Since my cars are getting up there in age, I saw 4 new Malibus sitting on a dealers lot and decided to check them out. While I think the new Impala looks like a decent car, I don't know why all the fuss in trying to make a smaller version of it and call it the Malibu? Impala sales are....meh, but I think GM has a way of over doing the front fascia on both cars. The new Malibu front end looks odd and does not suit the rest of the car to me. The profile and the rear look ok, but the front looks wrong and takes much away from the car as a whole.
Another thing that made me question the new Malibu was the 1.5 liter engine in the cheaper car is made in Mexico, while the transmission is American. The 2.0 liter model has the engine from USA and transmission from Japan. I think the latter combo would be the way to go but unfortunately it requires premium fuel. Reviews of the 1.5 liter performance has been described as "adequate". In high school, the 1985 Celebrity 4 cylinder Drivers Ed car seemed (power wise) "adequate" too, but with a full car of passengers it felt very labored and slow. Hearing that reminded me of those wonderful days
The interior looks very nice and classy on both models. They had it parked next to a brand new 2015 model and as much heat as that car took for looks/back seat issues, I think it actually looks BETTER than the 2016 model???? The car in general looks much more generic than I thought it would be, and maybe that is what GM wants. The Chrysler 200 looks very similar to the new Malibu and that is getting axed within a couple years or so.
In 2013, GM hyped up the brand new, redesigned, more efficient, quieter DI 2.5liter for the last Malibu only to discontinue it after just 3 years? Ford has been doing the tiny turbo engines for some time, and now GM is copying them. I guess it doesn't matter what you buy today because they are all pretty much the same now except for the emblem. Next GM will copy Ford with "all new" high strength aluminum body on their Silverado/Sierra to reduce weight, increase mpg, etc. etc. If the body panels don't rust away with the salt they pound on the roads around me, I am all in favor of the aluminum route.
My dad retired from GM and we drove Chevys my entire life with the exception of our old Camry, and I still don't know what car interests me from Chevy? I am really thinking about getting an Accord after seeing this Malibu, or finding a 1 owner southern 2011 Malibu with a V6 and no rust. That sounds good too.
Another thing that made me question the new Malibu was the 1.5 liter engine in the cheaper car is made in Mexico, while the transmission is American. The 2.0 liter model has the engine from USA and transmission from Japan. I think the latter combo would be the way to go but unfortunately it requires premium fuel. Reviews of the 1.5 liter performance has been described as "adequate". In high school, the 1985 Celebrity 4 cylinder Drivers Ed car seemed (power wise) "adequate" too, but with a full car of passengers it felt very labored and slow. Hearing that reminded me of those wonderful days
The interior looks very nice and classy on both models. They had it parked next to a brand new 2015 model and as much heat as that car took for looks/back seat issues, I think it actually looks BETTER than the 2016 model???? The car in general looks much more generic than I thought it would be, and maybe that is what GM wants. The Chrysler 200 looks very similar to the new Malibu and that is getting axed within a couple years or so.
In 2013, GM hyped up the brand new, redesigned, more efficient, quieter DI 2.5liter for the last Malibu only to discontinue it after just 3 years? Ford has been doing the tiny turbo engines for some time, and now GM is copying them. I guess it doesn't matter what you buy today because they are all pretty much the same now except for the emblem. Next GM will copy Ford with "all new" high strength aluminum body on their Silverado/Sierra to reduce weight, increase mpg, etc. etc. If the body panels don't rust away with the salt they pound on the roads around me, I am all in favor of the aluminum route.
My dad retired from GM and we drove Chevys my entire life with the exception of our old Camry, and I still don't know what car interests me from Chevy? I am really thinking about getting an Accord after seeing this Malibu, or finding a 1 owner southern 2011 Malibu with a V6 and no rust. That sounds good too.
