2008 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews

Red '08 Malibu 2LT

Written by: bohemia1 on 06/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/2LT (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Great car. I am enjoying the comfort and quiet. Gas mileage is almost 24 mpg. Scheduled to go in shop this week for alignment check and A/C check. The premium sound system with XM radio is great. Improvements listed below are mostly minor but add "creature comforts".

Favorite Features

The electronics are amazing. OnStar and on board phone system work great. V6 provides plenty of power and is more quiet than the 4 cyl.

Suggested Improvements

BlueTooth connectivity to phone system needed. Phone system lacks caller ID or voice mail. Vent the dashboard storage box - gets really hot. Larger glove box. Better graphics, minimum of 3 lines of text or full LCD screen. Reduce the blind spots.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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This car is a steal at this price.

Written by: hanktohendrix on 06/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/2LT (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Three weeks ago I bought a black 2LT with 3.6l V6 option. I drive 2 hours each way to/from work. I've already got 3,000 miles on it. I paid right about $23k, even with the bigger engine thanks to a $3,000 off coupon I got in the mail. I get 26mpg combined. If I ride it gently on the weekends I could get better, but that's usually when I have my fun. Instantaneous mpg is at 30mpg if I set cruise control on the highway! The ride is smooth and quiet, better than my dad's luxury import. For a mid-size sedan it gets an awful lot of looks and compliments. It doesn't quite satisfy my appetite for speed/style, but I'm not willing to pay for gas on a Mustang's V8.

Favorite Features

The V6. The tap-shift controls on the wheel, effectively making this automatic a simple manual. Satellite radio. The sleek wood finish on the interior. Leather wrapped shifter. iPod jack. The blue lights illuminating the door handles so you can find them in the dark. The interior is insane.

Suggested Improvements

Although it looks incredible, it's still a bit too "family sedan" from the front for my taste. The V6 kicks, but Dodge Avenger sounds so much nicer on startup (but lacks the beautiful interior work). Huge blind spot on rear passenger side because of roof design (I'll deal).

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Got It and Enjoy It

Written by: Col H on 06/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/2LT (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I am pleasantly suprised and bought the 2008 2LT model with reservations. However, I am delighted with this car and feel like I definitely got my money's worth from a Chevy. I have not had a GM for years because of the competition and decided to jump in after a test drive. I highly recommend this car for the money.

Favorite Features

Body styling, quiet ride, price for packaging, gas mileage for a full size sedan on the highway

Suggested Improvements

Passenger electric seats, tired of hearing my wife complain

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Very Nice Vehicle

Written by: TJ on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/2LT (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is a very nice car, if GM had been building them like this all along, they wouldn't be in the mess they are in now. A comfortable ride, excellent fuel economy, my last trip at 61 mph I averaged 34 mpg and the 4cyl does quite well even with a full load of folks. Prior to my retirement I was averaging 26mpg in crappy Washington, DC commuter traffic, excellent! The interior is very classy and the outside is a head turner. This is the first vehicle I ever owned where people have stopped me and asked about the car. There was one slight flaw in the paint finish between two seams, we'll see if it causes a problem down the road.

Favorite Features

Remote start, interior, seats, overall handling of car.

Suggested Improvements

Larger trunk opening, if you have a big suitcase, it's going to be a tight fit. Also, I wouldn't mind a little more beefed up suspension, you can feel the bumps if you hit a good one.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Mali-Benz

Written by: Mali-Benz on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

The 2008 Malibu really should have been renamed to Mali-Benz. I love everything about this car inside and out. It looks great, drives great and the price is great. I usually trade cars every 2 to 3 years, but I don't think I'm going to want to give this one up ever. I wrote this same review within a month of purchasing this car and after owning it for almost 7 months now, I love this car even more now than I did when I first purchased it. I even enjoy washing it. Worth every dime I paid for it and then some.

Favorite Features

XM radio, black exterior, ebony/brick interior, dash display, interior lighting, quitness of ride.

Suggested Improvements

I have not found one thing I would change.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Best Buy for the Money

Written by: Mark P. on 06/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I was looking to buy a G35/G37, but received an additional $1500 incentive from GM. With the $2600 GM card rebate, I ended up buying the Malibu for around $23,000. The Infinity was a little better, but cost $15,000 more. The Malibu has a great interior, ride, performance, handling, build quality, and the reliablity should be good. Check out the Motortrend Car of the Year Award (Jan '08). It's almost as good as the $43,000 CTS and I think it should have won the COTY award. I recomend buying the LTZ model for a few thousand more. You get the 3.6 DOHC motor with the 6 speed auto and the nicer interior, wheels and other comforts. I am happy with the gas mileage of 21mpg mixed city and highway.

Favorite Features

Ride quality, interior, performance, and price.

Suggested Improvements

Ingress and egress could be better. I'm 6 foot 250lbs. Although, once I am in the vehicle, I am comfortable. A pillar is slanted too much I assume for better fuel economy. This makes the side windows a little too small and visablity just OK. Radio is OK, but it would have been nice to have a Bose.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love This Car!

Written by: 4TIMEGRAN on 06/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have only had this car about a month, but I love it. Along with the Malibu, I test drove the Ford Fusion, Altima and Impala. The Malibu won me over by far. It rides and drives smoothly and quietly, much like a more expensive car. I purchased the LTZ model and it was well worth the extra price for the extras that you get. The two-toned leather interior is great, also I have the Dark Red exterior color. This color really sets off the chrome trim that the car has. Everywhere I go, people compliment my car. It also gets pretty good gas mileage. The first weekend that I had it we took a short road trip. It got about 28 mpg. Should get around 30 once it gets broken in good.

Favorite Features

I love the two-toned leather interior and all of the chrome trim on the exterior. It drives and rides great. You've got to test drive this one and see for yourself. You'll love it.

Suggested Improvements

I don't have any complaints yet.

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Malibu the car with personality

Written by: tyral hodge on 06/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/2LT (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The Malibu reminded me of the driving experience that I got out of my 97 Mitsubishi Diamante a car that was great bang for buck but over shadowed by the big names Lexus & Acura. However I don't believe this will happen with Malibu due to all the advertisement. The car gets lots of looks and people think it's a more expensive vehicle. Love the control you have of the car. I love power so it's not quite enough but for a person who isn't a car buff like myself it's more than plenty. I would buy another one. Tried to get my spouse to get one but they didn't want to have the same car. Car gets stated mpg, engine is quiet & took me awhile to get use to the smooth ride smoother than Accord.

Favorite Features

Paddleshifts are great for people who are nervous or inexperienced with traditional manual transmission. Two toned cockpit sold me upon first look at car. Saw at autoshow & had to have it. Spouse didn't believe I would buy another American car. The simplest lines and 1mm gaps of exterior superb.

Suggested Improvements

I would make the taillights flush with the trunk smooth like the Civics. Once they stop spending mounds of money in ads upgrade the interior materials (not that it's bad) but to completely surpass the Accord. Center rear armrest.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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A domestic is better than an import

Written by: Chris H on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I compared the new Malibu with the Camry and the G6. Hated the red lighting on the G6. The Malibu totally won out over the Camry. Better interior styling, better interior access to controls, and the coolest night blue lighting at the door handles and center down lighting. This car is very comfortable for me to drive (I'm 6'5"). Definitely not the old styling of past vehicles.

Favorite Features

Exterior style, blue and white lighting, cruise control switches on steering wheel.

Suggested Improvements

Rear exterior styling could be improved. Still has the squared look. Increase the telescoping steering wheel 3 more inches.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love It!

Written by: Sam on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/2LT (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I just got this car about 3 weeks ago, and I absolutly love it. It's very quiet, has all the features I need and then some, and it's just a very fun car to drive. I do have a few small complaints about it though, such as the blind spots, the low beams, and you cant burn a tire! (although I don't think thats necessarily a bad thing) The car itself is beautiful and I am absolutly in love with the interior, especially the "ambient blue lighting" The gas mileage does leave me wanting more, but I am biased, my last car was a 99 Sunfire which got great mileage, but wasn't nearly as much car as this one is, so I guess it's an even trade. People have even come up to me and compliemented me on it!

Favorite Features

The chrome detailing on both the interior and exterior, the adjustable pedals, high beams are amazing, and it's such a quiet smooth ride. I also love that you can adjust the height of the seat itself.

Suggested Improvements

The blindspots are a huge problem with me. People say use the mirrors, and I do, but I like to actually see over my shoulder too. The low beams at night are very bright, but they don't seem to go far at all. Bigger trunk opening. Other than that, the car is fabulous!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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