As newer cars go, am I the only one who likes the looks of the Chevy Malibu?

I kinda like it. If I could afford brand new cars for a DD, I would consider it (3 kids and a small dog)

I like them as well, especially the higher-trim interiors. And i like the tail end a hell of a lot better than the front end. It kinda makes me wonder what some of yall are thinking.

gjz30075 wrote: I like it and I wished they continued the Maxx with this style.

+1. Or even better, a true wagon. I don't buy 4-dr sedans (well, I would consider an M5...). I don't buy SUV's. I buy wagons. Traditional wagons.

jrw1621 wrote:

failboat wrote: ^^^ While this is definately true, I still think the rear end styling of the newest model looks like an afterthought. Its not all that attractive imo and just looks sort of cheap.

Current tailights on many cars leave me wondering. Why are they a combination of mismatched shapes?

AMEN! I still like the car but this is one of its weak spots design wise, most designers are clueless and so are their bosses so this kind of thing gets passed on through...

I like it but rather have this:

Klayfish wrote: I think the GM designers hit the bullseye that they were probably aiming for. "Inoffensive" without being utterly and totaly boring. That will give it plenty of appeal in the fleet and rental industry, where they can sell them by the truckload.

BINGO! I wash cars for a rental car company and I see a ton of cars up close and over and over again and the malibu is one that stands out because other than the rear end tailights, its really a clean design, much, much better then the slighly bigger and blander impala. It actually has what I would consider a pretty nice, low roof line which gives it a nice hunkered down appearance. Whats even better is you can get them used for not a lot of money. Unfortunately, I hear its been "redesigned" and from what I've seen thus far it looks like they buggered it up. Someone else mentioned that on another car it appears the trunklid on one vehicle appears to have come from another....amazingly that's true of a lot of cars, the previous ford focus for example, just a joke how the trunk lid comes down and leaves an inch gap at the bumper, plenty of space for soapy water to collect, just looks stupid...

Other observations for anyone who cares:

Someone mentioned maxima, it is a decent looking car but I laugh every time I get in and see the silly start/stop button.

The dodge avengers and sebrings sound like tractors, especially if you stand outside one while they're running.

Fullsize pickup trucks are just way, way too big.

The Ford Edge is a decent vehicle.

Kia makes some sharp SUV's.

Honda civics just feel right when you get in them.

The Camaro is a cartoon car with decent power but way too large and heavy.

The new ford focus tries too hard to be weird.

You'd be surprised how well some rental car companies take care of their vehicles when it comes to oil changes.

Not sure why car manufacturers aren't smart enough to keep the chime from going off if you have the key turned to accessory and your are listening to the radio with the door open, if we are listening to the radio, I said if we are listening to the radio!, do we really need to be reminded that the key is still in the ignition with a chiming noise??????

All manufactures whose cars don't automatically unlock all the doors when you turn it off and get out should be lined up and shot.

I have a few other observations but they're not very politically correct so I will keep em to myself.

I can think of 3 cars that are under $50k and I would consider good looking. (Corvette, Genesis, Jag XF (ok so it starts at $52k)). The rest are either trying to be retro, cute, bland or bold. The cars trying to be "bold" are the worst. Mazda and their damn smiling face.

failboat wrote:

In reply to aussiesmg:

I hate the taillights on those Hyundais with a burning passion. They ruin the car. IMHO.

I really enjoy the current Malibu. I'm in rental cars almost weekly while traveling for work and almost always pick the Malibu when I can. I think they are attractive, the A/C rocks, the stereo is great, cruise works well, controls are good, etc. The transmission isn't wonderful, but the rest of the car is pretty great.

In reply to plance1:

We saw a pre-production version of the next Malibu at the NYIAS. They gave it a Bangle butt. We looked at it and went, "What the hell?? Even BMW ditched this styling cue..."