Review of Malibu

lupinsea · 12-07-2007, 03:54 PM

Just reading through this review of the Chevy Malibu in our local paper when I came across this at the bottom:

Quote:

Originally Posted by article

The car Chevrolet sent for testing was the top-of-the-line LTZ model. Standard equipment includes anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, 18-inch wheels, heated outside mirrors, heated leather seats; split folding rear seats, power adjustable foot pedals, tilt/telescopic steering wheel wrapped in leather, and remote starting.

The thought occured to me, it's an odd letter designation. . . could the top end LTZ be shorthand for the Lutz model? As in Bob Lutz. Might he be trying to put his personal stamp on the GM products?

*clyde* · 12-07-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lupinsea

JThe thought occured to me, it's an odd letter designation. . . could the top end LTZ be shorthand for the Lutz model? As in Bob Lutz. Might he be trying to put his personal stamp on the GM products?

Chevy has been using LTZ since long before Lutz was part of GM...

Aerials · 12-07-2007, 11:36 PM

That car is hideous looking. I just saw it today. They went from bad to worse.

Sharp11 · 12-07-2007, 11:44 PM

One has to wonder why a company with the vast resources of GM couldn't pull together an Accord/Camry competitor sooner than this

I guess late is better than never, but is it enough?

Ed

Rob · 12-08-2007, 02:21 AM

Of course it's enough. Maybe not this iteration, but the next? GM is struggling, sure, but they have made some interesting products recently, improved a lot of quality statistics recently, and while this car is 15 years late, it's here now.

Bah. Who knows. GM is what it is, but they seem to be improving in every area recently. The Malibu may look hideous compared to older BMWs, but compared to Accords and Camry's? It's hot.

IndyMike · 12-08-2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTS

That car is hideous looking. I just saw it today. They went from bad to worse.

While I haven't seen it in-vivo yet, it looks pretty good in the commercials to me. And the previous gen IMO was not that bad. Maybe bland and a bit boring, but not outright terrible.

I actually drove onto the Penske Chevy lot hoping to scope one, but no dice. Maybe I'll get lucky and get to drive one on my next business trip in April. Don't think I've said that about another Chevy rental model, evvvvvvvvvvvvvver!

SCA · 12-08-2007, 02:45 PM

Based on appearance alone I think the new Malibu looks fairly good when compared to the Accord or the Camry. I have yet to see one in the flesh so my opinion could change.

Sharp11 · 12-08-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

Based on appearance alone I think the new Malibu looks fairly good when compared to the Accord or the Camry.

Better, even ..... I too, haven't seen one "in the metal"

Ed

IndyMike · 12-08-2007, 03:05 PM

I got stuck in a waiting room and happened upon the MT COTY edition. They said it punked the Accord every which way you can judge it.

To Honda this must be an event of apocalyptic distortions.

I think it also provides a new meaning to them for 'Chevy Chase'.

ff · 12-09-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyMike

To Honda this must be an event of apocalyptic distortions.

I hope it coaxes Honda into bringing their interior quality and appearance back to where they should be. The hardest part will be doing that, while keeping their prices competitive.

12-07-2007, 11:36 PM	#3
Aerials Jaded Join Date: Sep 2007 Carmudgeonly Ride: 3.5 SE Posts: 522	That car is hideous looking. I just saw it today. They went from bad to worse. __________________ “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”-John Lennon

12-07-2007, 11:44 PM	#4
Sharp11 Vicarious Twitterer Join Date: May 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP Location: CT Posts: 7,566	One has to wonder why a company with the vast resources of GM couldn't pull together an Accord/Camry competitor sooner than this I guess late is better than never, but is it enough? Ed Last edited by Sharp11; 12-07-2007 at 11:55 PM.

12-08-2007, 02:21 AM	#5
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	Of course it's enough. Maybe not this iteration, but the next? GM is struggling, sure, but they have made some interesting products recently, improved a lot of quality statistics recently, and while this car is 15 years late, it's here now. Bah. Who knows. GM is what it is, but they seem to be improving in every area recently. The Malibu may look hideous compared to older BMWs, but compared to Accords and Camry's? It's hot.

12-08-2007, 02:45 PM	#7
SCA Jaded Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,048	Based on appearance alone I think the new Malibu looks fairly good when compared to the Accord or the Camry. I have yet to see one in the flesh so my opinion could change.

12-08-2007, 03:05 PM	#9
IndyMike Elected by grace Join Date: Feb 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 11 1 M; 11 328iT; 22 M240ix Location: Brickyard Posts: 1,962	I got stuck in a waiting room and happened upon the MT COTY edition. They said it punked the Accord every which way you can judge it. To Honda this must be an event of apocalyptic distortions. I think it also provides a new meaning to them for 'Chevy Chase'.