Trade-in should be higher then that is the car is clean and you don’t take their first (crap) offer. I was quoted as high as $16,500 for mine last month, and I have seen local private sales for close to $19,000 in my area.
My estimate of trade in value is pretty close ($14,000 to $15,000). That is what KBB says, and they do extensive research on car values in certain areas. I obviously don't live in your area. Any dealer giving more money for these Malibu's (as long as they are stock) is just stupid . Even THEY use KBB to come up with an estimate, I have sat with a sales person at their desk and they go to KBB.com and show me what the car is worth. Here are some screencaps of my car's value:
Trade In:
Private Party:
Ripped off, doubtful. If you car had a sticker of $29,000, the first owner most likely paid way, way less. Between working out a price, incentives, rebates, loyalties, etc, my guess is he paid under $25,000 at most.
You cannot go and assume everything. I spoke to the original owner, and he paid a little over $29,000 for it OTD, he gave me the title at the time, showed me the invoice, and a photocopied check for what he paid for.
I don’t think you got ripped off, you didn’t get a bad price, just not the best.
There was a time I had shopped for a NEW Malibu LTZ, and the prices that I was quoted were between $27,500 and $29,000 OTD, always walked away on the offer, and the dealer would call me the next day to see if I changed my mind, but they would never go any lower than those numbers. And I went to quite a few dealers. They wouldn't budge or give me a lower price. At the time I didn't want to cough up almost 30 grand for a car.
After looking at over 15 USED Malibu LTZs, $20,000 was the best price I could find in July 2009, in the Chicago Metro area. Originally the guy wanted $22,500 for it, but I told him I'll pay $20,000 cash. In July 2009, here near Chicago, the Malibu LTZs did cost a lot. $20,000 was the best price I found for a flawless vehicle at the time, the radiator had no chips, nor even a mosquito corpse.
Am I reading this correctly? You bought a used car with obvious problems with a warranty to mitigate the issues and now ALL Malibus are crap?
Sorry, I re-read my post and I can see how it can be confusing. I cannot explain every detail in the car's history... So when I purchased my car, I had lifted it and it was spotless underneath, nothing was wet, no leaks, and the ride quality was very good, not a noise to be heard from the any part of the vehicle. But around 32,000 miles (a year after purchase), when I was changing the oil, I saw the transmission was wet, so the dealer replaced the seal. Around 35,000, my wheel bearing was making noise and the car was hard to control on the highway, so the dealer replaced that too. While I was at the dealer with 35K miles, I bought the extended warranty because I had a feeling I would have more problems with the car.
I did not buy a used car with obvious problems. I thought I was buying a car that won Car of the Year, a prestigious award. After having these problems with my car, and reading other owner's issues on this site, I have concluded that the 7th Generation Malibu is crappy, but covered with nice looking frosting and a plump cherry on top to make it look good (I am making reference to the attractive exterior).
The extended warranty has come in handy so far, dealer replaced door actuators because they would not go up or down, and they replaced upper strut mount bearings because of a clicking noise when turning. They also replaced two fuel injectors because they were "sticking" and the car would stutter (and I only buy top-tier gas, and use GM's own Fuel Injector cleaner as prescribed). All these problems would not be covered by the Powertrain Warranty, and the car had over 36K miles.
Proof:
http://www.chevrolet.com/owners/warranty/
The above link is for the 2010 warranty, I have a 2008, but the 2010 warranty hasn't changed much from the 2008 one.
To conclude, the car's quality has deteriorated way too fast for something that is only 2.5 years old.
Sorry if I sound like I am crying or Speaking out loudly but this is one for example of the new generation problems current owners arer facing on their new Malibu’s. This is not my fault, I blame GM Quality Control Inspection and their Workmanship. NOTE: NOT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT.
I also want to inform the members of this board of the issues I have experienced with my car. I don't see how the problems I have had with my car are my fault. Its GM's fault for cost cutting, and using inferior - below grade parts and materials. I can't be blamed for a leaky trans and failed door locks, and steering clunks.
My dealers have also been good on repairs, they obey my little post-it-note on the radio that says "PLEASE DO NOT WASH, THANK YOU." If I had the time, would send them a thank you card so they can post it on their "Satisfied Customers Who Had Their Car Worked On Here" bulletin board in the waiting area. The only thing I absolutely hate is scheduling an appointment, and taking time off work to get something fixed on my car, which happens all too often, I have even used up Vacation time to get my car fixed.
Thank you Silver LTZ and LTZeeeee for critiquing my first post in this thread, I hope that this post provides evidence for what I said in my first post.
So to get back onto topic. I agree with the original poster, 08chevymalibultz, and think the 7th Generation Chevrolet Malibu has a poor resale value for something that is touted as an award winning car. I don't think its even close to average, its just POOR, or is there something even lower than Poor, cuz I'd choose that. I'm entitled to my own opinion.
I NOW HAVE AROUND 14,500 MILES ON HER RIGHT NOW! I like the malibu just not the Problems!
