Stupid Chevy Malibu

[Robin-535im]

So I'm in LA and I rent this Chevy Malibu.

The thing drives like a brick, has crappy brakes, lots of plastic...

But darned if the dang thing isn't twice as fast as my 535. Well, not twice as fast, but I'd bet the 0-60 is faster than my hopped-up M30.

It's just a bit of a let down that the car billed as one of the fastest production sedans when new (i.e., the e34 535) is slower than a uber-cheap new car today.

Oh well... At least I can look forward to the drive home from the airport tomorrow.

And since I'm posting this oh-so-relevant post, might as well express my big welcome back to Bill R! I expect AZ to vote Blue this year Bill! I'd vote there too if I could Now we just need to dig up George Mann... Where the heck is he these days?

[Jeff N.]

I hear ya bro on the "slow" thing. The new engines are depressing relative to our old bricks. On the bright side, nothing I have driven - even some of the new bimmers - drives like my snugged up E34. Still the best riding car I have driven.

Jeff

[Robin-535im]

I hear ya bro on the "slow" thing. The new engines are depressing relative to our old bricks. On the bright side, nothing I have driven - even some of the new bimmers - drives like my snugged up E34. Still the best riding car I have driven.

Jeff

A raw, un-snugged E34 handles like a cadillac, but as soon as you replace some (i.e., all) the rubber in the suspension, throw in some new shocks/springs/sways, they kick the crap out of most cars out there.

but that malibu could practically smoke it's (FWD) tires, stock! What say we group buy some turbos for all? You see that V10 article in Roundel? Mine has drool marks all over it after I read it.

[TC535i]

I have a '99 Kia Sephia for a daily driver... 4-doors, probably at least as much room in the back as the 535i, and I'll be damned if it doesn't rev 10x as easily. OBD-II + MAF + small-displacement 4-cyl... hops up quite a bit quicker than an OBD-I/AFM'd Big-6!

[Incantation]

if by "hops up quite a bit quicker" you mean "accelerates much more slowly" then i believe you.

[Incantation]

What say we group buy some turbos for all? You see that V10 article in Roundel? Mine has drool marks all over it after I read it.

i'm in for a turbo..

[Bill in MA]

Nothing like getting you clock cleaned by some mom with a minivan full of kids and a dog in the back!

The turbo makes all the difference. I fear them no more.

Bill
92 535iturbo

[jjg43]

So I'm in LA and I rent this Chevy Malibu.

The thing drives like a brick, has crappy brakes, lots of plastic...

But darned if the dang thing isn't twice as fast as my 535. Well, not twice as fast, but I'd bet the 0-60 is faster than my hopped-up M30.

It's just a bit of a let down that the car billed as one of the fastest production sedans when new (i.e., the e34 535) is slower than a uber-cheap new car today.

Oh well... At least I can look forward to the drive home from the airport tomorrow.

And since I'm posting this oh-so-relevant post, might as well express my big welcome back to Bill R! I expect AZ to vote Blue this year Bill! I'd vote there too if I could Now we just need to dig up George Mann... Where the heck is he these days?

...and see what happens. The Malibu wouldn't stand a chance. I've had my car at 145mph+ and it's tight and straight. I've driven a newer Monte Carlo, not sure if it is the same engine as the Malibu, but my car would humiliate it (both 0-60 and top speed)!

[ryan roopnarine]

a 2005 malibu? i have a hard time believing that the gm 3.4/3.1 from years past could do crap to a 535 (my 525i is a different story...) i know not to bother with anyone with the last iteration of the 3.8, at least not when the transmission computer thinks its still on the highway (the fact that i carry 80 lbs of tools and 80 lbs of crap back there doesn't help). that 2k5 (or maybe 2k4 malibu) has 200 hp and maybe 3100lbs tops curb weight....wouldn't be hard pressed to believe its as quick as yer car (quicker i have a hard time with).

george is in the inner city in detroit, lecturing the ghetto childrens on the personal responsibility and doin' some general philosophizin. if he makes it back alive, it will be shortly after the election

[jjg43]

2004-2005 Chevrolet Malibu V6


The Malibu sheds its rental-car image by transforming into an Euro-flavored sedan. Based on the new Opel Vectra, handling is much better than any other Chevy sedan. The V6 is optional on the base model and standard on the LS and LT.

Base price : $20,995 Get a free price quote

Engine : V6, OHV, front engine FWD
Displacement : 3,500 cc
Valve : 12 valves, 2 valves per cylinder
Transmission : 4-spd automatic
Fuel economy : city - 23 mpg
highway - 32 mpg

Suspension : F - Independent MacPherson strut
R - Independent multilink
Brakes : F - Vented discs
R - Drums

Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque : 220 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Redline : 6200 rpm

Top speed : 112 mph(electronically limited)
0-60 mph : 8.0 sec.
0-¼ mile : unknown
60-0 braking distance : 135 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.80 g(estimated)

Curb Weight : 3297-3315 lbs
Overall length : 188.3 in.
Wheelbase : 106.3 in.
Overall Width : 69.9 in.
Height : 57.5 in.