2008 Chevrolet Malibu! *(Now fully naked...)*

[USA_Idol]

I drove the 1st-gen Malibu and found the 3100 V6 to be rough and noisy.  It didn't deliver particularly impressive acceleration, either.  Cabin materials were tacky, to say the least.  But otherwise, it was a decent enough budget ride.

[ifcar]

I drove the 1st-gen Malibu and found the 3100 V6 to be rough and noisy.  It didn't deliver particularly impressive acceleration, either.  Cabin materials were tacky, to say the least.  But otherwise, it was a decent enough budget ride.

Acceleration was good considering how easy the V6 was to find compared to the Accord and Camry then, and compared to the Contour/Mystique.

[USA_Idol]

Acceleration was good considering how easy the V6 was to find compared to the Accord and Camry then, and compared to the Contour/Mystique.

I'm with you, there.  The GM 3100 V6 was more potent than Ford's Duratec 2.5L, probably due to the extra cubes.  But I actually liked the Contour/Mystique cabin more than I did the Malibu's.  The FoMoCo twins seemed cheap...but not as cheap as Malibu (barely).  The FoMoCo's had better handling, too.

[ifcar]

Tiny interiors for their size, though.

[USA_Idol]

No argument from me.   

[ChrisV]

Tiny interiors for their size, though.

More than adequate for the usual 1-2 occupant use, however. And I was able to move myself across country in mine without much fuss. Of course, the SVT was more comfortable to be in than the average one due to the better seats, so that may be part of it.

[ifcar]

Right, but there are much smaller cars that are also more than adequate for one or two occupants. Hence, small inside for its size.

[ChrisV]

Right, but there are much smaller cars that are also more than adequate for one or two occupants. Hence, small inside for its size.

So's a Murcielago or Diable, but it seems rather petty to complain about it there, too.

The Contour was bigger inside than the Escort, and smaller inside than the Taurus. But I found it's interior size was about right for it's exterior size, as a sedan. It felt about the same as my roommate's same year Jetta. it's main problem was that it was sized closer to the Escort, but priced closer to the Taurus, especially in V6 form.

[MX793]

Right, but there are much smaller cars that are also more than adequate for one or two occupants. Hence, small inside for its size.

But it did have a rather large trunk, as I recall.

[ifcar]

So's a Murcielago or Diable, but it seems rather petty to complain about it there, too.

The Contour was bigger inside than the Escort, and smaller inside than the Taurus. But I found it's interior size was about right for it's exterior size, as a sedan. It felt about the same as my roommate's same year Jetta. it's main problem was that it was sized closer to the Escort, but priced closer to the Taurus, especially in V6 form.

The rear was no roomier than the Escort's.

[3.0L V6]

Off on a tangent here:

How reliable is a Contour/Mystique overall?

I've seen some on sale with a 5 spd for a decent price and I'm interested.

[gasoline]

Here you go guys!

[mazda6er]

Oh.   ...  ... ...

[gasoline]

Oh.   ...  ... ...

I like some angles, but remember that GM doesn't know how to take proper pictures.
I'd wait until NAIAS to cry.

[ifcar]

The taillights are terrible, but the rest looks terrific. This car should have no problem absorbing FWD Impala buyers when that car goes RWD, sportier, and more aggressive-looking.

[gasoline]

The taillights are terrible, but the rest looks terrific. This car should have no problem absorbing FWD Impala buyers when that car goes RWD, sportier, and more aggressive-looking.

They do look sort of weird in the pictures. I think it's the whole rear-end, but I like it very much.

[ifcar]

Diamante taillights on a Cutlass Supreme body...didn't come out so hot.

[MX793]

The back end is just a little bit too flat.  Like somebody just cut it off with a knife.  I don't think the tail lamps would look as bad if the rear end had a bit more shape to it.

[gasoline]

The back end is just a little bit too flat.  Like somebody just cut it off with a knife.  I don't think the tail lamps would look as bad if the rear end had a bit more shape to it.

That's what's hard to determine though. It looks like it has a lip of some sort, but I am not sure.

[Catman]

Damn they screwed up the rear.

[pommes-t]

Somewhen in the 70ies US-American carmakers gave up building interesting mainstreamers...

Actually a few Dodges and Chryslers are pretty cool. But if I see an American car from the 60ies or the early 70ies... 

[Raghavan]

Words cannot describe how barftacular that front end is.
;And the rear looks like an NSX.

[the Teuton]

Off on a tangent here:

How reliable is a Contour/Mystique overall?

I've seen some on sale with a 5 spd for a decent price and I'm interested.

I've been driving a V6 Contour 5 speed for the last week.  Not only did I have to learn how to re-learn how to drive stick after a 6 month hiatus, but it also gave me an appreciation for the car.  The rear seat does suck and the gear shift is a little rubbery.  Also, I can't do a smooth 1-2 upshift for some reason.  But other than that and its obvious age and miles (182k on a 1995 car), it's been a pleasure to drive, and it feels fast.  There have been some mechanical issues, too, but PM me if you want to know more.

Back to the Malibu...It looks plain in the back, but the rest of the car is great.  GM knows how to design front ends of cars again, but like a lot of other GM vehicles (the GMT-900, for example) the back is just too plain for my tastes.

[nickdrinkwater]

I actually think it looks quite good from this view.  Shame about the rear.  I like the grille though - it's a little big but at least it gives the car some identity and makes it stand out as a Chevy, something which some Chevys don't.

I think with a few slight changes this car could look really good.  Make it a little less top heavy (a little less fat overall in fact) because it makes the wheels look a little small (which they aren't).  Make the boot a bit longer and put different rear lights on it, perhaps four circular lights a la Nissan Skyline, and it would look great!

[TheIntrepid]

I see a bit of Infiniti M after squinting from this angle.

[mazda6er]

It reminds me of the Lucerne in some ways. And not the good ones.

[Raza]

I see a bit of Infiniti M after squinting from this angle.

[ifcar]

It reminds me of the Lucerne in some ways. And not the good ones.

Roofline, I agree. Nothing wrong with that.

[mazda6er]

Roofline, I agree. Nothing wrong with that.

The rear as well. The Lucerne has a pretty chopped-off look itself. It just hides it better.

[gasoline]

Wow!
And people hate the CTS for being too "out there".
See?! I told you everything else seems to look similar after a while.