2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 2 from North America - Comments

Alignment seems to be off now, I'm getting it checked out next week.

My brakes appear to be slightly warped (although I'm known to do this to ANY brake setup I have ever had).

The down shift programing could be better, but functions fine.

I love the car from the inside out. The interior is top quality and really looks expensive. The accent lighting, while annoying at first, has been helpful from time to time.

I love the steering, quietness and overall quality of the car. The gray color I bought hides dirt very well and even the wheels look nice dirty.

I don't understand why the whole center light doesn't illuminate when you open the doors. (It is divided into a half circle that illuminates the majority of the car. However there are two reading lights on the rear half of the circle that only illuminate when you push them on.)

Not many accessories/options available. I had to buy a custom spoiler from the dealership since Chevy is not currently offering/making one.

I wish there was more to distinguish between my car, with the V6 over the V4. Most of the changes are just mechanical, with the only external changes being the wheels and dual exhaust (compared to single). I would have liked to have seen fog lights, a spoiler, or other easy exterior modifications for setting my car apart from the weaker V4 model.

Overall, I'm just picky and no one car has everything I want/like. I'm very satisfied with my car and have not second guessed my decision at all. I think anyone who is considering a mid-size car should definitely look at the Malibu. You will be amazed.

A minor point, but there is no "V4" engine in the Malibu; the 4-cyl is an inline engine. There are very few V4 engines being made for automotive applications any more, and none for the North American market...

Just a question. Why go with the 2LT and a V6 rather than an LTZ? Wouldn't that have solved the anonymity issue regarding what engine it had? Was there a big price difference? I know that Chevrolet will be offering an LTZ 4cyl (with the 6 speed automatic) in the future but for now "LTZ" means "V6"....OK,OK there were three questions :)

The benefits of a LT2 with the V6 option could be the personal preference to monotone interiors as the LTZ only offers Ebony/Brick or the Cocoa/Cashmere. Both of these are fairly contrasting colors which highlight the "dual cockpit" Corvette type dashboard and not everyone seems to like it.

Monetarily, you are saving about $2,250 with the LT2 V6 instead of the LTZ. You lose out on the fog lights, LED taillights, actual leather instead of "ultralux", chrome door handles, heated rear view mirrors, automatic climate control, a little fancier instrument panel, nicer floor mats, 8 way power driver seat (instead of 6 way), power passenger seat (unavailable in LT), and the 6 disc 8 speaker stereo with sub woofers.

Two-piece question- If the inline format seems to be popular in North America while the V4 is probably nonexistent, why is it that the V-format is the dominating engine format for 6 and 8 cylinder engines?

By the way, I too very much like the new Malibu. Chevrolet is very intent on advertising and promoting this beautiful car, and from the look of things they're betting their money on the right car.

To answer question 14:25, the V-6 and V-8 configurations were originally designed to shorten the engine for use in cars with shorter front ends. In the 30's and 40's some U.S. cars had in line 8 cylinder engines and they had the long hoods to accommodate them. With shorter, more evenly proportioned vehicle design, the "V" configuration made the engines fit into shorter engine bays. This was especially handy in subcompact cars such as the Pinto and Chevy Monza of the 80's.

As far as I know the only non-in line 4 in common use is Subaru's flat 4, which has 2 cylinders directly across from each other rather than in a "V". The most common in line 6 is the really awesome 275 horsepower GM engine used in the Trailblazer, Envoy, Rainier, Bravada and SAAB SUV's, which have ample room to accommodate it. It is based on the original design dating back to the 30's, but it is an incredible engine. I have one of these (in a 2003 Envoy) and it will blow the doors of most V-8 SUV's and gets 24 mpg on the highway.