Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (Full Version)

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Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)?

  

Budarow -> Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/29/2007 2:20:02 PM)

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 small block v-8 (260 HP and 330 lbs of torque) is better by a 2 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 with the 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 -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/29/2007 4:29:28 PM)

I do mostly highway driving and i get at least 27mpg

Budarow -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/29/2007 8:31:46 PM)

I could handle 27 MPG (or more) on the highway, but 24 is really low.  I know it sounds trivial saying 27 is okay when 24 is not, 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 4,400 lbs (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 the aerodynamics issue.  Although the axle ratio of the Malibu is higher at 3.69 verses 3.29 for the Terraza).

Any more MPG data from you Malibu SS owners?

Thanks,

Budarow  

Budarow -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/30/2007 6:43:05 AM)

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

jrocha3 -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/30/2007 7:21:18 AM)

I found 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 -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/30/2007 7:42:47 AM)

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 regular Malibu.

MalibuMaxxSS -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (5/30/2007 11:13:54 AM)

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 -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (6/3/2007 9:23:43 AM)

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

MalibuMaxxSS -> RE: Gas Mileage with Malibu SS (2006 with 3.9L)? (6/4/2007 8:39:05 AM)

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....

  

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