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I like the Malibu...have driven a few of this and the previous two generations as rentals. The steering wheel and dash on this one looks almost identical in design to my sister's '23 Equinox.

PHOTOS: Side view of the Malibu Front angled side view of the Malibu Rear angled side view of the Malibu; here you can see the attractive sweep of the rear fascia and the taillamps, but also the relationship of the greenhouse and the trunk that I think could have been handled a little better. You can't argue with the beauty of the beaches on Florida's Panhandle The main instrument pod is really sensible and has good graphics: symmetrical big tach and speedo, symmetrical but smaller main gauges (fuel and temp) at the top, and center information square area with digital speed (my selection), compass, odometer, and gear. For temperature and time, you need to check the infotainment center screen. The dashboard has a good feel about it, is nicely shaped, and things are sensibly clustered together Photo # 7, not 7-7-7, but still a bonus! (Or maybe not.) - - - - - End of photos

I’ve rented the Chevrolet Malibu before and I was treated to a normal weekly rate that didn’t have a drop charge in the Florida Panhandle, most likely because their tourist season is beginning and that area could use the cars. It didn’t really drive in from Malibu, but from elsewhere within Florida! It’s last call because the Malibu is bowing out this year. Chevy and its General Motors stablemates are overhauling their product lines in a big way. Nonetheless, whether as daily drivers or company cars and fleet cars, there are quite a few of these on the road, first arriving in 2017. With newer powertrains, first a smaller turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and then the arrival of the CVT (continuously variable transmission), the Malibu appears to have been reliable enough. I don’t know what Consumer Reports has to say, but most of the automotive press seems to give the nod to Toyota and Honda products. The only issue I’ve had with rented Malibus having over 30,000 miles was a road drone in the rear that could have been a failing hub bearing. (This last rental vehicle had less than 10,000 miles.) However, if a person wants an American “Camcord,” this is it. Basically, the car saw few changes during this last generation. One would distinguish model years through changes in the front grille and colors. Mostly, I like the Malibu and it would make a good daily driver. There are a few things about it I don’t like and have never liked. The Malibu doesn’t look good from every vantage point. Its “best side” is its rear fascia, which was refined with new patterns in the taillamps in the last few years. The front end is a little clunky, and the layered latticed grille didn’t help all that much. Inside, I’ve come to appreciate its very sensible dashboard and seating, especially after being in other mid-size and full-size rental cars where the dashboard and cockpit are a “fail.” The Malibu is economical in its use of fuel. What is worth nothing is that, at highway speeds, an extra 5 to 10 mph can have quite an impact on fuel economy. With cruise set at 70 mph, the legal speed limit on some treks, the mileage was coming in at under 35 mpg. When I went to 65 mph on cruise, the engine was laboring less, at about 2,000 rpms or slightly lower, and fuel consumption (with minimal city driving thrown in) came up to about 37 mpg. Considering that early Malibus with V8s couldn’t even get 20 mpg on the highway, that’s quite a leap! Driving on a road with a 55 or 60 mph speed limit would make for less consumption - at or even slightly exceeding the 40 mpg mark at constant speed. The ride is pleasant, but not refined. The handling is easy, as it seems to be with so many electric power steering units, but not agile. The controls and instruments are easy to use or, at least, quickly become acclimated to. The seating is comfortable and supportive enough. The Malibu does what it needs to do without much fuss, but without impressing. Power from the 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine and its turbocharger is enough for most situations, such as smartly moving away from stop lights and picking up speed on an on-ramp to merge. I don’t know how I’d feel about a high speed pass with its less than 200 horses. As with other cars, the CVT seems to be getting more predictable … or not as erratic. The important thing is that its service life is long. CVTs also need periodic servicing. The engine bay is very neatly organized. However, it uses a prop rod. When Malibus were ‘80s RWD GM mid-sizes, struts automatically keep the hood up. The trunk is roomy. Fuel tank capacity is generous and makes for respectable range with the car’s highway mileage numbers, but it won’t get you from one side of Texas to the other on I-10! Maybe close, though. In my mind, the Malibu could have been more, especially after the Impala was discontinued. It looks like GM does not want to keep a single sedan in their stable, so they didn’t invest in it and let it wither. First, a 1.8 or 2.0 L 4 cylinder engine without a turbocharger could have been tuned to get the same fuel mileage. While an 8 speed automatic would have been preferable, I’d take the CVT if paired with a larger non-turbo engine. The CVT is mechanically simpler (and also sits inside one casing) while an engine with a turbocharger is a more complicated set up. Once it made its initial splash, the Malibu wore on and may have become ho hum to consumers. The greenhouse looks elongated and has some strange quirks, making the rear deck lid look too short. A more upright domed shape to make the greenhouse look more proportionate would have been preferable. This is all about fractions of an inch, or centimeters, but they make a big difference when it comes to styling. (One example of a vehicle that accomplished this is the Mazda 6 sedan from about the same time this last Malibu was introduced.) In short, it’s wishful thinking that General Motors - via Chevrolet – would be keeping a bread and butter sedan they’d work a little magic on to make it more refined, more compelling, and more reputable such that a buyer’s choice between a domestic and a foreign sedan would be moot: the Malibu would be just as good as a “Camcord.” However, it won’t be happening. The curtain is falling and the Malibu’s chapter is closing. - - - - - Photos forthcoming

Kicking off the June spotting thread with an Imperial Crown that has a 1963 license plate.

I closed on my new house today. All went pretty smoothly. Only 20 miles from my current house, but bigger, one story, much more storage and garage space, almost 2 acres. I’ll be busy the next month or so moving in and then putting my current house up for sale. Icky weather today though. 34 and sleet.

We pushed out the furniture move by two weeks to the 22nd. We are behind because it's mostly me moving everything else. Two people with a lot of stuff...

Thank you @trinacriabob for the review, interesting to see how GM just kept this going when it truly needed a major refresh. Sad for the end of ICE cars for GM, but hoping they get more options in EV format.

I liked those Malibus..rented several back then. I liked the Impala a lot. As far as the Equinox, I drove a rental one a year ago to Syracuse and back on a Saturday/Sunday--6+ hrs each way on I-90. Even in LT trim with cloth seats, I found the seats more comfortable than my Grand Cherokee. My sister won't ride in the GC for more than a half hour or so anymore--she loathes the concrete leather seats in it and I get her point--it must be the M-B origins of the WK2, but the seats are very firm.. She loves her new Equinox and drove it to SC and back comfortably when she snow-birded this past winter.

Very much so. I believe it is, or is almost, the same. So, the Equinox also has a nice dash. Besides the fact that the Equiox is a CUV/SU and the Malibu is a sedan, I believe they have the same engine, but the Equinox keeps a 6-speed automatic transmission ... a plus. My opinion may not be popular, but, of the last 10 years of Malibu, I liked the one with the Camaro-esque rear lamps and taller trunk ... possibly a 2015 or thereabouts. I see so many on the road. It has a 2.5 L Ecotec 4, which was base power for very the last Impala.

This past week, got the 11x11 slab poured for the spa, the electrical for it in place...it will be delivered and installed this week along w/ the 2nd attempt at a new microwave install (with the first, I discovered the importance of buying a microwave with a 'zero-clearance' door). Met w/ the landscapers today about some tree work and continued yard and garden work. Made two trips this weekend w/ a rental Transit high roof, going to make another trip in the morning then drop it off after work.

This one is a classic from the mid-'70s ... perfect to pilot a Cutlass Supreme to ... and its only lyrics throughout the entire song are "do the hustle." That's it. When I was younger and heard it the first few times, I thought they were saying "to Nassau" ... wishful thinking and projecting on my part.

It's still Saturday night somewhere in America, but I doubt there's any Saturday night fever to speak of. A childhood friend who is a Spanish-Italian-Irish mix born in the Bronx and ended up going to parochial schools with me in SoCal when her family moved out West thought that this song was about her, so that's who it reminds me of. IT's one of the songs that stands out more in the collection because this one Gibb brother can get his voice this high, just like Tracy Chapman can get her voice real low ... either way, great vocal acrobatics for both of these artists.

I hope they prosecute that You Tuber for her stupidity. She deserves to have to pay big time for that stunt.

RIP Harry Belafonte

You're within riding range of me! I'll bring the hot dogs!

RIP Tina. @trinacriabob Yes! What a comeback! I INSTANTLY fell in love with her the very second I saw her video and listened to her song in 1984. My 11 year old self never knew she was a star before I was born. But I instantly knew that other awesome songs were to come. THAT video and song would be And my all time favorite song from her: And to no surprise about hearing her again and loving her, a duet with Bryan Adams is released and beomes another hit. Another song that I LOVE from her And with this next song, came a lyric that I still use today as an expression for me to announce my greatness to people. Especially when I was playing hockey and baseball but in my everyday life, I mock people with my arrogance of me being the best and better than all the rest. I point to the useless souls that I mock as I loudly say " I am better than ALL THE REST!!!" I am simply the best and BETTER than ALL THE REST!