2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Consumer Reviews Page 4

Good All Around Car

Written by: rajman on 04/05/2005

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

This was the car my wife, not me, wanted. It has turned out to be an excellent car. It got 30 mpg avg on a 700 mile road trip and usually does about 24mpg in town. This is with the V6 engine with plenty of power. It also has lots of interior room whether for storage or passengers. We were thinking about a small SUV for our family and switched to a Maxx because its a much better value than a SUV. The back seat is huge. It is not as quiet as some in its class, but it is hardly loud. Handling is super for a family car, though the electric steering takes some getting used to. I've found that the electric steering really reduces fatigue on long drives, though.

Favorite Features

The engine -- I'm a fan of the GM small-block. Its combination of power and mileage is hard to beat. The little bit of extra noise is well worth it. The very adjustable seats. It fit my wife better than anything else (she's pretty short) but has plenty of adjustment for much taller drivers.

Suggested Improvements

Don't get the satellite radio from the dealer. Satellite is great - I'm hooked on it - but you'll want to buy it separately, so you can take it out of the car. Chevy dealer service leaves a little to be desired -- if only Saturn sold these cars It'd be great.

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Hits most of the high notes

Written by: Mark on 02/12/2005

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I wanted to junk the SUV but didn't want to give up on versitility. The Maxx was a perfect compromise. Easy access to the rear, thanks to the wide doors and movable rear seats, and the cargo area has plenty of room - I even stowed a 7'-0" Christmas tree with my toddler in the back seat and my wife in the front seat - with the hatch down!!! The car handles well but I kinda miss the turning radius of the SUV. I thought I'd feel uncomfortable sitting lower but not at all - now I can get out of the way faster... Overall, I'm very pleased, and as a friend of mine said - I can't beleive this is a Chevy....

Favorite Features

Hatchback, Climate Control, Auto Headlights, Driver Information Center, Rear Legroom/Access, Rear Sunroof (my toddler loves this feature), Leather

Suggested Improvements

Seats could be improved - too hard, offer the rear window wiper a stand alone option, offer a roof rack option

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Love This Car

Written by: GrandMaxx on 02/12/2005

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Am a "mature" woman & love the sporty look. People are always asking "what car is that?" Handles well and have taken several short trips (300miles) and me & a passenger have been comfortable. Love the hatchback-lots of room and easy to load & unload. Headrests are a bother-rearview obstructed-will try switching with back ones as someone has suggested. Fold down rear & passenger seat a plus. My son & daughter even enjoy driving it!

Favorite Features

Remote start. Hatchback space. Handles great. Economy.Moon roof in back. Adjustable rear seats. DVD controls in back. Cruise control on steering wheel. Adjustable pedals. Tele. steering wheel. Can you tell I am really happy with this car? Hope it holds up well.

Suggested Improvements

Shades on moonroof are the pits. Keep snapping open-scared me at first. Some wind noise. Trunk hard to close, especially for a short person.

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Great Alternative to SUV

Written by: warden on 02/02/2005

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LS 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this vechicle to fill my need for a family vechicle which would could do some hauling. In the past, I had chosen a variety of SUVs & pickups to meet this need. Great vechicle for hauling people and stuff if you don't need 4wd. Fairly good mpg, lots of space, considerably cheaper than an SUV of similar size. Overall a great alternative to an SUV if you don't need 4wd. I chose this over a Equinox, Escape, CRV, Liberty, and several other small/mid-size suvs as it has almost as much space, is considerably cheaper, gets better MPG, and offers features (telescoping wheel and movable petals) that no one else has. I am 6'3" and my wife is 5' and we can both drive this car.

Favorite Features

Telescoping wheel and movable pedals, hatch back, adjustable rear cargo cover, engine, power seats, cargo capacity

Suggested Improvements

Lose the rear seat sun roofs, they are not very useful, and the covers on them pop open every time you hit a bump. Provide AWD, luggage rack, and sports tuned suspension options. Wider rear hatch opening.

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Buy it with your eyes closed, so good

Written by: Rajinder Goyal on 01/11/2005

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I just love this car. Packed with unbelievable features, it is a luxury at an affordable price.

Favorite Features

Driver Information Center, Traction control, electric steering wheel, remote starter, 6-CD changer, automatic temp control, heated front leather seats, and of course, the OnStar system. The list goes on.

Suggested Improvements

None

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Great value in a fun little car.

Written by: Maxx02360 on 12/30/2004

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

After a month of driving, I am really impressed with this little car. It handles well and is very responsive. I have the LT with heated leather seats, remote start, climate control, power sun-roof, 6 CD in dash stereo, DVD player, etc... Totally loaded. A 2004 leftover, I paid less than half of what I spent on my last car. I admit that the deal I was able to make had a lot to do with me buying this car. But, this car is a real sleeper. This is not a car the will impress your neighbors, unless they got to drive it. Anyway, I've already got the impressive car in the drive way. (Our other vehicle is a Yukon Denali XL.)

Favorite Features

I really like the responsiveness and handling. It is straight out fun to drive. Having the car all warmed up with the remote start is pretty good also. The kids would vote for the DVD and the recyling rear seats.

Suggested Improvements

An in dash CD player the doesn't sound so mechanical when changing CDs. But DON'T change the styling. I like the fact that this car is understated. The neighbors will think I'm humble. And now that I have humility, I've got everything!

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Its All About Value

Written by: Malibu Maxximum on 12/24/2004

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LS 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Wow. I have been driving 25 years and this car has been a very pleasant surprise. Solid. Peppy. Base V6 Maxx LS really is pretty loaded. My sister in law has 4 cylinder Camry. She spent $2500+ more, but got much less. Now if this car is as reliable as many of the recent GM makes, that would certainly make this car a steal.

Favorite Features

Split rear cargo area. Reclining / sliding rear seats. Rear moon roof. Miles to travel, temp, and mpg readout is pretty cool too. Adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheel simply marvelous.

Suggested Improvements

The head rests were indeed bothersome. I quickly found a fix - on the first day I swapped the front and rear head rests. No more problem.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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We Will See How Good It Is!!!

Written by: Robert Lamason on 12/22/2004

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

So far the Malibu Max has been a good car to drive. It seems to have quite a bit of get up and go. The rear view is not so great, but it will do. The car rides good for a car. Priced right with the discounts and easy to deal with the dealership in my case as I will not hassel over price and I did not have to, which is one very good reason I liked the deal!!! Hope the car holds up well as I have not purchase a new car for many years.

Favorite Features

Good over all so far: about 2000 miles on it now.

Suggested Improvements

Rear vision is somewhat restricted!

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All that wears a Bowtie...

Written by: The Cap'n on 12/20/2004

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LS 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We purchased our Malibu Maxx after discovering it was a twin under the skin with the Saab 9-3 and the Vauxhall Vectra wagon, which we drove in the UK on vacation. There are a lot of sneaky neat features on this car, and while not a top of the line Mercedes, it is fun, manouverable, and a lot of car for the money. Worth a look.

Favorite Features

Remote start, hatch releases. The sneaky little map pocket on the front of the driver's seat. Cargo cover. Auto- headlites which can be overridden.

Suggested Improvements

Cloth seats could be a bit cushier, but they are comfy enough, even on road trips.

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Will not buy again

Written by: Craig on 12/14/2004

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I've driven my Malibu for 7,500 miles now and if I could get out from under it without taking a bath it would be gone tomorrow. I drive 120 miles daily and this is the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. The seat bases are far too short hitting me mid thigh and causing pain in my legs after only 20 minutes of driving. The electric power steering is a poor choice and needs more boost at highway speeds. An hour of driving and my hands are cramped. The suspension works great in town but on smooth blacktop it sets up a harmonic vibration at 45-65 mph that shakes the entire car...very poorly designed. Tranny does not shift into high without letting off the gas.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Start over with a clean sheet of paper.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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