Topic: 2008 Malibu LTZ 2.4/6speed AT - better FE than 09 Camry and 08 Accord

[drederick]

Much like the Cobalt is getting improved economy for 2008 as in the XFE (and more news in 2009 when it gets a new 2.2 with vvt and 155hp) - the 2008 Malibu LTZ will be the first GM midsize vehicle to offer the 2.4 vvt and 6speed auto and the expected fuel economy will be:

car                  trans        engine      city     hwy    combined
08 Malibu LTZ    6spdauto    2.4          22       32        27

09 Camry          5spdauto    2.4          21       31        26
08 accord         5spdauto    2.4          21       31        26

For 2009 the 6speed auto is going to be available in the Aura and g6 with the 2.4 as well

[ArticSteve]

GM thrives on expectations; rarely achieved. 

[rrocket]

I love the interior of the new Malibu.  GM finally figured out how to make a nice interior without it feeling cheap.  IMO one of the best interiors they've done in recent memory.

[KRS]

 
  I've been looking at a lot of info about the Malibu lately in view of my the folks just ordering one and I see a few things here that seem wrong.

  1. The 2008 LTZ is only offered with the 3.6L with 6 speed automatic. Our local Chev dealer seems to believe the 2.4L will continue in the LS and LT models with the 6 speed when they start shipping them with the 6 speed, not be a new option in the LTZ.

  2. Even the 3.6L achieves 36MPG highway according to Natural Resources Canada. the present 2.4L 4 speed combo achieves 43mpg highway per NRC, and the Hybrid is rated at 46 MPG highway. All considerably better then the numbers you've posted.

  3. Why don't you give a source for these claims. Is this from Manufacturers data, A press release, a magazine review, or a coded radio message that you used your little Orphan Annie secret decoder ring to decipher?
 
  When GM Canada officially announces the LTZ will have the 2.4l, 6 spd combo I will believe it. Certainly nothing on their website would indicate that at this time. If the US arm offers the LTZ with a 2.4l that doesn't necessarily mean that the same car will be offered here. (assuming that this is US data, based on the mileage numbers. certainly nothing you've left me sure of)

 If these are not American Mileage numbers then I foresee General Motors not being able to move these things when the older combination got 43 MPG Highway as noted above
 
  Frankly I believe the new Malibu is so well designed compared both to its predecessor and the competition that it will be a success regardless of the rabid "GM is great" comments and the "GM will screw it up" replies that always follow, so perhaps we could skip that part this time.
   

[Leviathan]

GM thrives on expectations; rarely achieved. 

[Greg B.]

GM thrives on expectations; rarely achieved. 

As opposed to Toyota, which thrives on an image that has long since been discredited. 

[initial_D]

Much like the Cobalt is getting improved economy for 2008 as in the XFE (and more news in 2009 when it gets a new 2.2 with vvt and 155hp) - the 2008 Malibu LTZ will be the first GM midsize vehicle to offer the 2.4 vvt and 6speed auto and the expected fuel economy will be:

car                  trans        engine      city     hwy    combined
08 Malibu LTZ    6spdauto    2.4          22       32        27

09 Camry          5spdauto    2.4          21       31        26
08 accord         5spdauto    2.4          21       31        26

For 2009 the 6speed auto is going to be available in the Aura and g6 with the 2.4 as well

Publish the number where it really hurts, the residual value of the original purchase price after 5 years.

[EV Dan]

Much like the Cobalt is getting improved economy for 2008 as in the XFE (and more news in 2009 when it gets a new 2.2 with vvt and 155hp) - the 2008 Malibu LTZ will be the first GM midsize vehicle to offer the 2.4 vvt and 6speed auto and the expected fuel economy will be:

car                  trans        engine      city     hwy    combined
08 Malibu LTZ    6spdauto    2.4          22       32        27

09 Camry          5spdauto    2.4          21       31        26
08 accord         5spdauto    2.4          21       31        26

For 2009 the 6speed auto is going to be available in the Aura and g6 with the 2.4 as well

Publish the number where it really hurts, the residual value of the original purchase price after 5 years.

The expected residual value will be the highest among the closest competitors 

Its good tho finally manufacturers dont tie engine size to the trim level, well I hope there is a trend.

Source please?

[Ex-airbalancer]

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu should see no major changes following its 2008 redesign. This is the smaller of Chevy's two midsize sedans. It shares its basic design with the Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, and Saab 9-3. LS, LT, and LTZ should remain unchanged. A gas/electric Hybrid model is also available. LS and LT have a standard 169-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder is optional. Optional on the LT and standard on the LTZ is a 252-hp 3.6-liter V6 that teams with the 6-speed automatic. The Hybrid combines the 4-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. The sole transmission is a 4-speed automatic. The hybrid system can turn off the gas engine while at a stop, but the car cannot accelerate solely on electric power. No plug-in charging is required. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2009-chevrolet-malibu-5.htm

[vdk]

 
   2. Even the 3.6L achieves 36MPG highway according to Natural Resources Canada. the present 2.4L 4 speed combo achieves 43mpg highway per NRC, and the Hybrid is rated at 46 MPG highway. All considerably better then the numbers you've posted.

 If these are not American Mileage numbers then I foresee General Motors not being able to move these things when the older combination got 43 MPG Highway as noted above
     

Judging by the difference between those numbers, that's the fuel consumption using US Gallons. Canada used Imperial Gallons last time I checked, thus the higher MPG. It's rare to see a 4spd beat a 6spd in any category.

[dorin]

 
   2. Even the 3.6L achieves 36MPG highway according to Natural Resources Canada. the present 2.4L 4 speed combo achieves 43mpg highway per NRC, and the Hybrid is rated at 46 MPG highway. All considerably better then the numbers you've posted.

 If these are not American Mileage numbers then I foresee General Motors not being able to move these things when the older combination got 43 MPG Highway as noted above
     

Judging by the difference between those numbers, that's the fuel consumption using US Gallons. Canada used Imperial Gallons last time I checked, thus the higher MPG. It's rare to see a 4spd beat a 6spd in any category.

All the more reason why we should stick to good unambiguous L/100km

[barrie1]

Personally I would rather MPG in Canadian figures and if the 2.4 does come with the 6spd auto as a option then great as it should really give fabulous milage indeed. I think this car is not only going to hold the lead for fuel milage for years to come but also on the quality side of things as well. With the problems some of the imports have been having they now need to catch up to some of the domestics on the quality of their products as they are starting to fall behind. Not all of them but some are. 

[mar1990]

All the more reason why we should stick to good unambiguous L/100km

I never really liked that unit of measure.  I don't understand why they couldn't keep it at km/L.  I want to know how many litres it will take to  get to my destination.  The Metric system was supposed to simplify all that.

[dorin]

Personally I would rather MPG in Canadian figures

Tell that to all them US folks.  I'm sure that the EPA and all those American car magazines just needed the suggestion.

[Mitlov]

I post in American units just to off Dorin.

[Cortina]

All the more reason why we should stick to good unambiguous L/100km

I never really liked that unit of measure.  I don't understand why they couldn't keep it at km/L.  I want to know how many litres it will take to  get to my destination.  The Metric system was supposed to simplify all that.

I do to. Why not just 80 KPG. Just like you say or see 50 MPG.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

  1. The 2008 LTZ is only offered with the 3.6L with 6 speed automatic. Our local Chev dealer seems to believe the 2.4L will continue in the LS and LT models with the 6 speed when they start shipping them with the 6 speed, not be a new option in the LTZ.
 
  When GM Canada officially announces the LTZ will have the 2.4l, 6 spd combo I will believe it. Certainly nothing on their website would indicate that at this time.

The Canadian '08 LTZ is now available with a 4-cylinder (finally!). Probably hasn't arrived on dealer lots yet. It's gives a $2,230 credit to the base LTZ V6 and includes the 6-spd auto/17" chrome-clad alloys. The option is available on GMCanada.com if you build one today.

[drederick]

 
  I've been looking at a lot of info about the Malibu lately in view of my the folks just ordering one and I see a few things here that seem wrong.

  1. The 2008 LTZ is only offered with the 3.6L with 6 speed automatic. Our local Chev dealer seems to believe the 2.4L will continue in the LS and LT models with the 6 speed when they start shipping them with the 6 speed, not be a new option in the LTZ.

  2. Even the 3.6L achieves 36MPG highway according to Natural Resources Canada. the present 2.4L 4 speed combo achieves 43mpg highway per NRC, and the Hybrid is rated at 46 MPG highway. All considerably better then the numbers you've posted.

  3. Why don't you give a source for these claims. Is this from Manufacturers data, A press release, a magazine review, or a coded radio message that you used your little Orphan Annie secret decoder ring to decipher?
 
  When GM Canada officially announces the LTZ will have the 2.4l, 6 spd combo I will believe it. Certainly nothing on their website would indicate that at this time. If the US arm offers the LTZ with a 2.4l that doesn't necessarily mean that the same car will be offered here. (assuming that this is US data, based on the mileage numbers. certainly nothing you've left me sure of)

 If these are not American Mileage numbers then I foresee General Motors not being able to move these things when the older combination got 43 MPG Highway as noted above
 
  Frankly I believe the new Malibu is so well designed compared both to its predecessor and the competition that it will be a success regardless of the rabid "GM is great" comments and the "GM will screw it up" replies that always follow, so perhaps we could skip that part this time.
   

1) answered by sirAQUAMAN64

2) I should have said upfront the numbers posted were US mpg. You do realize there is a difference between US and Canadian gallons, right? <-- wow, this is the second person that didn't know this, are there others?

3) sources eh - you want sources. Lets just say I stumbled onto a nice place to get info and I am not posting any links! I suppose that the Cobalt XFE that I posted about doesn't exist because I couldn't post a direct link to anything really concrete right off the bat.... well here it is in the flesh on the US website:
http://www.chevrolet.com/cobalt/

Needless to say I was spot on for that one.... and the Malibu FE numbers came from the same place. And they ARE better than Accord and Camrys

In 2009 this powertrain combo (2.4 vvt/6speed auto) goes into the Aura and G6 as well. Good times for all!

[ArticSteve]

The Canadian '08 LTZ is now available with a 4-cylinder (finally!). Probably hasn't arrived on dealer lots yet. It's gives a $2,230 credit to the base LTZ V6 and includes the 6-spd auto/17" chrome-clad alloys.

List price on this vehicle with destination and sunroof is $36k     The only way they are going to move those units in large numbers is to "Hyundaize" them, namely, 0% financing and GM can't afford that.  At some point GM needs to stop taking a loss on each car sold.

Good times for all!

You got that right.  Good times for Accord and Camry. 

[Cord]

List price on this vehicle with destination and sunroof is $36k

$33825 would be correct. About $1000 more than a Camry SE with leather and moonroof.