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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Malibu Maxx impressions?

July 21, 2008 12:46 p.m. bastomatic Dork

We'll be buying a new (at the very least gently used) car in the next month or two, and we're replacing a Volvo 245. We're huge hatchback fans, and we really need something that gets at least 25-30 mpg on average. Right now my short list is:

if new, < $15k - 08 or 09 Honda Fit

if used, < $12k - 02-05 Civic Si, Mini Cooper (too expensive prob), Honda Fit, Scion Xb

Being that I'm in Michigan, I keep seeing the Malibu Maxx pop up for sale, and it's much cheaper than I would expect. Like $8k or less for one with ~50k miles. Now, it's a bigger car than the others we're shopping, which means gas mileage will be a bit worse, but it'd be a better Volvo. Unfortunately it wasn't available with manual shift, but for this price, what the heck. I remember really liking it when the in-laws were shopping for a new car a few years back.

Am I stupid for considering this car, or would I be dumb not to consider it? Any insight?
July 21, 2008 1:00 p.m. stumpmj HalfDork

I had a regular Malibu of that generation as a rental one time. It was a black car in Laredo Texas and the A/C would turn it into fridge within 5 minutes of starting the car after it had sat all day in the sun. OTher than that, it drove like a Camry (and I mean that in both a good and a bad way). Seems like a great commuter with a ton of utility.
July 21, 2008 1:04 p.m. bastomatic Dork

We're also considering the Pontiac Vibe and Focus ZX5...
July 21, 2008 1:08 p.m. joey48442 Dork

My moms 4 cylinder 06 Malibu gets an average of 29 mpg, and she isnt on the highway all that much. On highway trips we average well over 30. Its not a Maxx, but I cant imagine things would be all that different, except with the V6 option.

Joey
July 21, 2008 1:17 p.m. Greg Voth Associate Publisher

I had a 2004 V6 regular Malibu as a company car. I put about 15,000 miles over a 6 month time span. I was not sad to see it replaced with a Fusion.

The V6 had more than enough power. Handling was sub-par in my opinion whereas I loved handling and feel of the Fusion. My biggest complaint was that I could not find a comfortable seating position. I do however have odd tastes in seating position despite being average sized. (5'10 / 175) The rest of the office didn't seem to have a problem with the seating.
July 21, 2008 1:23 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

I had one as rental once... Here's the rundown in SAT format... Malibu maxx is to car as generic is to benign

It was a good car, nothing about it was really bad... nothing about it was really good.
July 21, 2008 4:17 p.m. suprf1y New Reader

My buddy replaced his Impreza RS with a Maxx, and he loves it. It gets virtually identical fuel mileage, according to him.
July 21, 2008 6:33 p.m. integraguy New Reader

A local wholesale dealer had one on the lot/website that looked pretty good. The miles/year were decent and the asking price wasn't too bad a place to start the bargaining. After looking at it for a day or two I decided to see what Edmunds.com had to say about the Maxx. It actually got pretty decent reviews by current and former owners. Like you, I was attracted to the hatchback in a midsized sedan body. That car didn't last tho, as someone snapped it up before I got to the lot. While the current Malibu is a dynamite car, it's too bad some GM division couldn't keep this idea in their lineup.

The worst thing you can get anyone to say about the Maxx? Could use better steering. It's better than a Camry but worse than a Fusion.
July 21, 2008 8:27 p.m. bastomatic Dork

Yeah. Really, right now it's Malibu vs. Fit in my mind.

I've been a Honda guy for a long time now, and I still believe in the Fit, but it's hard to say no to what is essentially a really nice car that has been driven down in value only because 1) it's domestic, and 2) it's not the flavor of the moment high-mpg beastie. People are offloading these for dirt cheap!

Wife says we can probably afford either, though I'm leaning towards the Malibu at the moment, cheap bastard I am. I only wish it came with a nav system.
July 21, 2008 8:31 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

how long do you plan on keeping it? and how much interior and exterior squeaking(falling apart) can you stand during that time period.

If you can answer that.. You'll have your answer.
July 21, 2008 8:45 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

just a shame the malibu got the hatch that saab seems to have lost
July 21, 2008 8:45 p.m. bastomatic Dork

Well I'm sure we'll keep it a while, 5-6 years at the least. We're planning on having a kid in that span, but I'm sure either would be ok for that.

Rattles and squeaks? Well, I drive an old civic hatch, and before that a CRX. You think it would be different between the two? I've found Hondas squeak as much as anything.
July 22, 2008 8:48 a.m. minimac Dork

Until GM can figure out how to put a comfortable seat in a car, without having to pay a premium, I'd stick to the Hon-duh. Besides, if you keep it 5-6 years, you can still get something for the Honda.
July 22, 2008 11:50 a.m. Jack SuperDork

minimac wrote:

Until GM can figure out how to put a comfortable seat in a car, without having to pay a premium, I'd stick to the Hon-duh. Besides, if you keep it 5-6 years, you can still get something for the Honda.

The Malibu/G6 seats are damn good seats. They are the same basic framework as the Saab 9-3 and Opel Vectra, owing to the fact that they all share the same platform. I actually look for a Malibu or G6 when I rent cars, as the seats are better than most of anyone's rental car fleets.

I have an 06 Malibu 4 door, 4 cylinder (someone elses former company car). I was expecting an appliance, but have been very pleasantly surprised.

Good, solid basic transportation. It handles OK and gets 29+ MPG in mixed use and I've seen over 35 for extended highway driving.

Jack
July 22, 2008 12:03 p.m. neon4891 HalfDork

IIRC, the maxx was a Saab with a redone body and the Honda 3.5l V6. I used to get some industry insider type mags from my days in auto tech.
July 22, 2008 12:31 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

one thing I can say about the maxx I drove was with those cheap generals or tiger paws on there and the trac control off, it would sure make do a one wheel peel.
July 22, 2008 6:06 p.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

I've spent some time in a rental Maxx. Not bad, not sure I could live with it long term, though, and some of the interior fittings are very cheap feeling. If the one you look at has that rear seat moon roof, check out the sliding sun screens. If those are representative of the overall build quality, I say its frightening. Kind of boring looking but for a transportation device it is very practical.
July 22, 2008 8:17 p.m. kilgoretrout New Reader

neon4891 wrote:

IIRC, the maxx was a Saab with a redone body and the Honda 3.5l V6. I used to get some industry insider type mags from my days in auto tech.

The Vue had the Honda engine but the Maxx never did.

I've driven a couple Malibus and they're not bad considering how cheap you can get them. The one thing that absolutely killed it for me was the size of the steering wheel (on all GM cars for that matter) and more importantly, the actual steering itself. No connection whatsoever.
July 22, 2008 8:44 p.m. bastomatic Dork

Actually the Vue would be in our search, but that's what the in-laws settled on and Holly couldn't bear driving the same thing.

Also, it seems I underestimated the Malibu prices here - decent ones are available at around $10k on average, which tilts the decision towards the Fit.
July 22, 2008 9:16 p.m. AngryCorvair HalfDork

The Malibu MAXX is on my short list. Not at the top, because there's no MTX available, but I guess I could own one automatic in my lifetime....
July 23, 2008 12:39 p.m. Nashco Dork

I drove one once, the OE tires in combination with the built in understeer made it perhaps the worst understeering car I've ever driven. It was ridiculous. I'm sure it's fairly easy to remedy with better tires and perhaps some anti-sway bar changes, but holy cow was it horrible in stock trim. I didn't even pay attention to the rest of the car because that was so bad, the car wasn't really my bag I just happened to be driving it.

Bryce
July 23, 2008 12:43 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

I believe the OE tires are made from left over Wendy's trays...
July 23, 2008 12:58 p.m. thatsnowinnebago New Reader

I keep reading the title of this thread as Mad Max and keep getting disappointed. /threadjack

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