AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
STATUS QUO; Chevy's next Malibu shoots par for the course.(News)
Byline: JOHN D. STOLL
General Motors is betting big bucks its new Malibu will capture the hearts and minds of midsize car owners, as well as those who have opted in to the import camp.
GM spent $750 million on its new Malibu, the car that replaces the 2003 model, which according to J.D. Power ratings is the most reliable mainstream midsize car on the road. The 2004 Malibu is built on the same chassis that carries the Saab 9-3 and Opel Vectra, a chassis with potential to be far better than the car it replaces.
Malibu's front bushings have been positioned rearward to lessen steering inconsistencies but absorb road impact. Upper strut mounts get soft fore-aft stiffness rates and stiffer lateral rates. Gas-pressurized MacPherson struts and 21-millimeter stabilizer bar are up front, while a four-link independent with twin-tube gas shocks, mini-block springs and three-quarter-inch stabilizer bar dresses the rear.
The new car's handling is good. It could be better still with improved electrically assisted power steering. In the Malibu, like Saturns before it, a too-light steering feel plagues it during low-speed drives; the steering does stiffen up at higher-speed runs. Pull the wheel side to side, though, and it snaps rather rudely back to center. Drum brakes are used in back with discs up front. A rainy-day accident-avoidance maneuver convinced us ABS, though not standard, is a must-have on this vehicle.
Body integrity is unquestionably solid. High-strength steel is used in the rocker panels and in 65 percent of the underbody, including chassis cradle; there are a load of reinforcements, and three vertical cavity-hugging structural rings. Aluminum is incorporated liberally to lighten the structure, while the entire dash piece is magnesium that minimizes steering column vibration.
Though we had a tough time detecting its "pure'' European handling characteristics compared to our recent 9-3 and Vectra drives, the absence of squeaks and rattles in low-mileage Malibus we drove is worth noting. Also worth mention: a noticeable upgrade to the ...
- 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Pricing Announced - $22,225.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire August 19, 2003 700+ words
...PRNewswire/ -- The all-new 2004 Malibu Maxx, which arrives in Chevrolet dealerships...all-new 2004 Malibu sedan, the Malibu Maxx extended sedan delivers first...great value." The five-door Malibu Maxx is offered in an LS and LT trim...
- Malibu Maxx gets an 'SS'.(AUTO WEEKEND)
- Newspaper article from: The Washington Times October 7, 2005 700+ words
...drive car, the Malibu SS and Malibu Maxx SS make the most of the current...share a nameplate, the Malibu and Malibu Maxx are different enough to separate...in common. Chevrolet provided a Malibu Maxx SS for testing and it is the focus...
- Malibu Maxx: Maxx significa más espacio, más versatilidad y más flexibilidad:...
- Magazine article from: Automundo Magazine Koechlin, Jorge July 1, 2004 700+ words
...silencioso y mejor en comparacin con el Malibu sedn previo. Hay unas barreras...carro. Como resultado, mucho del Malibu Maxx es comparable con los sedan de lujo...situacin. El espacio adicional del Malibu Maxx hace a este ya excelente nuevo modelo...
- Malibu Maxx stands alone.(AUTO WEEKEND)
- Newspaper article from: The Washington Times November 25, 2005 700+ words
...take a gander at Chevrolet's Malibu Maxx. Before evaluating details such...seat sports car arena. So while Malibu may not have the panache of, say...on its budget price. What makes Malibu Maxx notable is its very concept. Chevrolet...
- Chevy Malibu Maxx gives extra space to back-seat passengers.
- Newspaper article from: The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) May 27, 2005 700+ words
...maximizing their resources. In this case, the resource is the Chevrolet Malibu sedan. Chevrolet maximizes that resource with the Malibu Maxx, which takes the basic Malibu and lengthens the wheelbase 6 inches, assigning almost all that extra room...
- Driver's Log.(News)(2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx)(Product/Service Evaluation)
- Magazine article from: AutoWeek May 10, 2004 700+ words
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Date in fleet: April 21-May 4 As...Curb weight: 3476 pounds RAYNAL: This Malibu was a pleasant surprise. I like the...long term. This is a much-improved Malibu over the car it replaces, and it would...
- Alcoa Announces Participation with GM on Technology Breakthrough for '04 Chevy...
- Press release article from: Business Wire March 4, 2004 700+ words
...Motors forming process for aluminum body and closure panels that is featured on the lift gate for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The lift gate is manufactured via GM's Quick Plastic Forming (QPF) process, announced earlier this year (go...
- Driving DB9 - Can it Turn Aston Martin Around? More Car Owners 'Upside Down,'...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire March 29, 2004 700+ words
...replacement for the Kia Sedona. And learn more about the Pontiac GTO convertible. Other reviews this week include the Malibu Maxx and Mazda MPV. Gas prices are at record levels. What does that mean for China, for the United Autoworkers Union...