I'm thinking about buying a new daily driver. I need a 4 door sedan that gets resonable gas milage. Chevy finially makes cars that I like again. So, do any of you have any good or bad experiances with the current crop of Chevys? I like the Impala, Malibu, and the HHR but I haven't driven any of them yet. Let me know what you think.

Our most recent NEW car purchase was an 04 Impala SS.
So far, so good after 82Kmi.
A few weeks ago, the serpentine belt broke while my wife was at work (no alt, no water pump and no ps). I'm a AAA member so I just had it towed to the house. The belt broke because the pulley on the tensioner siezed. Since the supercharger belt must be removed to replace the accessory belt, I just replaced both and put a new pulley on the tensioner. O'Reillys had both belts and the pulley in stock. After I finally figured out the routing of the accessory belt, I had everything replaced in about 1hr. Very tight fit for my hands, but I got it.
Oh ya, the original pulley has a shield which IS NOT used with the replacement pulley, so I just tossed it.

just watch out for the plastic termites!:D

I looked long and hard at the new Malibu (and it's competitors). It's easily the nicest, most modern, and most competative with the 3.5 and 6 speed auto (against other mid size 4 door sedans) vehicle in the Chevy line up.

If I had decided to stick with a front wheel drive car I would have bought it. Really nice ride.

a year ago november i quit my job as the sales manager at a large chevy dealership.heres what i would do...
take all 3 for an extended test drive going around the block with the salesman wont tell you anything.
any dealer who really wants your business will let you take one over nite thats what i would do.
also unless your GMS or GM supplier get a internet quote it is usually the best deal.
using the net will get you the best deal
and dont buy any dealer add on B.S
and last of all shop the interest rate.unless you take a special rate from GMAC you can save alot of $.
and if you take a bank rate tell them you'll buy it if they drop the rate 1 point,it usually works.
the dealership makes their profit on in house add on B.S.and in the finance office by selling you crap and bumping the interst rate
GL! BTW the new malibu is awsome!

just watch out for the plastic termites!:D


Like you have a choice to buy a non plastic car.:sad:

My next car won't be a Chevy but still a GM. I really like the 6.0 G8 Pontaics.:thumbsup:

I drove my parents new Mailbu home from Thanks giving, and really liked it. I was very impressed on the ride and how quiet and comfortable it was. The heated seats were awesome on a cold night. It handles good and is actually still fast with the 4cyl. It doesn't take off fast but will cruise at 70-80 with no problem at all. I was actually over 90 a few times and never realized it. I was ready to shop for one the next day for the wife, but need something a little bigger for a car seat. and other baby crap. I plan on looking at the Impala soon. I really like them but haven't driven one yet.

Just dont guy buying some jap crap

Be careful Dan, some on here don't like that word :D (J** crap).

I've rented quite a few Impalas and they're a good comfortable car.

If you need the size the Impala is the most bang for the buck of any car available. Nice ride, roomy, decent performance and gas mileage. The Malibu is not much smaller and seats 4 pretty well. Same goes for ride, performance and mileage are top notch.

I bought the wife an 08 Malibu last January. We absolutely love this car, 20,000 miles later, not a thing wrong with it. I would buy one again in a heartbeat

I have rented Malibus several times and am mildly entertained by them. The 6speed auto is most impressive to me. The paddle shifters on the steering wheel are interesting too. I wouldn't buy one, but if you have to have a Chevrolet, they're actually pretty nice.

I don't own any, but have driven all three of the cars you mentioned and thought all were pretty darn nice. of the three the HHR was my least favorite, only because at 6 foot tall I thought it was a bit low and the seats were funky to get in and out of. Wouldn't be bad every now and then, but not an every day deal. I am particular on seating in new cars though, so I am probably over critical on it.

I don't think you could go wrong with ay of the three you mentioned, so pick the one with the best price that is most what you want.

Jeff

HHR = 17yo Cheerleader car---I hate these things with a deathly passion

Malibu or Impala are about the only cars I will leave a rental lot in.
Prefer the Impala----for it's size
But the Malibu and the Impala are about equal for ride and comfort.
I'm just over 6'-------and I do not feel cramped in either of these cars.

Have only left a rental lot with one badly abused Impala----had over 60k and had obviously seen better days----but it was still fine.

I will leave a rental lot in a 72 Dodge before I even consider an import

Keep them coming guys! Good stuff. I drive 70 to 75 miles a day round trip, usually 6 days a week, so MPG is important to me. I need the sedan because my 11 year old daughter rides in the back and has a back pack that's as big as another person. My current daily driver is a 2002 Focus that I bought new. Good little car but I'd like to get something a little larger / nicer.
Thanks for all the comments so far.