If you didn't want to pay Camry/Accord prices for a base model sedan which, would you choose for a daily commuter?
2024 Altima S vs 2024 Malibu LS
- Thread starter 2019CRVlx
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Being a Gm guy I'd take the Altima, It's gonna last longer. The jatco can handle 280 ft lb while the gm cvt is 185 ft lb. The new jatco unit they use is pretty good. Also don't trust the 1.5T, it's a throw away engine even if well cared for.
Of the two, I'd lean towards the Altima but only if the price savings is fairly significant vs the Camry or Accord.
Try looking for a Camry far away using sites like cars.com and be willing to drive or take a short flight as you can sometimes save thousands compared to local dealers. My daughter traveled to Oklahoma to buy her 2022 Camry for just over 2k less than available near Dallas.
Roughly you can purchase the Malibu LS in the 22-23k range (Corolla/Sentra territory). The Altima S in the 24-25k range. Base Accords and Camrys are $29-30k. I'm an ultra-low commuter, e.g. 2-3k miles a year, paying a premium for a car that will last >100k miles won't affect me for the next 50 years or so.
Both the Malibu and Altima have rear parking sensors in the base configurations which is a highly desirable feature for me and my crippled neck.
Both the Malibu and Altima have rear parking sensors in the base configurations which is a highly desirable feature for me and my crippled neck.
I use the backup camera. The sensors don't begin until I'm way closer than i ever want to be unless I really need to squeeze in.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Ultra low mile commuter? Look at Kia/Hyundai. Really nice features and interior/comfort for a low price. 10 year warranty.
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JHZR2
Staff member
Ive driven a Malibu rental recently and really liked it. Would I trade my accord for it? No. But if I needed another car to put miles on? Sure. It was comfortable, quiet, economical, and overall decent.
JHZR2
Staff member
What are the engine ratings? Are they close enough to the transmission torque ratings for it to matter?
Why is the 1.5T a throw away engine?
If you are only putting on ~ 2K-3K miles/year, have you considered buying pre-owned(anything)?
If buying new, I'd look for a Camry at the best price you can get one for even though I like driving Altima's because they fit me well and have actually served me well but now without some issues.
Also if you're buying new and keeping the car for as long as you possibly can in NOLA, the Camry may be the best choice for the long run. You may end up getting rid of the Malibu or the Altima much sooner due to statistically having more repairs sooner, and just having vehicles with a higher failure rate on components. And then later down the road, selling the Camry will bring in a high resale value.
If buying new, I'd look for a Camry at the best price you can get one for even though I like driving Altima's because they fit me well and have actually served me well but now without some issues.
Also if you're buying new and keeping the car for as long as you possibly can in NOLA, the Camry may be the best choice for the long run. You may end up getting rid of the Malibu or the Altima much sooner due to statistically having more repairs sooner, and just having vehicles with a higher failure rate on components. And then later down the road, selling the Camry will bring in a high resale value.
From that line I gather you wan't the most bang for your buck. Instead of new that drops $5,000 the moment you drive it home, find a 2-3 year old example under 30,000 miles for half the price.
So definitely not what the OP asked, but I did a little digging. These are not base models, but cars on the lot which is going to be more of what you can still get.
This is in my area, so your mileage may vary, but most Altima's are in the low 30's while Camry's are mid to high 20's. Mid level trims on both. Honda Accords are in the low 30's as well with the couple higher 20's in the mix.
Before you get all up in arms "they're not base models specified in the original post!" Well good luck finding one of those now-adays, even getting an allocation for one. Those all go to fleet/rental sales first.
This is in my area, so your mileage may vary, but most Altima's are in the low 30's while Camry's are mid to high 20's. Mid level trims on both. Honda Accords are in the low 30's as well with the couple higher 20's in the mix.
Before you get all up in arms "they're not base models specified in the original post!" Well good luck finding one of those now-adays, even getting an allocation for one. Those all go to fleet/rental sales first.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Have you driven both? Do you have a preference?
As much as I like our 2.5L powered, non-turbo 2016 Malibu beater that I bought used a year or so ago, I also like the seating comfort and driving dynamics of the Altima. Nissan 4-bangers can take a beating and keep on going, although I don't know how GDI effects them long term.
Both the Altima and Malibu are easy to drain/fill CVT fluid on which is a plus.
As much as I like our 2.5L powered, non-turbo 2016 Malibu beater that I bought used a year or so ago, I also like the seating comfort and driving dynamics of the Altima. Nissan 4-bangers can take a beating and keep on going, although I don't know how GDI effects them long term.
Both the Altima and Malibu are easy to drain/fill CVT fluid on which is a plus.
Malibu. That said, I’d rather pay for a Toyota. Buy once, cry once. Speaking as someone who drives both.
I'd trust GM's CVT far over JATCO's infamous one.
With the subcompacts getting larger I would look at that class. Man picking a fun new mid-sized (?) sedan is getting to be a a challenging, dicy proposition.
Back when I had an old '14 Rogue Select, I had an brand new up trim Altima loaner for a long warranty repair, and I didn't like that at all. No basic good car-ness came through. I really liked a rental Dodge Charger with the V6 around 2016 in Florida - but now hearing about pentastar roller-rocker woes - are they really a concern?
If the Malibu Bab's Chevy had the big non-turbo 4, I might go that way, but they seem to be all little turdbo's on the lot.
If Subaru is still selling Legacy's they should be well below the market new car sedan avarage and provide the traditional Buick or Olds A-body experience. But, I would caution about the quality coming out of Indiana; our new 2022 Outback base model - which we had to dump fast - was built there and was pretty horrid with some bizarre and near crippling issues.
Kia Forte 4 door? Dunno.
Back when I had an old '14 Rogue Select, I had an brand new up trim Altima loaner for a long warranty repair, and I didn't like that at all. No basic good car-ness came through. I really liked a rental Dodge Charger with the V6 around 2016 in Florida - but now hearing about pentastar roller-rocker woes - are they really a concern?
If the Malibu Bab's Chevy had the big non-turbo 4, I might go that way, but they seem to be all little turdbo's on the lot.
If Subaru is still selling Legacy's they should be well below the market new car sedan avarage and provide the traditional Buick or Olds A-body experience. But, I would caution about the quality coming out of Indiana; our new 2022 Outback base model - which we had to dump fast - was built there and was pretty horrid with some bizarre and near crippling issues.
Kia Forte 4 door? Dunno.
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