[caddycruiser]

Eventually, I have quite a story to tell, but in the meantime...I have an opinion question for you guys. A lot of you may put 2 and 2 together, from the question and choicesonder:, but I digress.

If you were buying a new '09 Malibu right now, and had already picked colors (White/Cashmere...don't need help there, so don't bother), but were between 2 models, which would you prefer and why? If it makes any difference, say if you were coming from a current Epsilon 3.5L/4-speed car and enjoy the combo of power & economy it has, and could take more of either, and have narrowed your choice to the following 2 cars.

#1: 2009 Malibu 2LT with V6 package, premium mats, power package (rear shade & 110-volt plug), sunroof as below:

#2: 2009 Malibu LTZ 4-cyl with sunroof as below:

Here has been my take, so far:

2LT V6 - Clean, cool, SS-like look. 2LT V6 "rarer" than most, not that most would notice the difference between every other Malibu now, but I would. Great 3.6L power, sound, and I think economy given my driving; very quiet, smooth, and effortless, then a beast when you drop the hammer. Firmer steering, which I'm used to and enjoy. Suede is closer to my cloth and I like the feel, generally, just not as hot on the vinyl bolsters and solid color.
LTZ 4-cyl - LOVE the look, from the extra chrome to the wheels. 2.4L is spunky the first bit off the line and nice once up to speed, but often can seem dead in between and at other times. From experience, generally strong economy once cruising. Steering is lighter, but still nice. LOVE the look and feel of the 2-tone leather, except for that leather-->back "sweat" when it's hot (last car).

Pick your choice and then "do tell"

 

[MrCritical]

If the V6 is the 3.6 you won't be happy with the fuel mileage.

I'd stick with the 2.4

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Oh dear. You've brought it to another forum.

I still say 4-cyl LTZ.

 

[fenderbender]

Why not an LTZ V6?

 

[Firebird00]

I vote 2LT V6. I will always take more power and sacrifice a little fuel economy. Cars with 4 cylinders in them drive me crazy. Not enough torque and limp steering.

Can you get a 2LT with the dark cherry wood trim or do they only come with the oak trim? I prefer the cherry trim. It looks great with the cashmere leather. The oak looks cheap.

 

[caddycruiser]

Why not an LTZ V6?

Same question from another forum (hah, yes, this is on THREE now!). I think, ultimately, that would be what my gut would love...BUT it's out of the price range given the situation, and these 2 trims with their respective powertrains are what I settled on liking the most.

I've had a thing for the 3.6L since driving a G6 GXP and after 2 months with my very potent 3.5L VVT/4-speed car, hence the V6 attraction. At the same time, I didn't think I could stand the slug feel I occasionally think about our current '08 Malibu as, but with the 6-speed it's sprightly enough for the power--just clearly no V6.

 

[caddycruiser]

I vote 2LT V6. I will always take more power and sacrifice a little fuel economy. Cars with 4 cylinders in them drive me crazy. Not enough torque and limp steering.

Can you get a 2LT with the dark cherry wood trim or do they only come with the oak trim? I prefer the cherry trim. It looks great with the cashmere leather. The oak looks cheap.

You KNOW? I never noticed the wood difference until I got home and was comparing the pictures. What's in there is what's in there, with no choice, but honestly I like both and the lighter 2LT stuff is still fine with me.

I know what you mean about the 4-cylinders. I specifically bought my G6 GT after being so impressed with the firm steering and strong power but still sipping economy of the 3.5L, vs. a 2.4L Malibu or whatever else I was considering at the time. BUT, now, still as much as I love driving the 3.6L cars, I could get used to a 2.4L, and was still pleased with the 2 I drove again on Saturday back to back with the V6. It's very different, but I like either.

For a long time, I've been a fan of the 2LT V6 for the engine but also slightly more subdued look than the LTZ, but then in this case when I found these 2 cars, that darn LTZ just kept drawing me to it as well.

 

[member12]

I really, really like the wheels and interior on the LTZ model...but I know that the drivetrain on the V6 is more my speed.

I tend to live in larger cities, which necessitate more powerful cars to merge into traffic. I wouldn't want to live in Houston or Atlanta with a 4 cylinder car as large as the Malibu, especially with 3 or 4 people on board.

 

[marinerbc]

Oh dear. You've brought it to another forum.

I still say 4-cyl LTZ.

What he said. IF you care about fuel mileage of course, which when push comes to shove most people don't.

 

[caddycruiser]

Very good comments and votes so far guys!

It's been a good read and helpful, especially as to what people "think" about just the look of the different models. I'm leaning one way more to start, and on Saturday I told my salesperson to try and trade for the one--which she's to do first thing tomorrow--but we'll see. Hope it works out, but if not, will gladly take the other car.

9 vs. 3...LTZ is winning, understandably so. I know the ultimate would be the LTZ V6, which is fantastic, but these 2 models are the price level I wanted to max out at and a good comparo at such similar pricetags.

Keep it coming!

 

[jmlee0695]

ltz 4cyl-mostly b/c of the interior-love the cocoa/cashmere leather

 

[96_impala_ss]

i would go with the LTZ one. it looks much nicer than the LT one. mileage is 2nd reason :laugh:

 

[roteague]

I prefer the LTZ V-6, but it wasn't an option.

 

[MCGARRETT]

Are you thinking of replacing that beautiful pearl white G6 coupe?

Why?


I would go for the LT2 V6, I really like the 5 spokes, and the simulated suede(fauxuede?) seat inserts.

The photo of the LTZ you have is a little missleading though, I think that is a V6 LTZ, as far as I know, the 4 banger LTZ has the chrome "G6" 5 spokes, you cant get the 18's on the 4 banger LTZ, for what reason I have no idea.

(though I went back and looked at the pics again and I noticed the LT has bigger exhaust tips than the LTZ, so is that a 4 cyl LTZ? did they change the options for 09?)

 

[Millefune]

LTZ, because the foglights and four white circles on the back rock.

Also, isn't the V6 LTZ only like $1-2K more? That's like $30 dollars a month, if not less. Just eat out one less time a month and get the best.

 

[caddycruiser]

The photo of the LTZ you have is a little missleading though, I think that is a V6 LTZ, as far as I know, the 4 banger LTZ has the chrome "G6" 5 spokes, you cant get the 18's on the 4 banger LTZ, for what reason I have no idea.

(though I went back and looked at the pics again and I noticed the LT has bigger exhaust tips than the LTZ, so is that a 4 cyl LTZ? did they change the options for 09?)

No, this is a 2009 LTZ 4-cylinder. They only used the chrome G6 wheels on them for the late 2008 builds, and now all LTZ's regardless of engine use the original 18" machined aluminum wheels.

 

[EldoFan]

LTZ all the way........why?? You get the best of both worlds....comfort and economy (esp. with the six speed in the 09's).

Having put almost 900 miles on my Malibu (1LT) in the three weeks since purchase (871mi since 9/9), I can't quite echo your sentiments on the 2.4, but maybe that's because I have an '08 with the 4spd? Whether driven gingerly in the city (where I have a light foot and rarely go over 50mph) or going full bore out on the interstate @ around 80mph, the power has always seemed steady & constant to me.

Actually sat in an Imperial Blue 2.4LTZ that was parked next to mine and the leather did give me the same feeling....haha The bluetooth and heated seats were killer though....(w/o these student loans, I would've ended up in that one!)...if you can still swing it man, go for it by all means :yup:

 

[caddycruiser]

LTZ, because the foglights and four white circles on the back rock.

Also, isn't the V6 LTZ only like $1-2K more? That's like $30 dollars a month, if not less. Just eat out one less time a month and get the best.

You see, if this was just a straight out deal, the LTZ V6 really isn't that different.

BUT, I already have the lease on my G6 for 39 months and in this situation, they are simply swapping the lease and all related documents from this car to whatever the new one is. That being said, whatever the difference is in MSRP, I pay with a one time check, and then my lease continues on as it was but now with the new car.

SO, essentially, the less out of pocket the better, as it's just more money lost in the end if I do the usual and turn the car in at the end of the lease.

 

[TuffG929]

I hate the wheels on the LT

 

[caddycruiser]

Okay, now we're 2:1 LTZ to 2LT. I think that says a lot, but we'll see.