General Comments:
The best parts of owning this car can be defined by me in 4 components: Cost, Comfort, Reliability, Performance.
Cost: I took advantage of the low payment SMartBuy ($240 with no money down for 4 years), but I own it and can trade anytime! I do a lot of highway miles and I average 35 to 38 miles per gallon, very impressive, but then again this car leads it's segment for fuel economy. In the city I get mid 20's. The car has an Oil Life Monitor, so it lets you know when to change it. My first oil change was at 6,742 miles, and I just had my second at 13,768 miles. Cost is important to me, and this car reaks of affordability.
Comfort: Huge cavernous space for 5 people very comfortably and on long trips, it's great. The back seats fold down, and the trunk is very wide and deep. I can put a 6 foot ladder in the trunk and it sits just behind the front seats. The passenger seat folds down flat and I can put objects longer than 8 feet in there. The Base has a power driver seat height adjuster, and a telescopic and tilt steering wheel make the perfect seating position easy. Access to the radio, CD player, information center and climate controls are easy and require no stretching, and I am short.
Reliability: I have had literally no problems at all, nothing. The only times I brought it by the dealer was to get the oil changed and tires rotated. I prefer the dealers and their prices are the best, plus the work is guaranteed. This is a brilliant machine and no problems are a testament to the great work put into designing and building this car.
Performance: The 2.2 Ecotec is a strong runner, and gives me plenty of power to potentially meet police patrol cars, but I have been lucky. Even loaded with people and stuff, it's got the power you need. The car is built on the Epsilon platform, same as the current SAAB 9 series, but the ride is incredibly smooth and quiet. The Electric Power steering is smooth and easy at any speed or when stopped. Turns on a dime and handles extremely well around corners. The automatic transmission has an auto-stick feature for low gears, and is easy to use and figure out.
Power windows, power door locks were standard. ABS was optional, but I did not get it, and after a year of driving it and one winter, it's okay without it. The only option I got was the keyless entry and cruise control, on the steering wheel.
Great Car, Great New Body, Great Deal!
24th Sep 2005, 12:57
I purchased a 2005 Malibu in April. I drive 100 miles round trip to work. My car has the 4 cylinder engine. I average 35-36 mpg. It is very quiet inside with very little road noise. It rides great. I am over 6' tall, I can position the seat perfectly. I love the adjustable pedals and tilt telescopic steering wheel. The sticker was over 22 thousand dollars. I wrote a check for 17,000. I think it is a best buy. I may not hold the value like a Camry or Accord, but I don't think you can buy either for 17,000. My Malibu is a base model, but came with remote start, heated seats, cruise, a/c, electric windows and door locks, etc. Best buy? Yes I think it is!