Thank you for all the wonderful Vibe info, but I bought a Malibu MAXX!

[markf57]

I've been shopping for a crossover car. We are selling our full size van, but we still need a vehicle that is capable of hauling some stuff from time to time. Since I have an old GM credit card, a GM product was a no brainer. I found the Vibe to be the car that would fit our needs best. Not perfect, but price, fuel economy and a nice look where all on the list. Living in Colorado, I found an 04 AWD Vibe at the end of November that looked like to one we were going to buy. With the dealer incentive, GM incentives and the GM card points, it brought the price down to around $13.5K. The had $576 in advertising charges in the deal and I wouldn't pay them, plus I was expecting incentives to get sweeter in December. Well, long story short, the incentives got worse in December, not better. The dealer sold the car right before Christmas.So, I started looking at other GM products and looking at what had the best incentives. The Malibu MAXX had $5K in incentives. I was able to find an 04 MAXX LS. I had a GM in the driveway cert from a member on this board. So I ended up getting the MAXX as follows at the end of December:MAXX LS with 1SB MSRP $23150GMID discount $2002GM rebate $3500GMAC rebate $1500GM cards points $3600Final price $12447 + taxNot only did I get the MAXX for $1K less than the Vibe, I got soo much more of a car. It rides like a dream, the V6 power is wonderful and the fuel economy is great. I got 28 and 30 mpg on my first 2 tanks.The 2 things I gave up were style and there aren't any MAXX boards that are as good as this Vibe board.I think the MAXX is a great value.I'm glad I didn't wait on this one as well as the new incentives look like they got worse for the new year.Thanks again for all the insight from the members of this board.

[Psychobroker]

Congratulations! Very nice purchase As much as I love my Vibe, I would have made the same choice, had both options been in front of me at the time of buying got any pics?

[ToolGuy]

Sounds like you got a great deal and I do like the Maxx as well. Have fun with it! GM seems to be slowly getting cars right these days...

[Jahntassa]

My father-in-law has the Malibu with the V6 (not the MAXX). It's definitely a ride to be reckoned with. True, it's not the most stylish thing on the road, but it's comfort, space, and power definitely make up for all of that at once. I'd say it's a good buy, even if it's not a Vibe!

[Raven]

If I am not mistaken the Malibu Maxx is based on a Saab platform and has drive by wire steering. How does it feel?

[markf57]

The Malibu (and G6) are based on the Epsilon architecture. It's the same architecture used in high-end European cars like the Saab 9-3. The steering is a new system called "Electronic Power Steering". Some early Malibu's had problems. Mine feels good to me. I'm no steering expert, but some reviews claim it is "squishy". It works for me.Another interesting side note. I have State Farm insurance and I did get a quote on the Vibe. The Malibu MAXX cost less to insure than the Vibe by $20 per six months for me. I found that to be strange.

[ragingfish]

Malibu/G6 have head curtain airbags...Vibe doesn't have that optiom.I'd suspect that is the reason for the price difference...