Silly questions from a newbie, RE: 4 vs 6 cylinder
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1- The V6 itself only weighs about 90 pounds more, so you won't really notice much.
2- More proven, maybe, but there have been no known issues with the V6 that I have heard of.
IMO, the Malibu is to heavy of a car for the small 169 HP I4. It really needs the V6, it is a dog with the I4. Heck, I wish the V6 had another 25 HP, but I'm power hungry haha.
2- More proven, maybe, but there have been no known issues with the V6 that I have heard of.
IMO, the Malibu is to heavy of a car for the small 169 HP I4. It really needs the V6, it is a dog with the I4. Heck, I wish the V6 had another 25 HP, but I'm power hungry haha.
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^ If I would have known this back in 08 I would have purchased the V6 (although the I4 hasn't disappointed me one bit), more bang for the buck!
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Before we bought our ls, we had a rental lt with a 4 cyl 6 speed auto. The 4 cyl is a slug no doubt, but it is considerably better with the 6 speed, wow no brainer huh? I was very surprised in the difference though. But i have never driven the 6 cyl car. All in all i think the 4 cyl/6 spd combo would be perfect. I dont think you really need all that power, just because what good is it on the street?
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I had a 4 cyl as a loaner while mine was in for service. I would not even consider the 4 cyl after having the v6. One of the fellas I car pool with has the I4/A4 and his is constantly downshifting to keep up with the cruise ccontrol. My 6 downshifts much less and do not even question pulling out and passing when necessary.
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The V6 has decent power, but it is by no means fast like you think it is. At least not to me. It is what the car needs power wise. Like I have said, I wish it had another 25 HP. In stock form it would hit a very high 14 second quarter mile. Which is decent for sure, but I my other two cars run a high 13 second, and low 11 second 1/4 mile. Call me power hungry, but I drove the I4 and it seemed taxed by the weight and was just too slow for my tastes.
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I have never noticed a difference in ride quality between the 4cyl to the 6 cyl. They both ride smooth and quiet. I drive all sorts of them too.
I would say the 4 cyl has proven itself fairly well. It has been around for a decent amount of time in different platforms and has proven to be a reliable, well built engine when it is taken care of. Despite the power difference between the v6 and 4 cyl, I would choose the 4cyl.
I would say the 4 cyl has proven itself fairly well. It has been around for a decent amount of time in different platforms and has proven to be a reliable, well built engine when it is taken care of. Despite the power difference between the v6 and 4 cyl, I would choose the 4cyl.
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I have to agree with the V6 owners comments here, not just because I own one myself but the fact that the Malibu is a heavy car. When I was first looking at the Malibu’s, I was looking for the I4 because of gas prices/mpg. My salesman owns the I4 and had suggested that I go for the V6. He said that he loved the Malibu but wish he had got the V6 and had also stated that the Malibu is a heavy car! I am not saying there is anything wrong with the I4 because many have had no problems with it and like it a lot! I also agree/wish the V6 had at least 25 or more Horsepower. If the I4 had a Turbo that delivered more horsepower and better MPG, my choice may have been different! The only down fall for the V6 is that it takes a hard hit in city/town MPG! Some may say no but this is my Opinion and experience!
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I think I'm in the minority here, but I'm going to chime in anyways because I would hate to see the I4+A6 get thrown in the dust (as it usually is).
1. Yes the Malibu is heavy, but that does not mean the I4 can't handle it unless you don't want it to. What I mean is that it drives beautifully smooth, it has very nice pick-up on it, and I can haul around just as much weight as anyone else has stated they can and I'm still reaching the speed limit (very quickly) and then some. Stating it is "heavy" is just another way of suggesting the I4 is incapable, which it isn't. Whether it is stating the Malibu needs it to get to speed or that it isn't a fun ride, the fact is that the I4 (especially with the A6 transmission) is quick and efficient in all ways.
2. In terms of the smoother ride, if anything you'll actually more likely notice a not-as-smooth ride from more power from the fact that you're more likely to tap the gas a little extra and cause a little jump. The I4 (again, especially with the A6 transmission) is very smooth whether you barely tap the pedal or push down on it, but it is still quick enough to get you to whatever speed you need. As for the shifting issues some people notice, the I4+A4 transmission will shift differently, but the A6 transmission gets into gear and likes to stay there. If nothing else, pop it into manual and keep it at whatever gear you want.
3. To get the V6 you're going to have an MSRP of about $28k, while the I4+A6 can be had for $22k. So, is having a V6 worth the $6k extra? Consider the fact that you have ~4mpg less on average as well.
The final point: Pick what you want, but the only difference between the two engines is power and mpg's.
Personally (not that this is part of the topic, but anyways) I have the I4+A6 Malibu. I've also had a Corvette, a Mustang that I tuned up, and a Firebird that has been tuned up and out the wazoo. I've had 4cyl's, 6cyl's, 8cyl's, and tuned versions of most of those. I notice less grunt on the I4, but it's not lacking at all.
Take your pick. Just don't let the masses make your decision for you by only giving you one side of the conversation.
1. Yes the Malibu is heavy, but that does not mean the I4 can't handle it unless you don't want it to. What I mean is that it drives beautifully smooth, it has very nice pick-up on it, and I can haul around just as much weight as anyone else has stated they can and I'm still reaching the speed limit (very quickly) and then some. Stating it is "heavy" is just another way of suggesting the I4 is incapable, which it isn't. Whether it is stating the Malibu needs it to get to speed or that it isn't a fun ride, the fact is that the I4 (especially with the A6 transmission) is quick and efficient in all ways.
2. In terms of the smoother ride, if anything you'll actually more likely notice a not-as-smooth ride from more power from the fact that you're more likely to tap the gas a little extra and cause a little jump. The I4 (again, especially with the A6 transmission) is very smooth whether you barely tap the pedal or push down on it, but it is still quick enough to get you to whatever speed you need. As for the shifting issues some people notice, the I4+A4 transmission will shift differently, but the A6 transmission gets into gear and likes to stay there. If nothing else, pop it into manual and keep it at whatever gear you want.
3. To get the V6 you're going to have an MSRP of about $28k, while the I4+A6 can be had for $22k. So, is having a V6 worth the $6k extra? Consider the fact that you have ~4mpg less on average as well.
The final point: Pick what you want, but the only difference between the two engines is power and mpg's.
Personally (not that this is part of the topic, but anyways) I have the I4+A6 Malibu. I've also had a Corvette, a Mustang that I tuned up, and a Firebird that has been tuned up and out the wazoo. I've had 4cyl's, 6cyl's, 8cyl's, and tuned versions of most of those. I notice less grunt on the I4, but it's not lacking at all.
Take your pick. Just don't let the masses make your decision for you by only giving you one side of the conversation.
Back in 2008 I test drove a new '09 Kia Optima 4-cyl. auto. Below 1500 rpm it shook a lot. Went to Chevy and drove a Cobalt 4-cyl. auto. It idled smoothly and had more pickup. The car was a little smaller than I wanted so I drove a Malibu 4-cyl. 6-speed auto. I was really impressed with it overall and would have bought one. But then I drove a V6 / A6 and was sold. I fell in love with the power. Period.
I drove a used '08 Impala 3.5 V6 auto. Ahhhhh, smoothness incarnate! But I wanted the sportier Malibu and the rest is history.
The I4 is a truly good performer and does well. Nobody who owns one should feel slighted in my opinion, and that's coming from a V6 owner. They're great engines and have plenty of power for the intended design. For those of us with more hunger for power the V6 does pretty good, but like others have said, it'd be so much better with 25-50 more horsies under the hood. Hey, I have a shoehorn! Anyone got any homeless horses?
I drove a used '08 Impala 3.5 V6 auto. Ahhhhh, smoothness incarnate! But I wanted the sportier Malibu and the rest is history.
The I4 is a truly good performer and does well. Nobody who owns one should feel slighted in my opinion, and that's coming from a V6 owner. They're great engines and have plenty of power for the intended design. For those of us with more hunger for power the V6 does pretty good, but like others have said, it'd be so much better with 25-50 more horsies under the hood. Hey, I have a shoehorn! Anyone got any homeless horses?
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Drive both for at least 15-20 minutes. Get on it, pass, downshift, etc. You will see how slow the I4 is. Sorry, but anyone who thinks the I4 moves this car along well has not driven a truly quick/powerful car. The I4 runs a near 9 second 0-60, that is slow. The V6 is in the mid 6's. If you shop around you can get a V6 for only a few thousand more too.
Face it, they are both slow! The word Malibu and performance just don't go together. They were never meant to be fast, and they never will be. If you think the V6 is fast then you have never truly driven a quick or powerful car!! On the other hand, if your looking for a good little car to get you back and forth to work or have your wife pickup groceries on the weekend, the Malibu is a perfect car with either engine/trans combo. LOL!!
If you have this problem after driving a car for more than 5 minutes it better be a top fuel. This is not an issue if you have control of your foot.
The only reasons to get a V6:
1) I believe the V6 is the only way to get hydrolic power steering. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't all the 4's electronic steering?
2) You want more power to get up and go, merge with traffic, help avoid dangerous situations.
3) Or you have the mind of a teenager. (nothing wrong with that, but you may have picked the wrong car)
The ride is basically the same, if none of those three things are on your list, I4 it is.
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Not sure if this is directed at me, as I never said the V6 was "fast". It is decently quick for what it is for sure though. I know all about fast cars, considering I own a low 11 second Camaro and my daily driver even runs 13's.
I was just messing with ya!! BTW my 68 Camaro runs 10.80's and my Duramax runs 12.70's. Ya got me on the Malibu though, I'm sure your V6 Malibu will beat my I4. LOL!! It's cold and boring up here in Michigan right now so I'm just trying to have a little fun on here. Have a good one!!
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My Camaro could push into the 10's easy. But I like to keep it fun to drive on the street, and it has a handling based suspension. It is still a 6-speed with A/C, leather, full power, 900 watt stereo, nothing stripped out. It is still running heavy 17" wheels, and it still run's 11.teens deep into the 120's on ET Streets. Weight is 3650, so it is far from light, but it still gets 23 mpg in 6th gear on the highway even with 4:11's. I could do a auto swap with a big converter and run 10.60's, but what fun is that.
I still like driving my truck the best! I love pulling up to a guy in a brand new vette, mustang, or camaro and smoking their @ss or running right with them. It's always a blast to watch the looks on there faces!! What engine are you running in the Camaro? I just have a little 383 in mine. Oops I think we are Hijacking this tread!! SorryMy Camaro could push into the 10's easy. But I like to keep it fun to drive on the street, and it has a handling based suspension. It is still a 6-speed with A/C, leather, full power, 900 watt stereo, nothing stripped out. It is still running heavy 17" wheels, and it still run's 11.teens deep into the 120's on ET Streets. Weight is 3650, so it is far from light, but it still gets 23 mpg in 6th gear on the highway even with 4:11's. I could do a auto swap with a big converter and run 10.60's, but what fun is that.
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Sorry, but your earlier statement is incorrect (both about me and fast cars and about the I4).
1. I've owned a 10s Corvette and currently own a mid-12s Mustang and Firebird. 13's are not that great so you've either not tuned them or they're just going to stay slow. I've had (and still have) my fair share of power and I still say the I4+A6 Malibu is quick.
2. A car can be quick and not fast. The I4 is a quick car. I did spend time behind a V6 Malibu. I also spent time behind a V6 Mustang, a V8 Mustang, a V6 Caddy, a used V8 Corvette, and numerous other I4s when shopping for the Malibu. Is the Malibu fast? No. Is it quick? Yes. (although my reason for choosing the Malibu is related to none of this)
3. I'm going to make a reference that you should understand. ~25 years ago, a V6 Firebird made ~135hp. The V8 version made ~215hp and that was the tippy top of the line IROC-Z. The I4 Malibu makes 169hp and the V6 makes 252hp. The Firebirds from back then were very hot and you still see them all over the roads (especially IROC-Zs) and they were "Fast!". My Malibu stock will accelerate from 0-60 at ~9sec. The IROC-Z (pick the best from 85-90) will accelerate from 0-60 at ~7sec. 2sec difference is hefty in a race. Regular driving (what 90% of most people do) won't. And take into consideration that is an I4 going against a V8. That IROC-Z is slower than the V6 Malibu and barely faster than the I4 Malibu. So, is that IROC-Z now a "Slow" car just because some other car exists that goes faster? Or is it that the IROC-Z is fast and there are others that are "FastER"?
My point is, just because there is something with more hp and a quicker 0-60 time, does not mean something else is slow...
If you think that is what it means, then your cars are nothing more than toys from a cracker jack box.
@Driven Daily and OP: I agree with DrivenDaily, if you like the V6, great and go for it! However, drive both or whichever one feels right to you. If you want to know which rides smoother, drive them both for yourself. You will be much happier if -you- found the right car for you instead of listening to other people.
Another point in regards to the number of cylinders:
My Dad had a 2007 GMC Sierra. It had GMs technology that allowed it to shut off 4 cylinders (leaving it with 4 cylinders) if the V8 was not needed. The GMC Sierra also has a curb weight of ~5350lbs (and after the tools we had in the truck and the two of us, it is going to be no less than 5700 for the one we had).
Most of the time the Sierra was in the 4 cylinder mode (including when we accelerating most of the time) and it would get up and go. So, if the 4 cylinder is supposedly not enough of an engine to hand a Malibu that has a curb weight of ~3400lbs... then, why would the Sierra only need 4 cylinders at ~5700lbs?
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