The 2008 Malibu

[shadow5599]

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-chevy-malibu-1/

[wpbharry]

It looks good - I've seen it on a lot of other sites.

I'm finally NOT going to be gullible yet again. Had a '97 Malibu LS and now an '04 Maxx. Despite all of the improvements that Chevy is claiming (seems like a direct repeat of both '97 and '04, BTW), there's no way in hell that I'd take a chance on the first model year again. Word to the wise, from one who's been there...twice.

[shadow5599]

1st model years are a bit risky as you say. Always best to wait a year or two.
Although, there was vast improvements in the Malibu on the last generation change. I've had both as well and much prefer my 05 over the 03.

[HyperFox]

I dont like it. Wierd front grill, odd back end that looks like it was stolen from an Infiniti.. Interior is nice but, Its basically a re-badged Saturn Aura. Ill stick with my Z body.

[wpbharry]

Both the Aura and the '08 Malibu are "Z-bodies" as well. Also (and more commonly) called Epsilon I. Chevy accelerated the originally planned redo of the Malibu for '10 on Epsilon II (which can be longer, wider and accomodate AWD) because of slumping sales of the current car (many think the front end has always been fugly and I'm not going to vehemently disagree even though I own one).

The Maxx dies for '08. GM screwed that one up by introducing the Equinox at exactly the same time as the Maxx. Nox sells well, Maxx doesn't.

Rumor has it that Epsilon II will be introduced this fall in Europe and that Saturn might get a wagon version of the Aura, and NOT called an Aura wagon (like Subaru calls the Legacy wagon in some guises an Outback) on EII by the end of '07. No idea how long the '08 Malibu and '07 Aura designs might last, but other rumors persist that Buick is getting a new LaCrosse (hopefully renamed) on Epsilon II for '10. I'd bet the Aura goes under the knife for '11. Malibu, no idea. Maybe '12.

The major flaw (IMO) with Epsilon I is that the width is too narrow. Some compacts exceed it. That's because of the European influence. While the '08Malibu grows 3 inches in length, it only gains 0.5 inch in width, which keeps it much narrower than most of the competition. Bet the trunk dwindles as well (the Aura's trunk is smaller than the current Malibu sedan's).

The '08 appears to be a step up, but I have to say that the real-life pix of the interior from the Detroit show were a lot less appealing than the former pix provided by GM. You can see more cheapness in the pix from the Show floor.