The concept was called the G6 because of the supercharged 285 HP engine. I guess they thought the name was suitable for a production model, so here we are.
In the Midwest the new Malibus are all advertised at almost $4000.00 off sticker. Whatever the G6 lists at six months later it will probably be onsale at zero percent and a few grand off sticker.
The auto industry screwed themselves with the rebate/0% game and buyers now are willing to wait for it.
Down here in FL, you can get about $1,300 - 1,400 off sticker and then the $1,000 rebate (off an '04).
Though some folks feel that the Malibu sells best in the midwest (which WOULD account for the increased discounting), the last-gen Malibu sold pretty well in FL. Older folks ate them up in big quantities.
Probably because I drive one, I swear I see almost as many "old " Malibus on the road than Camrys. Still no sightings of an '04, though.
'03 Malibus down here are being advertised for 40% off sticker, which would be more like $8,000.
will do in the showroom and what the advertised discounts are. Most new mid-sized sedans can be had for less than sticker. It is a pretty competitive field.
The $1,300 - 1,400 off sticker is what I was quoted IN THE SHOWROOM when I test drove a Malibu back in October. I'll be at the dealer again tomorrow, so I'll see what's up right now. Doubt it's changed.
The Malibu is way too new and still in somewhat short supply (which I was chewed out for mentioning in the Malibu forum by a Kansas City plant manager; great GM customer-focused thinking; was appalled at the defensiveness) for hefty discounts at the moment.
I also think that the reason that I'm not seeing any '04 Malibus or Maxxes on the road is that current Malibu owners are in a bad case of sticker shock. Likely, the same thing will happen to current Grand Am owners next fall when they see a G6 sticker. I mean, they're asking over $28K for a well-equipped (but not loaded) Impala? At least on that you can get huge discounts. Grand Prix will soon be the same once folks see the crash test results on that mistake.
You can go to www.rydellauto.com and see 04 Malibus discounted $3000. It is one of those bottom line pricing dealerships. I have seen ads in the Des Moines register for 04 almost $4000 off sticker. I think GM released a bomb.
IMO the new Malibu is hideous, looks like somebody kicked an Impala in the nose. I don't see them selling any better then an Aztek.
ronhextall : You are dreaming. The Malibu is nothing like the Aztek. To say so is nothing short of ridiculous.
chevyguy : No cash back in Canada at all. Just 0% for 48 mo. I did however get a $750 coupon promo in the mail off any GM including Saturn and Saab before April 30. Tempting.
Dropping almost $4000 off the sticker a couple of months after releasing it is about Aztek range IMO. Time will tell on the Malibu but I think GM would be wise to put a new nose on it fast.
by a website link that does not say what you said it does.
The new Malibu looks as good as either of the CamCords. Cars in this segment sell on features. As most reviews of the Malibu underscore, the car will sell on value for the money.
The car that is the focus of this discussion (you appear to have as much trouble navigating the TH as you do supporting your arguments) will compete more on the basis of performance and looks.
The website is not knocking off $4000, but it is knocking off over $3000. Other places in Des Moines are advertising almost $4000. I couldn't find a place to link an online add, I did the best I could. I am sorry if you overpaid for a ugly Malibu.
It doesn't matter to me, I don't own a Malibu and never will.
I came here looking for info on the G6 but most of what I read is about how great the Malibu is. I figured I would help people save a few grand on one if they wanted one.
But I did check out the site you linked to verify your facts.
The site shows Rydell has one 04 Malibu LT that it lists at approx $22870. Per Edmunds, MSRP for a base 04 Malibu LT is $23495. The deal appears to be linked with the buyer taking Rydell's financing, which is 5% 72 months. That will add over 3k in interest if the buyer pays according to plan.
Qualified buyers anywhere in the country can get an 04 Malibu LT with either $1k back or 0% interest.
Where you get that Rydell sells Malibus at $3k off is certainly not apparent from working an actual car on that website.
I do not blame you for wanting to go from an ugly Honda to a G6.
Well, I discovered this morning that good old GM has gone back on its word. It is now selling '04 Chevy Classics to the retail customer. My dealer just got a truckload in yesterday. So much for Lutz's statements.
The stripped Classic stickers for $19,700, while the stripped base '04 Malibu stickers for a few $ under $19.
The salespeople are so confused, and I feel for them. GM is mixed up at the moment, big time.
Maybe they'll keep the current Grand Am around as well.
"g6 will cost a bit more but I think it's worth it unless you need a Maxx."
Why should the G6 cost more than the Malibu? There is no substantive difference to it other than styling. The powertrains are the same. Same cheap lowball powertrains.
chevyguy : Any incentives on the Classic? Surprised they would bother otherwise, new car is much better.
reg : Pontiacs always list a bit higher. I see no reason for the G6 to be different. The "lowball powertrains" you refer to are likely more reliable than most. Of course you always have to get your OHV dig in.
The salespeople are confused because both the Classic and the Malibu are in the same class and compete against each other. To be fair, the Classic I looked at had 2 less-expensive options on it, for a bottom line sticker of $19,700. I didn't notice the base w/o options, nor did I ask about incentives. Here's the link to national (US) incentives. Local incentives can be higher, depending on where you reside.
It is no longer primarily a fleet vehicle. Split down the line between fleet and retail, per my dealer.
The G6 will be more than a comparable Bu. Pontiacs are always more, and as noted above, some of the options will not be offerred on the Bu.
I'm curious to see where GM ends up placing Saturn (the L-Series replacement being due for '06). First I thought above Pontiac, in Olds' spot, but as you go up the GM line, the higher-placed brands have larger vehicles and not as many smaller ones. Buick has no Epsilon vehicle coming, as far as I know, for example. Since Saturn has no Grand Prix or Bonneville platformmate, maybe above Chevy and below Pontiac?
If you copy and past this link to your address and hit go you should see what I see. It shows a 04 Mailibu with a MSRP of 24400 with a bottom line sell price of 20903. Which is $3 short of $3500 off sticker.
All that being said, I am really excited about the G6. I would like a 4 door car that seats five and has a manual transmisson with around 220+ hp. GM never seems to over anything like this and the overseas automakers have lots of good choices for what I want. I have about $2500 in GM Card points and the G6 looks good on paper. The Cadillac CTS is the only other GM option at this time.
The link I posted re:incentives (still useful, but not for what I'd intended) has no reference to the Classic. Nor does the Southeast US grid (different site), which I just checked.
Either it has no incentives, or GM hasn't updated to include it.
If the pontiacs sell for more there should be substantive and valuable differences between them and 'value' chevys. Pontiac prices itself in Honda territory and then doesn't deliver the same goods. Who cares if Pontiac saves themselves 50 bucks?
For anyone who hasn't seen them, google with the keywords -- pontiac g6 webshots media -- to see some really nice, large pics of the G6. I'd post a link, but it would probably get deleted. There are some autoshow pics out there too.
Also, MT tested the new Malibu in their February issue. The 3500 V6 got the car to 60 in 7.6 seconds. The G6 is about 100 lbs heavier, but it should still make the trip in 8 seconds flat with the same powertrain.
Relax, the price difference is very small. It's not a big news flash either, it's always been that way. Of course the G6 may be better optioned in base form than the Bu. This was the case with GP vs Impala.
Wouldn't one possible reason that Pontiacs might be priced higher then Chevrolets, be the sales volume. If you have to hit a profit number, it would sure be easier with a higher volume.
In the case of the Montana (as I was just looking at them the other day), ABS, fog lights and a couple of other things are standard and on the Venture they are not. There is a reason.
The G6 will also have this stuff (std. or optional) not on the Malibu sedan: trunk struts, projector-beam foglights, a longer wheelbase (with more rear seat legroom), the optional 3900, the panorama sunroof, side AND curtain airbags, stablility control, full leather-surfaced seats (rather than UltraLux), etc.
While the initial G6 GT might be priced near the Bu LS, check off a few pricey options and you're soon past Malibu LT territory.
Price aside, I think they've read postings in the Malibu forum and fixed what should have been fixed before the Malibu made it to market. My main beefs with the Malibu would haven't existed had its length and wheelbase (wheelbase of the Maxx is fine, but also not the length) been 4 inches longer. Since the G6 has the Maxx's 6-inch longer wheelbase, but is only an inch longer than the Malibu sedan, I'm sure something had to give. Trunk size, maybe?
Yeah, Pontiac actually spends something for a comfortable seat. I can't say that for the Honda's I've driven. I guess that rubber ball dash material is supposed to make up for the discomfort though.
BTW - have you fashioned a toilet out of a 3800 block yet? You really need to do this as it might help relieve that GM angst.
yeah, perhaps my father in law will love to give me his when his manifold pops off the block again. He's not gonna wanna stick another 1200+ dollars into it.
GM should stick porcelain toilets in the engine bay of their cars, they would have lighter front ends than those heavy mezozoic cast iron block v6's......
that's because there's not much about the G6 worth conversing over, its the same as all gm cars.......concept car styling gone bad, pushrod engine, less than perfect interior. High MSRP, incentives.
not that is a bad car, just more of the same old, same old....i.e. it won't make a dent in the market.
Sure the Japanese and Germans have had this stuff for years now but it is good to see GM getting their act together. On paper, it all looks good. Now they just need to make sure the reliability is there.
Seems to me that with the G6 (and GTO) there is plenty worth discussing. Just one man's opinion.
Reg just can't bring himself to admit the G6 is a beautiful car and very likely a winner. Actually, he has seen and driven it (before any one else) and hence knows it's no good (ie same old same old).
the concept car was stunning, and had a decent interior. the production model doesn't have exactly the same look and has an interior more like the current grand am, plasticky and overdone.
the lines on the concept flowed more and it looked wider with shorter overhangs. the front end of the pro. model is too chunky in front like the malibu and too squared off. the car doesn't look as wide proportionally. the front end does not look as mencaing as the concept. the production model does not have the same presence as the concept, and looks a lot less expensive. the concept was reminiscent of a more cab forward look where the pro. model is much less aggressive and a more defined 3 box look.
contrast the execution with that with the solstice.......very little difference between the solstice concept and the car they just rolled out.
and the 3.9 and 6 speed while great to talk about are a long time away. like 2 years.
Everything I have read states GTP (3.9 V6 with 6 speed manual)is planned for mid 2005. Styling is very subjective. My only point is that it looks "generally sedan-type sporty" without the traditional Pontiac overkill which is at least a step in the right direction. I am still undecided on the interior. While I would not classify it as Grand-Am looking, I am not sure if I could really say I like it. And I agree that the louvered sunroof is pretty cool...it should have made my original list.
Who doesn't hate the steering wheel? I know GM loves cost-cutting, but couldn't they also cost-cut by using the same steering wheel as the Solstice? Sporty interior, family man steering wheel.
the exterior is closer to concept than the interior but I feel still loses something. Its the interior that comes out of the wash as looking quite watered down.
I would not call the G6 "stunningly good looking". Good looking, yes. Stunning, let's not go that far.
Comments
The auto industry screwed themselves with the rebate/0% game and buyers now are willing to wait for it.
Think you mean ads for left over 03 Malibus.
Though some folks feel that the Malibu sells best in the midwest (which WOULD account for the increased discounting), the last-gen Malibu sold pretty well in FL. Older folks ate them up in big quantities.
Probably because I drive one, I swear I see almost as many "old " Malibus on the road than Camrys. Still no sightings of an '04, though.
'03 Malibus down here are being advertised for 40% off sticker, which would be more like $8,000.
The Malibu is way too new and still in somewhat short supply (which I was chewed out for mentioning in the Malibu forum by a Kansas City plant manager; great GM customer-focused thinking; was appalled at the defensiveness) for hefty discounts at the moment.
I also think that the reason that I'm not seeing any '04 Malibus or Maxxes on the road is that current Malibu owners are in a bad case of sticker shock. Likely, the same thing will happen to current Grand Am owners next fall when they see a G6 sticker. I mean, they're asking over $28K for a well-equipped (but not loaded) Impala? At least on that you can get huge discounts. Grand Prix will soon be the same once folks see the crash test results on that mistake.
IMO the new Malibu is hideous, looks like somebody kicked an Impala in the nose. I don't see them selling any better then an Aztek.
chevyguy : No cash back in Canada at all. Just 0% for 48 mo. I did however get a $750 coupon promo in the mail off any GM including Saturn and Saab before April 30. Tempting.
to regfootball ;-)
The new Malibu looks as good as either of the CamCords. Cars in this segment sell on features. As most reviews of the Malibu underscore, the car will sell on value for the money.
The car that is the focus of this discussion (you appear to have as much trouble navigating the TH as you do supporting your arguments) will compete more on the basis of performance and looks.
It doesn't matter to me, I don't own a Malibu and never will.
I came here looking for info on the G6 but most of what I read is about how great the Malibu is. I figured I would help people save a few grand on one if they wanted one.
The site shows Rydell has one 04 Malibu LT that it lists at approx $22870. Per Edmunds, MSRP for a base 04 Malibu LT is $23495. The deal appears to be linked with the buyer taking Rydell's financing, which is 5% 72 months. That will add over 3k in interest if the buyer pays according to plan.
Qualified buyers anywhere in the country can get an 04 Malibu LT with either $1k back or 0% interest.
Where you get that Rydell sells Malibus at $3k off is certainly not apparent from working an actual car on that website.
I do not blame you for wanting to go from an ugly Honda to a G6.
The stripped Classic stickers for $19,700, while the stripped base '04 Malibu stickers for a few $ under $19.
The salespeople are so confused, and I feel for them. GM is mixed up at the moment, big time.
Maybe they'll keep the current Grand Am around as well.
Why should the G6 cost more than the Malibu? There is no substantive difference to it other than styling. The powertrains are the same. Same cheap lowball powertrains.
If your local dealer wants to buy Classics for consumer resale, I can see no reason for GM to turn them down.
The Classic has little in common with the '04 Malibu. There should be no reason for acrimony or confusion.
reg : Pontiacs always list a bit higher. I see no reason for the G6 to be different. The "lowball powertrains" you refer to are likely more reliable than most. Of course you always have to get your OHV dig in.
http://www.gm.com/automotive/vehicle_shopping/currentoffers/index- .html
It is no longer primarily a fleet vehicle. Split down the line between fleet and retail, per my dealer.
The G6 will be more than a comparable Bu. Pontiacs are always more, and as noted above, some of the options will not be offerred on the Bu.
I'm curious to see where GM ends up placing Saturn (the L-Series replacement being due for '06). First I thought above Pontiac, in Olds' spot, but as you go up the GM line, the higher-placed brands have larger vehicles and not as many smaller ones. Buick has no Epsilon vehicle coming, as far as I know, for example. Since Saturn has no Grand Prix or Bonneville platformmate, maybe above Chevy and below Pontiac?
If you copy and past this link to your address and hit go you should see what I see. It shows a 04 Mailibu with a MSRP of 24400 with a bottom line sell price of 20903. Which is $3 short of $3500 off sticker.
All that being said, I am really excited about the G6. I would like a 4 door car that seats five and has a manual transmisson with around 220+ hp. GM never seems to over anything like this and the overseas automakers have lots of good choices for what I want. I have about $2500 in GM Card points and the G6 looks good on paper. The Cadillac CTS is the only other GM option at this time.
for what reason? the pontiac will list higher, roughly equal to other cars that have better powertrains and interiors.
IOW, more money should equal, not having to just put 'value' powertrains in it.
As far as the 3.9.....WHEN? two years? Impala is just now getting supercharged.
Either it has no incentives, or GM hasn't updated to include it.
rctennis3811 : I was talking about the whole powertrain including the transmission. 3.9L should be much the same.
Also, MT tested the new Malibu in their February issue. The 3500 V6 got the car to 60 in 7.6 seconds. The G6 is about 100 lbs heavier, but it should still make the trip in 8 seconds flat with the same powertrain.
> then doesn't deliver the same goods.
Oh go count your valves! Or measure your timing chain, or whatever..
If Honda was that great I wouldn't be looking to get rid of mine.
GM doesn't get it. And then they wonder why they have to slap many thousands of incentives on their vehicles.
While the initial G6 GT might be priced near the Bu LS, check off a few pricey options and you're soon past Malibu LT territory.
Price aside, I think they've read postings in the Malibu forum and fixed what should have been fixed before the Malibu made it to market. My main beefs with the Malibu would haven't existed had its length and wheelbase (wheelbase of the Maxx is fine, but also not the length) been 4 inches longer. Since the G6 has the Maxx's 6-inch longer wheelbase, but is only an inch longer than the Malibu sedan, I'm sure something had to give. Trunk size, maybe?
BTW - have you fashioned a toilet out of a 3800 block yet? You really need to do this as it might help relieve that GM angst.
GM should stick porcelain toilets in the engine bay of their cars, they would have lighter front ends than those heavy mezozoic cast iron block v6's......
OK, this discussion has gone right down the toilet...
;-)
-juice
not that is a bad car, just more of the same old, same old....i.e. it won't make a dent in the market.
- 3.9 liter 240HP Variable Valve Timing
- 6 speed manual transmission
- Saab underpinnings
- clean sporty styling (for a change...thank God)
Sure the Japanese and Germans have had this stuff for years now but it is good to see GM getting their act together. On paper, it all looks good. Now they just need to make sure the reliability is there.
Seems to me that with the G6 (and GTO) there is plenty worth discussing. Just one man's opinion.
the lines on the concept flowed more and it looked wider with shorter overhangs. the front end of the pro. model is too chunky in front like the malibu and too squared off. the car doesn't look as wide proportionally. the front end does not look as mencaing as the concept. the production model does not have the same presence as the concept, and looks a lot less expensive. the concept was reminiscent of a more cab forward look where the pro. model is much less aggressive and a more defined 3 box look.
contrast the execution with that with the solstice.......very little difference between the solstice concept and the car they just rolled out.
and the 3.9 and 6 speed while great to talk about are a long time away. like 2 years.
Interior 1
Interior 2
The car is stunningly good looking. How many cars come out looking exactly like the concept? Yeesh!
The chrome circles do look nice, though.
As for styling, the front end looks a little too pointy, beaky sort of, but it's not bad.
-juice
the front end is so wide and menacing, the interior is rich in the details and has luscious looking seats. Has a real cockpit feel.
http://www.edmunds.com/future/2005/pontiac/g6/100202608/photos.ht- ml?tid=edmunds.f.review.leftsidenav..2.Pontiac*
the exterior is closer to concept than the interior but I feel still loses something. Its the interior that comes out of the wash as looking quite watered down.
I would not call the G6 "stunningly good looking". Good looking, yes. Stunning, let's not go that far.