New Chevy Malibu lt 2009 review

[john1240able]

can do you new video of your car now how looks 

[dyldevin]

Wait! What were the door handles for again?

[novera6]

@dyldevin to get into the car.... what else would they be for?

[stydel311]

I have a 2005 Malibu LS with the v6 (awesome car, btw) and I got 37.3 to 38.4 mpg on the freeway with 3 adult sized people and the a/c on most of the time

[scfunnyehlol]

I have a 99 malibu, i love it :D

I think when I'm ready for a new car, im gonna get the new malibu :)

[brew4442]

Your too damn critical about this! Seems to like you are not the person to be driving it. You alos dont have the "top of the line" LT. It doesnt have the Leather on Suede seating which is on most LT models. Also, its not that its heavy on the throttle. when driving it, it is self explanitory that it is an electronic throttle. Thats what creates the delay and the response when letting go. Just letting you know, get your facts together before making a review!

[BKofficer23]

Nice review  :)

[dreran24]

beautful i love it

[ActionBastard85]

I hear ya'! Don't buy a black on black on black car. . . looks really good but, it's never frackin' clean.=/

[thxtonedude]

Dude you are awesome! I've been looking for a review like this for a good while. Thanks! This is the car I want.. I think it will make an amazing first car :D

[pimp1512]

How much?

[novera6]

@pimp1512

How much for what? The car the trade in?

[pimp1512]

@pimp1512 the car.

[novera6]

The Malibu ending up cost me $27000 after financing and all the extras I added Sticker on it was 24.500 so i figured 22,500 out the door wasn't bad. Also keep in mind I bought this before the cars program and this was a BRAND NEW off the lot car had 12 miles on it when i bought it. The dealership was nice to me they bought my first tank of gas for me when gas was 2.99 a gallon

[pimp1512]

@novera6 alright thanks

[novera6]

I tried to be as honest about my review as i could i want to make an unbiased review as i was one of the first people to buy this car in my area. After my review i know of at least three people who bought it.

I had a similar problem with my 93 cavalier it was my first car and i had it for almost 4 years the car never quit Had 260000 on when I traded it in still got $500 for it. The engine refused to die what went the car was the body rusted out on me. North east Ohio will do that to any car

[aaronfitzy26]

That was a very good honest review. I still want a top of the line LTZ model. But my damn 2000 Cavalier with 165,000 miles just refuses to die! I can't justify buying a new vehicle when the one I have now gives me ZERO problems and gets 37mpg with the 5spd.

[AJIX]

@SuperCoolOmar In the 80s cars didn't have all the electriconics that we now have like wifi phones and gps all that stuff adds up and the way its all connected if not correct is eventually gonna do something

[modernarif]

I owned a 2001 Malibu. I liked the car before the problems started. Every 15k miles I had to replace the brakes, the starter had to be replaced every 30k. After 60k the ignition switch was replaced for $500. The new switch started to go bad 15k later, so I sold the car before I had to replace it. I also read online that sometime after 70k miles the head gasket often blows, but I didn't keep the car long enough to experience it myself.

[novera6]

Hello

Wow At that point why would you ever want a Chevy again? If you had to replace all those item that quickly then something is wrong. I am not questioning you but i am wondering why those parts all went bad at such regular intervals? I will grant you the car was known for going through breaks i my self replaced them twice at about 80,000 and 130,000. This was on my 99 Malibu. It just seems off/odd that that many parts would go bad that fast? I would have a talk with who ever servicedthecar

[modernarif]

I live in NYC so 15k miles here is likely similar to 40k where you live. Also, I researched the car heavily and found that my experiences were very common with the car. Maybe they have improved their cars since then, but at the time I purchased the car they had the same "our quality has much improved" ad slogan going. The lied before, they are likely playing the same game again. After all, it's the same management.

[jaws8475]

Great review, I love the interior and almost got an 09 similar to yours, but my previous car was silver and I really wanted to go for something different. Strange though, since my 1LT has bluetooth on it.

[Mi5t4k3]

I might get this or the Camaro depending on my situation, but this car has some good dealer incentives and thats what im waiting for the camaro to have but it seems they wont be doing that for a while.

[novera6]

That is interetng point you make. I am only 25 so i cannot say as to the quality of any car older then say a 93 or so. But some reasons I would say there quality has gone down is one More expensive materials, two more government control, A shift form a focus on power and quality too one of safety and efficiency and third a trend in American consumers to buy cheap crappy cars. I like this car but I have discovered over time the more safety bull they put on theses things the worse the car gets

[novera6]

Those are all very valid points and I cannot fault you on any of them. I do however wonder what do you feel would be a better match so that these issues would be addressed? I have ridding in a Cadillac a Mercadies Benz and a Volvo and many different high end fords such as the mercury Malian and a few others I cant remember the name of and of all these machines I could hear and feel exactly what you are describing. Although the caddy was the best of them ( at least that i can remember)

[novera6]

Why would you say that? What makes you feel this car is cheap. If you could explain your self then maybe your comment would carry more wait. Also remember this is a Chevy not a way over priced luxury car

[sexmebre]

i'm trying to trade my 2001 ford ranger for a new malibu, hoping to at least get a 2008 or higher.. also want to trade in my 1985 mercedes and 1986 mazda rx7 haha, both are in pretty good condition so i'm hoping the glockners around here will give me close to their real value

[briguymeister]

Do you have an inside truck release for your trunk? Do you have to open the gas cap from inside the car? My advice to you is to turn off the Traction Control when driving in the snow. Your car will handle better with it off.

[novera6]

yes i do have an inside trunk release it is on the drivers door above the door speaker The gas caps open form the outside there is a little spring on it and it pops open As for traction control your right turning it off helps but every time you turn the car off and then back on it comes back on so if you forget about it then it kicks in when you don't need it and when you do need it say on the free way if it is turned off then it does no good and the warranty gm offers will not apply.

[briguymeister]

Is your car equipped with Daytime Running Lamps? I noticed you said your car was running in the start of the video, but I did not see the Daytime Lights on. Do they come on when you take the car out of park?

[novera6]

Yes almost all the new Government Motors  have day time running lights. What IS nice about mine is i can turn them off. There is a sensor on the dash. that detects when a certain light level is reached the lights will turn off As for the coming on after you put it out of park i am not to sure i will have to keep an eye out for that

[AppleFiend24]

do you consider your malibu a chick car?

[novera6]

No way A car is a a car it doesn't matter who is driving the thing as long as it get you form to a to b then the car works for who ever is driving it. I know of only one chick car. That is the VW Beatle and even then I see a bunch of guys driving it

[AppleFiend24]

yea thats true i have an 08 malibu .

[Waffleater1]

Good review. I like how you're honest about its good attributes and its flaws. Thanks!

Personally, I still think the Camry and the Accord are better cars on the interior and have better build quality but this one certainly looks better on the outside.

There's a car for everybody's taste!

[novera6]

Thank you

Each to his own the biggest reason i like my Malibu is that is a Chevy truthfully this had say a Toyota or Honda logo on it i would probably not buy it as for build quality I am not to sure where you are coming form? Could you explain

[novera6]

Boy was I wrong here. In the winter in north east Ohio this car is next to useless. Granted i have 18 inch tires and there are not winter tires. The traction control is the absolute worst thing Gm has ever decided to put on its cars in this market Plain and simple it doesn't work in snow.

[RedneckManWV99]

Hey, I have a couple of questions. First, is there an outside key entry to the trunk or do you have to push a button inside to open it? And second, is there a cigarette lighter and ashtray up front in that little compartment in front of the gear shifter?

[novera6]

Hello I can answer both question in one word... NO.

There is no key on the trunk release but truthfully you don't need one my 99 Malibu had a key for the trunk and i never used it As for the cigarette lighter ans ashtray i Know you can get a cig lighter for like $25 after market as for an ashtray not to sure.

[novera6]

yes there is an outside trunk release it is on the key less entry fob that comes with the key

[RedneckManWV99]

Is there a outside key entry for the trunk or do you have to be inside to open it?

[98854248]

nice

[fawaz008]

I just bought a 2010 malibu LTZ

the car is awesome one of the best cars

i ever drove Thanks for the review it did

help me alot..

[novera6]

Yes there is a 12 volt adapter it is located near the bottom right of the center dash above where the t/c on off button is

[novera6]

Are you sure your afraid to buy one or like you said is it your family that makes you afraid. Mechanically this car shouldn't have any major issues GM and Ford have come a long way from where they where. If you don't want to buy one then try leasing one for three years This way your covered if any thing goes wrong I have always had GM cars and they have NEVER giving me any trouble I look at it this way all cars will break eventually the difference is how long it will take for that happen

[thecarexpert18]

i actully love the malibu, maybe i will buy it, cause its NOT there choice anyways.i just DO NOT WANT PROBLEMS

[lapett123]

i really like your review i guess i will go in buy me one

[lasean09]

You Sound Like Peter Griffin..LoL

[novera6]

I've never heard that before. I've been told i sound like my mother but never a cartoon character. I'll keep that in mind in the future when I review other things lol

[bullikins]

I am seriously thinking about getting one. The local dealers have a few 2009 models going for about $ 18,800 and 0% apr.That makes it hard to even think about Asian cars.

[novera6]

I will tell you this with 0 apr and 18.800 20,000 out the door that is not a bad deal. In my experience American cars are better when it comes to handling unforeseeable events. I stick to American cars mostly because they are heavy. In the winter in Ohio a heavy car with a powerful engine seems to provide more control on the road. A heavy car doesnt lose grip it seems as much as the lighter ones do.

With the new 60 day satisfaction program you cant lose when it comes to GM on a new car.

[lydiaferdin88]

24k??? are you mad or just have alot of money to waste....I know you bought it new but, I wud rather walk to work everyday for a year and waite n buy it used, I was offered the same model you have for 15,995 with 15k miles on it.....I think thats a better more economical choice.....just sayin!

[novera6]

24K INcludes the tax everything out the door. ball park You are totally right about buying used. No i am not mad. I use this car for sales calls and to make an impression on future clients in the Cleveland area most people don't care but the few that do really care and often become some of my better clients Besides i can always trade the car in and get a used Malibu for cheaper and it will be about the same quality

[Cerebral88]

The Malibu looks nice, escpecially the front end (not crazy about the back, too flat). But, I really like the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Gives it that Lambo feeling. Overall 9/10 for the Malibu. But it's never going to outsell the Accord or Camry.

[coandcaiv]

although the malibu gets 1-2 mpg more then the accord / camry....i think the honda and toyota are better bets...they are much more reponsive because they dont ultimately hunt for the highest gear..which makes the car a slug ..ill take a 1 mpg penalty anyday for a responsiveness trade off point of view

[novera6]

I agree with you about the responsiveness aspect. The Malibu is not built that way This car is more of a sedan Honda i think goes more for a sporty feel As for the next higher gear I don't think that means as much. i can always drop a gear if i need to by putting it into manual mode and it seems to work OK. Idealy if the car had a v6 i think it would be perfect but i couldn't afford that.;

[coandcaiv]

i honestly think the malibu only competes head to head when fully loaded against the competition....but at that point...id just go with the accord probably lol....its weird know what i mean?

[novera6]

It's not weird. Each to his own I am not an accord fan. I have ridden in them and i think they ride like glorified civics. For the price of an accord go out and buy a Lexus or Cadillac or some thing similar. As for fully loaded on that scale price is no concern. There the person's more about what name they want. A fully loaded accord and a fully loaded high end Chevy are almost the same. At least i think so

[coandcaiv]

eh.. i think caddy's are pieces of shit honestly....but anyways....if u think an accord rides like a glorified civic...what is your perspective on a malibu...would it be a glorified cobalt? lol...

[novera6]

WOW you have a good point there like a gloried cobalt it didn't think of that one. That is pretty good. I've never ridding in a cobalt so I cant say truthfully. Ill just leave it at this, drive what makes you feel comfortable and hope it doesn't end up costing you an arm and a leg to fix.

[aod2k9]

$24,000? You couldn't get them to go lower? I was looking to get the SAME exact one you have and I was offered $17,000....

[novera6]

$17000 that a low offer. What kind of trade in did you have and what area are you in? Which area of the country you are in can affect the price of the car as much as $1000 I think. Also $24000 was a bull park estimate. $17000 might get you the base model.

[pccell300]

i like the the rims

[aboodi72]

great review !

u should review more cars !

[novera6]

i would love to review more cars send em my way and I'll review them as well.

[AppleFiend24]

is the chevy malibu a chick car?

[kenny1309]

Lets see the remote keyless entry :-)

[Yorkfield45NM]

They programed the transmission to shift early and use the highest possible gear. This allows the Malibu to get the best possible gas mileage. Thats why the car feels like it hesitates when you step on the gas.

[Yorkfield45NM]

The transmission is intentionally programed to shift early and always use the highest possible gear. This is done intentionally so that the car gets the best possible fuel economy. It is the reason why you feel like the vehicle takes a second to respond.

[novera6]

i never thought of it that way before kinda makes sense

[Contact40]

Decent review, just wanted to chime in and say the reason the window switches are how they are is so that if pets or children are playing around in the car and happen to step on the switch, they will only push the switch down and roll the window down, not roll the window up and get their heads stuck in there.

[jayz4evr]

wats with gm and their center dash???they all look the same i mean my gmc savana has the same center dash??wtf

[teeituprt]

Think the Fuzz won't give you a ticket because you're driving an American car with a flag on the bumper? Think again...

[coandcaiv]

power mirrors LOL...i have those on my 90 accord and never even use them haha

[kings757]

Dude!!! I live in Central Ohio!! Love the car.

[steve9509]

good review

[keyonlogan]

i cant tell from the video but is the interior leather?

[novera6]

no not leather seats

[novera6]

I know i have 18 inch tires on the car as the sticker said it had them I even asked about it to the guys at the dealership and they said it was an upgraded package. I can so you the sticker if you would like.

[novera6]

never meant to shine ok i like the look of it better that way plus mover the time the finish has dulled a bit.

[lilgman191]

You are not suppose to use shiny stuff to clean Malibu interior it was never meant to shine.

[jamleafer]

ROASTED! hahaha

[lilgman191]

First Off I know a lot about the new Malibu and Only the V6 models come with 18 inch wheels. Second That is a LT1 and not the top of the line 2LT model.

There is an LT2 that comes with heated leather seats, Leather wheel and knob, power foot pedals, 6 way power seat, remote start, etc. Then you can add a engine package with a V6 with dual pipes and a six speed W 18'' wheels for LT2 upgrades.

You have a 1LT with the transmission package, not TOP of the line LT go a retalk to your salesman

[AKOutback]

This is one of the best vehicle exterior designs to ever come out of GM.

[CEPDSM]

Thanks for the video. I had my heart set on a new Equinox, but with the current difficulty in attaining one, I took a second look at the car. Going to the dealer 7/28. The reviews from everyday folks like you and me helps me out a great deal.

[hybridlancer2004]

ohh my goodness..my Classic malibu has the power mirrors.LOL.

[bluestarkad17]

lmao he said they NOW have power mirrors like the last 2 generations didnt....lmao....2's...

[novera6]

what i am getting at is who the gas shuts off as soon as you let off the pedal. My friend has a v6 van and that car while idle at 60 miles an hour. It just seems to me that while efficiency is important power is also important A little less efficiency for more power is not a bad trade off. A6 would most likely be perfect but i could afford the 6 I'm a little confused by your comment about cars of the 50 and 60 this car doesn't have the same draw they did in the 50 and 60 hope this clear thing

[GeneralMotorsRules]

In this day and age a car that doesn't have excellent fuel economy is a tough sell. You might as well just file for bankruptcy if you can't find the perfect balance between fuel economy and performance, which is offered by the Malibu. Of course this car has the appeal of the cars of the '50s and '60s, just in a modern way; that's why I bought one.

[GeneralMotorsRules]

You complained about some of the goofiest stuff I've ever heard. What do you mean the window switches are backwards? The gas pedal is too responsive? That's how you want it to be. It upshifts too soon? Do you want good fuel economy, or not? You think GM made better cars in the '50s and '60s than the Malibu, give me a break!

[SerayaShadowharper]

I still say you should include the trunk and under the hood.