Another win for GM

[Jeffbx]

Aaaaand the 2008 North American International Auto Show Car of the Year (NAIAS - COTY) is:

2008 Chevy Malibu (http://icandrive.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=1) (shocked silence)

Yes, GM beat out a long list of nominees:

Audi TT
Audi A5/S5
Cadillac CTS
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G37
Infiniti EX35
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nissan Altima Coupe
Scion xB
Smart ForTwo
Subaru Impreza/WRX
Volvo C30

Finalists were the Cadillac CTS, Honda Accord & Malibu.

Oddly, this is the same chassis that won last year - the 2007 car of the year was the Saturn Aura, which is almost identical to this year's Malibu.

It's surprising to me that they put this car into the Malibu nameplate (since past Malibus are absolute crap), but not at all surprising that it won. The list of standard features is simply incredible for the price - comparing features, it actually competes more against the luxury Japanese brands than the Camry/Accord.

If you're in the market, I'd recommend you drive one. They're shockingly impressive for a Chevy.

[Prngr44]

Interesting... with a kid on the way and me driving a Ford Ranger I'll be in the market for a sedan of some sort in the next few months. I was leaning towards something smaller and 4 door like the 3, but I guess I ought to check out the Malibu since it's really not that much more.

[MrGreg]

No manual tranny option means I wouldn't give it a second look.

[Jeffbx]

It has a 6-speed automatic with manual paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Well, the 252HP LTZ does - rumor is that they may include this on the 4cyl as well.

[MrGreg]

My left foot would just feel too unappreciated.

[Jeffbx]

I hear ya - I wish more manufacturers would still offer manual transmissions on 'regular' cars, but it looks like they're reserved now for sports cars, trucks & very entry level vehicles.

[DarkFury]

I hear ya - I wish more manufacturers would still offer manual transmissions on 'regular' cars, but it looks like they're reserved now for sports cars, trucks & very entry level vehicles.
Pretty much, "stick shifts" are really only valued by sports enthusiasts and budget minded folks these days.

Also... having a stick in a car even reduces the resale value, which further prevents most manufactuers from producing alot of of them (due to decreased demand).


Honestly, I agree that it suck. People should learn to be able to drive both... just in case you are in an emergency and have to drive a stick. My first and second cars were both sticks... and not sports cars, but alas, they are a dying breed.

[johnnymk]

Pretty much, "stick shifts" are really only valued by sports enthusiasts and budget minded folks these days.

Also... having a stick in a car even reduces the resale value, which further prevents most manufactuers from producing alot of of them (due to decreased demand)..

:stupid:

My sister tried to unload a two year old Camry a couple of years ago which had a manual tranny. She practically gave it away to a local dealer. I think that only 5% of cars sold in America are equipped with manual transmissions.

I love driving them, but can't stand them in traffic. Plus I am hard on clutches, which mean the pressure plate, clutch and throwout bearing must be replaced often.

[renovation]

after you have them for 4-5 years and driving all the time in city driving you tend to get tired of the manual. my wife loves her Saturn Vue but the next one she wants a automatic.and she has had 80% of her cars from the mid 1970s all sticks from VW's to full size vans most have been sticks . and we have bought most of these brand new. the only automatic we have bought new with automatic trans have been .from 1986 Buick Summerset,1993 e-150 ford conversion van .and most of my work trucks. the work trucks due to employees driving them .
but for us i think its time to go 100 automatic now .were tired of all the shifting and with them making 6 speed trans thats a lot of extra shifting to. but i still agree if its a true sports car i'll only buy a stick :)

[ArkiStan]

I can never get tired of stick shift. After years and years it has never felt like a chore. It is the only way I feel like I'm truly "driving" the car. I wish more cars offered it as an option. I agree though. It's not for everybody.

[SteveB]

Get tired of a stick shift? Mot me. I've never owned a car with an automatic. Well, OK, I did have a '51 Desoto that had what I think they called Fluid Drive. You could use it as an auto or manual. I guess it was advanced for the day.

[Kevster]

I'll never be tired of a stick shift, especially since I have to drive my wife's Honda Accord which has auto and it's extremely annoying. I know when I want power and need to shift, and the auto transmission just doesn't do it for me.

[guiseppewv]

I agree with those of you who said the manual transmission is the way to go. I love mine but sometimes in bumper to bumper DC traffic it is a little annoying. Added bonus: Only a small percentage of women can drive a manual transimission vehicle, so I never have to let them drive my vehicles. :) :P

[Kevster]

I think the biggest thing for me about manual transmission is that where I live and where I drive often there are a LOT of hills, meaning I upshift a LOT. Auto transmissions just don't cut it for me, especially in those situations.

[cheapie]

a new malibu drove by the other day and it certainly caught my eye. i couldn't believe it was a chevy malibu.

[ray]

I would still never buy an American car. Winning a couple awards doesn't change the quality, reputation, and service failures they have had in the past. If they sustain this trend for another few years then I may change my mind on the issue.

[guiseppewv]

I would still never buy an American car. Winning a couple awards doesn't change the quality, reputation, and service failures they have had in the past. If they sustain this trend for another few years then I may change my mind on the issue.

:stupid:

I know the Malibu has great reviews but it would have to have a great track record for reliability before I would start to consider an American vehicle again.


I think the biggest thing for me about manual transmission is that where I live and where I drive often there are a LOT of hills, meaning I upshift a LOT. Auto transmissions just don't cut it for me, especially in those situations.

Do you mean downshift?

[DarkFury]

I would still never buy an American car. Winning a couple awards doesn't change the quality, reputation, and service failures they have had in the past. If they sustain this trend for another few years then I may change my mind on the issue.
There still a few American cars that can be trusted.

I own one... :D

[Jeffbx]

I would still never buy an American car. Winning a couple awards doesn't change the quality, reputation, and service failures they have had in the past. If they sustain this trend for another few years then I may change my mind on the issue.

Why look at the past? In the past, Japanese cars were the crappiest little boxes ever created. Then they got better.

Of course I'm biased because of where I live, but believe me - domestic nameplates are way, WAY better than they were back in the 80s & 90s. Go test drive one; you don't have to buy it.

[cheapie]

i've been very happy with my charger. i've really only had two things go wrong with it in 50k miles. the little plastic covers that go over the child seat latches came off.

and, ummmm, the timing belt came loose. :heh: thank God it's a company car because it was out of warranty. i guess that's not the best testimonial, is it?

[guiseppewv]

Why look at the past? In the past, Japanese cars were the crappiest little boxes ever created. Then they got better.

Of course I'm biased because of where I live, but believe me - domestic nameplates are way, WAY better than they were back in the 80s & 90s. Go test drive one; you don't have to buy it.

I agree they are way, WAY better than they were then but they are still way behind the curve. Now they are mid pack instead of bottom feeders in the reliability field.

[Jeffbx]

I humbly disagree..

5 of the top 10 (including 3 of the top 4) are domestic nameplates:

1. Buick
2. Lexus
3. Cadillac
4. Mercury
5. Honda
6. Toyota
7. BMW
8. Lincoln
9. Subaru
10. Oldsmobile

This is from the J.D. Power 2007 Vehicle Dependability Report (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/j-d-power-2007-vehicle-dependability-study/346679/), which tracks long term vehicle dependability.

[cheapie]

very interesting. wouldn't have guessed it.

[DarkFury]

I humbly disagree..



1. Buick


If Tiger Woods endorses it... it's GOT to be good! :D



(at least for your Grandpa or Grandma... :D )

[guiseppewv]

I humbly disagree..

5 of the top 10 (including 3 of the top 4) are domestic nameplates:

1. Buick
2. Lexus
3. Cadillac
4. Mercury
5. Honda
6. Toyota
7. BMW
8. Lincoln
9. Subaru
10. Oldsmobile

This is from the J.D. Power 2007 Vehicle Dependability Report (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/j-d-power-2007-vehicle-dependability-study/346679/), which tracks long term vehicle dependability.

Ok, if a Buick Regal or Park Avenue are what you want, go for it!

I disagree with some of those ratings because they do not associate a year with the models. Reliability changes year to year. The Furd Ranger is a turd from the late 90s and early 00s but it is rated as the best in it's category. The Lexus IS300 has not been in production in over 2 years.

[guiseppewv]

(at least for your Grandpa or Grandma... :D )

:stupid:

[Jeffbx]

Ok, if a Buick Regal or Park Avenue are what you want, go for it!

I disagree with some of those ratings because they do not associate a year with the models. Reliability changes year to year. The Furd Ranger is a turd from the late 90s and early 00s but it is rated as the best in it's category. The Lexus IS300 has not been in production in over 2 years.

Well, yeah but that's because they're comparing average long term dependability. Heck, Oldsmobile doesn't even exist anymore & they made the list.

My point is that domestic nameplates are every bit as reliable as Japanese & European brands over the long haul, despite the poor image that seems to be lingering with them.

I'm just asking that you not dismiss them based on their reliability 20 years ago. If anyone is in the market, take one for a spin & you might be surprised.

[renovation]

I humbly disagree..

5 of the top 10 (including 3 of the top 4) are domestic nameplates:

1. Buick
2. Lexus
3. Cadillac
4. Mercury
5. Honda
6. Toyota
7. BMW
8. Lincoln
9. Subaru
10. Oldsmobile

This is from the J.D. Power 2007 Vehicle Dependability Report (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/j-d-power-2007-vehicle-dependability-study/346679/), which tracks long term vehicle dependability.
wait a min. gm stop making Oldsmobile a couple years back . this list can't be right or a miss print .

[DarkFury]

wait a min. gm stop making Oldsmobile a couple years back . this list can't be right or a miss print .
It's a "long term" test... not a test of new models.

They must've started this test over 4 years ago.

[Prngr44]

The only thing that went bad on my "Furd" Ranger was a horn that decided one tone was better than a blend of 3, and a poorly installed passenger window (F you to the bum who smashed it) led to a power window motor going bad.

I'm still waiting for my cruise control to explode because I haven't taken the time to get that recall fixed.

;)

[guiseppewv]

I'm just asking that you not dismiss them based on their reliability 20 years ago. If anyone is in the market, take one for a spin & you might be surprised.

I am still rating them on my late 90s purchase that I got rid of in '02 because I was tired of paying through the nose for something GM should have fixed in the prior model year.

[mechmike0034]

Got this in a newsletter today:

CADILLAC OUTSCORES BMW, MERCEDES-BENZ. The redesigned Cadillac CTS ranks third in Consumer Reports’ ratings of upscale sports sedans, trailing the Infiniti G35 and Acura TL but outscoring the BMW 328i and revamped Mercedes-Benz C300.

The magazine’s March issue praises the 2008 CTS for its handling, fit and finish, safety features and interior. Even so, CR says it won’t recommend the Cadillac yet because the reliability of the redesigned model is unknown.

[Jeffbx]

If I had a little extra cash, I'd upgrade to the CTS when my lease expires. That is a NICE car!

But I still think CR isn't worth the paper its printed on for auto reviews. Here is a great breakdown of the reasons that CR sucks so hard: (http://www.truedelta.com/pieces/shortcomings.php?session_code=)


1. "Serious problems"
Consumer Reports' ratings are based on the number of "serious problems" reported by its members. They never precisely define the term. Instead, Consumer Report's survey form leaves it up to each respondent to determine which problems are serious enough to report, an invitation to bias.

2. Relative ratings
Consumer Reports rates each model relative to the average vehicle. As a result, the absolute number of problems a vehicle will experience remains unclear. Does an "above average" vehicle "never break?" Is a "below average" vehicle "always in the shop?"

In the absence of hard numbers, people tend to assume that the best vehicles are better than they are and that the worst vehicles are worse than they are. I once had a vigorous discussion with the owner of a Japanese SUV. As proof of his vehicle's superior reliability, he noted that its brand had been the highest-rated in Consumer Reports' 2005 auto issue. His brand's nearly new cars had had eight "serious problems" per hundred vehicles. While this was less than half the eighteen problems per hundred nearly new domestic brand vehicles, the absolute difference was just one-tenth of a serious problem per car.

This did not--and does not--strike me as anything to get wound up over. The real problem: few people when glancing through the magazine think about the absolute numbers behind the relative ratings.

3. Ranges
Consumer Reports' rates models on a five-point scale from "much worse than average" to "much better than average" using their well-known red and black "blobs." In 2005 (when I first wrote this), more than half of domestic models earned an "average" rating, while many Hondas and Toyotas earned an "above average" rating. (With the average increasing, "much better than average" ratings have become rarer.)

"Average" means within twenty percent of the average, so 80 to 120 on an index with 100 being average. "Better than average" ranges from 121 to 145. So if one vehicle is "average" and another is "better than average," then the difference between them can range anywhere from a single point--totally insignificant--to 65 points--very significant. The red and black dots appear simple to understand, but they conceal far more than the convey. As a result, many readers of the magazine understand far less than they think they do.

4. Only averages
Vehicle reliability has been steadily improving. Even the average eight-year-old domestic brand model was reported (on page 17 of the 2005 auto issue) to have fewer than one-and-a-half "serious problems" per year. Yet many people would avoid such a car because they fear it will have "lots of problems."

While perceptions are distorted by Consumer Reports' emphasis on relative ratings, another factor is involved: people are afraid of getting an unusually troublesome vehicle. Even if the average is the same for two models, the chances of getting a lemon could be far higher for one than the other. People might fear that even as the average rate of problems for domestic vehicles comes down the odds of getting a lemon remain uncomfortably high.

Based on Consumer Reports' reported results there's no way to know one way or the other, as they only report averages. To my knowledge, they have never discussed the odds of getting an unusually good or bad example of a particular model.

5. Survey (in)frequency
Consumer Reports sends out an annual survey asking people to report problems that occurred during the entire previous year. This is too long a period to expect people to accurately remember what happened.


6. Stale information
Consumer Reports mails out surveys each spring, then first reports the results the following November. As a result, when a new vehicle is introduced in the fall its reliability isn't reported until over a year later. This is a long time to wait for someone interested in a hot new design; by the time its reliability is known it will no longer be hot.

In a related issue, the vehicles reported on aren't as old as Consumer Reports suggests. For example, while "three-year-old vehicles" are, on average, three years old at the time the auto issue appears, they were only about two years old when the problems were reported, and only about one year old at the beginning of the period being reported upon.

7. Fossilization
The last serious problem at least partially explains the others: Consumer Reports, once an innovator, has ceased to innovate. They have been asking questions and reporting results much the same way for decades. No surprise, really, as they've had no serious competition and have been subjected to very little outside evaluation.

[mechmike0034]

If I had a little extra cash, I'd upgrade to the CTS when my lease expires. That is a NICE car!

But I still think CR isn't worth the paper its printed on for auto reviews.

I'm with ya - I was floored when I saw the article I posted, because CR NEVER says anything nice about US automakers...

People throw CR at me all the time when I recommend a car to them. My response? "If you only knew..."

[johnnymk]

I saw the Malibu at the Philly Auto Show today. The pictures and the commercials do not do that car justice. It is a very very nice looking car. I was totally shocked!!

[renovation]

i took a Malibu for a test ride yesterday . the bottom line 4 cyl. and the sporter v6 .this one had heated leather seating,6 speed automatic trans , and a number of other extras from the base model . i still didn't care for the cars ride. i felt every crack in the road .had a friend in the back seat and he said in the rear seat of the sporty v6 . he could feel the road worst in the base model then with the 4 cyl.base model. there was plenty of leg room in these cars front and rear . i think GM. missing it when you look at the extra storage bin compartments found on most imports today. i will say American built autos seem to have softer seating then the imports . i went next to a test drive of a Chevy Impala and i was more impressed with the ride and feel of this car .but i was disappointed in the lack of storage compartments in this car to .its a larger car then the malibu . and has a softer ride . there a lot of dead use space in this car .why with as much dash is there so little storage compartments ?
also what is upsetting to me. you have to buy a bundle of extras. to get the one extra item you may want on the car you like. like i wanted a fold down rear seat to get that. i had to add a rear trunk spoiler, also theres a up charge if you want one color or the next of exterior paint. will that change the resale of your car no.and did it cost the auto company any extra to paint it .i bet not they just know people may like that color more then the next. well now im off to look at a pontiac .this should be fun . and then saturn tomorrow or friday !