I guess I can make a thread for this. Car has about 135k on it at the moment. 2.5L DI base engine. The interwebs says it has 196 hp and 186 lb-ft. 6-speed automatic. Early stop/start. It gets decent gas mileage and runs on 87.
She has been driving this as a daily since early Sept. Things are going well. It's nice to have factory BT for the phone and music. First car in the fleet with a backup camera. Also first car in the fleet with direct injection.
Did my first service and inspection on the car yesterday. One thing I was worried about was whether my extra long Quick Jacks would fit between the wheelbase. Good news: it does, but not by much. That means this is about the shortest wheelbase car you can jack up on the Quick Jack. This is convenient since it's about the shortest wheelbase car I'd ever want to own (108"). I just used the rubber blocks on what looked like a good section of floor. I have to say - the whole pinch weld jacking situation is really dumb and I do not like it.
Some pics and then the inspection report.
I was doing a tire rotation primarily but with a rotation comes natural inspection opportunity. First a note on the tires: three of them are fairly old with 2014-2015 date codes and corresponding wear with 5-6/32" remaining (fairly even wear at least). The remaining tire (which WAS on the left rear) has a 2019 code and 8/32" remaining. We can probably milk another year out of these so I guess the rotation is not as useful as I thought.
Brake report
Fronts are probably 70% remaining and rears more like 90%. This is good.
Rust report
Mostly good. It has coated brake lines. I applied about half a can of CRC Corrosion Inhibitor (Cosmoline) to the front and rear subframes, and some key areas of suspension and body. I'm satisfied with that for now. Looking like it does now suggests that we should be able to get 200k out of this from a rust perspective with zero issues, especially since I've treated a few select areas. Kind of a relief, though I'll probably want to do an annual inspection and follow-up as we go here.
General design report
This Epsilon II seems like a premium platform, which I guess I already knew. Front and rear lower control arms are aluminum, and it uses aluminum knuckles front AND rear which is even more surprising. The front uses 12" long plastic stabilizer bar end links which is kind of funny, because the rears are super stubby. The rear has provisions for AWD as you'd expect (never was done on the Malibu to my knowledge but was done on some of the more expensive Epsilon II vehicles). I like the rear shock design. The bottom bolt is very accessible and the top of the shock mounts to this aluminum bracket that is just bolted to the body. Looks ridiculously easy to swap those out. Which it will probably never need. The steering and handling is very pleasing on this vehicle. It's not quite sporty but it has what I would say is the perfect ride/handling mix for a car like this. Stable, secure, confident, and there is definitely enough athleticism that you can toss it around without issue. Brakes respond nicely, as well.
I smell a small coolant leak and it was down a bit on coolant when we received the vehicle. I have topped it off and will keep my eye on it. I do have a pressurizing tool so I could check that out when I do the first oil change, which it won't need for some time. Actually I should probably figure out what mileage I SHOULD do the first oil change. And what oil I want to use...
Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
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Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
141k now. I guess that isn't a ton more but I've done my second oil change with no drama. It seems to like the Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 Dexos 1 gen 3 so I'll keep using it. I don't add any between 5,000 mile changes but it seems to use maybe 1/4 quart? The oil life monitor is not calibrated to synthetic (which I am not used to for GM products as they are usually Cadillacs). As a result a 5,000 mile interval seems to be about what the car wants. It said 14% remaining and last time it was 9%. Now I am using a good synthetic so I think it should be in as good a shape as possible.
In other news, it will need tires soonish. Ideally before winter. We'll see. At least one of them is approaching 10 years old.
In other, other news, I have been contemplating Malibu-replacement options for when the time comes. I actually don't know what the trigger is but the Malibu was always sort of a stop-gap car. A perfectly functional later model, efficient vehicle. But lacking in some items like a bigger cargo area, third row, AWD and I guess a higher driving position (sound familiar?). Jamie also doesn't like the naturally aspirated 4 cylinder level of performance. It does OK if you put your foot into it but she was used to the more torque-rich SRX.
It would be tempting to sell the Malibu and put it towards something. I think right now it might be worth around $8k. That will just go down over time. I don't really need a spare car but having something for my parents to use while they are up here could be good. Or I suppose just store it in the garage of their future condo on a charger (and we could always go borrow it if there was a vehicle shortage in our fleet). Options.
The plan had been Acura MDX but mainly for lack of a better plan. I briefly flirted with the idea of like an ML350 (no third row but probably one of the most reliable modern Mercedes products), or I suppose GL450 (not as reliable...). But now I think I have a new, much better plan. Either a 2017-2018 Mercedes E400 wagon, or 2019-2020 E450 wagon. They have a rear-facing third row but it's a joke and literally only for kids 6 and under. It also doesn't "ride higher up." But, I have been looking into these and I am smitten. They both use the M276 which is, again, probably Mercedes' single most reliable later model engine series. They all are on the W213 (next gen E-class from my E63S) and use the new 9 speed. The interiors are amazing. I don't necessarily care about ALL the bells and whistles but some would be nice. If I could snag one with Distronic Plus then I might actually switch to this for family trips (until I replace my S550 with a W222 S560 but that's for another thread).
Pros
- At the moment, they appear to be pretty reliable
- AWD
- LOTS of wagony goodness (mainly rear cargo area, and I like the Euro-wagon looks)
- Good audio, good features, comfortable, good fuel economy, good handling, fairly quick
- Not a crossover
Cons
- Not a crossover
- Bottom of market is around $29k right now
But yeah they run like 13.6 @ 104 for the E400 wagon and like 13.3 @ 106 for the E450 wagon (E450 is just a higher output M276 like used in the GL450 starting in 2015 and I think E400 sedan at the same time). I think high 20s on the highway is possible. The E450 seems to have enhanced handling with 0.91G vs the 0.85G of the E400,as well as enhanced braking (70-0 in 182 ft for the E400 and 152-162 for the E450). It's a pretty damn good package all things considered. The only question is: would Jamie like it? I hope so. We have some time to find out.
In other news, it will need tires soonish. Ideally before winter. We'll see. At least one of them is approaching 10 years old.
In other, other news, I have been contemplating Malibu-replacement options for when the time comes. I actually don't know what the trigger is but the Malibu was always sort of a stop-gap car. A perfectly functional later model, efficient vehicle. But lacking in some items like a bigger cargo area, third row, AWD and I guess a higher driving position (sound familiar?). Jamie also doesn't like the naturally aspirated 4 cylinder level of performance. It does OK if you put your foot into it but she was used to the more torque-rich SRX.
It would be tempting to sell the Malibu and put it towards something. I think right now it might be worth around $8k. That will just go down over time. I don't really need a spare car but having something for my parents to use while they are up here could be good. Or I suppose just store it in the garage of their future condo on a charger (and we could always go borrow it if there was a vehicle shortage in our fleet). Options.
The plan had been Acura MDX but mainly for lack of a better plan. I briefly flirted with the idea of like an ML350 (no third row but probably one of the most reliable modern Mercedes products), or I suppose GL450 (not as reliable...). But now I think I have a new, much better plan. Either a 2017-2018 Mercedes E400 wagon, or 2019-2020 E450 wagon. They have a rear-facing third row but it's a joke and literally only for kids 6 and under. It also doesn't "ride higher up." But, I have been looking into these and I am smitten. They both use the M276 which is, again, probably Mercedes' single most reliable later model engine series. They all are on the W213 (next gen E-class from my E63S) and use the new 9 speed. The interiors are amazing. I don't necessarily care about ALL the bells and whistles but some would be nice. If I could snag one with Distronic Plus then I might actually switch to this for family trips (until I replace my S550 with a W222 S560 but that's for another thread).
Pros
- At the moment, they appear to be pretty reliable
- AWD
- LOTS of wagony goodness (mainly rear cargo area, and I like the Euro-wagon looks)
- Good audio, good features, comfortable, good fuel economy, good handling, fairly quick
- Not a crossover
Cons
- Not a crossover
- Bottom of market is around $29k right now
But yeah they run like 13.6 @ 104 for the E400 wagon and like 13.3 @ 106 for the E450 wagon (E450 is just a higher output M276 like used in the GL450 starting in 2015 and I think E400 sedan at the same time). I think high 20s on the highway is possible. The E450 seems to have enhanced handling with 0.91G vs the 0.85G of the E400,as well as enhanced braking (70-0 in 182 ft for the E400 and 152-162 for the E450). It's a pretty damn good package all things considered. The only question is: would Jamie like it? I hope so. We have some time to find out.
Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
C&D did a 40,000 mile long term test on a 2019 E450 wagon.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a2 ... liability/
Obviously they loved it.
Regarding the E400 vs E450 performance:
C&D also did a wagon comparison with the 2018 E400. It placed first.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/co ... ison-test/
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a2 ... liability/
Obviously they loved it.
Regarding the E400 vs E450 performance:
So maybe the difference is really just tires.Quicker and better equipped, this particular E450 is an evolutionary improvement over an already excellent E-class wagon that didn't need much improving. The 33 extra horsepower and 15 additional lb-ft of torque from the E450's twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 help hustle it to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a through the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds, each an improvement of 0.2 second over the E400. The E450 also surpasses the E400 in cornering grip (at 0.91 g) and braking (stopping from 70 mph in 152 feet), thanks to a staggered set of Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 summer tires versus the other car's square set of all-seasons. (We've since swapped out the E450's Dunlops for a $1230 set of Mercedes-spec Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires for the cold-weather season.)
C&D also did a wagon comparison with the 2018 E400. It placed first.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/co ... ison-test/
-
dochielomn
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:16 am
Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
Shouldn't it have an RI license plate and not CT? 
Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
Oh hi. I usually talk to myself in here.
Yes, it has a RI plate now. That CT plate is from my parents and dates back to either the early 80s or possibly the late 70s.
Yes, it has a RI plate now. That CT plate is from my parents and dates back to either the early 80s or possibly the late 70s.
Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
That was foretelling. Only 1k later (142,076 miles), needed tires. Right front had a puncture that was apparently unpatchable. And by unpatchable I mean they attempted to patch it and it still did not hold air. It was some kind of triangular piece of metal and they used the word "Dorito" while describing it.kevm14 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:54 am 141k now. I guess that isn't a ton more but I've done my second oil change with no drama. It seems to like the Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 Dexos 1 gen 3 so I'll keep using it. I don't add any between 5,000 mile changes but it seems to use maybe 1/4 quart? The oil life monitor is not calibrated to synthetic (which I am not used to for GM products as they are usually Cadillacs). As a result a 5,000 mile interval seems to be about what the car wants. It said 14% remaining and last time it was 9%. Now I am using a good synthetic so I think it should be in as good a shape as possible.
In other news, it will need tires soonish. Ideally before winter. We'll see. At least one of them is approaching 10 years old.
Since we were in extremis I went with a set of Goodyear Assurance Outlast in 225/55-17. They are V-rated and M&S. A hilarious 800 treadwear rating and 80,000 mile treadwear warranty. They were like "oh you can come in for a rotation free." Yeah I'm not gonna do that. They also insisted that I need to keep records of it to use the warranty later. So I'm thinking this sounds like a waste.
Unfortunately they upsold me the warranty for $132. I thought it was somehow included. Whoops. So it sounds like tomorrow I will get that refunded. I'd rather have the $132. I rotate myself on oil changes. Also, we probably won't have this car in 80,000 miles. We could theoretically get rid of it at 50% treadlife even. So not too worried about it.
The tires themselves were only $115/ea which is cheaper than anything I could possibly find on Tire Rack. They just need the fix the warranty glitch and I'll be happy. They even used the correct valve stem caps instead of those generic ones like on a bike. Bonus points for that.
Alignment wasn't way out but was out, so glad I did that as well.
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Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
As part of a bundle I ended up test driving a 2017 E400 wagon.
WDDZH6GB0HA153029
https://www.topqualityautosale.com/deta ... s/96868113
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing
Asking $28,995 with 95,459 miles.
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/a ... G75Lk2jqq4
It had Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and the Burmester audio. It did not seem to have 4 corner air. M276 was in "329 hp" state of tune but it traps 103 so it probably has more. First year of the W213 and first year of the 9A transmission in the E-class.
Exterior
I like it. The color was nice, though cosmetically this was not too great. It had a cracked left rear tail light (the one on the hatch), and at least the right rear wheel had some pretty bad curb rash. It was hard to judge the condition of the paint because the hatch had those streaks that run down when a car sits outside and/or is unwashed for a long-ass time. Which isn't really what I wanted to see on a 2017.
Interior
Pretty nice. I like the "baby W222 S-class" motif and the open pore wood across the dash was really premium. Actually I wasn't a huge fan of the seats. The seat back seemed intrusive and I didn't spend a ton of time trying to adjust. So that is a variable for a future car search. The widescreen nav looked REALLY good. I think it did have massage and the dynamic seats so maybe I could have played around with the seat back bolster adjustment more.
The drive
This was thankfully on 18s which is the correct wheel size for this. It seemed to have the base suspension (which includes rear air springs) so I would rate it as acceptable. I THINK it has adjustable shock damping but it's unclear if it's the same (or as good) as the uplevel Air Body Control 4 corner air. Brake pedal travel was a bit long but I could get used to it and brake maintenance may further improve. I was surprised how snappy and responsive they tuned the engine to be. It was fairly fun to drive, but rode well. The E-class is a quality car and I like that. I did try the Distronic Plus and it did the things. Steered for me, braked for me, kept a following distance.
I also want to remind my future self that C&D tested one of these to get 30 mpg at 75 mph which is pretty sweet.
The price they are asking is actually fair for what this is but I am not currently in the market. I would probably insist on Air Body Control but maybe that is a mistake given who this car would be for. Might be better to keep it simple (-er). I didn't like the cosmetic issues and that weird rust on the door sill makes me want to give it a thorough inspection underneath (I did not).
Overall it was good and I would consider it as a future Malibu replacement.
WDDZH6GB0HA153029
https://www.topqualityautosale.com/deta ... s/96868113
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing
Asking $28,995 with 95,459 miles.
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/a ... G75Lk2jqq4
It had Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and the Burmester audio. It did not seem to have 4 corner air. M276 was in "329 hp" state of tune but it traps 103 so it probably has more. First year of the W213 and first year of the 9A transmission in the E-class.
Exterior
I like it. The color was nice, though cosmetically this was not too great. It had a cracked left rear tail light (the one on the hatch), and at least the right rear wheel had some pretty bad curb rash. It was hard to judge the condition of the paint because the hatch had those streaks that run down when a car sits outside and/or is unwashed for a long-ass time. Which isn't really what I wanted to see on a 2017.
Interior
Pretty nice. I like the "baby W222 S-class" motif and the open pore wood across the dash was really premium. Actually I wasn't a huge fan of the seats. The seat back seemed intrusive and I didn't spend a ton of time trying to adjust. So that is a variable for a future car search. The widescreen nav looked REALLY good. I think it did have massage and the dynamic seats so maybe I could have played around with the seat back bolster adjustment more.
The drive
This was thankfully on 18s which is the correct wheel size for this. It seemed to have the base suspension (which includes rear air springs) so I would rate it as acceptable. I THINK it has adjustable shock damping but it's unclear if it's the same (or as good) as the uplevel Air Body Control 4 corner air. Brake pedal travel was a bit long but I could get used to it and brake maintenance may further improve. I was surprised how snappy and responsive they tuned the engine to be. It was fairly fun to drive, but rode well. The E-class is a quality car and I like that. I did try the Distronic Plus and it did the things. Steered for me, braked for me, kept a following distance.
I also want to remind my future self that C&D tested one of these to get 30 mpg at 75 mph which is pretty sweet.
The price they are asking is actually fair for what this is but I am not currently in the market. I would probably insist on Air Body Control but maybe that is a mistake given who this car would be for. Might be better to keep it simple (-er). I didn't like the cosmetic issues and that weird rust on the door sill makes me want to give it a thorough inspection underneath (I did not).
Overall it was good and I would consider it as a future Malibu replacement.
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Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
Not even a year later, got a screw. That would have been understandable but then apparently she drove on it flat for a while. WHY???kevm14 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 22, 2023 3:07 pm That was foretelling. Only 1k later (142,076 miles), needed tires. Right front had a puncture that was apparently unpatchable. And by unpatchable I mean they attempted to patch it and it still did not hold air. It was some kind of triangular piece of metal and they used the word "Dorito" while describing it.
Since we were in extremis I went with a set of Goodyear Assurance Outlast in 225/55-17. They are V-rated and M&S. A hilarious 800 treadwear rating and 80,000 mile treadwear warranty. They were like "oh you can come in for a rotation free." Yeah I'm not gonna do that. They also insisted that I need to keep records of it to use the warranty later. So I'm thinking this sounds like a waste.
Unfortunately they upsold me the warranty for $132. I thought it was somehow included. Whoops. So it sounds like tomorrow I will get that refunded. I'd rather have the $132. I rotate myself on oil changes. Also, we probably won't have this car in 80,000 miles. We could theoretically get rid of it at 50% treadlife even. So not too worried about it.
The tires themselves were only $115/ea which is cheaper than anything I could possibly find on Tire Rack. They just need the fix the warranty glitch and I'll be happy. They even used the correct valve stem caps instead of those generic ones like on a bike. Bonus points for that.
Alignment wasn't way out but was out, so glad I did that as well.
And of course as is typical, they no longer have that tire, the replacement will be more expensive and inferior. Standard Goodyear Assurance but H-rated and probably lower treadwear warranty, for $150 - with a courtesy discount. SIGH.
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Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
The Malibu has swollen lug nuts which I did not report previously. This is a thing that many modern cars suffer. Rockauto had 11 of them at $9.xx each so I just ordered everything they had. Kinda pricey, $117.88 shipped. PN is 9598179.
Side note, it uses large 14x1.5 studs and takes a 22mm socket. Torque is like 110 or something.
Side note, it uses large 14x1.5 studs and takes a 22mm socket. Torque is like 110 or something.
Re: Wife's new car (2014 Chevrolet Malibu)
I replaced the 11 worst lug nuts one at a time. The socket seems to slide either fully, mostly, or with a little resistance on the rest of them. I suppose I will have to replace the others eventually.