MINI wins JD Power Consumer Appeal

Gabe Dec 11th, 2004 Link

The list makes sense except for one car… the Chevy Malibu. I'm kinda speechless on that one.

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Josh Dec 11th, 2004 Link

the GTO has appeal? It's got to be one of the most borring looking cars on the road right now.

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sith Dec 11th, 2004 Link

And subaru is thinking of dropping the Baja due to lack of sales..

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Eric Dec 12th, 2004 Link

Three BMWs out of a possible six categories! What a massacre!!!

The Malibu?! Yeah right…

The GTO?! The car that got lambasted by every major auto mag and consumer review source for being unmistakably boring prompting Pontiac to make wide-sweeping changes for the next model due soon?!

Whatever…

GO BMW-AG!!!!!!

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Frank Dec 12th, 2004 Link

The new Malibu is based on the Epsilon platform which is shared with the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra and Pontiac G6. I am not a big fan of the looks of the Malibu as I think that GM botched it with huge headlights and out of proportion side slabs. This car should have looked like the more handsome Opel Vectra sold in Europe which has a resemblance to an Audi A4. Anyway, the Malibu, specially the Maxx hatchback model is not a bad car at all, for someone looking for a decently priced and equipped set of family wheels. What makes the Malibu appealing is the price and the features its got. The Maxx has a rear skyview fixed sunroof standard over the rear seats, stereo with trip computer also standard, incredible rear leg room (Limo like) as the rear seats 60/40 can be slide forward and back. Not a bad little car, so I can understand why it made the list even if it doesn't do anything for us hardcore “MINI” guys.

I have to defend the Pontiac GTO because although it may not look like the GTO Judge of 30 some years ago, this car is one of the best kept secrets in the market today. Looks boring? sure but that beast has a Corvette 5.7L V8 with 350HP (Going up to 400HP for '05) a 6-speed manual and one of the best finished interiors in any GM car. Car handles great too. Think of it of a “Sleeper” 4 seater Corvette for $30K. Not bad in my book.

I am very glad that BMW/MINI did a great showing in this survey and I am glad that GM did it too.

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Wraith Dec 12th, 2004 Link

yeah, except that you have to pay several hundred dollars for that 6-speed. there is something wrong with a sports car that requires you to pay to get a stickshift

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RB Dec 12th, 2004 Link

Guadluvya Frank,

Always to the defense of our US steel…but as with the new GTUgly so is the Malibu.

*RB

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Frank Dec 12th, 2004 Link

I think Detroit deserves more of a “fair and balanced” criticism than the typical internet bashing. Like I said, the Malibu is not a very attractive car to the eye with akward proportions, the electric steering is lifeless and overboosted and some of the interior materials are not up to snuff, but otherwise I can see why anyone looking for a nicely equipped sedan/hatchback with room for the family for less than $20K might be attracted to one of these. The reasons why would a buyer pick a Malibu are totally different from anyone choosing a MINI and so on and so forth.

Wraith, I agree. I don't understand why GM charges extra for the 6-speed manual in the GTO and it is a hard find in Pontiac dealers to boot.

RB, the GTO is made In Australia by Holden (Very successful GM division in the land down under) and it is sold there as the Holden Monaro SS and the sedan version is known as the Commodore. These cars are based on German Opel sedans (Opel Omega and Cadillac Catera), so about the only “Things Detroit” on the GTO are the Pontiac badges and the Corvette V8 engine. The rest is Aussie/German issue.

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ChrisW Dec 12th, 2004 Link

The Malibu is one of the ugliest cars on the market. Chalk up another one to GM design disasters.

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Ian B Dec 12th, 2004 Link

Consumer appeal – 5 and 7 series?? The same 5 and 7 series that are being attacked worldwide for their bizarre new styling?

This whole award smells funny…

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RB Dec 12th, 2004 Link

I'm down with that Ian & ChrisW.

*RB

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Evan Dec 12th, 2004 Link

Isn't this survey about those who bought their cars and are most pleased with them overall in the first 30 days of ownership?

The MINI is understandable, as are the 5 and 7. I could see the GTO b/c those who fork over the money for the bland but powerful aussie import probably like it a lot. The Malibu- those people must be happy b/c they got a good deal on the car. If you actually examine the price, it's not that great of a deal without incentives. There are much better cars at and below the Malibu's price- dynamically, build, and value. The Malibu is just another attempt by GM to put out a product while missing the parts that make its competitors (Accord, Camry, Mazda 6) much better for the same price.

In the end, go MINI!

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ChrisW Dec 12th, 2004 Link

Heh, yeah, I restrained myself from commenting on the new Bimmers. I was at the MINI dealership over the weekend (a dual MINI/BMW dealership), and while wandering the lot I thought I had stumbled into a Hyundai dealership by mistake. Oops, my bad, they were just new 5 and 7 series Bimmers. :)

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Rocketboy Dec 12th, 2004 Link

Ian.. don't most awards smell funny? (Harking back to consumer reports giving the Focus an award, in it's first non-recall year after four years of recalls)

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Patrick Dec 13th, 2004 Link

I once had a business professor who likened things to JD Power awards. If you define segments small enough everyone can go home a winner. As for sporty car, I actually like the new GTO in concept at least… but lets face it. Why not have an Aston Martin DB9 on there for a “Sporty Car”. Or stick it under premium luxury car. I'd bet if you stuck a DB9 next to a 760Li, the BMW would be nearly invisible as nobody would look at and therefore see it. While I know the DB9 is 30k more expensive, if you can bankroll a $120k 760Li you can swing the extra few bucks for the Aston Martin.

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David Dec 13th, 2004 Link

The Malibu isn't as bad as it looks. According to most reviews I've read, it can give the Camcords a run for their money in terms of goodies, fit & finish and value. Yes, interior materials have a lower “perceived quality” and the exterior styling is a bit awkward (better on the Maxx than the sedan), but the only reason it's selling with incentives is that GM still has the stigma of low quality associated with the previous Malibu. I know that I'm going to have to get a family vehicle in a few years, and I'll consider a lower mileage, used Maxx. I'm willing to bet that the interior won't be falling apart and the low-tech, yet reliable engine will still pull strong.

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