OK guys, just a few quick questions for you. We are looking at a 2011 malibu ltz. Its got the 2.4l in it. My question is, how much of a performance gain is there going to the 3.6l? It will be for my wife, and she is currently driving a 98 Cadillac Seville STS. So she is used to a little get up and go. Do you think we would be disappointed in the 4 cylinder, or are they pretty peppy? We have yet to go test drive one, but I have a local dealer whittled down to around 21k out the door. I dont want to set foot in the car, until they get to the price im wanting to pay (which is the 21k out the door, tax title and license)

Just curious what you all had to say. Thanks in advance, Rodney Pierce

I own one of the first Malibus that was made back in 08. 1LT 2.4L. Its been Reliable. MPGs average about 27-28 Mixed driving. With the price of gas, I would reccomend getting the 4 Cylinder.

Performance? I have hit 80 without trying. It is a little slow off the line.

Rodney,

There is a very noticeable difference between the two engines. You will hear proponents of both engines. Some say the 4 is enough, others say you should get the 6.

The 4 isn't a bad engine, it is just slow off the line as escape has pointed out. It does fine on the highway (although passing gets a tad noisy b/c you have to get high up in the rev range) and it will get to any speed you would think about traveling.

The 6 is a good engine as well. It gets up and goes. Has plenty of power. And you might hear something about the difference in MPGs between the two engines, which seems to be largely overrated based on user's posts.

After driving both the 4 and 6, I bought the 6. Would have loved to have been able to save the money, but after driving both, wouldn't have even considered the malibu if the 4 was all that was offered.

I know you said you don't want to go to the dealer, but why not go to a different dealer to drive both the 4 and 6. It's the only way that you (and your wife) will know which is right for you.

Rodney,

There is a very noticeable difference between the two engines. You will hear proponents of both engines. Some say the 4 is enough, others say you should get the 6.

The 4 isn't a bad engine, it is just slow off the line as escape has pointed out. It does fine on the highway (although passing gets a tad noisy b/c you have to get high up in the rev range) and it will get to any speed you would think about traveling.

The 6 is a good engine as well. It gets up and goes. Has plenty of power. And you might hear something about the difference in MPGs between the two engines, which seems to be largely overrated based on user's posts.

After driving both the 4 and 6, I bought the 6. Would have loved to have been able to save the money, but after driving both, wouldn't have even considered the malibu if the 4 was all that was offered.

I know you said you don't want to go to the dealer, but why not go to a different dealer to drive both the 4 and 6. It's the only way that you (and your wife) will know which is right for you.

Well said Elkin. I own the 2010 LS (4 cyl) and I have to say, I was surprised at the pep in the engine. My last car, up untill 3 weeks ago, was a 2004 (6 cyl) Pontiac Bonniville. It was a bit larger car whereas the Malibu is smaller. But I really liked the 4 cyl Malibu. Sometimes I feel like I am in a go kart, but that is in reference to it's quick 'get-up-and-go' nature. I am NOT dissapointed!

That's my $.02

The 4 Cylinder is fine for me. I drive alone 99% of the time. So I dont need the extra power of the 6.

Thanks guys! Looks like we are pre approved and ready to purchase the 2011 LTZ 2.4L, just now see how bad the dealer wants to sell it. Man, I love these games :)

Test drive a V6 before you make a decision, your wife may be dissapointed with the 4 banger :(

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He came back with 23369.06 plus TTL. Still have a ways to go, but we really like these cars!! :D

yeah... keep working on him... and sit down at his desk, they all have invoice spreadsheets that they carry around with them... try to sneak a peak at his, it will tell you how much they got the car for. Then just offer them $500 above invoice price and each party leaves happy.

I just did this with a 2010 LTZ 4cyl... saw the salesman was busy talking to the used car manager, so I helped my self to his invoice sheet that was on his desk. They paid $17,500 for the car, and I bought it from them for $18,100. We both were happy at the end of the day

Edmunds says invoice price is 25664.00. That cant be right.

Edmunds says invoice price is 25664.00. That cant be right.

I am hoping your right Rodney, although I am happy with my car, it is a 2010 LS model and I bought used for $18,500 with 16K miles. Wish I was good as gillespie that got the 2010 LTZ for $18,1.

Oh well, I am still happy!

Got an email back from another dealership that said no way, in a rude manner was that happening. Which, is fine. There is some out there that want my money :). The one that came back with the 23396.06 replied with a very courteous reply, and said "no problem, what were you hoping to get out the door for?" Gonna work on this a little more tomorrow and see what we can do.

Edmunds says invoice price is 25664.00. That cant be right.

That could be right, however, edmunds just uses a system to predict the invoice, there is no way to know what exactly that car's invoice is. But 25664 could be right, because right now I think Malibu's have a $2500 instant rebate plus the $500 of auto-show bonus cash, and also I think you can get an additional $1000 loyalty cash back for being a GM owner.

So you take $3k-$4k off of the 25664, and add TTL and the dealer markup and that is where your number OTD number is coming from.

Something to think about... the dealer only marks up brand new cars about $900-$1400. So after rebates and everything, you usually can only negotiate a couple hundred dollars off a brand new vehicle.

Hope all my rambling helps!

P.S. when all else fails... just ask the salesman to see his inventory invoice listing of vehicles. Its just a spreadsheet of all of their cars in inventory along with an invoice price and their current listed sales price. Then after you find out what the invoice is, give them a final offer $500 more than invoice. (its much easier trying to deal this way than trying to throw OTD offers at them) They won't turn you down, cause they make $500 and then they also get a kickback from GM at the end of the year.

He gave me 4300.00 in incentives off there original price, which brought it down to 23396.06 plus TTL. He said he couldnt get to 21K. So still working with him. Max I want to go is 23k out the door. That would mean they would be selling me the car for roughly 22000.00. after they ate TTL. We will see. I might just have to bite the bullet, and give a little more then I want too. Should know today a rock solid figure.

my guess is that his rock bottom is gonna be about $23,100 plus TTL

let me know if my guess is right? If he goes below 23,100, then I'd say you did one hell of a job getting him to come down.

ps... not sure where you are located, but TTL where I live on a $23,100 vehicle would be $1,737.75 (6.25% sales tax, $194 plates and title, $100 doc fee)

So prolly about $24,850 OTD

Im in Iowa, so TTL would be roughly 1355.00

Im in Iowa, so TTL would be roughly 1355.00

makes me hate Illinois that much more...

Well, ended up spending a little more then I wanted too. I will post details later.

OK guys, got her home and setting in the garage. Silver with ebony leather. LTZ, 3.6L. Everything but a sunroof (we opted not to get the sunroof). There invoice price was 28539.56. So take the 28539.56-4500.00 in rebates for a total of 24039.56. We got it for 23999.56 plus TTL which was 25481 and some change out the door. Not too bad, abit more then I wanted to spend, but not bad. I am glad I went with the 6, as I wouldnt have been happy with the 4 cylinder (coming from a supercharged v6 in my buick, and the northstar for her). Very nice car!

Congrats! When you get a minute post up some pics of her.

Oh yeah, strut her out and give us a show!!!

Pics please! :)

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Very very nice! I think this current Malibu looks better than the next generation Malibu.