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Rented a Chevy Malibu (the new one)

I had reserved a mid sized car and got to the Budget counter at the San Jose airport and was given the choice of a Chevy Classic (what used to be called the Malibu) and the new Malibu. I picked the new Malibu (I already have driven a lot of the older Malibu cars with the 3100 V6). What a great car! The 3.5 DOHC 24V engine is silky smooth and powerful. It has a lot of convenience features (cupholders, trip computer, etc.). Plus, the car is beautiful inside and out. The styling is great. The car puts out 200HP and gets 30 mpg highway. The car is fun to drive, handles well, and has lots of personality, esp. compared to the dull imports. It also had a sport shifting feature on the side of the gearshift where you could shift up/down easily. I put about 2000 miles on the car in 2 weeks, and it was a wonderful experience. A lot of people commented on it. My sister-in-law is Asian and only buys Hondas, but she drove the Malibu and realized it's as good or better than her Accord. Now if only I can talk my wife into selling her '99 Olds 88 and getting a Malibu.

Reply to
Justin
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I believe it's a standard OHV engine, although, according to what I read, it is now equipped with "a push-rod first" - variable valve timing. I hope GM spent as much time working on the manifold gaskets.

Reply to
doug

No believing necessary, it's true. The 2006 3.5L V6 must not be confused with the 3.5L DOHC V6 of yesteryear.

Reply to
Steve Mackie

GM, and the industry in general, no longer plagued with a 'gasket' problem. The manifold gasket 'problem' was not caused by anything GM did nor was GM the only victim of substandard gaskets. Their gasket problems, from manifold to head gaskets was common among ALL manufactures during the several years after the feds outlaws asbestos. The government caused the problem by not giving the gasket manufactures time to develop a replacement material.

Search Ford Motor Co vs. the gasket manufactures that led to the settlement and extended warranties, for owners with the numerous gasket problems, for all manufactures.

Reply to
Mike Hunter

Just like those dip-sh*ts in Washington caused all those car/truck paint problems when they effectively outlawed solvent-based paints in favor of water-borne paints that no one knew how to make.

- GRL

Reply to
GRL

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