ATGs thoughts on 2015 Malibu LS

[Raduque]

I'm finding myself needing to downsize my truck for several reasons, and a pure white 2015 Malibu (40k miles) has caught my eye.

I have not test driven it yet, though. Looks clean inside and out and ticks most of my boxes ( Bluetooth, auto headlights, one-touch windows).

So what does AT Garage think of the Malibu?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I test drove a 2014 Malibu in May... I didn't like it.

It had a very cushy ride, but it was soft/bouncy more than smooth. It also had a lot of body roll, and was louder on the highway than anything else I test drove. The 2.0T motor had a fair amount of pep, but had to be revving pretty high to provide it and took a while to get there.

Seats and interior were okay.

Compared to the Accord, Camry, and Altima, it was a markedly inferior product. You should look at those instead.

Edit: if the reason you're downsizing your truck involve a new job with a crazy-long commute, I could also point out that used Priuses are pretty common and affordable. My parents have 320k miles on their 2006. (And they only drive it to work some of the time. Between all their other cars, they've driven about 800k miles in four different vehicles since 2003, but the Prius is their mileage car.)

 

[Dr. Detroit]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-chevrolet-malibu-25-liter-first-drive-reviews

 

[dave_the_nerd]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-chevrolet-malibu-25-liter-first-drive-reviews

Car and Driver? Those guys are never happy. A 500hp Golf might shut them up for a week, but only if BMW built the suspension.

 

[Raduque]

No, I don't have a crazy- long commute, but even if I did I'm going to be honest, a Prius is never a vehicle I will ever consider. I just can't do it.

As I said, I haven't test driven it yet, I plan on doing it within the week, maybe even today.

The lot also has another car that is a potential choice, a 15 Chrysler 200 Limited. Same standard features as the Chevy but the bonus of a larger full-color screen in the dash. I have driven a 16 200 Limited, and it drove and felt OK. Very revvy with the 9 speed though.

 

[herm0016]

The fiat wont last half as long as the GM. Rented a few malibu's. they are fine cars, and i'm sure cheaper than the same used Toyota or whatever. also rented an altima, that was a pretty nice car.

 

[Raduque]

They have a few Altimas, Hyundais and such. I'm not in a huge rush to buy though, I won't be picking it up till the end of the month anyway.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Not my first choice in the category. Not even my first choice of GM sedan. Take a look at same year Impala.

Chrysler 200? No. Just no. When their own CEO goes on record calling the car crap you know it's bad.

 

[HitAnyKey]

I rented a 2015 Malibu for a week once on a business trip. Typical GM. Pretty quiet, ugly dash / gauges, weird seats, floaty handling and so-so acceleration. The best part was the trunk was pretty spacious. The car felt pretty meh. I was too happy to turn it in.

I think there are better choices out there. Maxima, Camry, Mazda6, Accord.