Anybody have a 2016 Malibu?

"StingrayJake" (stingrayjake) 08/31/2016 at 17:44 • Filed to: Malibu, Chevrolet

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So I was driving a 2015 Altima but somebody ran a red light and now I am no longer driving an Altima.

We are in need of a second vehicle. I would love to have a Colorado but — while it would be doable — it’s still more than I want to spend right now given some special circumstances.

We would prefer to lease, partly because of those circumstances, but also because leasing gets me in something new for a comparably low monthly payment and the car would hopefully be a bit more reliable than the cheap used car that we could probably afford right now.

A lease on a Malibu could be had for right around what I want to spend. Obviously I’m a bit of a Chevy fanboy but I recognize that the brand’s non-performance cars don’t have the best record. The Malibu got generally good scores from the typical review sites.

Anybody have experience with the Malibu? Will probably be shopping against a Honda Accord/Civic or possibly another Altima.

Let me make it clear that right now I just need a car that gets good mileage, is going to be reliable for 3 years, and fits within my budget. I hate saying these words, but I need something practical.

I’d love to go get a Camaro (lease payments would be comparable to a Colorado) but I don’t think I can talk the wife into that and I don’t really want that insurance payment.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 17:52

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I’ve heard it looks exactly like an Acura/Mercedes/BMW/Audi.

StingrayJake > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/31/2016 at 17:58

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[Insert emojis here]

Wobbles the Mind > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 17:58

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You may be able to get into a Regal for the same payment since they are getting rid of it.

Edit: Verano is discontinued. Either way, any GM sedan will be fine, it’s the CUVs that are due for a rework.

LongbowMkII > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 17:58

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Not a Malibu, but I’ve had experience with a different turbocharged Chevy sedan.

It’s ok. Cracked valve cover replaced by CPO warranty and intermittent lean issue that came and went when scheduled for the dealer. Then pretty much stayed on after the warranty expires. Lean condition.

Platform wise, my moms 2014 Impala has been faultless for its ~26,000 miles.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 18:14

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From everything I’ve read (no real world experience yet) outside of the exterior design which is love or hate, it’s a good driving car with a nice interior. C&D ranks it second only to the Mazda6, which is totally unsurprising.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 18:14

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About what are those leases running?

Some entry level luxury vehicles have insane leases right now, better than cars like those.

You can lease a loaded Lincoln MKZ for under $300 a month

My grandma is leasing a fully loaded volvo s60 Inscription for $279 a month..

If it’s a base model Chevy you probably won’t enjoy the base engine. And i always find them way too plasticy.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 18:26

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Kia Forte or Kia Optima. Trust me, or don’t. 6 speed automatic, 35 mpg’s, comfortable, quiet and cheap.

boredalways > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 18:35

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TheHondaBro > boredalways 08/31/2016 at 18:43

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Cramped and slow.

boredalways > TheHondaBro 08/31/2016 at 18:46

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No one wants your CVT, HondaBro.

TheHondaBro > boredalways 08/31/2016 at 18:47

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You know you want my CVT.

StingrayJake > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 08/31/2016 at 18:51

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TrueCar has it at about 275 for what we’d try to get. Of course TC also says about 100 less than what local Chevy dealer quoted us on a Colorado.

boredalways > TheHondaBro 08/31/2016 at 18:51

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hmmm, no...no...well if you’re all electric then you’ll have direct drive.

Wait...what are we doing?

TheHondaBro > boredalways 08/31/2016 at 18:57

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McChicken.

boredalways > TheHondaBro 08/31/2016 at 19:02

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Audistein > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 20:33

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My local BMW dealer has a 320i former demo for $120 per month with $3000 due at signing.
They also have a 528i demo for $200 per month with $5000 due at signing.

Both of those include warranty and maintenance.

Cadillac dealer has an ATS for $219 per month with $3000 due at signing.

Found a new Infinity Q50 2.0T for $270 per month with $3500 due.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 20:46

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Honda Accords lease ridiculously well, that’s what you’ll be up against with the ‘Bu. You’ll get a comparably more expensive Accord for less money in payments.

Another vehicle that leases way too well is Subaru.

Food for thought.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > StingrayJake 08/31/2016 at 21:04

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I’ve driven several. They’re really nice inside, and the 2.0t is a hoot, but I can’t speak to the reliability. That’s a moot point of course if you’re leasing. I’d get an impala or accord before another Altima, though. The Altima, while nice enough, is merely adequate compared to the rest of the midsize sedan segment.

StingrayJake > Audistein 08/31/2016 at 22:12

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See but we’re not putting anything down. Beside the fact that I don’t have $3,000 burning a hole in my wallet, you’re also out $3,000 if you wreck it tomorrow. I don’t need a Bimmer to drive me to work and back. I know, I’m a bad car guy.

StingrayJake > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 08/31/2016 at 22:15

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Yeah we were happy with the Altima and because of the discount I typically get through my job, we’d be interested again. We just can’t use it this time around for reasons.

I am interested to see what else is in the segment. Been driving a rental Ford Fusion and I'm not that impressed, but it'd be an OK commuter for the right price.

Audistein > StingrayJake 09/01/2016 at 00:53

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That’s totally understandable. I’m deep in the luxury car hole, so I’m probably a really awful influence when it comes to buying cars in general.

That said, you should look at the Accord Sport for a little more of a enthusiast oriented commuter if you can find a good lease deal. Might be nicer to drive than a Malibu and have better build quality.

Ford has a lease deal on the 2017 Fusion SE with the tech package for $0 down and $219 per month. That’s worth considering for a simple commuter with some nice entertainment gizmos and features.

The Passat is also an okay car. Feels surprisingly German in a good way. They’re some cheap 2016 Passats on the market right now.

To push more “Jalop” cars, you may be able to get a VW GTI or Golf Sportwagen with $0 down and under $300 per month. You can find dealers that have had Golf Sportwagens sitting for months and they’d defiantly be inclined to give a good deal. The Sportwagen is an awesome car though and even the most base model had good tech features and a nice steering wheel (convinced a friend to buy one, though they got the middle tier SE with the pano roof in the end). If you can find a 2016 Sportwagen limited edition for sale that would be fantastic. The Limited edition gets leatherette, heated seats, and keyless entry with msrp of $24k (before discounts). It’s a great, great value.

Since you’re just leasing the car and won’t have it forever, if you can find any 2016 MY Camry, Accord, Fusion, Passat, Malibu whatever it’s worth getting a quote. But I’m sure you already know that.

Now I’d just like to apologize for bothering you anonymously over the internet and say good luck.

StingrayJake > Audistein 09/01/2016 at 09:28

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Haha you weren’t bothering me. Thanks for the input. I actually didn’t know the Accord had a “sport” trim. I like the sound of that. #marketing

Snuze: Needs another Swede > StingrayJake 09/01/2016 at 14:41

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I had a Malibu as a rental a few weeks ago, drove the crap out of it all over Pascagoula, MS. It was on the lower end of the spectrum, pretty sure it had the 1.5L Turbo engine, because it sure didn’t feel like no 260HP. That said, the 1.5T is a good little engine, it’s a derivative of the 1.4T in my Cruze, but with the bugs worked out (Cruze went in the shop this AM for bad PCV valve and possibly bad turbo, both of which were 2011/12 issues that got fixed for 13+). Thank god for the warranty.

Anyways, the Malibu was nice. It rode very nicely on the highway, was comfortable in town, had good pickup for the little engine it had, returned good gas mileage (I didn’t track it but I’d say I averaged around 30ish). It would haul 4 adults and a bunch of luggage and inspection gear at 80 mph down the highway with relative ease.

I did a quick review of it here: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/rental-car-qui…

I also saw someone mention the Accord Sport - My brother-in-law has one and it’s a really nice car as well. If I were in the market for a practical midsize sedan, those would be the 2 I’d be looking at. I’ve had a few rental Fusions and I want to like them, mostly because I think they look good, but both have left me unimpressed. They aren’t bad cars, but they also don’t do anything for me. I think if you could swing it, the 2.0T Malibu might be a fun but practical daily.

Audistein > StingrayJake 09/01/2016 at 14:41

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Yeah, it’s not entirely just marketing though. The Accord Sport gets different suspension tuning than the normal Accord and different engine tuning with better response and a few more horsepower. It also has a second exhaust pipe (supposedly for better sound) and some sweet 19 in wheels I think.

Theres a bunch of other goodies in there like leather steering wheel and power driver’s seat that are just nice.

There seems to still be 2016 MY Accord Sports on dealer lots, so that would be something to consider.

VW has a similar thing at a similar price with the Passat R Line, but that’s mostly just an appearance package rather than “real” changes like the Accord sport. The R line looks really good though.

StingrayJake > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/01/2016 at 15:16

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Thanks for your thoughts. I’m certainly leaning Malibu. We’ll just have to see what kind of deal we can get on leases.

Honda’s website puts an Accord Spot lease at more than I want to spend with nothing down/no trade-in, but others said Honda has some good lease offers going on so who knows.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > StingrayJake 09/01/2016 at 15:31

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You’re welcome, always happy to help. I should mention I’ve also had a Chrysler 200, Charger, Camry, and some other more forgettable rentals. I travel a fair bit for work so I rent quite a few cars. And I’m driving a Dart right now with my Cruze in the shop. To be honest if I were in the market I would also be looking at a Mazda 6, and maybe a Hyundai/Kia. But like you I’m a GM guy, and since my BIL has the Accord I have some direct experience with that one.

boxrocket > StingrayJake 09/01/2016 at 19:18

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If they’re anything like the previous 3 generations, avoid at all costs.

I haven’t driven a new Malibu (it looks like someone sat on the front and squashed it), but have driven the new cruze, volt, and impala, and while they are massive improvements over previous iterations, they’re still not competitive enough to sway me from an equivalent Mazda, Ford, Kia/Hyundai, Honda, or Toyota, objectively speaking (granted the volt doesn’t have a direct equivalent, though I did note on back-to-back test drives bow much the new bolt and cruze look like the last-generation Hyundai Elantra). The interior plastics feel much higher-quality than before, yet almost cheaper or not as hard-wearing to the touch. MyLink is a mess, especially compared to UVO (Kia), BlueLink (? Hyundai), Ford’s SYNC, and Mazda’s infotainment system, but probably better than Honda’s, since they regressed and went to buttons for volume adjustment instead of a rotary knob.

TL;DR: Forget brand loyalty. Test drive everything in the segment before making a choice. Don’t settle, pick what YOU want, it’s your money. My own preference would be a Mazda6 Grand Touring, followed by a Fusion Sport or Hybrid (want versus need), then probably an Optima Hybrid.

StingrayJake > boxrocket 09/01/2016 at 21:51

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Thanks for your input. I’m trying to stay open minded.

I think Sport and other higher trims are probably not going to be in my budget however.

In fact we might just do without two cars for awhile depending on some other things.

NunchuckWoolery > StingrayJake 09/14/2016 at 17:34

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A little late on seeing this, work for a Chevy dealer in new car sales and can answer any and all questions about the Malibu you may have.

StingrayJake > NunchuckWoolery 09/14/2016 at 17:48

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Thanks but we ended up in a Kia. Incentives/dealership got us where we wanted to be and other dealers couldn't match it. Never actually looked at the Chevy store for reasons but I'm pretty sure they weren't going to get us the price we ended up with.