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The LS standard Malibu is a steal. There is about a $600 price differential between the '06 and the '07 - the '07 has stock side curtain airbags, very nice to have.
Obviously you are more likely to get a dealer discount on a 2006 than on a 2007.
Start by asking for the fleet sales department, be considerate of their time, and ask for their best price.
If you get a 2006, check the "build date" on the small tag riveted usually to the driver's side door frame - it shows the actual date of construction. For an '06, try to buy one that has been on the lot 5 months or less.
Some Malibus are optioned up and very expensive; the base LS model is only $17k though, if you can live with a 4 cylinder (it is actually quite peppy).
The best way to have a heads up on pricing is to go the Chevrolet.com and use the Build and Price option to find out what's available as options and colors. You can fairly readily get any dealer with a warm body and a pulse to show you their invoice and sell to you for anywhere from their invoice price to $600 over invoice. Don't under any circumstances pay "dealer pack" a side sticker on the window with mostly appearance items.
Where most buyers give back to the dealer is actually in the finanance department, for above market rate interest rates, or protection plans of various sorts. So don't let your guard down at that stage. Check the eloan or other online car loan rate before going in so you know what is "fair."
Good luck! Some things you just have to jump in and try...
$4500.00 Excellent, $4085.00 Good, $3580.00 Fair
It is a buyer's market on used cars. I would not pay a penny over the Good price, even if it is mint.
1. I think GM just put some more discounts and dealer money in to clear out 06's.
2. I know the LA auto show is already over. Any other auto show discounts on horizon?
3. If they're selling a Maxx for under $15 you should be able to do better with a 4 door sedan. There's still a quirk factor with the Maxx, the 4 door is going to be completely eclipsed by the new 08.
4. Don't be afraid to buy from a more distant dealer. The 'Bu is an extremely low maintenance car. Mine's only been to the dealer twice in 40 thousand miles. Your selling dealer doesn't have to be your servicing dealer.
5. Always deal with the Internet sales, there's less $$$ given out to a local sales person that way. Edmunds should give you 3 or more easy dealer quotes but do a zone search with other stickers on Chevy's web site and contact other Chevy dealers by Internet.
6. In addition to Edmunds, TrueDelta can be helpful in running down national pricing leaders.
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The dealer even asked for 19.5k plus tax and fees.
What I offered is 17k OTD but the sales refused to sell because according to him, they lost money for that price.
What do you guys think? Is it worthwhile to buy a demo car?
I'm a new owner of a used 06 Malibu LS. ~28000 miles. Clean, fairly low miles, great shape, runs perfect. Picked it up from a non-GM dealer for 12,500. In looking (Carfax), unit was a prior rental, which I figured with the mileage.
Question for the experts - was an LS with the 3.5L V6 engine ever a standard config? That's what this one has. From what I'm seeing it's an LS - everything else is base (no power seats, no heated seats, standard CD radio (no RDS)), except for the engine.
Also - one other question - I see no radio antenna - I'm assuming it's built in somewhere? Just curious.
Thanks!
Many thanks.
Keep looking and don't be afraid to walk away and go to the next Chevy dealer down the road.
Thanks.
In early 05 I bought an 05 LS for $16,000. I believe the list price was a bit over $22K. Given the fact that there were bigger markups and discounts back then, but realizing that your car is one year old, that there's a bunch of them on the lot and that the car is going to be discontinued (but without checking Edmunds price)... I'd estimate something less than fifteen.
This would represent the same dollar discount I got on a new car that wasn't going to be discontinued, so I'd think that would offset the changes in pricing made in 06.
Does this sound right to the rest of you?
BTW-- Just bought my wife an 07 Optima with leather for $16.1. Even though I'm a bit ticked at GM for a recent $800 steering column replacement, and even though the Optima has better workmanship, styling and handling. I gotta say that the 'Bu Maxx is more comfortable, gets about the same mileage with a six as the Optima four and IMHO (not hers) is the better all around deal, especially with the flexibility of the hatch. The Maxx is wearing very very well. I enjoy it more now than I did when it was new. This assessment might change if I have to put in another steering column or if the steering rack craps out.
Interestingly, I also had a quote for an '06 LT(listed through GM's website as new, but I was told by the dealer it was a program vehicle with 6000 miles) w/ seat heaters, spoiler and rear wiper, and a urethane wheel in lieu of a leather one, for $16900.
The 07 comes standard with some items the 06 doesn't, including side airbags, alloy wheels (06 has wheel covers), and leather wheel w/ audio controls, as well as a 100,000 mile powertrain warrenty.
At first I thought the $16900 was a pretty decent deal but after reading the forums here and getting the quote for the '07, I'm thinking otherwise.
Thoughts?
Is this through the Internet manager? What happens when you use Edmunds to ping three local dealers?
My jaw drops when kbb has a $24000 Maxx dropping to about $12000 wholesale in a year. You either want about 9-10000 off MSRP or need to consider something else.
Good luck
--jjf
I told them I wanted GM's $3,000 cash back for a final price of $13,998.40, but the internet salesman said they were already losing money on his quote ($16,998.40). I don't believe that for a minute. I argued that they could do better since the '08s were about to roll out (we're negotiating an '06) and if GM is giving the customer $3000 cash back, GM would surely have the dealers covered as well. He didn't have a response, and we ended the call.
Since $16,998.40 for a well-optioned '06 Maxx LT (front sunroof, convenience pkg, spoiler/rear wiper) came so easily, I believe that a serious buyer should haggle for a lower price. Hope this helps to add to this discussion...
--jjf
By the way, I took delivery of a navy 06 Malibu Maxx with 31,000 miles yesterday. It came w/ options like power sunroof, steering wheel cruise control and audio controls, rear spoiler and wiper and xm radio. It rides nicely, but in getting to know the vehicle, the DIC sounds complicated and the front center vent area is developing a rattle.
I bought it from JBA Automotive in Glen Burnie, MD. Their prices are competitive, and they are willing to negotiate. Our salesman said they sell the most cars in MD but are still family-owned rather than owned by a corporation.
Overall the experience was better than others I've heard about: fewer high-pressure sell tactics, upfront about internet pricing, personable sales staff and a more laid-back manager. This could be their modus operandi or it could be because we did our research and brought our competing car listings and Edmunds TMV with us.
If you got a 6 percent or so interest rate with good credit, its a mediocre deal. As you know the car isn't going anywhere.
If you absolutely need a hatch, Try looking at the 07 mazda6 5dr hatch special value edition. Even with the 4 cyl is peppy, is the only other hatch sedan I know of, is far sexier and with msrp of 22k may be able to get it for in the high 16s+tax. The 6 cyl may be $1500+ more.
Good luck
--jjf
My local dealer (long island,NY) has a 06 maxx LT with side airbags. I Asked for 16K (include NY tax 8.6%)and got approved by dealer. Don't know if it is a goodbuy to get a almost 2 year old malibu. It's not a demo car-only 15 mileage on it. Would somebody give me some advice? 1st time to get a new car. Thank you all.
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