If you've ever read my sig, you know we have both an '08 Malibu 2LT 4-cyl (well, technically, my mother's) and my recently (June 30th) purchased '08 G6 GT coupe. All along I wanted a Malibu and had been jealous of my mother's, but then I saw the G6 coupe and being on the same platform and the same size, plus the coupe body style and V6 only powerplants...I was intrigued. Test drove a few, and never looked back. Not as polished as the Malibu, for sure, but still a solid, quiet, powerful, and fun car.
Or at least they're supposed to be, and the 3 I test drove were. Mine, which was a special order car in White Diamond Tri-Coat with Taupe cloth and upgraded 18" wheels was a stunner...and EXACTLY what I wanted. At least visually, it was dead on. In every other respect, a disaster. 8 repairs consisting of 13+ days, ranging from a roof that creaked and popped like being hit with a hammer and falling apart non-stop (4 repairs...none did a thing), to constant shuddering on the road regardless of cruising, accelerating, etc., to Check Gas Cap alarms and smells (gas included) that never could be resolved.
Fast forward to today, the day of "Yes, there IS a God" and I got the call from GM that they were offering me a full MSRP trade buyback and due to the very low mileage and extent of my issues, even waving any usage/mileage fees. "Just find something you want for the same MSRP or higher and we'll switch over everything."
Malibu it is. My G6 was $26,050 and I think I'm willing to put up to another $1000 on top of that (the less the better, though), and am shopping. I've thought for the longest time I wanted a 2LT V6...but now I can't decide.
I drove 2 '09 LTZ's tonight, both a 2.4L and a 3.6L. The price on the 2.4L LTZ is right, but I love the feel of the 3.6L car a little more and it's hard to go back to even the very peppy 2.4L after my V6 G6.
Price-wise, the choices are:
1) 2LT V6 with a sunroof and one or two other small things
2) LTZ 4-cyl with no options
3) 2LT 4-cyl with EVERY option
I'm in a pickle. Love the LTZ extra chrome bits, wheels, and Brick interior, but similarly heart the 2LT's extra comfy UltraLux, wheels, and the V6. Same for model year, as the 2008's are a bit cheaper and still have the side marker and power pedals, but the 2009's are a year newer and with Bluetooth.
Decisions, decisions. I just don't know. Color is hard enough, hah! Especially after my White Diamond G6...though I think I'm cursed with white anymore. Black Granite is a fave, though I go back and forth on the "black" factor (dark, extra maintenance, etc.), as is Dark Gray, Golden Pewter, Silver, etc. I don't know. The one I've thought of most is a Black Granite/Cashmere '08 2LT V6 with roof and mats that's at another dealer...but again, I don't know. And then I want an LTZ again.
This isn't unlike other threads we've had with 2LT vs. LTZ, at least, but any thoughts for my soon to be (2) Malibu driveway? Hmm...that's all I can say...hmm. I want to make a decision ASAP as my salesperson is ready to go the second I tell her what I want, and I want the G6 gone immediately.
Or at least they're supposed to be, and the 3 I test drove were. Mine, which was a special order car in White Diamond Tri-Coat with Taupe cloth and upgraded 18" wheels was a stunner...and EXACTLY what I wanted. At least visually, it was dead on. In every other respect, a disaster. 8 repairs consisting of 13+ days, ranging from a roof that creaked and popped like being hit with a hammer and falling apart non-stop (4 repairs...none did a thing), to constant shuddering on the road regardless of cruising, accelerating, etc., to Check Gas Cap alarms and smells (gas included) that never could be resolved.
Fast forward to today, the day of "Yes, there IS a God" and I got the call from GM that they were offering me a full MSRP trade buyback and due to the very low mileage and extent of my issues, even waving any usage/mileage fees. "Just find something you want for the same MSRP or higher and we'll switch over everything."
Malibu it is. My G6 was $26,050 and I think I'm willing to put up to another $1000 on top of that (the less the better, though), and am shopping. I've thought for the longest time I wanted a 2LT V6...but now I can't decide.
I drove 2 '09 LTZ's tonight, both a 2.4L and a 3.6L. The price on the 2.4L LTZ is right, but I love the feel of the 3.6L car a little more and it's hard to go back to even the very peppy 2.4L after my V6 G6.
Price-wise, the choices are:
1) 2LT V6 with a sunroof and one or two other small things
2) LTZ 4-cyl with no options
3) 2LT 4-cyl with EVERY option
I'm in a pickle. Love the LTZ extra chrome bits, wheels, and Brick interior, but similarly heart the 2LT's extra comfy UltraLux, wheels, and the V6. Same for model year, as the 2008's are a bit cheaper and still have the side marker and power pedals, but the 2009's are a year newer and with Bluetooth.
Decisions, decisions. I just don't know. Color is hard enough, hah! Especially after my White Diamond G6...though I think I'm cursed with white anymore. Black Granite is a fave, though I go back and forth on the "black" factor (dark, extra maintenance, etc.), as is Dark Gray, Golden Pewter, Silver, etc. I don't know. The one I've thought of most is a Black Granite/Cashmere '08 2LT V6 with roof and mats that's at another dealer...but again, I don't know. And then I want an LTZ again.
This isn't unlike other threads we've had with 2LT vs. LTZ, at least, but any thoughts for my soon to be (2) Malibu driveway? Hmm...that's all I can say...hmm. I want to make a decision ASAP as my salesperson is ready to go the second I tell her what I want, and I want the G6 gone immediately.