Ugghh, [here we go again.](https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/1t4onqa/car_driver_archive_2004_chevrolet_malibu_maxx_lt/) So now, we're talking about the regular sedan version of that ugly Malibu. While not exactly lookers themselves, the direct predecessor and successor to this generation of Malibu looked better. What were the designers at the time thinking?
I’m not sure why, but both GM and Ford seemed to go for simplistic, almost toy-like styling around this same time. Other auto makers leaned some in that direction then, too, but not as much as GM and Ford.
I could be wrong, but I believe there was a goal to incorporate that chrome bar across the front from the large pickups and SUVs at Chevy into other vehicles like the Malibu and Equinox. And we'll.....you see the result.
These were cheap-feeling cars in terms of interior materials and the doors feeling light and hollow when you shut them. But they had superior interior room and ergonomics (especially in the backseat) compared to later Malibus.
It's not just a Malibu thing, I've noticed a lot of newer sedans have actually regressed when it came to back-seat space, compared to their 2000s equivalents.
Even the rental spec I had is more comfortable than my 17 forester. I had the maxx that also had pedals that moved. So much legroom. And the basic v6 with 200hp and 200ft lbs was great for the car and basic transportation. The brakes were the only thing lacking on it. (It shares them with the cobalt). Got it up to 220k miles before the trans mildly was acting up and I got rid of it.
This car's predecessor was my drivers' ed car and it was probably the worst car I've ever driven. Worse than the roundie Taurus my roommate had in undergrad.
Lol my original drivers ed car was an old K car, which promptly broke down and was replaced with the facelifted roundie Taurus, which felt amazing in comparison.
Kind of wild looking back at cars like the 2003 Malibu now. Back then it was just seen as a basic everyday sedan, but these older early 2000s cars have a weird nostalgic charm today that a lot of modern cars are missing.
I hate a lot of modern trends but I will gladly take about any generic CVT motivated, touchscreen controlled any otherwise horrible modern vehicle over this particular early 2000's vehicle. I'd argue and maybe incorrectly that a kicks or a Maverick or probably a half dozen other cheap modern vehicles have more charm than this too
Execution wise, they seemed to do much better only a year later with the Pontiac G6. The longer wheelbase made it a little roomier and the styling was far cleaner inside and out. If they'd gotten the Ecotec 2.4L and the High Feature 3.6L in them sooner with the Aisin 5-speed automatic as placed in the Equinox, they'd have been a lot nearer the top competitors at the time. Sure, the interior still would've had harder plastic and whatnot, but I digress.
Just a wordy way of me saying so close yet so far away, I guess. And in the end they basically did this with the 2008 Malibu.
I’ll take that 3.5 60V6 any day. Had an 04 Malibu in the family for 8 years. That thing reliably got 35mpg on the highway and would run circles around the Ecotec in performance and reliability while getting better real world mileage. The build quality sucked as it rattled like crazy and the 4T45 was slipping by the end of those 8 years but that engine was one of my favorites. Simple, reliable, decently performing, good mileage, and never even leaked or burnt a drop of oil.
I drove this car for 4 years until it was totaled in a wreck. What I miss the most is that car had a hvac vent under the steering wheel that allowed me to blast ac right up the leg of my cargo shorts keeping my balls and taint frosty on even the hottest Utah summer days.
We rented one of these for a road trip last minute when our ZJ Grand Cherokee was having issues. My parents were wowed that it got over 30mpg as they had never had a car that got that kind of mileage before and coincidentally, gas prices had spiked to a whopping $2+ a gallon in California!
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