2010 malibu vs 2010 vw jetta

tim100

Discussion Starter · #22 · Mar 22, 2010

a SE, jetta is cheaper and better equipped than a LT malibu.

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Silver LTZ

· #23 · Mar 23, 2010

tim100 said:
a SE, jetta is cheaper and better equipped than a LT malibu.

A LS yes, not too sure about an LT though? The ones I looked at were not. Unless it was a GLI.

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tim100

Discussion Starter · #24 · Mar 23, 2010

SilverLTZ said:
A LS yes, not too sure about an LT though? The ones I looked at were not. Unless it was a GLI.

I don't agree the SE jetta is equipped as a mentioned above, you will not find a 1LT malibu equipped like the SE and the 1LT is more expensive, even with all of the rebates on chevys.

To each his own but almost $30k for a LTZ malibu, you could almost get a 3 series BMW.

I know the LS is a consumer best buy but I dont want a car with hub caps, sorry.

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Silver LTZ

· #25 · Mar 23, 2010 (Edited)

tim100 said:
I don't agree the SE jetta is equipped as a mentioned above, you will not find a 1LT malibu equipped like the SE and the 1LT is more expensive, even with all of the rebates on chevys.

To each his own but almost $30k for a LTZ malibu, you could almost get a 3 series BMW.

I know the LS is a consumer best buy but I dont want a car with hub caps, sorry.

Don't get me wrong, the Jetta is nice, but I don't know how you car shop, but I looked at Jettas too. A nice one with the 18's, spoiler, leather, premium audio, etc was over 25K out the door. A GLI was in the low 30's. A joke for a small car like that IMO.

Furthermore, nobody pays almost 30K for an LTZ either. With rebates, incentives and dealing mine was well under that out the door.

And finally, and nice 3 Series is nowhere near 28K. BMW charges you for everything. My friend has a 328i and it stickered for almost 38K.

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tim100

Discussion Starter · #26 · Mar 23, 2010

SilverLTZ, I think you got your facts wrong, check out the link: its $30,750 to $28,625 for a LTZ. When comparing cars you have to use MSRP not what you think you can get I don't trust what people tell me they pay for a car.

http://www.sweeneychevrolet.com/sea...Chevrolet/model/Malibu/sort/price/order/desc/

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IBCRUZN

· #27 · Mar 23, 2010

Comparing trim packages and purchase price between the Jetta and Malibu is relevant if that's ultimately the deciding factor for a buyer. Do some research on the dual-mass flywheel used in the A5 ('06.5) Jettas given PD injectors, and you find the hidden story. Owners report catastrophic failure of the clutch as early as 20k and often at 60k, including cases where the flywheel became a grenade punching a hole in the outer casting. VW refuses to use upgraded parts produced by the same vendor who produced the OEM parts, and insists that weak OEM parts be used for repair. Now we're talking real money, and part failure almost certain to happen again. Suddenly the touchscreen and bluetooth are less relevant for every buyer because the car won't run. And the Malibu, with a single-mass flywheel and a transmission developed by Chevy, Ford, the Swedes and Germans in consortium, seems a better long-term buy. At least is seemed so for me.

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Silver LTZ

· #28 · Mar 24, 2010

tim100 said:
When comparing cars you have to use MSRP not what you think you can get I don't trust what people tell me they pay for a car.

If your shopping around just going by MSRP your missing out big time.

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DrivenDaily

· #29 · Mar 24, 2010 (Edited)

My purchase was forced on me by my previous car so I didn't have time to shop around. I was expecting to start shopping in Spring '09 but ended up purchasing in December '08, just before all those rebates and incentives came into play! If only my car had waited... :>(

I got 3 years/36K miles of LOF and tire rotation with the purchase for a per-service cost about half of the instant oil change places.

Anytime I buy something I look at the price out the door AND the price down the road, and whether or not it's even worth spending/wasting my money on. A manufacturer can suggest a selling price, but sales people are there to dicker and they have a fair amount of room. I got my 2LT for only a little more than an '08 USED Impala with 31K miles on it.

I just went to both sites to build a Jetta and build a Malibu. The Jetta SEL nicely equipped the way I'd want it is $31,438 and it only has a 170-hp 2.5-liter engine. The Malibu LTZ nicely equipped with the 252-hp 3.6-liter is $27,965. That's about $3500 of my money and I'm getting more engine and an interior that is strikingly better looking.

The VW site shows the accessories in a much more understandable way than the GM site, plus GM requires a zip code before they'll even let you build one. VW at least builds it without having to surrender any personal data.

What would it take to get more horsies under das hood? I couldn't find it, plus to get 2/3 of the V6 power it has to be turbocharged, which simply adds more complexity and cost to maintenance. I prefer raw power, and then if I want to add more in the future I have a larger base on which to do it.

Down the road, maintenance is required by any car, and since I don't know the costs of VW ownership I can't compare them, but I'd wager that they're commensurate with the Chevy or a tad more.

If this seems like a chant for the 'Bu over das Jetta don't be fooled. I like my car and I like the VW. I'm simply adding some facts from the manufacturers' sites and some opinions of my own. After all, isn't buying a car a personal matter and not just a reflection of number-crunching?

So, how do I vote? 'Bu. I paid thousands less than the above price and all I'm lacking are some features that would be nice, but for $5000 I'm as happy as ever with what I have. Compare that to the Jetta and I saved over $8000. Plus, with my V6 and 6-speed I can take the Jetta without even using a turbo or silly gas. Not bad, eh? (Yes, right after I bought it I looked into nitrous, but since I don't have any experience with it I decided to err on the side of caution.)

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malibu_2010

· #30 · Mar 24, 2010

Jetta and Malibu are not in the same class. Malibu is a family sedan. It is a mid size car. Jetta is a compact car and should be compared to Cobalt.

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tim100

Discussion Starter · #31 · Mar 24, 2010

malibu_2010 said:
Jetta and Malibu are not in the same class. Malibu is a family sedan. It is a mid size car. Jetta is a compact car and should be compared to Cobalt.

Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

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Silver LTZ

· #32 · Mar 24, 2010 (Edited)

tim100 said:
Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

Agreed. Since the SS sedan is no more....

Biggest problem the Jetta has is power. Even with a manual it is a dog. Unless you buck up, alot, for a GLI.

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DrivenDaily

· #33 · Mar 25, 2010 (Edited)

tim100 said:
Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

The Cobalt is even less expensive than the Malibu, which makes the gap in the prices that much steeper. For many that's a big consideration. So, for about twice the price I could get a Jetta, or pay about half that and have a Cobalt, then use some of those savings to modify it to keep up with Corvettes. Unless I just had to have a Dub.

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malibu_2010

· #34 · Mar 25, 2010 (Edited)

tim100 said:
Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

That doesn't change the fact. Jetta is a COMPACT car. Jetta is an overpriced compact car.
What criteria you are using to start comparing cars, then? What is your beginning point? Are you using price range? HP? MPG? Interior space? Resale?

If you want to compare Jetta with something in Chevy line, you ought to be using Cobalt.
If Cobalt is to light for you ( I assume - per your response - power is your concern) then start comparing Jetta with other make - like with Mazdaspeed - forget speed, any mazda3 blows Jetta away, anytime.

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Bedbug

· #35 · Mar 25, 2010

I did this comparison in November 2009. I test drove both and picked the Malibu. I test drove the Jetta Wolfsberg edition, It was nice but small if you have to put two kids in the back. Also look up the reliability ratings, Jetta did not fair to well compared to the Malibu. Also if your shopping price the jetta is less in price and less in options. But you need to do the correct comparison, if you are comparing versus LTZ then you need to use the jetta Wolfsberg ( for the closest to horsepower and suspension) if you compare a Jetta S 2.5 then you need to compare it with a Malibu LT1. Then check the insurance , here in the north east the Jetta (wolfsberg) cost more than an LTZ.

Good Luck

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bballr4567

· #36 · Mar 25, 2010

Jetta is not a compact car. It is a small midsize.

You can NOT keep cars in a 3 class car system these days when they are growing bigger bigger every generation. Compare a 1980 Civic to a 2010 Civic and tell me its still a compact car.

Same with the Malibu and the 5th gen. Look at how much its grown in about 5 years. Malibu is now a big midsize car.

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malibu_2010

· #37 · Mar 25, 2010

You certainly may classify it as small midsize, if you wish. That is your understanding.
One thing you can do is asking yourself what type of specs a car should have, to be classified as midsize. And see whether Jetta has these specs or not.
To me Jetta doesn't have anything.

Today's Jetta is not anymore bigger than previous or earlier generations of jetta. Certainly,it may look bigger but the same crampy seats, underpower engine, high price tag, expensive spare parts, etc.

5-6 tier classification system is forced down to consumers by marketing people. If VW puts $24K price sticker to a car and then comes to me to present that car as compact car, I am going to tell them "go @#@[email protected] yourself".
But, if they present the very same car as midsize (or small mid as you put it), I'll look into it - regardless of I buy it or not their goal is take midsize sedan consumers' attention.

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bballr4567

· #38 · Mar 25, 2010

Ok, so compact cars cant be expensive because of their size? How is Mini doing on that?

Sorry, but if you compare the Jetta to the Cobalt, there is no question what is the better car.

VW has been putting things in cars for years that GM STILL hasnt put in a car of the same price. It might be small things but to many, the Jetta still feels far more premium than a Malibu. If you dont believe me, then go sit in a new Jetta Wagon (its the updated version, the sedan still is updated) and tell me how it compares to the Malibu.

Malibu:
Headroom (Front) 39.4
Headroom (Row 2) 37.2
Hiproom (Front) 53.0
Hiproom (Row 2) 52.1
Legroom (Front) 42.2
Legroom (Row 2) 37.6
Shoulder Room (Front) 55.9
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.9

Jetta Wagon:

Headroom (Front) 38.4
Headroom (Row 2) 38.1
Hiproom (Front) N/A
Hiproom (Row 2) N/A
Legroom (Front) 41.1
Legroom (Row 2) 35.4
Shoulder Room (Front) 54.8
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.1

Expect the Jetta sedan to be around the same size as the Malibu when it arrives this fall (I think that is when it gets here).

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malibu_2010

· #39 · Mar 25, 2010

bballr4567 said:
Ok, so compact cars cant be expensive because of their size? How is Mini doing on that?

Sorry, but if you compare the Jetta to the Cobalt, there is no question what is the better car.

VW has been putting things in cars for years that GM STILL hasnt put in a car of the same price. It might be small things but to many, the Jetta still feels far more premium than a Malibu. If you dont believe me, then go sit in a new Jetta Wagon (its the updated version, the sedan still is updated) and tell me how it compares to the Malibu.

Malibu:
Headroom (Front) 39.4
Headroom (Row 2) 37.2
Hiproom (Front) 53.0
Hiproom (Row 2) 52.1
Legroom (Front) 42.2
Legroom (Row 2) 37.6
Shoulder Room (Front) 55.9
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.9

Jetta Wagon:

Headroom (Front) 38.4
Headroom (Row 2) 38.1
Hiproom (Front) N/A
Hiproom (Row 2) N/A
Legroom (Front) 41.1
Legroom (Row 2) 35.4
Shoulder Room (Front) 54.8
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.1

Expect the Jetta sedan to be around the same size as the Malibu when it arrives this fall (I think that is when it gets here).

Certainly compact cars can be as expensive as they can. That is mfg's decision. Higher the price, lower the number of units that can be sold.

I am not comparing Jetta to Cobalt. If there is a comparison, lets stick with apple to apple comparison. Don't compare apple to watermelon

Jetta may feel premium, you are entitled to your own opinion. Important thing is how US consumers have been feeling about Jetta. Simply, look at VW's sales figures

That shows you everything.
At the other side of the equation, lack of premium feel in GM cars has not beed stopped US consumers to put GM to top 3 (used to be top one).

Why did you compare wagon Jetta to 4 door sedan

To prove your point??

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bballr4567

· #40 · Mar 25, 2010

malibu_2010 said:
Certainly compact cars can be as expensive as they can. That is mfg's decision. Higher the price, lower the number of units that can be sold.

I am not comparing Jetta to Cobalt. If there is a comparison, lets stick with apple to apple comparison. Don't compare apple to watermelon

Jetta may feel premium, you are entitled to your own opinion. Important thing is how US consumers have been feeling about Jetta. Simply, look at VW's sales figures That shows you everything.
At the other side of the equation, lack of premium feel in GM cars has not beed stopped US consumers to put GM to top 3 (used to be top one).

Why did you compare wagon Jetta to 4 door sedan. To prove your point??

malibu_2010 said:
Jetta and Malibu are not in the same class. Malibu is a family sedan. It is a mid size car. Jetta is a compact car and should be compared to Cobalt.

You said to compare them?? So I did and then you tell me not to? Whats going on here? lol

The interior dimensions wont change when the Jetta sedan arrives. I said that in my post that you quoted.

GM sales more because they want volume. Its the only way they make money. GM lost volume a year or so ago and look where that got them.

Volume does not mean that a company is good. It merely means that they produce a lot of the item. Of course, if you were to proportion it out, I would assume that VW actually sales MORE vehicles than GM because they dont produce as much.

Just an FYI, VW sold 7,828 Jettas in Feb. GM sold 15,150 Malibus. Given the fact that VW sales about 10% of the total amount of vehicles that GM does, the Jetta is doing pretty dang good. Plus, there are ZERO rebates and probably close to nill fleet sales as well.

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