Budarow

I've got a deposit on a new 2006 Malibu SS with 3.9L V-6 and 18" rims and according to the EPA MPG estimate this ride gets 16 city and 24 highway. Is this typical for this car? I know a lot depends on driving habits, etc., but this is HORRID, if true with "normal" driving habits.

The Impala SS with the smallblock v-8 (260 HP and 330 lbs of torque) is better by a2 mpg on both ends!

I reset the MPG computer when I took a test drive and it averaged ~28-29 MPG on the highway (which is just a little hilly) with the cruise set at ~71 mph. It was a short trip of ~4 miles going east and 4 miles going west so it's not like my back was withthe wind and I realize it's only 8 miles, but it just seems like the car was doing much better than 24 MPG on the highway.

Anyone with an 06/07 Malibu SS care to comment?

Thanks,

Budarow

jrocha3

Ido mostlyhighwaydriving and i get at least 27mpg

Budarow

I could handle 27 MPG (or more) on the highway, but 24 is really low. I know it sounds trivialsaying 27 is okay when 24 isnot, but the"regular" Malibu LT gets ~35 mpg highway with the 3.5L v-6 (at least according to Consumer Reports 2007 auto buyers guide - road test results).

I also find it hard to believe that the Buick Terraza (minivan) with a curb weight of 4,400lbs (or ~1,000 lbs more than the Malibu SS) and the same engine (3.9L with 240 hp/tor) is rated at 16 city and 23 highway? Not to mention theaerodynamicsissue. Although the axle ratio of the Malibu is higher at 3.69 verses 3.29 for the Terraza).

AnymoreMPG data from you Malibu SS owners?

Thanks,

Budarow

Budarow

No more data from other Malibu SS owners regarding fuel economy?

jrocha3

Ifound my sticker, it says 19 city and 26 highway. But if you want perfomance, including good gas mileage I would wait for the Pontiac G6 GXP.

Budarow

The EPA has revised the MPGs for the Malibu SS to 16 city/24 highway. I was really looking for a good deal on a "regular" impala or Malibu, but I found this SS for ~$18,300 (plus 6% tax) for an out the door price of $19,500 (with the optional power moon roof).

It's a lot of car for the money but I figure it'll cost me ~$500 more per year in gas costs over a standard Malibu with the 3.5L V-6 (at ~15,000 miles/year). Seems the SS gets ~5 mpg less than a regularMalibu.

MalibuMaxxSS

mostly it has to do with the trans....the SS only has a 4 speed transmission and its a heavey duty one to boot so it shift harder and revs higher.....hence the no so good milage, and it is no so good, to be honest, I am less then impressed in town driving but on teh highway its good..

sometimes its not about the milage tho, the looks I get with mine, its laser blue and loaded, TV and All, I had it flashed to its round 260...265HP now and pulls V hard, gets about 80kmh in first and will hit 120 in second, and about 160 in third, having the computed flshed helps alot, with milage, if you wind it out the car will top end around 165, and not becaseu it wont go faster it the 4 speed needs anothe gear, the revs at 160 before I had mine flashed was 5800 RPM almost redline, I can get that in third now,

oh ya im in Canda os everyting is in kilmoetres an hour, 165 is about 100 mph

Budarow

Thanks to all those who shared their MPG information

I picked up the Malibu SS on Wednesday and on a relatively flat highway doing 66 MPH, I averaged 28.9 MPG. I'd estimate doing between 65-75 MPH on the highway (without a stiff headwind and on arelatively level surface) would net ~27-29 MPGs which I can surely live with. Also, I drove the SS to and from work in rush-hour traffic over secondary roads with plenty of traffic lights and averaged 25 MPGs. Of course I "timed" lights as I always do and caught the usual 7 or 8 traffic lights which I almost never can "time".

Based on the above, Iwill be content with the MPGs I'm getting.

The car is pretty fun to drive and has LOTS of pickup for those times when it's needed.

I had to drive 7hours (combined) and over 400 miles (combined) to get the color and priceI wanted andam glad I did. This car in Laser Blue is gorgeous! Pretty interesting how the EPA isso "off" on the mileage estimate.It's not usually the case where the estimated mileage it a LOT lower than the actual.

MalibuMaxxSS

GM is pretty good at giving real world numbers for gas milage, it will be interesting next year when the EPA changes the formula and makes automakes post REAL WORLD numbers for gas milage, the hybrids are going to take a **** kicking

and ya mines blurple as well, love the color....