Currently have one. Lots of room, fit my mattress inside and closed the trunk lid. quite and decent gas mileage. Got the 4 wheel disk brake opt. too. Currently 80000 miles.
About 4 years ago my neighbor told me he was storing a cool old Malibu in the garage at his sons house. I asked what year? Thinking maybe a 60's or 70's. He said 2004.
Not a terrible car as long as you never have to look at it or be seen in it. The Maxx somehow made even the styling work. What was John smoking to say the interior was class competitive? It wasn't really any better than the '97 body style.
Having gone from a 2003 to a 2007 I can completely agree. Soft cloth and cushy dashboards replaced with burlap like cheap cloth and rock hard scratchy plastic. Just terrible
The Malibu SS and Maxx variant was my favorite one with a 3.9 V6. The wagon had the rear seats that recline, some good for back seat riders and a rear DVD screen as well. It look like a Saab 9-3 on the side profile. Otherwise it was a cool versatile car.
This was my teenage car and it was extremely reliable and boy was it abused I totaled it when an idiot drunk in a Cavalier decided to run a red light and I t-boned him, airbags deployed and I wasn’t really injured. With all that said, I bought an Accord shortly after and never ever looked back
Bought a year old 04. I had neighbor tell me "That's an ugly car". He may think it's ugly, but it was a good car, albeit built with cheap parts. The steering rack rattled, the dome light didn't work, the tail light bulbs kept falling out their sockets, trunk wouldn't open from the inside, etc. etc.
These were fugly. They finally got the last Malibu looking good just in time to kill it as everyone is buying CUVs. I’ve driven a ton of maligoo s as rentals. Blah boring.
@@foxtrot685 unfortunetly as few buy manuals and CVTs are easier and cheaper than 9-10 speed autos thats where all economy is going. Im holding on to my few manual cars but CVTs even with launch first gears kinda suck.
The Maxx was a sleeper - it combined the best of this generation Malibu in a more versatile hatchback configuration. This Malibu/Maxx were dressed in boring clothes but they were better cars than the uninspiring looks suggested. It was actually one of the most competitive Malibus. While it may not have been better than the contemporary Accord or Mazda 6, it was less expensive than either and made a compelling choice versus the Taurus of this era. That it would have represented a viable choice over more expensive Camrys and Accords was not something you could always say about midsize GM cars. Combined with Chevrolet having a solid dealer network, it should have been a better seller than it was; it deserved better than being propped up by fleet sales.
The Malibu Maxx SS was one of the coolest cars of its era. Big bore 3.9L V6 making 240 tire shredding hotsepower in a relatively lightweight wagon. I applaud Chevy for releasing a midsize wagon in the mid 00's, an era where crossover sales were really heating up. On another note, what happened to Pepboys?
The Maxx SS was arguably the greatest hot hatch of its generation, perhaps one of the greatest performance cars of all time, up there with the original GTO
Like it or not, no cars in this class are comparable to the Accord or Camry. I still see those on thr road every songle day as opposed to their competition which arre rare or extinct.
Got to test drive one of these new with the 2.2 Ecotec. I remember the electric power steering seeming strangely light and mute, a tight, solid structure, decent seats, and *an un-involving drive more remote and wooly than a Toyota. Absolutely terrible styling inside and out. Typical GM, it would have been a decent car if introduced nearly a decade earlier.
Really liked the exterior look of these Malibus, certainly better looking and more exciting than its '97 predecessor. However the interior looked and felt like a downgrade from the '97, which really hurt it, especially for people looking to replace their '97-03 Malbu abd those that were comparing it to King Camry or Accord.
I always thought the styling on these was terrible: poor, blocky, unresolved, and looking more like the camouflage covered engineering mule versus an actual finished product
I suppose our tastes have changed somewhat in the proceeding years, because I see nothing appealing or competitive about that interior--just acres of cheap GM plastic in the most soul-sucking shade of greige imaginable.
Yeah this Malibu's interior sucked bad, but it was really no worse than the 2007 Camry, another horrible cheap sea of chromed plastic that belonged on a 2005 boombox. Unfortunately, the mid-late 00's was the beginning of the end of proper midsized car interiors with good build quality and comfortable seats, and in place was plastic and park bench concrete chairs. A shame. The Crown Vic was the last family car with truly comfy seats.
1983 was the last best year for the Malibu. The 1997 up were just horrible. I was a Chevrolet mechanic at the time when the 97 to 04 version came out. Security key issues not letting you start the car, tail light circuit boards frying then in 05 this version with bulletin after bulletin of the junk electric power steering, shift interlocks failing, front turn signal sockets melting because of the DRL's. Chevrolet's quality has really went down hill. I will they would go under.
Had an ‘07 Malibu 3.5 V6. Car looked exciting as a fridge, but was mighty quick and dead reliable. No glaring weaknesses that I recall.
Some had issues with the steering racks and the electric power steering. But GM stepped up and replaced/warrantied affected models with a quickness.
Those are the best kind of cars!
a buddy of mine started calling them Maligoos.. yeah I almost bought one out of necessity but stayed with the car I had an LTD Crown Vic. LOL
Currently have one. Lots of room, fit my mattress inside and closed the trunk lid. quite and decent gas mileage. Got the 4 wheel disk brake opt. too. Currently 80000 miles.
About 4 years ago my neighbor told me he was storing a cool old Malibu in the garage at his sons house. I asked what year? Thinking maybe a 60's or 70's. He said 2004.
😂
Did you laugh in his face
@@fry.master I laughed in his face, on the side of him and behind his back!
@@chriskrueger8225 Truly good news to hear, friend
@@fry.masterhow???
Not a terrible car as long as you never have to look at it or be seen in it.
The Maxx somehow made even the styling work.
What was John smoking to say the interior was class competitive? It wasn't really any better than the '97 body style.
Having gone from a 2003 to a 2007 I can completely agree. Soft cloth and cushy dashboards replaced with burlap like cheap cloth and rock hard scratchy plastic. Just terrible
There aren't very many, but every once in a blue moon I'll see one of these on the road.
I see these '04-07 Malibus every day here in the Midwest as of October 2023. In all fairness, Chevy sold a ton of them here when new.
I drove a 07 V6 LT and it wasnt exciting but just worked fine and smooth. I even liked the rear design. Build quality was alright.
Even back then it still screamed…”rental car”
Its all I need. Not into drawing attention to myself.
This wasn’t a bad car. Just very boring. The 2008 was a very well regarded redesign
Wow they pushed the car so hard it called the ONSTAR telematics services Yikes.
The Malibu SS and Maxx variant was my favorite one with a 3.9 V6. The wagon had the rear seats that recline, some good for back seat riders and a rear DVD screen as well. It look like a Saab 9-3 on the side profile. Otherwise it was a cool versatile car.
This was my teenage car and it was extremely reliable and boy was it abused
I totaled it when an idiot drunk in a Cavalier decided to run a red light and I t-boned him, airbags deployed and I wasn’t really injured.
With all that said, I bought an Accord shortly after and never ever looked back
Had a beige, base Malibu LS 4cyl as my driver's ed car in 2005. That thing was so worn out lol
Bought a year old 04. I had neighbor tell me "That's an ugly car". He may think it's ugly, but it was a good car, albeit built with cheap parts. The steering rack rattled, the dome light didn't work, the tail light bulbs kept falling out their sockets, trunk wouldn't open from the inside, etc. etc.
How many times has GM made "a new push to recapture sales from the imports"?
Mighty GM overtook those import bastards decades ago, they were never a match for American build quality and precision engineering
@@Ferraridude13I was going to ask if that was an April fools day joke. But I saw that you posted it a month ago and it's December.
These were fugly. They finally got the last Malibu looking good just in time to kill it as everyone is buying CUVs. I’ve driven a ton of maligoo s as rentals. Blah boring.
The refresh of the current Malibu is gross. They ruined the front of it and stuck in a CVT. It deserves to die now.
@@foxtrot685 unfortunetly as few buy manuals and CVTs are easier and cheaper than 9-10 speed autos thats where all economy is going. Im holding on to my few manual cars but CVTs even with launch first gears kinda suck.
The Maxx was a sleeper - it combined the best of this generation Malibu in a more versatile hatchback configuration. This Malibu/Maxx were dressed in boring clothes but they were better cars than the uninspiring looks suggested. It was actually one of the most competitive Malibus.
While it may not have been better than the contemporary Accord or Mazda 6, it was less expensive than either and made a compelling choice versus the Taurus of this era. That it would have represented a viable choice over more expensive Camrys and Accords was not something you could always say about midsize GM cars. Combined with Chevrolet having a solid dealer network, it should have been a better seller than it was; it deserved better than being propped up by fleet sales.
The SS trims made them even better, mainly for the 3.9L V6
It was just ugly, or at the very least awkward looking.
It was just ugly, or at the very least awkward looking.
It was just ugly, or at the very least awkward looking.
bud had an SS one, was kinda fun, but his knee gave out so the manual went away
The Malibu Maxx SS was one of the coolest cars of its era. Big bore 3.9L V6 making 240 tire shredding hotsepower in a relatively lightweight wagon. I applaud Chevy for releasing a midsize wagon in the mid 00's, an era where crossover sales were really heating up. On another note, what happened to Pepboys?
The Maxx SS was arguably the greatest hot hatch of its generation, perhaps one of the greatest performance cars of all time, up there with the original GTO
Pep boys are still around. Plenty of locations are still open where I live.
The Vauxhall Vectra!
Red 2004 2 door Malibu
I can't believe I wanted my parents to buy one of these turds.
The Malibu and Equinox have the same interior
Like it or not, no cars in this class are comparable to the Accord or Camry. I still see those on thr road every songle day as opposed to their competition which arre rare or extinct.
Got to test drive one of these new with the 2.2 Ecotec. I remember the electric power steering seeming strangely light and mute, a tight, solid structure, decent seats, and *an un-involving drive more remote and wooly than a Toyota. Absolutely terrible styling inside and out. Typical GM, it would have been a decent car if introduced nearly a decade earlier.
At the time I liked these. However, they were not as reliable as Toyota.
The kind of vehicle that excites absolutely nobody.
this was the blandest chevy
Laughs in Chevette
The 2.2 is an unreliable thirsty and sluggish Gullet. Get the V6
Really liked the exterior look of these Malibus, certainly better looking and more exciting than its '97 predecessor. However the interior looked and felt like a downgrade from the '97, which really hurt it, especially for people looking to replace their '97-03 Malbu abd those that were comparing it to King Camry or Accord.
I always thought the styling on these was terrible: poor, blocky, unresolved, and looking more like the camouflage covered engineering mule versus an actual finished product
I suppose our tastes have changed somewhat in the proceeding years, because I see nothing appealing or competitive about that interior--just acres of cheap GM plastic in the most soul-sucking shade of greige imaginable.
Yeah this Malibu's interior sucked bad, but it was really no worse than the 2007 Camry, another horrible cheap sea of chromed plastic that belonged on a 2005 boombox. Unfortunately, the mid-late 00's was the beginning of the end of proper midsized car interiors with good build quality and comfortable seats, and in place was plastic and park bench concrete chairs. A shame. The Crown Vic was the last family car with truly comfy seats.
This had some of the worst feeling seats I’ve ever been in lmao
I agree about the interior which still had Fisher-Price plastic interior.
First!
1983 was the last best year for the Malibu. The 1997 up were just horrible. I was a Chevrolet mechanic at the time when the 97 to 04 version came out. Security key issues not letting you start the car, tail light circuit boards frying then in 05 this version with bulletin after bulletin of the junk electric power steering, shift interlocks failing, front turn signal sockets melting because of the DRL's. Chevrolet's quality has really went down hill. I will they would go under.
Just ugly period. Worst design ever for the Malibu!!!
WAT ANGLEY ANCHEP PLASTIC BEOLT CAR A VOT ONE .AND IS BRAKIING II PESAS. AII OVOR .AND 8 WONT BY ONE AGAEYN .AS LONG AS ILEV I HAITIT
JJJMM IS WAY TO SLOW 🦥 IDONT LIKIT. IT CHUD BE 6 SPEED AND 397 HO MENEMAM . AND 4 BY 4.