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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Malibu / November 2005Bought a new Malibu MAXX, my opinions?
I have been driving a new Malibu MAXX LS for a week. So far I really like the car. If anyone would like more detailed impressions, just ask. Carl | I have been driving a new Malibu MAXX LS for a week. So far I really like | the car. If anyone would like more detailed impressions, just ask. | | Carl Why don't you just post your impressions here for all to read? Test drove one today. Only problem I saw was the catch for the back window shades are pathetic. Hopefully they will add some reinforcement once they figure it out. > I have been driving a new Malibu MAXX LS for a week. So far I really like > the car. If anyone would like more detailed impressions, just ask. > > Carl I'm impressed if you noticed the lousy shade catches on a test drive. The shade catches suck. They're usually OK when the windows are closed, but when I open a window, the airflow seems to push the shades and the catches release. And when the car is closed up and gets really hot inside, the roof plastic becomes more flexible, and the catches suck even more. I've been thinking of attaching a paper clip or something in case I have a rear passenger who wants the shades to stay closed. Overall, I'm thrilled with my Maxx. Mileage is a bit better than expected, about 23 mpg overall, 33 highway. XM Radio display needs more characters, and the amp could be a bit more powerful, but it's OK. I wish there was a way to move the rear seats forward without leaving a gap that allows a peeping tom to see into the cargo area. (I need to move one seat forward in order to fit my golf clubs.) Wish there was a compass. Cruise control is very precise, nice. Wish front passenger seat had power controls, wish seatback was powered (only driver's seat bottom is powered). Gary > Test drove one today. Only problem I saw was the catch for the back window > shades are pathetic. Hopefully they will add some reinforcement once they [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > > > Carl I wish that my Maxx issues were as simple as yours. I bought a 2004 Maxx LT in January and have had nothing but trouble with it. For 30 days it sat in the shop (the entire month of February) waiting for computer replacement parts. Then on May 3rd it went into the dealer's shop again for another computer replacement. It seems there is something wrong with the wiring that can not be fixed. I've owned the car for less than 120 days, and it has spent about 60 of those in the shop. Two weeks ago GM told me that it could not be fixed and they would buy it back from me. That has not happened yet - nor have they given me a date as to when it will happen. The dealership did give me a loaner car, that has a tire with an air leak. I put air in the tire every thrid day. I am not impressed with GM. Words cannot express how upset I am with GM over this situation. GM has offered to find me a new Maxx, but I am not sure that I want another one. Unfortunatly I don't think they will give me my money back unless I buy their replacement car. It really sucks. Thanks for listening to me rant. WhiteFox > I'm impressed if you noticed the lousy shade catches on a test drive. The > shade catches suck. They're usually OK when the windows are closed, but [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] >>> >>>Carl You may want to check with your States Attorney Consumer Affairs Office on how Lemmon Laws apply in your state. | I wish that my Maxx issues were as simple as yours. I bought a 2004 Maxx | LT in January and have had nothing but trouble with it. [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] | >>> | >>>Carl > You may want to check with your States Attorney Consumer Affairs Office on how > Lemmon Laws apply in your state. Thanks for the advice - I'll let you know how I make out. Fx Instructions for arbitration and lemon laws are in one of the manuals which came with your car. If it were me, I would tell them to drop off a new car TOMORROW otherwise you want your money back. They can let you use the new car as a loaner till the paperwork goes thru. > > You may want to check with your States Attorney Consumer Affairs Office on how > > Lemmon Laws apply in your state. > > Thanks for the advice - I'll let you know how I make out. > > Fx Art, I tried that - you want to know what they told me? Basically they said that they would replace the vehicle, but it will take three weeks for the paper work to go through. This three weeks is in addition to the 25 days the car has been in the shop during the month of May, and on top of the 30 days the car spent in the shop over February and March. All told I have owned this vehicle for 119 days, 55 of them spent in the dealer's repair shop. During the time that I was driving the car I put 4600 miles on the Maxx - and it was the best 4600 miles I have driven. To date I have put well over 6000 miles on rental and loaner cars. I am disgusted. Thanks for the information on Arbitration, but the manual is in the glove box. I have been in touch with my state's Attorney Generals office, and have checked into the local lemon law. Seeing as GM is buying back the car, there is nothing the state can do about the situation, as GM is following the letter of the law. If I am willing to drag this out through the court systems (a process that could take months or even years) I would most likely win a settlement for all the money I put out and some more aggravation and interest. But I would have to make all the loan payments during that time, as well as insurance and taxes. So, here I sit in a rental car, waiting for paperwork to go through, while paying for a car that is sitting in the GM repair shop. Not only am I making the monthly loan payment, but because of state law I have to pay the insurance and use taxes on that car too. I feel very cheated by GM, and do not feel they are acting in good faith or that customer service is a top priority in this case. I am at my wits end, and don't know what to do about the situation. It seems that my only recourse is to wait out the three weeks GM says it will take to get my money back. The kicker is that they have a replacement car on the lot, but can't give it to me until the paperwork goes through. I don't think that I want a replacement car at this point. WhiteFox > Instructions for arbitration and lemon laws are in one of the manuals which > came with your car. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> >>Fx I would think that they would let you use the replacement car that they have on their lot (turn it into a "demo" car) as a good faith gesture until the paperwork goes through..then sign it over to you. Maybe they're worried that it's a dog too and you'll find that out before the paperwork gets done?! James, I think you're right. The fact that I have not seen another MAXX on the road (ever) lends proof to your suggestion that the car is a dog. The fact that another poster to this list had the same BCM problem that mine has is further proof the the Maxx may have serious issues. Also there are several Maxx models on the dealer's lot that have been sitting in the back (out of sight) since they were delivered on January 26th of this year. I do not think that they have sold a single Maxx since I report my problem. I will be sure to ask them about taking the replacement vehicle (which I have seen) until the paperwork goes through - but I don't expect they will do that. It seems that good-faith gestures and GM don't go hand in hand. I feel that GM has not put customer service on top of their to-do list. Thanks for listening to me rant, it feels good to get this off my chest. WhiteFox > I would think that they would let you use the replacement car that they have on > their lot (turn it into a "demo" car) as a good faith gesture until the > paperwork goes through..then sign it over to you. Maybe they're worried that > it's a dog too and you'll find that out before the paperwork gets done?! | James, | [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] | | WhiteFox Interesting that they would have several of the MAXX models on their back lot hidden away for 5 months and not move any of them out. Odd indeed! It would be interesting to know the behind-the-scenes poop on that one! Now that you mention it, I haven't seen a single Maxx either. Actually, I've not seen many of the new Malibu's generally (and I live within a mile of a Chevy dealer and hardy ever see them). Hmmm.... Does your state lemon law have a provision where you can get your money back? Of does it force you to have to accept a replacement vehicle? I think I'd rather take the money and run over to the Dodge dealer and check out the new Magnum (although that it a 1st year model run as well...probably full of problems too.) > Does your state lemon law have a provision where you can get your money back? > Of does it force you to have to accept a replacement vehicle? I think I'd > rather take the money and run over to the Dodge dealer and check out the new > Magnum (although that it a 1st year model run as well...probably full of > problems too.) Yeah - I'm going to go with the give me my money back theme. Wf I would be surprsied if the Magnum from CHrysler had major issues first year. We bought a very early 300m. THe only significant issue they had were power windows failing when the car was one year old. Had to replace all of them. > | James, > | [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > Magnum (although that it a 1st year model run as well...probably full of > problems too.) | I would be surprsied if the Magnum from CHrysler had major issues first | year. We bought a very early 300m. THe only significant issue they had | were power windows failing when the car was one year old. Had to replace | all of them. You could be right. I've had a few Chrysler products and they've all been very good vehicles. Even the 1st year model run of the Grand Caravan with the 1st year V6 (1987) lasted us 10 years and the friend we sold it to ran it another 3-4 years. The only problem we had was with the Air Conditioning system. I would be surprised too... I think that GM has finally resolved my Mailbu Maxx LT(b) issues. They have re-purchesed the vehicle and given me a new 2004 Malibu Maxx LT(b). The replacement car has none of the problems the first vehicle exhibited. For this I am glad. I would have been very upset if the replacement car had the same problems as the first vehicle. So for now things are OK. Fox > I would be surprsied if the Magnum from CHrysler had major issues first > year. We bought a very early 300m. THe only significant issue they had [quoted text clipped - 54 lines] >>Magnum (although that it a 1st year model run as well...probably full of >>problems too.) | I would be surprised too... | [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] | | So for now things are OK. Sounds good...best of luck with the new one. Well just to keep things neutral I thought I would share my experience with the New Malibu Maxx. I am a life long GM automobile owner. Trust me, I never thought I would be rolling out of the dealership letting my Girlfriend purchase a new malibu. However, after reviewing all of the cars in the same price range as the MAXX and seeing that they did not stack up in features, DVD, electric pedals, seat warmers, XM Radio, Optical Steering whell adjustment, OnStar, 6 Disc Changer, Great gas mileage, Remote start, etc, the feature list just keeps going with this car. Oh, and the ride, is one of the best I have ever experienced with a GM product. This car is much nicer than a damn Camry, Accord, Altima even. Not to mention the fact that the V6 is much improved and blows the doors of my own Acura Integra. It handles as well as needed for a sport wagon, and the brakes seem to be smooth as well. I challenge anyone that says this car has problems, to go to any other dealership and try to find a car in this price range, with a $5,000.00 rebate, it won't happen. With Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, they only offer low percentage financing and want you to pay 28,000 for the car. Also, this car hwas purchased about 2 months ago and has been driven in Harsh Atlanta traffic conditions and has not had any problems. I am very sorry to hear the previous owner;s experience with the Maxx. I know that he has said his new one has not given him any problems. To be honest, I have seen Road & tack reports where they have test driven Porshes that show problems right off of the lot for the test drive. lets be honest, it happens with any automobile manufacturer. To keep my point, the Maxx was picked as Moto Trend car of the year in its class for a reason, its loaded with Features, inexpensive, reliable, don't you guys know it is built on the SAAB epilson platform, go test drive one and you'll see that the ride is great, and the car runs damn good. Wait til I see you Camrys, Accords, and Altimas on the line at the light, my butt will be warm and Ill be listening to my XM radio, and auto shifting, while you try to keep up!!!!!!! I think this is truly a nice car overall. I agree with all the reviews and that is why we bought the Maxx LT in May. However, after a while a few "warts" showed up and they have not been remedied to date. The worst one is that the power steering "groans" with the slightest turn of the wheel. It is noticeable on a quiet street or a parking lot at slow speeds because at higher speeds the road noise drowns it out. I know, turn up the volume on the radio! An intermittent problem is that the starter will not release after the ignition key has been relaxed after starting the car. The starter just keeps on running for a few seconds. On rare occasions the transmission shifts most peculiarly and growlingly from 1 to 2 under little acceleration on a very slight upgrade. Omissions in design: no lock on glove compartment, no outside lock on passenger door, and very importantly no way of releasing hatchback or gate if electric power or the electric lock should fail. Re latter - there is no emergency "cable" to release the gate in spite of what Users' Guide states. Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few that the people there really do not know how to solve some of the problems. | I agree with all the reviews and that is why we | bought the Maxx LT in May. However, after a | while a few "warts" showed up and they | have not been remedied to date. Sounds familiar. | The worst one is that the power steering | "groans" with the slightest turn of the wheel. | It is noticeable on a quiet street or a parking | lot at slow speeds because at higher speeds | the road noise drowns it out. I had read that there were problems with new steering system. I thought GM had a fix for it though. | I know, turn up the volume on the radio! You can program the radio to adust the volume automatically based on vehicle speed. Of course one would expect a modern car to be fairly quiet at highway speeds these days to not have to "turn up the radio". | An intermittent problem is that the starter will not | release after the ignition key has been relaxed | after starting the car. The starter just | keeps on running for a few seconds. And they can't fix that either? | On rare occasions the transmission shifts most | peculiarly and growlingly from 1 to 2 under | little acceleration on a very slight upgrade. Check fluid level. If fine, keep on the dealer to figure out what is wrong. Check lemon laws in your state...you may need an "out". A car 7 months old should not be having all these problems! | Omissions in design: no lock on glove | compartment, no outside lock on passenger door, Few new cars have key cylinders on the passenger doors these days. IF you driver lock is frozen from ice, you're SOL (unless you have remote entry). I'm surprised that there isn't a lock on the glove compartment though. | and very importantly no way of releasing hatchback or | gate if electric power or the electric lock should fail. Re latter - | there is no emergency "cable" to release the gate in spite of what | Users' Guide states. Are you sure? I thought the law required a internal release now! | Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few | that the people there really do not know how to solve some of the | problems. I've not seen a single Max model out on the road yet (and I live within a mile of a Chevy dealer). I have seen one or two sedans though. James C. Reeves wrote:> > | Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few > | that the people there really do not know how to solve some of the > | problems. > > I've not seen a single Max model out on the road yet (and I live within a mile > of a Chevy dealer). I have seen one or two sedans though. I see them all the time-- I do have one complaint-- there are no child protect locks on the back door... Tim > James C. Reeves wrote:> >> | Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I do have one complaint-- there are no child protect locks on the back > door... Really? I thought rear door child safety locks were required by law. Hmmm.. Interesting! >> James C. Reeves wrote:> >>> | Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Really? I thought rear door child safety locks were required by law. > Hmmm.. Interesting! He is talking about the hatchback fifth door i think. >>> James C. Reeves wrote:> >>>> | Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > He is talking about the hatchback fifth door i think. You may be right. Interesting though if true. That means that there is a law requiring rear door child-proof locks so a kid can't open the rear doors...AND that there is a law that requires a internal latch on rear liftgates so a kid *can* open those. One just has to laugh at this nonsense at times. >>>>James C. Reeves wrote:> >>>> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > liftgates so a kid *can* open those. One just has to laugh at this nonsense > at times. No I WAS talking about the actual rear door-- I spoke to the dealer and they said there isn't an actual law-- If anyone knows of one, can you post proof?? Thanks-- Tim > No I WAS talking about the actual rear door-- I spoke to the dealer and > they said there isn't an actual law-- If anyone knows of one, can you [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Tim Not really...I just *thought* there was a law that rear doors of cars had to have child safety locks. There may be information about it at the NHTSA web site. I think that's fairly idiotic of GM to omit them on the Malibu though, since it's probably used quite frequently as a "family" vehicle. > Not really...I just *thought* there was a law that rear doors of cars had to > have child safety locks. There may be information about it at the NHTSA web > site. I think that's fairly idiotic of GM to omit them on the Malibu > though, since it's probably used quite frequently as a "family" vehicle. GM responded to this complaint at one point I believe by says since they had doors that automatically locks the child proof locks were not needed. No, that response dones not make any sense. My 97 Concorde has auto locks and child proof locks. > I think that's fairly idiotic of GM to omit them on the Malibu though, > since it's probably used quite frequently as a "family" vehicle. Idiocy from GM surprises you...? > I do have one complaint-- there are no child protect locks on the back > door... I spoke to the dealer and they said there isn't an actual law He's right. There is no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring "child protect" locks. No real reason for any such a device. If your kids are young enough to grab door handles at random, they're in child restraints (which you use...right???). If they're too old for child restraints, they're old enough to be taught never to open the door when the car is moving (which you do...right???) Personal responsibility and attention to the parenting task: The anti-problem. DS > An intermittent problem is that the starter will not release after the > ignition key has been relaxed after starting the car. The starter just > keeps on running for a few seconds. the starter will engage until the car fires-- it is part of the remote start feature. That way you don't have to hold down the button on the remote. It is electronically controled ignition. > Omissions in design: no lock on glove compartment, no outside lock on > passenger door, and very importantly no way of releasing hatchback or > gate if electric power or the electric lock should fail. Re latter - > there is no emergency "cable" to release the gate in spite of what > Users' Guide states. I have a release. > Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few > that the people there really do not know how to solve some of the > problems. I think it's a GREAT car and I only have an LS. Tim > > An intermittent problem is that the starter will not release after the > > ignition key has been relaxed after starting the car. The starter just [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Tim Where did you find the release for the hatchback or gate? Neither I nor the service people could find it. Thanks for pointing it out. Hemapi Just wait...the air will go out, and the handles on both back seats will fall off, and the cd changer will start keeping cd's. THis is absolutley the worst "lemon" I have ever purchased. I agree with all the reviews and that is why we bought the Maxx LT in May. However, after a while a few "warts" showed up and they have not been remedied to date. The worst one is that the power steering "groans" with the slightest turn of the wheel. It is noticeable on a quiet street or a parking lot at slow speeds because at higher speeds the road noise drowns it out. I know, turn up the volume on the radio! An intermittent problem is that the starter will not release after the ignition key has been relaxed after starting the car. The starter just keeps on running for a few seconds. On rare occasions the transmission shifts most peculiarly and growlingly from 1 to 2 under little acceleration on a very slight upgrade. Omissions in design: no lock on glove compartment, no outside lock on passenger door, and very importantly no way of releasing hatchback or gate if electric power or the electric lock should fail. Re latter - there is no emergency "cable" to release the gate in spite of what Users' Guide states. Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few that the people there really do not know how to solve some of the problems. I agree with all the reviews and that is why we bought the Maxx LT in May. However, after a while a few "warts" showed up and they have not been remedied to date. The worst one is that the power steering "groans" with the slightest turn of the wheel. It is noticeable on a quiet street or a parking lot at slow speeds because at higher speeds the road noise drowns it out. I know, turn up the volume on the radio! An intermittent problem is that the starter will not release after the ignition key has been relaxed after starting the car. The starter just keeps on running for a few seconds. On rare occasions the transmission shifts most peculiarly and growlingly from 1 to 2 under little acceleration on a very slight upgrade. Omissions in design: no lock on glove compartment, no outside lock on passenger door, and very importantly no way of releasing hatchback or gate if electric power or the electric lock should fail. Re latter - there is no emergency "cable" to release the gate in spite of what Users' Guide states. Potentially, it could be a marvelous car. Our dealer has sold so few that the people there really do not know how to solve some of the problems. I would like to see a recall for the shades in Maxx soon. There are many more people who have the same problem. When the car is taken to the dealership, their solution is "they operate as designed." Well, GM did not do a good job with the design in this case. My plastic is getting flat and there is no way that the shades stay in the place even a day, especially when is hot. I called GM and was told that this is the design and nobody complained, yet. I took the car to the dealership and they did nothing. It seems like they don?t care and do not let GM know that people complain. I could keep the shades open, but cannot. It is getting really hot there when they are open and even when they stay closed (for a while) they do not protect from the sun. Why not carpeted roof shades?  SignatureThis article was posted by author's request by http://www.AutoForumz.com/. Report abuse: http://www.AutoForumz.com/eform.php?p=453553 Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards Topic URL: http://www.AutoForumz.com/Chevy-Malibu-Bought-MAXX-opinions-ftopict104196.html Contact author (regis. req'd): http://www.AutoForumz.com/modules.php?name=Private_Messages&file=index&mode=post &u=79946 |
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