“But your statement is fundamentally correct; drive it for 2-3 years and garage it for the next 20+ years. That’s the best way to preserve a Dodge.”
That’s a Good one! LOL
“but there’s no denying that Chrysler has quality issues.”
My Built in USA Dodge truck with 165k miles would like to deny your claim. Its never seen the inside of repair shop for anything other than maintenance. If you drove it you’d think it had 40k miles on it (and it gets used hard, for towing and hauling).
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Here’s a better apples to apples comparison to your work uniform, oops I mean Accord.
Chevrolet Malibu – What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 2 out of 23 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 69 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Malibu, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The latest Chevy Malibu has come as a suprise to many who thought the imports owned the midsize car segment. With sophisticated good looks, an upscale cabin feel and driving dynamics that match the best in the class, the 2009 Chevy Malibu is competing with perennial class-leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry — and in many cases, it’s beating them out.
With its 2008 redesigne, the Malibu took home a trunkful of awards from the press — one of Car and Driver’s 10Best, North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008, Kiplinger magazine’s “Best in Class,” Automobile Magazine’s 2008 Automobile All-Stars — the list goes on and on.
Because of the success of the 2008 model, Motor Trend reports, Chevrolet “purposely kept the 2009 model year changes to a minimum. The most noteworthy include an expanded offering of the fuel-wise 2.4L/6-speed automatic powertrain combo, four new exterior colors, and the addition of Bluetooth with the new OnStar 8.0 system.”
The Malibu now threatens the traditional favorites in this class, but its cross-town rival, the Ford Fusion, does as well. If you’re looking for something more exciting, however, many find the all-new 2009 Mazda6 a more enthusiastic ride, particularly in corners, and a better-looking car.
If fuel economy is an important consideration to you, keep in mind that s 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is also available and is reviewed separately.
The 2009 Malibu is available in four trim levels, with a choice of two engines and three transmissions. Unlike many rivals, however, Chevy does build its most well-appointed LTZ trim level with its most fuel-efficient powertrain — a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed transmission. Many of the Malibu’s rivals couple their highest trims only with their thirstiest engines.
Be sure to check for current Chevy deals that may be available on a new Malibu.
“Chevy has taken Malibu from the realm of rental fleet darling to a must-see Best Buy in this highly competitive segment. This midsize sedan stands out for its refined powertrains, smart interior design, and value pricing. We especially like the smooth, quiet 4-cylinder engine and frugal Hybrid. Considering a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry? Be sure to add Malibu to your test-drive list.” — Consumer Guide
“In sports and the entertainment industry, there is a phenomenon known as the sophomore jinx. It’s that inexplicable occurrence when an athlete who was a standout his rookie year bombs the next season, or when a movie’s sequel doesn’t come close to the excellence of the original. Thankfully, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu isn’t another Matrix Reloaded. The downsides to the Malibu are minor and few.” — Edmunds
“The Malibu is more adept than ever at cruising America’s highways and byways, …With a quiet and lush interior, and newfound levels of refinement and style, the Malibu is a legitimate contender for best-in-class bragging rights..” – Motor Trend
“Sleek sheetmetal, a decent interior, and compelling dynamics give the Malibu plenty of ammunition with which to battle the entrenched segment leaders.” — Car and Driver
“It’s a first-class, affordable, four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, mid-size family sedan now equipped with a transmission worthy of the name. This is major. This is a breakthrough. This is GM behaving in a most un-GM-like manner.” – Washington Post
“The Chevy Malibu stands up well when held against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord gold standards. Choosing among them largely comes down to nitpicking, splitting hairs and personal preference.” – New Car Test Drive
“Make no mistake, there are no excuses. This is the car the folks at Chevy should have built long ago, but they get serious props for making it happen today.” — AutoWeek
“The 2009 Malibu looks wonderful, is solidly built and carefully crafted inside and out, offers good fuel economy, drives wonderfully and is priced to sell in serious volumes.” — Kelley Blue Book
Malibu Performance – 7.9 (Good)
Critics are pleased with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu’s performance characteristics, saying it measures up well to most rivals. While the Malibu can’t claim the precision of its sportiest rivals, it comes reasonably close while beating them on fuel economy. continue
Malibu Exterior – 9.0 (Excellent)
“When young people are checking out the Malibu and giving it their approval, you know Chevy might have a winner on its hands,” writes AutoWeek. “This is a monstrous improvement over the old Malibu and is more than competitive with the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.” The 2009 Malibu’s sheetmetal draws some comparisons to European sport sedans. continue
Malibu Interior – 8.4 (Very Good)
The 2009 Malibu’s passenger cabin wins praise for a handsome two-tone, dual-cockpit design and well-thought-out ergonomics. A few reviews register complaints about cheap interior materials, but Road and Track speaks for many when it says, “Gone is the hard plastic rental-car look.” continue
Malibu Safety – 8.7 (Very Good)
The 2009 Chevy Malibu earns a top score of five stars in every government crash test, as well as top scores in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests. For 2009, Chevy has made stability control standard on all Malibu sedans. continue
Malibu Reliability – 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power’s automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Chevy provides Malibu buyers a three-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. continue
