classic

ok i am in the market for a malibu and i was wondering what the difference is in a malibu and a malibu classic i cant really tell the difference so if anybody could point them out to me i would appreciate it

The Classic is the 1st generation platform, same as my 1998 which came out in 1997. It is a very good platform. The new Malibu is the next generation platform, which is supposedly better. It is also shared with Saab. GM didn't want to stop making the 1st generation so this is their way of keeping manuafacturing going. The Classic is mainly purchased by fleets and car rental companies.

Actually, the Classic is the LAST-generation Malibu platform, since Malibus have been around since the mid-60s (on and off again).

The outgoing '03 Malibu had the 3100 V-6 standard, but the '04 and '05 Classics have the 2.2 ECOTEC 4-cylinder standard (and the V-6 isn't available).

Don't expect the Classic to go into the '06 model year. It was intended to absorb all of the fleet sales for that size class and maintain resale values on the '04 Malibu, but GM ditched that plan midway through the '04 model year. '04 and '05 rental and other fleet Malibus are now all over the place (especially here in Florida). Classics too, but far less. '04 and '05 Malibu resale values are actually lower than they were for my '98 at similar points in time.

Progress. Not.

the new Malibu can be purchased with a 3.5 V6 which is a pretty good engine from what I've heard. the new Malibu appears to be a pretty good car.