DriveTech

Cars at a Glance
2008 Chevy Malibu ZLT

The Malibu name has been around since the mid sixties and it has been celebrated through out the years as well as being frowned upon at times. Well the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is a shiny star if you're looking for a midsize four door sedan that will haul five good size occupants. Still sporting a front wheel drive configuration the Malibu is three inches longer at the body and six inches longer in the wheel base area which will give you a more substantial ride.

Upgrading the interior was a nice touch with a two-tone interior big comfortable front bucket seats and a nice back seat as well. Your horsepower has been increased as well as fuel economy. You can choose from three trim levels, LS, LT and LTZ. You can also choose between the frugal 2.4 Ecotec four cylinder that develops 169 horsepower and 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the open road. Now remember if you're not aware the NTSA changed how fuel mileage was gauged and you will find it will be a lot easier getting to the posted fuel mileage numbers then in the past. Now if you opt for the 3.6-liter V6 that develops 252 horsepower you will see 17 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the freeway. Not bad for this size of vehicle.

You get a long list of standard features for your base price Malibu for under $20,000. But in the case of my tester it came with the optional V6, 18 inch tire and wheel package, tapshift steering wheel controls (Why bother) 6-speed automatic replacing the 4-speed automatic, dual chrome exhaust tips, and hydraulic power steering all for a fee of $2,060 bringing my test Malibu up to $24,695. Not bad for what you get standard: 2.4-liter four cylinder, 4-speed automatic, 4-wheel independent suspension, dual front air bags, head curtain air bags front and rear outboard, side impact air bags for the driver and front passenger, ABS braking, Stablitrak stability control, traction control, 17-inch tire and wheel package, touring tires, power outside mirrors. Inside you get A/C, reading lamps, power windows and door locks, power trunk release, AM/FM/CD player and XM Radio with the first three months free, OnStar, my favorite! Power driver seat six ways, heated front seats again standard, are you impressed yet? Rear window defogger, the rear seat splits and folds for added cargo carrying capacity, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and the wheel is leather wrapped along with the floor mounted shifter. You even get remote vehicle start for those cold chilling mornings, adjustable pedals for the height challenged, automatic rear view mirror dimmer and keyless entry.

What more could you ask for?
Now if you think the car is great check out where I got it, Ron Baker Chevrolet in National City, great sales, fabulous service. Take a ride down if your looking for a five passenger sedan and tell them I sent you, call them at 619-477-2163 or stop by at 2301 National City Blvd, National City and you can visit them at www.ronbaker.com.