[AmericanRevolution]

So, I saw an ad on TV earlier for the 2009 Sonata. Not once did they mention the Camry, Accord, Altima, Mazda6, Fusion, etc. Instead, they target the Malibu - boasting better room and fuel mileage (32 highway) than the Mali.

That's a good sign. The competition is on notice big time now it appears when they forgo comparing themselves to the big three in that class - the Altima, Camry, and Accord - for the Malibu.

 

[Neanderthal]

Looks like all that $$ spent on "lobbyists" has paid off. NPI.

 

[silvergoat2k6]

The wife and I really like the 2009 Sonata, and it will most likely be replacing her Intrigue by the end of the summer.

 

[EldoFan]

That's a good sign. The competition is on notice big time now it appears when they forgo comparing themselves to the big three in that class - the Altima, Camry, and Accord - for the Malibu.

.....or they've become resigned to the fact that combating the aforementioned Asian Big 3 has been worthless/gotten them nowhere and they decide to take on the newest shining star......

 

[silvergoat2k6]

The fact that the Sonata gets the same highway mileage as the Malibu despite it having more HP and 1 less gear in it's transmission shows me that GM could get the mpg of the Malibu even higher if they wanted...XFE treatment, anyone?

 

[logansowner]

The fact that the Sonata gets the same highway mileage as the Malibu despite it having more HP and 1 less gear in it's transmission shows me that GM could get the mpg of the Malibu even higher if they wanted...XFE treatment, anyone?

Haul out the 400 pounds it shouldn't have and you'd already be there. That's my biggest grip with the Malibu, that it weighs so damn much.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

The Malibu with the 2.4L ECOTEC and 6-speed auto already gets 32 MPG doesn't it?
Rumored 33 MPG with that weird math thing from Saturn.
I say XFE the Malibu, tune the engine and transmission to get 34 MPG or so.

 

[PA Dweller]

The wife and I really like the 2009 Sonata, and it will most likely be replacing her Intrigue by the end of the summer.

Whats wrong with the Malibu?

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Whats wrong with the Malibu?

Yeah really...much better and nicer car...and it's American too.

 

[chevrobill]

Does anyone know trade-in value of the'08 Malibu vs. '08 Sonata?

 

[silvergoat2k6]

Whats wrong with the Malibu?

Nothing, really...we're just getting too great of a lease deal with the Sonata to pass up...almost $100 less/month for a Sonata Limited vs. the Saturn Aura we were also considering. The Hyundai dealer is also offering us more for the wife's car than any of the 3 local Saturn dealers, so it looks like we'll have very little out-of-pocket at deal closing time.

We're only leasing it for 24 months...so perhaps next time we'll choose GM.

 

[silvergoat2k6]

Does anyone know trade-in value of the'08 Malibu vs. '08 Sonata?

Very few '08 Sonatas were made...the '09's have been out for awhile now.

 

[PA Dweller]

Yeah really...much better and nicer car...and it's American too.

Granted, I just wrote a one page report complaining about what the Malibu lacks I still think everyone shopping in this segment should at least head to a Chevy dealer, ask questions, look at the vehicle, and test drive it. I know I will in another 6 months.

Nothing, really...we're just getting too great of a lease deal with the Sonata to pass up...almost $100 less/month for a Sonata Limited vs. the Saturn Aura we were also considering. The Hyundai dealer is also offering us more for the wife's car than any of the 3 local Saturn dealers, so it looks like we'll have very little out-of-pocket at deal closing time.

We're only leasing it for 24 months...so perhaps next time we'll choose GM.

Ah I see a price thing. I understand, at least you considered a GM product.

 

[EldoFan]

Nothing, really...we're just getting too great of a lease deal with the Sonata to pass up...almost $100 less/month for a Sonata Limited vs. the Saturn Aura we were also considering. The Hyundai dealer is also offering us more for the wife's car than any of the 3 local Saturn dealers, so it looks like we'll have very little out-of-pocket at deal closing time.

We're only leasing it for 24 months...so perhaps next time we'll choose GM.

Variety is the spice of life......the more you experience, the better informed you can become and more refined your opinions, tastes & 'vehicle selection criteria' can become. :yup: Good luck with the ride.

 

[silvergoat2k6]

Variety is the spice of life......the more you experience, the better informed you can become and more refined your opinions, tastes & 'vehicle selection criteria' can become. :yup: Good luck with the ride.

Thanks...in 2 years, we hope to have the GTO paid off...so perhaps I can talk the wife into a new CTS4 for her next car (we both really like it but just can't swing it financially at this time...well, we could if I got rid of the GTO...but that's just not going to happen).

 

[PMC the 1st]

.....or they've become resigned to the fact that combating the aforementioned Asian Big 3 has been worthless/gotten them nowhere and they decide to take on the newest shining star......

AmericanRevolution and eldofan, you're both correct.

 

[asim]

Anybody have a copy of this commercial? Or is it online somewhere?

 

[EldoFan]

Haul out the 400 pounds it shouldn't have and you'd already be there. That's my biggest grip with the Malibu, that it weighs so damn much.

That's one thing GM really needs to tackle.....but I get the feeling they don't quite know how and being that they don't know how, they've just said "**** it"....

 

[ksr]

Good news or bad?

Good: Do they see the Malibu as the new class benchmark?

Bad: Are Camry and Accord so entrenched that Hyundai has given up try to get those customers and is focusing on poaching what they see as a more vulnerable target?

 

[CrunkedRL]

Well considering the fact that Hyundai has been trying to inch their way further and further upmarket as of late I'm questioning why they would choose the Malibu for comparison when VW would have seemed like a more formidable competitor considering their market strategy IMHO. The whole Hyundai vs BMW campaign they were running last year was a debacle and a complete waste of marketing dollars.