The 3.5 Duratec, better brakes and a sport suspension option would go a long way in making this a more desirable choice. And I love the exterior styling even 3 model years later.

The 81-87 Grand Prix's look pretty similar but a sharp eye can tell the different years apart. 81-84 had the same grille and taillights but the color slections for the exterior changed each year 85-87 had the mini egg crate cross hatch grille and slightly different taillights 81-83 mid level GP's were called LJ and 84-87 were renamed LE 84-87 door panals and grab pull handles were changed from the older pull style setup of the 81-83 setup 81-82 had a Brougham Landau model which replaced the form SJ models from 78-80 as the top offering 81 was the last year for a Pontiac made V8 in the form of the 4.3 liter 265 unit 82 was the only year in Gran Prix history, up to the 80's, that didn't have a gas fired V8 option and the top gas engine option was the Buick built 4.1 liter 252 CID 4bbl V6 83 saw a return of a gas V8 option in the form of the LG4 305 4bbl Chevy motor 84 saw the introduction of a 4 speed automatic overdrive transmission, the 200 R4, only offered with the 305 V8 86-87 saw a second V6 option added in the form of the 4.3 liter TBI Chevy V6 from the Monte The hood ornament changed on the newer 84-87 GP's 84-87 also introduced the sport exterior two-tone paint with stripes seat material also changed going from the LJ to the LE models as did steerign wheels 84-87 also saw the sport steering wheel from other Pontiac models introduced as an option on base and std on LE 86 of course also saw the introduction of the very limited production 2+2 with fast back rear window ala Monte SS Aero coupe 81-83 had white guage pointers 84-87 has red ones and the woodgrain dash applique was changed to include some dashes of silver and given a larger opening for the newer digital stereos. 81 has optional bucket seats without recliners and were similar to all the other older A/G body cars in design 82 bucket seats that were ordered as an option in the base model were the same as in the then new Firebird and had recliners and holes in the headrest 84-87 bucket seats were again like the Firebirds but a little plainer looking compared to the 81-83 seats, with recliners and often in gray or blue material Thats all I can think of going between the 81-87 years

The LaCrosse is one of those few cars left that have truly comfortable seats, a library quiet ride and an exterior with some trim and chrome that avoids the bland plain slab sided look that is being copied by litterally every manufacturer. The used 2007 CXS model I test drove the other day really surprised me with it's velvety smooth 3.6 that had intoxicating power above 20 MPH, it's very responsive steering and handling for a Buick, the sit in them all day seats and all the luxury features that came with this car for the very reasonable sum of $15995. If limousine back seat legroom and the latest fads aren't important, I would give this car a very close look for those looking for a well built, reliable used car bargain.

I agree. The flat slab sided generic look combined with the ugly taillights really are a turn off. The lack of bodyside moldings, rear seat armrest and overhead assist handles in a car that costs well over 28K is lamentable and charging $295.00 to get red paint on the upper models must have even Honda and Toyota laughing.

Wait till they load that ultra flimsy tailgate with anything over 300 lbs! What a joke. Obviously HP and 0-60 times have clouded there judgement and all of the Tundras other issues have been sweeped under the carpet.

Well I can tell you 10 things Chevys own Impala does better than the all new 2008 Malibu 1) Greater width for more interior room 2) Flip and fold rear seat with a rear center armrest 3) 18.6 cu. ft. trunk 4) 3500 and 3900 V6 gas mileage of 18/29 and 18/28 vs 17/26 5) V8 SS model 6) Available rear spoiler 7) STD overhead assist grips for back seat and passenger Available 6 passenger seating configuration 9) Red paint color is offered on all models, not just the most expensive version and option configuration is more simplified compared to the Malibu with far less restrictions 10) Bodyside moldings are available on all versions of Impala but not Malibu

So your telling me that a narrower body than most of it's competition, that can't support a true NAV screen, lack of rear seat center armrest(along with other Epsilons), no overhead assist grips(along with other Epsions), dropping of the Maxx bodystyle, no bodyside protection, been there done that styling, a confusing model lineup with so many restrictions on option availability, those goofy taillights, base prices that totally conflict with the upper scale Saturn Aura, no 6 speed for the 4 cylinders until a later date aren't flaws. And regarding the new Accord, I closely checked one of those out and found far fewer flaws other than odd rear end styling and lack of body protection. The base Accord had a center rear seat armrest and overhead assist grips. The Accord had a much larger interior than any Epsilon I have ever sat in. The Accord had more upscale interior and even a glovebox light which all Epsilons lack. The Accord has a 5 speed automatic and a 5 speed manual, which the new Malibu lacks. The Accord is EPA rated at 19/29 with it's more powerful V6 vs the Malibus embarrassing 17/26 rating. The Accord is offered with a true NAV screen where the Malibu is not. The Accord offers a coupe bodystyle where the Malibu does not. The Accord also had auto up/down power windows which no Epsilon offers. Oh and by the way, I don't care for the new Accord and would never buy one but am not blinded by the new Malibus flaws to give it credit where it's due. Every mid size entry is going to have flaws but aside from the Accord are all older designs and the Malibu is a new 2008 model so there is no excuse to come to the table lacking all these things.

Toyota- cracking forward

I still don't care for the rear and plain slab sides of this car. The front end is pretty good and the interior LOOKS nice enough. It's too bad they didn't follow through with some of the missing items of this platform: bodyside moldings, rear seat armrests, overhead assist grips, optional Nav screen, more interesting paint colors on the low end models such as red which isn't even available on the LS or LT1, and better V6 gas mileage. I predict in a showdown with the new Accord, Altima, Camry, Sonota, Fusion, Aura and Avenger that it will finish 2nd or 3rd from last with the Avenger dead last. This car does nothing really well and IMO doesn't bring anything new to the table on the styling front.

2 very cheesy commercials. Why they didn't use a bland generic Camry instead is anyones guess. And the new Malibu is hardly a unique shape to be portrayed in this manner with it's Diamante taillights, plain bland side style and Euro/Asian like overall styling.

I find the grille to be overpowering and too large. They went from too small and wimpy to garishly oversized. I would much rather have seen the grille slightly enlarged with the choice of black or chrome and a new hood design and headlights. When uncle Bob and GM finally see the light and figure out that copying Lexus bland styling or rather lack of styling, will never win over buyers. Buick has to do more. They not only need best in class reliabilty but also Buick expressive designs and interiors that offer something unique and American to consumers. I expect to see port holes, bodyside moldings and nice curves to the fenders or doors etc to set these vehicles apart from the Asian copycat blah designs.

A Prius is hot? They leave me cold and a feeling of relief that I didn't waste my money on one.

Toyota- moving ever slowly downhill!

Just think how much better the Lucerne would sell if it had a competitive V6 engine and transmission to the Avalon. Or a Hyundai Azera or Kia Amanti for that matter!