[flyboy]

Hey everyone! This is my first post here so hello and thanks in advance for any help. I just graduated college and have loved driving my I4 2009 LTZ Malibu for over three years now. I love this car and have done nothing but put new tires on it. I decided I wanted to go into something a little more modern however and bit more sporty. So I'm now ready to pull the trigger on a new 2014 Malibu LTZ with the 2.0 L Turbo. I'm looking for decent gas savings, faster and better ride, better tech, and something that looks as appealing as my current Chevy. Would you recommend I do this or should I wait for the 2015s? Explore other options such as Fusion Titanium that offers more options such as heated steering wheel, cooled seats, etc. I guess what I'm really asking is if there are any old style Malibu drivers out there who went into a 2014 and found they loved it enough to justify dropping another 20k on it.
Thanks so much for any help in advance, really appreciate any honest opinions.

Looking to buy a 2014 2LTZ, advanced safety pack, 19 inch rims, Red tintcoat or black granite with a the tan interior.

 

[nutcrunch]

From what I've read the 2015 won't really be any different than the 2014. One thing that will be different is the 2015 is supposed to have an AT&T LTE connection (of course you will have to pay for that connection if you want it)

 

[cp-the-nerd]

The 2015's aren't changing, so if you're set on a Malibu, go ahead and pull the trigger on a 2014 model. If you want something legitimately sporty, get a Buick Regal 2.0T for roughly the same price, it's in a different league of handling and dynamics.

The Fusion 2.0T is a nice car with good handling, but it's slower than the Malibu or Regal Turbo models, and GM's ecotec performance engines have excellent aftermarket support for more power.

 

[flyboy]

Thank you for these responses! The Regal is an interesting idea! Never thought of that but will certainly look into it if its similarly priced with at least the same options.

 

[SilverSport]

can you find a Regal Turbo for roughly the same price...when the GF bought her 3LT 2013 Turbo with nearly everything it was more than 8K less than a Regal Turbo that was a program car next door at the local Buick dealer...she of course bought the Malibu...

Bill

 

[zaxxon25]

You don't necessarily need to get the GS model to get the 2.0LT in a Regal. Just depends on your personal list of must have features. If you gotta have AWD ... then your choice is Buick (or the ATS). Personally I thought the Malibu LZ2 was a much better value especially with the current incentives. The Buick does have a sportier ride but also a smaller interior, and of course styling is a matter of personal taste. If you take a look on the Buick site, you can build a Regal with the Turbo that's price competitive with the LT3 or LZ2 but you're going to leave features behind.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

You don't necessarily need to get the GS model to get the 2.0LT in a Regal. Just depends on your personal list of must have features. If you gotta have AWD ... then your choice is Buick (or the ATS). Personally I thought the Malibu LZ2 was a much better value especially with the current incentives. The Buick does have a sportier ride but also a smaller interior, and of course styling is a matter of personal taste. If you take a look on the Buick site, you can build a Regal with the Turbo that's price competitive with the LT3 or LZ2 but you're going to leave features behind.

Styling may be personal taste, but if anyone thinks a '14 Malibu looks better than a Regal, I might have to question their mental state.

Optioned to the same price, I'd take the Regal over the LTZ Turbo every time. I'll trade frills for driving dynamics, as if the Regal is short on luxury and tech by any stretch.

 

[SilverSport]

...have you looked at the interior???...at least in 2013 it was ALL black and plasticky...this was a regal turbo and not the GS...I don't know how you could option a Buick Regal to be in the same price arena the Malibu 3LT is...perhaps closer with the 2LZ but not that close...

I do believe the Buick Regal is very nearly an Opel Insignia (and other names) and is most European in it's driving dynamics...

Bill

 

[zaxxon25]

Originally Posted by cp-the-nerd
Styling may be personal taste, but if anyone thinks a '14 Malibu looks better than a Regal, I might have to question their mental state.

You wouldn't be the first!

I really dislike those large (faux?) intakes up front on the Buick.

Plus I already have a good handling MT car with a cramped interior for when that itch needs to be scratched. But that's just me!

 

[cp-the-nerd]

...have you looked at the interior???...at least in 2013 it was ALL black and plasticky...this was a regal turbo and not the GS...I don't know how you could option a Buick Regal to be in the same price arena the Malibu 3LT is...perhaps closer with the 2LZ but not that close...

I do believe the Buick Regal is very nearly an Opel Insignia (and other names) and is most European in it's driving dynamics...

Bill

The Regal's interior comes in different colors like any car, and it's much more premium than the Malibu. The only one that only comes in black is the Regal GS. As far as the Malibu 3LT goes, that is the cheapest car you can buy from GM with the 2.0T. I didn't say you could get a Regal at that price, but it's not really comparable.

The Regal Turbo starts at $31k, roughly on par with the Malibu LTZ Turbo. You can option the Malibu LTZ into the mid-30s quite easily with the option packages, so I'm not seeing a vast price gap.

Non-black interior:

 

[cp-the-nerd]

You wouldn't be the first!

I really dislike those large (faux?) intakes up front on the Buick.

Plus I already have a good handling MT car with a cramped interior for when that itch needs to be scratched. But that's just me!

You may be thinking of the GS model with the intakes. As far as looks go, someone might prefer young Jamie Lee Curtis over Jessica Alba, but only one of those two has the same ideal proportions as Marilyn Monroe.

2014 Regal:

 

[zaxxon25]

Since I'm bored while waiting for the wife I'll take the bait here ... looking in Edmunds.

Fully optioned LZ2 with Crystal Red stickers at $35.1, invoice $32.9. Minus the $2.5 rebate at invoice we're out the door at $30.4. I did a little better because of an insurance rebate on top of it.

Regal Prem II with Turbo and same options (FWD, 18's instead of 19's, Crystal Red, Sunroof, Driver Confidence 1) sticker $38.1, invoice $36.4 . Minus the $1.0 rebate and it's $35.4. So ... $5K more for the Buick Prem II with same options.

If I dropped down to Prem I with Turbo and Crystal Red and no other options the sticker drops to 33.0K and invoice of $31.7 ... so $30.7 with $1.0K incentive. Similar price as the 2LZ, but we lose the sunroof, upgraded stereo/DAI & nav, safety package, HIDs.

Once again it's a personal choice ... but a similarly optioned Regal is considerably more expensive. You have to drop quite a bit of options to match the Malibu.

 

[nutcrunch]

While I like the front end better on the 2013 Malibu, the 2014 Malibu looks much better than the 2014 Regal to me.

 

[SilverSport]

While I like the front end better on the 2013 Malibu, the 2014 Malibu looks much better than the 2014 Regal to me.

same here and it is a much better value...at least around ChicagoLand...

Bill

 

[cp-the-nerd]

Since I'm bored while waiting for the wife I'll take the bait here ... looking in Edmunds.

Fully optioned LZ2 with Crystal Red stickers at $35.1, invoice $32.9. Minus the $2.5 rebate at invoice we're out the door at $30.4. I did a little better because of an insurance rebate on top of it.

Regal Prem II with Turbo and same options (FWD, 18's instead of 19's, Crystal Red, Sunroof, Driver Confidence 1) sticker $38.1, invoice $36.4 . Minus the $1.0 rebate and it's $35.4. So ... $5K more for the Buick Prem II with same options.

If I dropped down to Prem I with Turbo and Crystal Red and no other options the sticker drops to 33.0K and invoice of $31.7 ... so $30.7 with $1.0K incentive. Similar price as the 2LZ, but we lose the sunroof, upgraded stereo/DAI & nav, safety package, HIDs.

Once again it's a personal choice ... but a similarly optioned Regal is considerably more expensive. You have to drop quite a bit of options to match the Malibu.

I literally just priced out a Malibu 2LZ with all the major options checked at just shy of $36,000 via Chevy's website. A Buick Regal Prem II with sunroof and all options minus adaptive cruise control is the same freakin price. You must be adding AWD.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

From Motor Trend's review of the Regal Turbo FWD, priced out at $34,685:

"In addition to its turbocharged, 259-hp 2.0-liter engine and impressive handling, our Regal Turbo Premium II came nicely equipped with features including HID headlights, rearview camera and rear park assist, power seats, dual climate control, genuine leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, push-button start, remote start, OnStar and Buick IntelliLink, nine-speaker Bose audio system with navigation and Bluetooth, and a 120-volt power outlet."

All that was left to add to that car was the $1000 sunroof.

 

[zaxxon25]

From Motor Trend's review of the Regal Turbo FWD, priced out at $34,685:

"In addition to its turbocharged, 259-hp 2.0-liter engine and impressive handling, our Regal Turbo Premium II came nicely equipped with features including HID headlights, rearview camera and rear park assist, power seats, dual climate control, genuine leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, push-button start, remote start, OnStar and Buick IntelliLink, nine-speaker Bose audio system with navigation and Bluetooth, and a 120-volt power outlet."

All that was left to add to that car was the $1000 sunroof.

May I suggest you try to create equivalent vehicles rather than game the system to prove to yourself that you're correct? Ignoring the Crystal Red, Driver Confidence 1 (equivalent to LZ2 Advanced Safety) and 18's on the Regal will get to your number above. You'd also have to ignore the $2.5 rebate on the Malibu vs. $1.0 on the Regal, as well as the Malibu's $0.4 larger spread between invoice and MSRP. And you'd have to add Crystal Diamond (+$0.6) to the Malibu instead of Crystal Red.

I would suggest those are not equivalent vehicles.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

May I suggest you try to create equivalent vehicles rather than game the system to prove to yourself that you're correct? Ignoring the Crystal Red, Driver Confidence 1 (equivalent to LZ2 Advanced Safety) and 18's on the Regal will get to your number above. You'd also have to ignore the $2.5 rebate on the Malibu vs. $1.0 on the Regal, as well as the Malibu's $0.4 larger spread between invoice and MSRP. And you'd have to add Crystal Diamond (+$0.6) to the Malibu instead of Crystal Red.

I would suggest those are not equivalent vehicles.

The Regal that I built on the Buick website for the same $36k price had an added cost color and the driver convenience 1 package. I don't consider incentives part of the price comparison, they come and go month to month. MSRP vs MSRP is the way to compare prices.

 

[BottlefedSS]

The 2014 malibu SS is an awesome car.

 

[nutcrunch]

Umm, there is no such thing as a 2014 Malibu SS.