Never thought I'd buy a GM, but...

[Pete K]

With a baby on the way it was time to trade in the wife's Scion tC for a 4 door. I first tried to steer her towards an E39 but she thought they were overpriced and our local dealer didn't have any in nice shape. So then it was time to see what $20K would get us in a new car. We drove a Nissan Rogue, a base Forester, a Mazda5, a Mitsu Outlander, and also late model Chevy Malibu Maxx, Ford Freestyle and a Subaru Outback turbo. The turbo Subie was a blast to drive but she was smitten by the Maxx. All the while we were beating salesman off us like mosquitos in a forest. Those guys are desparate!

We noticed that there were a few leftover 07 Malibu Maxx's still kicking around. She found the one she wanted about a 80 miles away and started negotiating online. We drove down last Saturday and test drove it. It looked good, smelled good (the new car smell is intoxicating), and drove good. A deal was struck! About $17,400 for a car with a $22,500 sticker. The deal was too good to pass up.

And here she is in all her glory, the new family truckster:

It's got a 217hp V6 rated at 22/32 MPG (I know we'll never see that), TONS of interior space, nice ride and I can't help but feel good that it was built here in the land of baseball and apple pie.

I will admit, the car's got kind of a homely face and it's not as solid as my bimmer but it's really better than I thought a Chevy would be. GM seems to be trying. The new 08 Malibus in the showroom were pretty impressive actually. After years of making fun of GM, I've got to eat a bit of humble pie. Hopefully the Maxx holds up over time or it WILL be the last GM I ever buy.

 

[Big Daddy]

Very nice car, glad you are happy and have found a good vehicle for the family.

 

[Kirby]

GM is trying. I have driven the Impala as a rental several times and had a similar opinion as yours. Let us know how you feel about the car in 3 months or so!

 

[adrean8j]

GM has actually been doing well with their cares in the last couple of years. The print media has actually been raving about the Malibu for the last year (wasnt it Car of the Year?). The new G8 GT is supposedly a really good deal as well (400hp LS1 for under 30k, with Australian design..wow....) I think the General is the only American manufacturer with a clear view of what modern cars should be....and the Camaro is coming..tick, tock, tick, tock...LOL

 

[deutsch100]

Congratulations, and I'm glad you feel happy with your family purchase. I agree that GM is really trying, and is putting Ford and Chrysler to shame, especially in interiors. My biggest gripe with ALL American cars, is that interior design, craftsmanship and especially materials (and god awful beige colours) have always been 20 years behind German cars, and at least 10 years behind Japanese cars.
A lot of GM models, finally are looking modern, and well made.
Drive her in good health!

 

[adrean8j]

I just had a thought as well....with the design of that Maxx it really has the potential to look a little sporty with some new wheels. A sporty design...none of that ghetto bling...I always say there is sporty bling and ghetto bling..big difference...kinda cheapens the look IMHO. How does she handle?

 

[Pete K]

Thanks guys. Can't comment on how it handles--I've barely driven it so far. Probably understeers heavily. I do like the smooth ride though. I've complained about the Bilsteins on my bimmer here before and the Maxx is a nice respite from the jarring ride of my car. I did punch the gas a couple times and was impressed. She's got some giddyup--quicker than the 525i's we test drove.

 

[adrean8j]

Is the car FWD? I am assuming it is...maybe I should just look it up on Edmunds....anyway about that "giddyup", it probably has more low-end torque than the older 525i's and that is why you feel that...but at highway cruising speeds and passing speeds the E39 would eat that cars lunch.

 

[MrElussive2]

Congrats on the new car. Looks pretty good. Am I crazy or is that a moonroof all the way in the back there, right above the tailgate? It looks like there is glass there. Anyways, it sounds like you got a really good deal on the car; I hope it hasn't been sitting on the lot for too long or whatever. I hate it when dealerships let their cars sit on their lot for more than 6 months.

Btw, what about the WRX 5-Door?

 

[Pete K]

Yeah, it's got a moonroof over the REAR seat. The back of that car is a little like a limo: tons of legroom, the seats move forward and back and tilt, it's got the moonroof and the rear doors are huge so it's easy in and out.

The WRX is a great car but it's much smaller inside and more expensive. Like I said, we test drove 2 other Subarus. Here in New England, Subarus are as popular as Hondas or Fords, they're everywhere.

Adrean8j: It'd be close with the 525i. The Maxx has 217hp to the 525s 184hp. I think they both weigh about 3500 lbs. It'd be close...