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I am currently driving a 2000 Camry that has about 160,000 miles on it. I never had any problems with it, and I keep it car tuned-up. But soon, I will need to buy another car. I'm either thinking about buying another Camry or the new redesigned Malibu. I love its new stylish look, and it appears to be a well made car too. Any suggestions from current drivers of the Chevy Malibu?
I think that Toyota is losing the good build factor. It seems as though the older Yota's ran better and stood the test of time. I think Toyota is starting to skimp because everyone assumes they're reliable now. I'd check out the Malibu.
I'd usually say the Yota but this time I have to say Malibu.
I think that Toyota is losing the good build factor. It seems as though the older Yota's ran better and stood the test of time. I think Toyota is starting to skimp because everyone assumes they're reliable now. I'd check out the Malibu.
I'd usually say the Yota but this time I have to say Malibu.
Do you like Nissan Maxima's?
You make a good point man. I was thinking the same thing about the newer Toyotas, even though they seem to have some niceer features than my year. I have driven the 2007 Camry and was blow away by how much room the cabin has and yet still selling for the same price as I bought my 2000.
I dont like Nissans. But I will test drive the 2009 Malibu and Camry just to see how both cars handle. I am sure Chevy wanted to put a big dent in Toyota's sales, and I never liked any Chevy cars until they redesigned the Malibu.
So in a sense, I want to buy American just to support our automakers. But if the car is crappy, then I will stick with Toyota who has a proven reputation with me at least.
I am currently driving a 2000 Camry that has about 160,000 miles on it. I never had any problems with it, and I keep it car tuned-up. But soon, I will need to buy another car. I'm either thinking about buying another Camry or the new redesigned Malibu. I love its new stylish look, and it appears to be a well made car too. Any suggestions from current drivers of the Chevy Malibu?
Consumer Reports rated the 6 cylinder Toyota Camry's as unreliable.
I had the Toyota Camry Hybrid (2007) which ran beautifully. It is the 50th Anniversary Edition and is loaded. The best things I like about it are the keyless entry, push button start and gas mileage.
The Malibu is unproven so I would go against that decision.
Consumer Reports rated the 6 cylinder Toyota Camry's as unreliable.
I had the Toyota Camry Hybrid (2007) which ran beautifully. It is the 50th Anniversary Edition and is loaded. The best things I like about it are the keyless entry, push button start and gas mileage.
The Malibu is unproven so I would go against that decision.
Thanks for the report. I forgot about reading them, and I didn't expect these fast responses. But I do appreciate your post.
I am currently driving a 2000 Camry that has about 160,000 miles on it. I never had any problems with it, and I keep it car tuned-up. But soon, I will need to buy another car. I'm either thinking about buying another Camry or the new redesigned Malibu. I love its new stylish look, and it appears to be a well made car too. Any suggestions from current drivers of the Chevy Malibu?
I did own a 2002 Malibu. I had nothing but trouble with it. It needed major repair work constantly. The first thing was brakes which were on a recall. It then needed power steering replacement and front end work all of this before it had 18000 miles on it. I got rid of it in 1 1/2 years. I work for a rental car agency and we have the new Malibu's. I have to say the new Malibu's are much better made than the previous years. It is well designed car that handles and rides very smoothly. It has been getting good reviews from the consumer reports and I have to agree with them. If I was in the market for a new car, I think even after my bad experience with the 2002 one, I might be persuaded with the new Malibu.
Chevy Malibu was chosen as car of the year in 2008, while Camry is starting to gather growing criticism for style and build quality. Still, Toyota has an excellent reputation, and there's the go with what you know factor. The last Malibus had good reliability and last just as long as Camrys, fwiw.
Any GM made before 2004 I would run away from, but since the Lutz era of quality design and engineering versus accountant design that ruined GM in the years previous (imo of course), GM has started putting out some stellar cars. The number is small but growing, but the new Malibu, and G8 are award-winning cars that the automotive press loves. NPR had a series of articles talking about American cars from the Detroit Auto show last week, and the bottom line is GM cars suffer from public perception, not quality.
I have plenty of friends with American cars and Japanese cars like Camrys, and the reality is each have their issues over time - no one I know has had a trouble free Camry, and some stuff was major, including seized engines. Of course, anecdotal evidence of individuals' experiences is pretty worthless to you - look at the hard data - Consumer Reports just did a write up on the Malibu last month or abouts, and you can read all the online auto-writers' reports from sites like Edmund's, Car and Driver, etc.
In the end, if I were you, I'd go sit in both, maybe drive them, look at what matters to you in terms of comfort, drivability, safety features, etc. Definitely make up your own mind on this one - its not like you can make a bad choice in this case. If it was 2002 and you were looking at any American car, it would be a different story. If it was me, I'd go with the Malibu for the nicer interior, better styling, better warranty, and rarity (Camrys are common as dirt, afterall). Plus, you'll certainly pay less money - GM dealers are ready to deal.
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
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I wouldn't look twice at the Malibu over the Camry.Toyota HANDS DOWN.My wife has driven Toys for years and abused them as if they were rented and never had a seconds problem....her sister bought a Malibu against our advice and had nothing but headaches with it(she now owns a Toyota),but in all fairness to the Chev,it was an '04 with almost 30,xxx on it when she got it.
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