Car Professors Assemble! - Corolla Vs. Malibu

[PhotoJourno]

I love carrying all my Canon gear in my car. (there, now it's photography related).

Here's the simple version of the story.

I own an 08 Corolla (Standard issue, Automatic transmission).
I have the chance to switch to Chevrolet Malibu (07 or 08). LT version, not tricked out or with any fancy package.

Anyone around here own the Malibu?...

Any thoughts?...

So far, an online comparison says that the Malibu seems a bit more powerful for its weight, and that the price (MSRP at least) is a bit higher on the Chevy.

Personally, I would trade it without hesitation. However, I have not heard a lot about it. I heard that it seems a bit roomier, and responds a tad better than a Toyota. Other than that... you tell me.

[eddarr]

All things being equal right now. I would stick with the Toyota over a Chevy. Besides if you are trading in a 2008 car you will get killed.

Which one gets better gas mileage?

[PhotoJourno]

Good question. For what I read, the Toyota seems to get better mileage. The chevy has a slighter higher consumption, and also a bigger gas tank.

For the purposes of this thread, let's imagine all things being equal. Why Toyota over Chevy?...

[condyk]

Anything called 'Malibu' is implicitly uncool IMO, unless it is actually the place 'Malibu'. The Corolla is 'uncool' but it ain't tryin' to be 'cool' and so therefore is 'cooler'. What else matters?

[smcclelland]

Toyota hands down. I've never been able to sit comfortably in any domestic vehicle as I feel there's not a single domestic manufacturer that pays attention to detail when it comes to ergonomics in the interior.

I'm driving around in a Pontiac G5 4 door right now as a rental from the insurance company and it's absolutely painful, it makes my old GTI feel like a luxury car.

[Michael]

Corolla! Definitely! I don't know what the US models are like, but I was checking out the middle range model here in Australia and it is pretty nice. 6 speed manual, 7 l/100km.. pretty damn good.

I don't think Corollas, or Toyota's in general are "uncool". I think they are becoming a more up market car company as of late, at least in Australia.

[PhotoJourno]

Thanks for the feedback.

[inthedeck]

I'd keep the Corolla. It'll outlast the Malibu.

[Cotmweasel]

Originally Posted by inthedeck

I'd keep the Corolla. It'll outlast the Malibu.

Thats what I was going to say. Toyota is rated one of the top most reliable car companies. Chevy isn't even close. The Toyota is most likely going to last a lot longer then the chevy.

[PhotoJourno]

Ok. Let's add some spice to the situation, then.

You still have to choose between one of two, however:

- On the Toyota, the Loan is for 15 beans, although the car is worth 10 new, and only 8 out of the lot. (why 15 for a 10 car? long story, but stick with me on this one).

- On the Chevy, the Loan is for 10 beans, car is worth 10 new, and also probably 7-8 out of the lot.

Would you still overpay 5 beans for the toyota, or make it go away and get a fairly priced Chevy?

[inthedeck]

I'd still say the gas savings on the corolla will outweigh the price diff. on the car, over time.

Secondly, I wouldn't pay 'over' anything, on a car...it's a depreciating asset...I'd go to another dealer.

[smcclelland]

Honestly, even if it was for 15 beans with interest that Toyota is going to far out last the Malibu, save you on gas and be far more reliable in my opinion.

Side note though, definitely source other dealers. One VW dealer offered me 3.9% on my GTI, another offered me 1.9% and the one I bought it from did 0% for 5 years so it pays to shop around.

[eddarr]

You own the toyota now don't you?

If that's the case you are upside down 7 beans on the toyota. If you trade it in on the malibu you will end up paying 17 beans for the malibu. I would rather be upside down on a toyota than a chevy. It goes back to the reliability and the toyota will hold value much longer than the chevy.

This is just going to be a never ending problem. I have a feeling you were upside down in the previous car also. Stop the madness here. Keep the toyota long enough to have a little equity in it before you look to trade it for something else.

[ibdb]

I'll throw in a contrarian thought, it would appear.

The 2007 Malibu I'd avoid. The 2008 might be worth considering, though I don't have any personal experience with it. Car & Driver named the 2008 version to its 10 best list and gave it as good a review as I've seen just about any car in quite a while (the 10 best mention is here: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...rs+page-5.html).


Financially, a paid off car is a better deal than anything that isn't. You'd have to have some HUGE fuel savings to make just about any paid off vehicle worth getting rid of to get a newer, more fuel efficient car. To me, unless you're driving lots of miles, trading a car for the fuel savings just isn't the right financial decision in a lot of cases right now. There are some calculators out there that allow you to estimate how long you'd have to own a more fuel efficient car to make up for the hit you take in selling a less efficient one and purchasing the more efficient one -- I think edmunds.com might have one.

[Dave.H]

Originally Posted by inthedeck

I'd keep the Corolla. It'll outlast the Malibu.

What is this oppinion based on?

Originally Posted by ibdb

The 2007 Malibu I'd avoid.

Why?



I'm not trying to start an internet argument. I am simply curious for my own personal reasons what the basis of the oppinions are here.