chevy malibu or vw jetta

[quagmire]

It is my understanding that the (2008-2010)new VW jetta's are reliable.

If only others were so forgiving when automakers go through an era of quality issues. Unlike some/most Americans thinking domestics are still crap.....

But, yeah the newer VW's are supposed to be better. Ten years from now will be the real indicator.

 

[Signal-11]

It is my understanding that the (2008-2010)new VW jetta's are reliable.

On what are you basing this?

I don't want to bash on VW, but by most objective measures, the latest run of Jettas are still under par in terms of the initial quality ratings the major consumer raters. Furthermore, a TrueDelta check shows that the 2010s are reporting a much higher number of repair trips per owner per year than almost every competitor.

As Melrose pointed out, all cars will need repairs at some point in their life. The question is how likely this is to happen during your ownership and how much it will cost.

If you like the Jetta and must have it for some reason that is important to you, then by all means, go for the Jetta. What you should do is go into the process with your eyes open, aware of what you're getting into. It is more likely that you will have issues with a Jetta than most other competitors, and when you do it'll cost you more.

 

[diamond3]

Why not the passat? The Jettas are too small of a car for my liking especially when you compare it to the malibu. As much as I hate to say it, the ford fusions don't look like too bad of a car right now. I Haven't drove in one or anything, but from what I have read, they have improved in the last year or two. I own an 07 altima that I would also recommend. Decent size car, nice features, I like the styling and a good price.

 

[tim100]

jd power comparison

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/compare-cars#CompareData

 

[killerrobot]

The Fiesta's what I quite want this year (personally, I wouldn't consider the Civic or Fit because of their driving dynamics), but it's quite a bit smaller than a Malibu and a little smaller than a Jetta.

You might not want to dismiss the fit so fast. I bought a 2008 Fit after my focus was totalled by a drunk driver. It's been the best car I've ever owned. Get around 40 mpg mostly "highway" in LA.

 

[tim100]

anyone know anything about the vw jetta wolfsburg, how is its reliability?

 

[Sun Baked]

anyone know anything about the vw jetta wolfsburg, how is its reliability?

About as reliable as most, and like most cars, the more electronics crap you add ... the more it breaks, though there are a lot of VW sites on helping track down and repair electronic gremlins.

While the VW will look great inside and out for years, squeaks and rattles can add up, will go very reliably for most and likely will feel new for a very long time. For VW most of the squeaks and rattles tend to be interior panels, which is annoying but unlikely to cause a starting problem.

 

[tim100]

is it worth waiting for the 2011 jetta

http://www.vw.com/upcomingcars/en/us/index.php

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/01/2011-volkswagen-jetta-sedan-photoshop.html

i read somewhere the quality may not be as good in an effort to lower the price

 

[Synchromesh]

Definitely neither. Jetta's a usual overengineered piece of VW junk that will start sucking your wallet dry the minute warranty is over. Malibu looks silly and altogether I'm just not a fan. Japanese cars FTW!

 

[junker]

My father was a VW mechanic in the 70's, 80's and 90's. I've (personally) owned bugs, rabbit's, 1 1971 Camper bus, a ghia and been around so many from my dad's obsession, it makes my head spin.

I've never been into too many domestic cars (Domestic trucks I enjoy) I've mostly been a Honda, Toyota and Mazda man (I currently have 1998 Mazda MPV, 1993 Ford Ranger Pickup and the wife has a 2007 Mazda 3)

I once rented a Malibu and was completely surprised with it.... pretty good experience over all.

Here's the jist: Words from my father: "VW's are great if you like to work on cars ie: have for a hobby, because they always break down"

I will never (intentionally) own a VW again in my life. That being said, I'm not real sure I'd own a Malibu.... based on a personal disdain for domestic cars (although, I like to think they've gotten better) SO, if it's between the two - I'd go Malibu. If you can open up your options, check out hondas/mazdas.

Good luck (and I echo previous comment about buying used - much smarter!)

 

[tim100]

Do you consider a volkswagen to be a step-up from chevy in regards to public opinion? What I mean is, is a vw a poor mans BMW, carrying more status than a chevy? What are the demographics of vw owners, i.e. income, education, etc.

 

[quagmire]

Do you consider a volkswagen to be a step-up from chevy in regards to public opinion? What I mean is, is a vw a poor mans BMW, carrying more status than a chevy? What are the demographics of vw owners, i.e. income, education, etc.

Yes, VW is more premium then Chevy. The Passat is $5K more expensive then the Malibu. Though you do get better interior materials used.

People shouldn't buy cars for their image. Just go out there and buy the car you prefer. You prefer better interior materials, but can live with a smaller vehicle? Go ahead and get the Jetta. Prefer the bigger size of the Malibu and willing to live with still pretty good interior materials, but not as good as the VW's? Then go for the Malibu. Can afford the maintenance on a German car? Go get the VW. Wish for cheaper maintenance? Go for the Malibu... So on and so on....

 

[Signal-11]

tim100, can you give a reason why it's one of these two vehicles?

 

[yg17]

Do you consider a volkswagen to be a step-up from chevy in regards to public opinion? What I mean is, is a vw a poor mans BMW, carrying more status than a chevy? What are the demographics of vw owners, i.e. income, education, etc.

It's hard to pin the demographics of VW down (or even Chevy or almost every other manufacturer, for that matter) when the prices of their cars range from cheap to expensive. The demographics of Golf owners are far different than those of Phaeton owners. But don't buy a car just because you're concerned about what other people think of you, buy a car because you like it. Most people probably don't even know the price difference between a Passat and Malibu.

 

[steve2112]

It's hard to pin the demographics of VW down (or even Chevy or almost every other manufacturer, for that matter) when the prices of their cars range from cheap to expensive. The demographics of Golf owners are far different than those of Phaeton owners. But don't buy a car just because you're concerned about what other people think of you, buy a car because you like it. Most people probably don't even know the price difference between a Passat and Malibu.

I love it when marketers try to figure out demographics. My favorite example was the Honda Element. Honda tried to market it to young (under 35) people with an "active lifestyle". Who ended up buying them? Empty nesters (or least older folks) with pets.

Another fun demographic thing I found in relation to cars was in the book "The Millionaire Next Door". In the author's surveys and interviews with millionaires (I forget how many he interviewed), the most commonly driven vehicle was a Ford F-150 truck. Not exactly the vehicle that comes to mind when most people think of millionaires. The Toyota Avalon was also one of the top cars.

 

[unixfool]

That's a hard question (Malibu vs. Jetta).

Both of those cars are NICE. Coming from me, that's a good statement, as I usually hate domestics.

I had a good look at a Malibu the other day. The one I looked at was NICE! Looked good from a distance, had premium wheels and tires, looked non-domestic-like when looking at the interior. It's bigger than the Jetta. Consumer Reports gave it a high rating (this was when the recent model was first released to the public).

Comparing the specs between the two, they seem to be equal in comparisons (similar engine sizes and HP, factoring out the VW's diesel option). The Malibu is heavier, starting at around 3400 lb. whereas the Jetta starts at 3200. They are both the same width but the Malibu is longer. Both have good options that compare well with one another.

I think its basically going to come down to the cost of maintaining the vehicles, along with resale. VWs will probably cost more to service and I've heard horror stories about VW reliability (I've never owned one, though). I've no idea about the Malibu's reliability, but Chevy isn't known for having comparable reliability to anything European.

Depends on what you want and expect out of a car, I think. Both cars are well-matched, IMO.

 

[Sun Baked]

I think its basically going to come down to the cost of maintaining the vehicles, along with resale. VWs will probably cost more to service and I've heard horror stories about VW reliability (I've never owned one, though). I've no idea about the Malibu's reliability, but Chevy isn't known for having comparable reliability to anything European.

Depends on what you want and expect out of a car, I think. Both cars are well-matched, IMO.

The Ecotec motor has been around long enough for people to have pounded out 100k-200k on them with no problems.

Would likely be another story if it was a US designed I-4 engine, but it was an international effort ... though even the built in USA versions don't seem to be hampered by the old GM reengineering (aka cost cutting).

Chevy Approaches 100 Percent Reliability in Engines and Transmissions, According to January OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics Reports

DETROIT, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In the month of January, 99.3 percent of the 1.8 million Chevrolet vehicles enrolled in OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics reported that there were no issues with the key components of their engine and transmission systems. The Chevrolet Malibu's engine and transmission systems reported no issues in 99.7% of the vehicles checked by OnStar. These are aggregate numbers of vehicles showing "green" status in their OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail.

Wonder how many of those are the I-4

 

[unixfool]

The Ecotec motor has been around long enough for people to have pounded out 100k-200k on them with no problems.

I'm not just talking about motors. I'm talking about the whole package...the whole car. Most domestic cars don't hold their value like imports do. I bought my 2004 Dodge Ram and it was $32K. I tried to get a refi a few months later and couldn't do it because the truck had already lost substantial value, enough to where the banks wouldn't consider a refi. Kelly Blue Book will have a lot of examples such as that.

Would likely be another story if it was a US designed I-4 engine, but it was an international effort ... though even the built in USA versions don't seem to be hampered by the old GM reengineering (aka cost cutting).

Wonder how many of those are the I-4

Again, he's asking about cars, not engines. How will both cars age? Which one will handle wear & tear better? Will interior trim begin to fall off or shed paint? Will the electronics deteriorate over time? Will shocks have to be replaced before 40K miles? Those sorts of things are what I'm talking about. Overall durability.