atomiclightbulb
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http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-chevrolet-malibu-25-liter-first-drive-reviews
They didn't have much good to say about it. It's lightyears behind the '13 Nissan Altima. In many respects it doesn't even seem competitive with the outdated 8G Accord.
The handling is poor:
| the Malibu seems to resist enthusiastic driving more than most. The steering is numb, conspiring with a suspension setup that keeps the car from changing directions with any fluidity or urgency. |
The engine works well until pushed, then it sounds horrible:
| The 2.5-liter is remarkably hushed under normal circumstances, using disturbance-minimizing components such as a low-noise timing chain and direct-mounted accessories. And it all works, right up until you push the long pedal to the floor and watch the tach pass 4000 rpm. At that point, the drone of every four-cylinder you’ve ever flogged washes over you. |
Fuel economy mediocre for an all-new model with new engine:
| . Fuel efficiency is improved with the 2.5-liter versus the outgoing 2.4, but only marginally—22 mpg in the city and 34 highway with the 2.5, compared to 22/33 in the old car with the 2.4. |
Ouch. That might have something to do with the fact that it weighs 3550 lbs. The Altima is 3100 lbs and rates 27/38 by comparison.
The interior is not great either:
| Chevy’s dual-cockpit approach can make front occupants feel isolated and restricted. A reduction in wheelbase from the last generation sees rear legroom decrease by 0.8 inch; knee- and shoulder room see notable gains, but a lack of space for your stems makes the back seat feel cramped on anything longer than a quick jaunt. |
The only thing this car does well is move people comfortably and quietly in a straight line.
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superchg2
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More than the new Malibu, it looks like the much improved 2013 Altima is going to be stiff competition for the Earth Dream Accord and the Camry, too!
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CarGuyLee
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It seems like the Malibu is already at the back of the pack. It looks like a nice car to me, my biggest concern would be the back seat if I were looking at one. Lots of reviews say the back seat is smaller than the 2012.
I think older people might enjoy it if it is as quiet as they say, as probably would most who bought one. However for most people the fact that it gets much less MPG than everyone else will disqualify it automaticly. 3MPG less city than the Camry, 5MPG less than the Altima! If MPG is my top concern (which a recent article mentioned it is now #1... and that's all you hear people talking about at car shows when they are looking at the cars) I'm not giving it a second look.
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GoFaster
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Malibu is a car rental staple, so expect to be savaged on the resale market as well. Total cost of and enjoyment of ownership will be horrible.
From what has been posted about the upcoming Accord it appears Honda factory workers better enjoy the summer, because they are going to be really busy building cars this fall.
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superchg2
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Evidently, they rushed the new Malibu to market with the boat anchor motor only, to begin with. The 2.0 turbo ecotec version, will probably get better reviews, albeit at a higher price.
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rocky
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superchg2 wrote:
Evidently, they rushed the new Malibu to market with the boat anchor motor only, to begin with. The 2.0 turbo ecotec version, will probably get better reviews, albeit at a higher price.
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Its not a boat anchor, its a Rental Car. Destined to be seen as a counterpoint to all that is great about this country.
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98EX4cyl
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GoFaster wrote:
Malibu is a car rental staple, so expect to be savaged on the resale market as well. Total cost of and enjoyment of ownership will be horrible.
From what has been posted about the upcoming Accord it appears Honda factory workers better enjoy the summer, because they are going to be really busy building cars this fall.
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Opposite of last year when Honda and others suffered parts shortages and couldn't build to meet demand.
A couple of good comparison reviews and it could become again become the car that sells itself. I'm dating myself but do you remember the commercials with the eager Honda salesman practicing his pitch only to meet customers whose first words are "I'll take it".
I would say if its as good as we anticipate it will join the CRV as Hondas that can't be built fast enough to meet demand.
Caution, if that happens you may see finance deals disappear as they have on the CRV.
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DrWhiner
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The handling is poor:
| the Malibu seems to resist enthusiastic driving more than most. The steering is numb, conspiring with a suspension setup that keeps the car from changing directions with any fluidity or urgency. |
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Isn't it supposed to share a platform with Buick regal / Opel Insignia?
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csempere109
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atomiclightbulb wrote:
The only thing this car does well is move people comfortably and quietly in a straight line.
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That's often been a recipe for success...
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DCR
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A few people where I work have these already. I wouldn't have noticed, but the Camaro-esque tails stick out pretty good.
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according2kev
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DCR wrote:
A few people where I work have these already. I wouldn't have noticed, but the Camaro-esque tails stick out pretty good.
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I was behind one the other day, and while I'm sure it's just a coincidence, the tail lights sort of reminded me of the old Chevy conversion vans.
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Grace141
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according2kev wrote:
I was behind one the other day, and while I'm sure it's just a coincidence, the tail lights sort of reminded me of the old Chevy conversion vans.
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Good eye. It certainly speaks Chevy but I hope that's not the connection they had in mind there.
It's a shame to see these reviews of the new Malibu. I'd like to see GM competing well with Ford in the US and the current Buick style is growing a little stale for me. I rented an '09 Malibu for a weekend family trip and thought it a nice car.
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TonyEX
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Look at it from this point of view:
After spending five hours in an 18 1/2 inch wide seat, bookended by several hours of dealing with the TSA, the Hertz/Avis Malibu may not look too bad.
Of course, if you can, get the Hertz/Avis Mazda.
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sugaki
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I drove the Malibu Eco for a bit, it was a terrible car. Powerless, not fun, cumbersome. In spite of being "eco" it got worse gas mileage than the TSX, and the TSX I'd floor every once in awhile (drove the Eco like a granny).
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ClementZ
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TonyE wrote:
Look at it from this point of view:
After spending five hours in an 18 1/2 inch wide seat, bookended by several hours of dealing with the TSA, the Hertz/Avis Malibu may not look too bad.
Of course, if you can, get the Hertz/Avis Mazda.
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I'm not sure about Hertz, but my mom works at Avis, and I'm fairly certain that Avis/Budget doesn't rent Mazdas.
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garoto628
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ClementZ wrote:
TonyE wrote:
Look at it from this point of view:
After spending five hours in an 18 1/2 inch wide seat, bookended by several hours of dealing with the TSA, the Hertz/Avis Malibu may not look too bad.
Of course, if you can, get the Hertz/Avis Mazda.
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I'm not sure about Hertz, but my mom works at Avis, and I'm fairly certain that Avis/Budget doesn't rent Mazdas.
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I don't like much the tails of the Malibu, they're slooowly growing on me, but then a new Altima drives by, and I have to start trying to liking the Malibu all over again.
Is there a good reason to choose a Malibu over the competition?
A side note (sorry for the drastic change of topic):
No offense, but Avis is the most unethical company I have ever dealt with.
Incidence #1: They gave me a car, then called me back to say someone else was supposed to take that one. I bothered to take it back to them within 15 minutes after I took it, just made a U-turn and drove back. Gas was 1/4 empty at that point (mitsubishi eclipse). They said I spent it, and that I had to pay. Needless to say, I didn't pay, and I didn't have words to express what an idiot he was.
Incidence #2: Without informing me, they charged my credit card for a rental that the dealership was responsible to pay for, 2 years after the occurrence, and took 2 months to get my money back due to an error from them.
Incidence #3: A car went 1/4 empty after 2 minutes of leaving their lot.
Incidence #4: A car went 1/4 empty after 2 minutes of leaving their lot.
Incidence #5: A car went 1/4 empty after 20 minutes driving in traffic, no more than 1 mile.
Should I go on? Never again.
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IntegraDC5R
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garoto628 wrote:
A side note (sorry for the drastic change of topic):
No offense, but Avis is the most unethical company I have ever dealt with.
Incidence #1: They gave me a car, then called me back to say someone else was supposed to take that one. I bothered to take it back to them within 15 minutes after I took it, just made a U-turn and drove back. Gas was 1/4 empty at that point (mitsubishi eclipse). They said I spent it, and that I had to pay. Needless to say, I didn't pay, and I didn't have words to express what an idiot he was.
Incidence #2: Without informing me, they charged my credit card for a rental that the dealership was responsible to pay for, 2 years after the occurrence, and took 2 months to get my money back due to an error from them.
Incidence #3: A car went 1/4 empty after 2 minutes of leaving their lot.
Incidence #4: A car went 1/4 empty after 2 minutes of leaving their lot.
Incidence #5: A car went 1/4 empty after 20 minutes driving in traffic, no more than 1 mile.
Should I go on? Never again.
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I would put that more on the people that turned the cars in concerning the fuel, they are the ones who just filled it enough to look full. I'm sure the people working at the airport in the rental pickup/dropoff zones are just looking at the gauge and if it is showing on the F, then it's good to go. Not sure the best way around this, I guess they could charge the previous renter if they had to fill the tank, but the only way that would work is on drop-off you actually take it to a fuel pump and attempt to put gas into the tank. Whatever the cost, it gets added to your credit card bill. They couldn't really do this without the person present as they could just rack up ridiculous charges and some like myself actually do fill the tank to the top when turning the car back in. Lots of scumbags out there though only think about themselves.
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Inebriated Snake
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Chevy has released some real competitive solid hits in the last few years(give or take) like the Cruze, Camaro, and Sonic. Only to just come out and bunt to first base.
What the hell? A lot of people's livelyhood ride on this car; from corporate, manufacturing, down the dealer and service level. In such an important segment, to push this out is simply irresponsible.
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