[jeffk]

I just rolled over 80,000 miles in my 2017 LT and got one of those we need you car ads from my dealer. I usually ignore those. Still working from home I decided to visit to see what offers I can get. Turns out the offers are good. They gave me a bit over $9000 for my 2017 LT and I got a 2018 Premier with 32,000 miles for $13,500. I paid about 4800 out of pocket after fees. $4800 and a Malibu with 80,000 miles seems like a good trade for a 2018 Premier with only 32000 miles. They had like 7 used 2.0 cars on the lot and maybe 2 dozen LS and LT. They seem really stocked up on used Malibus. I'm not a huge fan of the black but it was the best balance of miles and price and had a better cared for interior. A couple of the other Premiers had really bad scuffs and scratches on the wheels.

I've put about 800 miles on it so far. Impressions... I really prefer the Premier seats over my old cloth. It isn't nice leather like a Cadillac XT6 I was recently in but just feels better. I think the seats are softer. The engine takes off considerably faster and can actually put me back in the seat a little. The 9speed is smooth as silk. I think the 2.0 idles louder than the old 1.5 but at least auto stop is gone. On the highway it seems to do really well and I get like 35 mpg going 70. It gets about 20 around town but I am probably still enjoying the push a little more than I should. Average is about 26 as advertised.

I'm thinking about some tint and a tune from trifecta.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

That seems like a really reasonable tradeoff. You dropped 50,000 miles and gained 100 horsepower as well as a bunch of luxury touches for less than $5,000. Enjoy the new (to you) premier!

2.0T is the only way I'd go, personally.

 

[campb292]

I think that's a heck of a good deal. Congrats and enjoy!

 

[2019premier]

I think that's a heck of a good deal. Congrats and enjoy!

EVERYBODY jump on the Pemiers. THE RENTAL CAR COMPANIES are going broke think about it. Leather-appointed. Cross drilled crank,300 + hp 3200 pounds. Less than 20k Pobaby cheaper soon, I swear ny 2XX is the best 9 gen yet, and the fastest, and quickest, get the tune and GM suspension...

 

[jeffk]

My 18 Premier wasn't a rental car. I'd never buy a used rental car those cars get horrible maintenance and abused endlessly.

I have an appointment to get tinted but I decided to pass on the Trifecta tune. I might reconsidered after the warranty but want to keep things by the book until then. Plus I think it drives just fine as is. And what the heck does "get a GM suspension" mean? You mean get the accessory lowering kit to drop it half a cm? Come on.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

My 18 Premier wasn't a rental car. I'd never buy a used rental car those cars get horrible maintenance and abused endlessly.

I have an appointment to get tinted but I decided to pass on the Trifecta tune. I might reconsidered after the warranty but want to keep things by the book until then. Plus I think it drives just fine as is. And what the heck does "get a GM suspension" mean? You mean get the accessory lowering kit to drop it half a cm? Come on.

The lowering kit drops half an inch, which is about 1.3cm. I'm not personally interested in the way aftermarket springs utilize such a massive drop and the sacrifice to suspension wear and tear. I think the GM kit's subtle lowering and improved handling is a more appealing option.

 

[jeffk]

The lowering kit drops half an inch, which is about 1.3cm. I'm not personally interested in the way aftermarket springs utilize such a massive drop and the sacrifice to suspension wear and tear. I think the GM kit's subtle lowering and improved handling is a more appealing option.

OK I thought it was half a cm from another post here but they must have meant inch. Still not for me car is already low as it is nor am I 12.

 

[2019premier]

Mine only had around 16k on it, it didn't seem to have the wear and tear like a lot of rentals, interior was perfect. Anyway elsewhere on the forum somebody said the performance springs dramatically improve the handling, I was skeptical but he was right. Its not all about lowering, springs are stiffer, the alignment gets changed too. On center feel is much better, car doesn't wander on the interstate at high speed, corners like its on rails. Makes it fun to drive. Reminds me of my BMW 335i with the sport package. Even the electric steering doesn't bother me, I can put the car where I want it no matter what else I'm doing. Couldn't do that before the upgrade, aggressive maneuvers were just scary...until the new springs ...
The tune is the best money I have spent on a car. The dealer can't tell if u have it and probably doesn't care one way or the other. Forget the extra power, the shift mapping alone is worth the price. It is perfect in all situations, off the line, passing, merging. ..

 

[Mynewbu87]

Mine only had around 16k on it, it didn't seem to have the wear and tear like a lot of rentals, interior was perfect. Anyway elsewhere on the forum somebody said the performance springs dramatically improve the handling, I was skeptical but he was right. Its not all about lowering, springs are stiffer, the alignment gets changed too. On center feel is much better, car doesn't wander on the interstate at high speed, corners like its on rails. Makes it fun to drive. Reminds me of my BMW 335i with the sport package. Even the electric steering doesn't bother me, I can put the car where I want it no matter what else I'm doing. Couldn't do that before the upgrade, aggressive maneuvers were just scary...until the new springs ...
The tune is the best money I have spent on a car. The dealer can't tell if u have it and probably doesn't care one way or the other. Forget the extra power, the shift mapping alone is worth the price. It is perfect in all situations, off the line, passing, merging. ..

I concur on the Trifecta tune it's more the drivability that improves rather then just speed.(I have an 8 speed it's a little different) I still have 44,000 miles or 3 years left on my warranty but decided to go ahead with the tune I guess to each his own. An as far as the comment about being 12 I don't think you have to be immature to want to improve the ride height of your vehicle for show or performance purposes you could however sound like a 12 year old for saying something like that. When I look at my vehicle I would like at least 1.5 drop for the back and 1" up front. Everyone wants something different out of there Malibu experience.

 

[DrivenDaily]

I lowered my Gen7 (yeah, I know it's not a Gen9) a couple years ago using Eibach springs that dropped it 1.4 inches. It looks better but the trade-off is a little harder getting out of the car. As above, it handles like it's on rails, especially with performance tires on it.

Looks better, handles better, a little more effort on the egress.

 

[jeffk]

Thanks for sharing the opinions all. Other than the tint I am still leaving it as is. Once my warranty is up I'll look back at the tune. Still quite happy with the car and look forward to a few years of enjoyable service!

 

[campb292]

@jeffk
Sounds good. Feel free to share some pics once you get tinted. I love the look of a properly tinted car. Also, kudos to you for taking the high road in your last post. I would have probably responded much more harshly to someone calling me "immature" for sharing my opinion of a suggested mod in my own thread. Since this discussion settled in a positive place, I think I'll close it for a few days before it deteriorates.

Again, congrats and enjoy!