2004 Malibu

I just bought the new 2004 Malibu LS V6. I can't say enough good things about it. I also own a 2002 VW Passat 2.0Turbo. Well i know that european cars used to be the ones to own but you cannot compare the two cars. THe Malibu is such a great driver. And unlike its Mexican counterpart the quality is far better. No one really talks about the "Electric Steering" but what a great idea. Why rob Horse Power with a hydrolic pump? This system is fantastic. I do think that the interior is a bit bland and the steering wheel reminds me of the old Dodge Colts but i can live with that. Here are some of the things that i like about the car:
1) 4 wheel disc brakes
2) Electric Steering
3) Door Handles are Perfect
4) Remote Start
5) Tiptronic style shifting (sort of)
6) Center console for cell phone and stuff. (Charger is in there too)
7) Most of all the V6 power. I think they get more HP to the wheels than any Honda or Toyota.
8) Road noise is OK but i think still quieter than my Passat.
9) Stock stereo is worth keeping.
10) Handles better than the Passat.
11) Comes with Bridgestone Tires. 15" Alloys
12) Great trunk space
13) Drives like a mercedes but half the price.
14) New styling gets my attention.
15) Fuel economy on highway is about 35-37 driving 65mph. I am sure that temp and pressure play a part with this.


Lastly it is a huge step up from last years Malibu. I am sure that if you own an older version and stepped into this one you will be amazed at the changes.

my .02

I felt the same way about my 2000 Malibu when I first bought it. I suggest you get the most extended warranty there is.....because of the defects that have plagued the Malibus since 1998.

I am just sore because I personally know six different Malibu owners (model year 1998, 99, 00) and ALL OF US HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. We are all down in the dumps because our cars are costing us thousands of dollars in repair costs YET WE STILL HAVE CAR PAYMENTS.

Mine only has 58000 miles (gently driven) and it's falling apart

Thanks for the response.

What are the typical problems that you are all getting?
I will take your advice with the warrenty wisely but i do hope to
change cars in two years. The 3 year 55k warrenty is not that great
so i will change before that time comes.

I only owned one chevy prior to this and it was a 1969 impala convertable.
Not anything new. Everything else was foreign..From Porsches to
VW's. I am just really not happy with the VW. They are definitly on
the lower side of quality. It will be many years before i buy another
VW. Just hoping this Chevy treats me right!

.02

Well--this site has rules about repeated posting of the same thing--just read the threads I have started (on this page--crazyjbeatty) and you'll see the problems.

I wish you a lot better luck with the new Malibu. I think it's an excellent looking car (mine too) and the ride is great when everything is working right. I affectionately call my car "Malli" but I'm afraid she is going to end up being real bad for me.

I still owe like $6800 on the car and according to Edmunds.com and kellybluebook I should only expect a dealer to give me $4200 for trade in value (Although we can expect the dealer to re-sell my car for slightly more then I currently owe)

Anyway--I may have to take the loss 'cause hell--I can go out and buy a used car that runs well and still spend less than the repair costs on this Malibu...plus I would NOT be making a payment.

Hell-- I am tempted to put Malli in my garage--cancel the insurance (don't tell my bank) and buy a "beater" to get me around until I finish paying off the car (16 months). I know this sounds crazy--but I simply can't afford for it to break down again--and according to my research it is almost a guarantee that the car WILL break down again--the next time it will be the tranny.

I am just SCREWED

I just bought the new 2004 Malibu LS V6. I can't say enough good things about it. I also own a 2002 VW Passat 2.0Turbo. Well i know that european cars used to be the ones to own but you cannot compare the two cars. THe Malibu is such a great driver. And unlike its Mexican counterpart the quality is far better. No one really talks about the "Electric Steering" but what a great idea. Why rob Horse Power with a hydrolic pump? This system is fantastic. I do think that the interior is a bit bland and the steering wheel reminds me of the old Dodge Colts but i can live with that. Here are some of the things that i like about the car:
1) 4 wheel disc brakes
2) Electric Steering
3) Door Handles are Perfect
4) Remote Start
5) Tiptronic style shifting (sort of)
6) Center console for cell phone and stuff. (Charger is in there too)
7) Most of all the V6 power. I think they get more HP to the wheels than any Honda or Toyota.
8) Road noise is OK but i think still quieter than my Passat.
9) Stock stereo is worth keeping.
10) Handles better than the Passat.
11) Comes with Bridgestone Tires. 15" Alloys
12) Great trunk space
13) Drives like a mercedes but half the price.
14) New styling gets my attention.
15) Fuel economy on highway is about 35-37 driving 65mph. I am sure that temp and pressure play a part with this.


Lastly it is a huge step up from last years Malibu. I am sure that if you own an older version and stepped into this one you will be amazed at the changes.

my .02


What you think of the remote start? I thought that I'd be out of a job (I install them) until I messed with one. Seems to work alright. Although the sequence to get them to start is quirky. I hear people complain about the range of them. I get over 1/4 mile with the same brand that makes them for GM.

Hey

The remote start is good. I have had them for years with my car in
Canada. There it is a great luxury. Sure is nice to get into a warm car when it is minus 30 outside.

It works by making sure the car is locked. Press and hold the remote start switch and she starts. GM says that you can start it up to 200' away. I have yet to be more than 100'.
You can only remote start the car twice. Then you will have to manually do it. Radio does not work until the key is in the ignition, when using this remote start. Also you cannot drive away until the key goes in the ignition. I live in Florida so this remote start is not really a necessity but maybe next summer i will get some use out of it. Better than sitting in a steaming hot car.

On another note: What is the deal with the mirrors?
Why can't they make painted ones. Or better yet if you own a business that can make aftermarket mirrors that are a direct replacement i would be the first customer. The black plastic stock mirrors are just cheap looking, and time will tell how they stand up to the strong sun of florida.

.02

The remote start has worked well for us. We are in Southern California's Inland Empire and it get hotter than heck. Remote start after a couple of hours in the summer sun is sure going to be a nice change. Haven't really paid attention to the range. Our Maxx has a hard antenna while the sedan has the antenna in the glass... could be a factor.

I am with Seafeye on this. I just got my '04 mali. Mine is the base model with the 4 cyl engine. I got this one to take a break from my '00 F250 V-10 and gas prices. I like the remote start feature and the way it drives. The electrical steering, although it may be a great idea, still has to be made feel more real. As it is it feels like turning the wheel on one of those amusement park little cars. The car drives fine and quiet. Even tough I got the 4 cyl, it feels with enough power. I have had no issues yet other than a slight over-heat the other day that could not be duplicated by the dealer. Funny, it happens only when the A/C is off.
I have read a lot about problems with previous versions, I really hope that this version is much better. I do not feel very confident regarding the plastic intake manifold. There may be a relationship between this and the bad intake gaskets. I am getting great mileage, and I am very happy with the way teh stock radio sounds. So far I am OK with it but will keep an eye open for any failures. I declined the warranties that the dealer offered since they only cover up to 60K miles. I am planning on getting an after market one like the one I got for my truck that would cover it for 6yr (after purchase) or 100k miles. Good looking and so far well working car.

My $02.
regards,
Jim