Looking for a Used Car

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A friend of mine is looking for a used car that is price around 10k. She doesn't want to spend more than 12,000 out-the-door.

She wants an Accord, but the only ones that I could find were 04 4-cyl models with 75k+ miles. She needs the car to last her four years with minimal (or no) repairs, so I suggested something newer (and with fewer miles) that carries a warranty.

I found an 07 Malibu 4-cyl with 27,000 miles that is GM certified pre-owned:

Link

It carries the GM 5-yr/100k warranty for the powertrain. Asking price is $11,000. What's a reasonable price for it? She'll be financing as well, if that matters, so any tips regarding financing are appreciated as well. (I have no experience in that area)

Does anyone own a Malibu that is equipped with the Ecotec? How reliable are these vehicles?

Thanks.
 
That is thousands cheaper than a new Malibu. They are good cars, a buddy of mine has one and he drives the snot out of it. He has the V6, which one I am not sure, myself I would rather have the four for gas mileage and call me insane but I have always thought fours to be more reliable. Less moving parts, easier on the drivetrain and such... I think this Malibu might be a good buy! Give'em everything you've got and sound suspicious yet interested and they might drop a bit on price. Good Luck!
 
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that. Hopefully the power steering pump doesnt get noisy, Leaky pressure side hose at PS pump, fuel pump faiure (very very likely), Hub wheel bearing whine, alternator regulator frying, tensioner spring weakening, Tranny issues.

Honda needs maybe a Tbelt, tensioner, japanese waterpump and a failing heater cct in a heated 02 sensor.

This is what I see day to day with GM car products in general. Honda's by far will provide less trips to the mechanic.

If a GM is under warranty and is dirt cheap to purchase I'd get it but your friend better toss it after the warranty is up. Just make a note that the $11,000 car will loose its value extremely fast and get virtually nothing after the 5yrs. The honda will retain better resale value without a question. This is just the way it is.
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that. Hopefully the power steering pump doesnt get noisy, Leaky pressure side hose at PS pump, fuel pump faiure (very very likely), Hub wheel bearing whine, alternator regulator frying, tensioner spring weakening, Tranny issues.

Honda needs maybe a Tbelt, tensioner, japanese waterpump and a failing heater cct in a heated 02 sensor.

This is what I see day to day with GM car products in general. Honda's by far will provide less trips to the mechanic.

If a GM is under warranty and is dirt cheap to purchase I'd get it but your friend better toss it after the warranty is up. Just make a note that the $11,000 car will loose its value extremely fast and get virtually nothing after the 5yrs. The honda will retain better resale value without a question. This is just the way it is.


http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzreca1222,0,4834458.story
 
Critic,
Hands down, cheapest, easiest car to run on your specs is a Toyota Corolla. 37 MPG and easy to drive and park. Avoid the VE edition as these only have a 3 spd tranny. Up front it won't be the cheapest, but when all is done the cost per mile will be very low. Go to Edmunds and compare various vehicles. If you want to go cheaper then get the Prizm clone, the only difference is the junk Delco alternator and AC unit and the car will be 2000 cheaper. If shes a real good friend and you're doing the work, the scheduled maintenance is a breeze on these. The Honda is second but many of these have the shift it yourself trannys. Good Luck.
 
Sounds like she wants a newer car than a Prizm. I think she needs a car with a warranty. If you go with a certified car, the dealer can access who the original owner was (Hertz, ect) including phone number. They can tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident, and if so, how severe.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
..I found an 07 Malibu 4-cyl with 27,000 miles that is GM certified pre-owned:

Link

It carries the GM 5-yr/100k warranty for the powertrain. Asking price is $11,000.


I don't think you will do better than that for a certified '07 w/ 27Kmi. That's a lot of basically new car for the money. Economical and reliable Ecotec/4T45E combo, power assist [Electric] steering, reasonable insurance rate, the list goes on. Not an exciting car by any means, but an '07 Accord with 27Kmi would cost ~$7K more.

Joel
 
I think that is a excellent car for the money. You are saving money, because of the high milelage, but the milelage would have to be highway to get 27,000 on a 07'. Too much hype about Japanese cars being all that. American cars have come a long way. Japanese cars are selling on their reputation alone. As more peope try American cars, I think they will realize that quality is as good or better. Where's your Patronage?
 
Panzerman,

I doubt very very much that reputation sells japanese cars. My database at work would clearly show the reliability issues that american cars have. Without a doubt my mortgage is paid for with domestic cars.

Toyota and Honda's are by far more reliable than Nissans in the realm of japanese cars.

American cars maybe improving but they are still no where near the levels of tha japanese make. The VIBE from pontiac is extremely reliable but....its a toyota matrix with a less attractive skin. Identical year matrix/vibe will have different resale values. The Matrix would without a question get better returns. The new ford focus will be base on a mazda platform (so I hear) so that'll be better than the current focus platform.

This is not a domestic vs. import debate. Majority of all independant and "chain" automotive repair shops would have the same exact stats on reliability. FACT.
 
THANK YOU alanu; that's why I'm trying to steer my parents clear of another GM. They'll nickel and dime you to death and even if you get that Malibu for a couple grand less than the Honda, after 4 years it'll be worth 3 or 4 grand and the Honda will still be 8 to 10 grand.

Having owned two Toyotas now and my parents owning GMs since I've been alive, the ol saying sure is apt: fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again!
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that.



The brake problem you mentioned is not applicable to the 2007 model being considered for purchase. But, I agree, the earlier models were awful with brakes - especially rotors.
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
Panzerman,

I doubt very very much that reputation sells japanese cars. My database at work would clearly show the reliability issues that american cars have. Without a doubt my mortgage is paid for with domestic cars.

Toyota and Honda's are by far more reliable than Nissans in the realm of japanese cars.

American cars maybe improving but they are still no where near the levels of tha japanese make. The VIBE from pontiac is extremely reliable but....its a toyota matrix with a less attractive skin. Identical year matrix/vibe will have different resale values. The Matrix would without a question get better returns. The new ford focus will be base on a mazda platform (so I hear) so that'll be better than the current focus platform.

This is not a domestic vs. import debate. Majority of all independant and "chain" automotive repair shops would have the same exact stats on reliability. FACT.


There are more domestics on the road so its no surprise that you see more in your shop. It is also possible that people buying hondas and toyotas are more likely to go back to the stealer for service. Every single honda owner I know goes to the dealer for repairs against my advice.

I think that malibu is a great deal. I've always liked them, great fuel economy and they're roomy and comfortable.
 
And more than any other GM model, have a history of leaking antifreeze internally through the intake gaskets........BEEN THERE DONE THAT............multiple times for thousands of dollars.
 
There's a bazillion ecotecs on the road and I haven't heard much about gasket problems. Or any problems really.

Used to be GM couldn't make a head gasket stay in place on their inline 4s but that's changed.

One can't really avenge GM by not buying a used car... rather one can take advantage of their poor resale by buying at the right spot in the product life at a great price... on a recently improved product. Sounds good to me.
 
Thanks guys.

Originally Posted By: alanu
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that. Hopefully the power steering pump doesnt get noisy, Leaky pressure side hose at PS pump, fuel pump faiure (very very likely), Hub wheel bearing whine, alternator regulator frying, tensioner spring weakening, Tranny issues.

Tranny issues? I thought the 4T45Es were fairly reliable and the problems were limited to the older 4T65E? Can the power steering pump noise be prevented by more frequent fluid changes?

Also, how's are the latest Hyundai offerings doing?

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: alanu
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that.



The brake problem you mentioned is not applicable to the 2007 model being considered for purchase. But, I agree, the earlier models were awful with brakes - especially rotors.

What changed?
 
Originally Posted By: Warlord
Drew, are you taling about ecotecs? I've never heard them described as leak prone.


No, the 3100s and 3400s; I've even read of a few failures on the new 3500 that's SUPPOSED to be leak free...

The Ecotec on the other hand is perhaps one of the best GM engines out there, especially the 2.4L; a Cobalt with a 2.4L Ecotec and a 5 speed would be a helluva nice ride.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I've even read of a few failures on the new 3500 that's SUPPOSED to be leak free...

Not all of the 3500s are leak free. Only the "LZ4" 3500 with the VVT I think has the metal gasket.
 
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