Comments on: First Drive: 2008 Chevy Malibu LT (31.3 MPG) http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/ Wrench smart - driver smarter - save fuel Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:05:18 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: RH77 http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-3962 RH77 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:04:25 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-3962 Driving like a "Pussy-foot" should be commended, instead of the feline-like reference (or what-not). I've had the chance to drive the LTZ V-6 / 6-speed since this review. 30+ highway is entirely possible with <i> reasonable </i> cruising speeds. The beef I have with this design is that the transmission can't make up its mind around town: In 5th at 40-45 mph, you give it some gas, and down 1 gear it goes, but no wait -- down another to 3rd -- accelerate, wait, shift, shift. I suppose it's the sacrifice for better fuel-economy (I've had the same problem with the Camry 5-speed auto). Overall, it's a good deal on a Domestic sedan. Take note: while renting the previous-generation Malibu Classic (Fleet Edition) immediately after driving a new, '09 rental, 3 passengers (and the driver) liked the old one better (in comfort, ride, handling, size, driveability, and interior quality). I guess we'll have to see what reliability brings over the coming months to make a full assessment on the new model. The old one isn't perfect, but bigger isn't always better. RH77 Driving like a “Pussy-foot” should be commended, instead of the feline-like reference (or what-not).

I’ve had the chance to drive the LTZ V-6 / 6-speed since this review. 30+ highway is entirely possible with reasonable cruising speeds. The beef I have with this design is that the transmission can’t make up its mind around town: In 5th at 40-45 mph, you give it some gas, and down 1 gear it goes, but no wait — down another to 3rd — accelerate, wait, shift, shift. I suppose it’s the sacrifice for better fuel-economy (I’ve had the same problem with the Camry 5-speed auto).

Overall, it’s a good deal on a Domestic sedan.

Take note: while renting the previous-generation Malibu Classic (Fleet Edition) immediately after driving a new, ‘09 rental, 3 passengers (and the driver) liked the old one better (in comfort, ride, handling, size, driveability, and interior quality). I guess we’ll have to see what reliability brings over the coming months to make a full assessment on the new model. The old one isn’t perfect, but bigger isn’t always better.

RH77

]]> By: Nathan http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-3961 Nathan Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:33:26 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-3961 I have the 6 speed V6 version of this car, I do all my driving in the city/suburbia, and I still AVERAGE 24-28 MPG. Even with the V6 I can get 30MPG highway if I drive like a pussy-foot. I have the 6 speed V6 version of this car, I do all my driving in the city/suburbia, and I still AVERAGE 24-28 MPG. Even with the V6 I can get 30MPG highway if I drive like a pussy-foot.

]]> By: Jim http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-2358 Jim Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:57:59 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-2358 Ican't disagree with anything that is said here...ride, quiet, handling and long trip highway mileage is excellent on my 4 cyl 4 spd auto trans. BUT drive this car in the city or even in surburbia and you are looking at less than 20 mpg. So where do most of us do our driving, on vacations OR grocery shopping, kids to activities, shopping, dinner, golf course etc ? If you want good economy in normal surburbia or city driving, don't buy this car. Ican’t disagree with anything that is said here…ride, quiet, handling and long trip highway mileage is excellent on my 4 cyl 4 spd auto trans. BUT drive this car in the city or even in surburbia and you are looking at less than 20 mpg. So where do most of us do our driving, on vacations OR grocery shopping, kids to activities, shopping, dinner, golf course etc ?
If you want good economy in normal surburbia or city driving, don’t buy this car.

]]> By: Omar http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-2231 Omar Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:10:02 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-2231 i have the 4cyl and after 4000 miles the computer is saying I am averaging 21 mpg. my driving is mostly city but not stop and go and 1/2 of my commute is highway. so I either have a lemon or the computer is wrong or the mpg claim is hogwash. hope springs eternal maybe it will get better. btw nice pic of the Rochester brew pub. i have the 4cyl and after 4000 miles the computer is saying I am averaging 21 mpg. my driving is mostly city but not stop and go and 1/2 of my commute is highway. so I either have a lemon or the computer is wrong or the mpg claim is hogwash.
hope springs eternal maybe it will get better.

btw nice pic of the Rochester brew pub.

]]> By: ugh http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-2138 ugh Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:16:40 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-2138 I am averaging 17.6 MPG on my 2008 Malibu 4 cyl. I am averaging 17.6 MPG on my 2008 Malibu 4 cyl.

]]> By: Rick Harrell http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-1827 Rick Harrell Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:34:59 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-1827 Unfortunately, a strike at the plant cut production for a while. The rental agencies started buying more Impalas and Mitsubishi Galants to fill the mid-to-full sized segment. The Pontiac G6 is usually a good substitute as well, but the Chevys seem to be geared/mapped for better FE. I'm still looking for that elusive 6-speed, 4-cylinder. -RH Unfortunately, a strike at the plant cut production for a while. The rental agencies started buying more Impalas and Mitsubishi Galants to fill the mid-to-full sized segment. The Pontiac G6 is usually a good substitute as well, but the Chevys seem to be geared/mapped for better FE.

I’m still looking for that elusive 6-speed, 4-cylinder.

-RH

]]> By: sonny austin http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-1821 sonny austin Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:12:29 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-1821 great article great article

]]> By: sonny austin http://ecomodder.com/blog/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/comment-page-1/#comment-1820 sonny austin Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:11:38 +0000 http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/05/30/first-drive-2008-chevy-malibu-lt-313-mpg/#comment-1820 look forward to getting updates look forward to getting updates

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