Which car is better, 2007 Chevy Malibu or 2004 Nissan Altima? PLEASE HELP?

(2011-12-04 15:15:07)

1. La'Jamia Says: These are the 2 cars i'm thinking about buying. can anyone help me & tell me which one would be a better choice?

2. sailorbeavis Says: All other things equal, the Malibu would probably be the better choice. It's newer and thus has had three years' less chance to be exposed to salt, parking lots and shopping carts, children being sick, dogs, and whatever else happens to go on in a family car. The Altima is by no means a bad car - I still see plenty of third-generation Altimas running about and I've rented a couple over the years - but the fact that it's an '04 means it is seven years old.

The '07 Malibu was less refined than the '08, which was an all-new design - but I kinda liked the old one in Malibu MAXX trim, which was a hatchback. I thought it was daring of Chevrolet to try that with a midsize sedan when they wouldn't dare do it to the Cobalt. Anyway, I have an '07 G6 which is the platform twin of the 'Bu, and it's performed well.

All things are not always equal, though. The Altima may be in better condition mechanically, cosmetically, and it may have options the Chevy doesn't, or maybe it has lower miles. In that situation, I would want to go with the Nissan if your mechanic gives it a clean bill of health.

3. Grandpa Jack Says: Just knowing the year, make and model of each car is not enough information for me to tell which is a better purchase. The cars were available with 2 different engines apiece. The Altima may (or may not) have ~40K more miles on it from 3 more years of being on the road. And if it doesn't have more miles, why? Because you'd expect the older car to have more miles if it was driven regularly. And no mention of the price of either car?

People who only worry about brand or model and ignore things like mileage and other important details usually stick themselves with cars that aren't a great value for their money. My point is, do thorough research on the details of both cars before deciding on either (or neither). Good research will save you money down the road.

4. roger Says: chevy malibu has been an american toyota for many years as far as I know, look on the sticker on the door on the drivers side or find out where it was made, a lot of them were made in Fremont CA and the 4 cylinder engine looks exactly like a toyota under the hood, without the toyota logo on the valve cover. I like the nissan altima personally, but you are the ond driving the car, I suggest before doing anything, take the car you like the best to a mechanic you trust, and get a good through dagnostic and mechanical evaluation BEFORE BUYING, NOT AFTER.
DEALERS, SALESMAN, AND THIER MECHANICS, WILL lie cheat and steal your first born child to sell you a car, they could care less, and beware any used car with " AS IS " ON THE INVOICE its a pile of crap car waiting to break down, thats why the dealer is dumping it with no warranty.

5. Max Says: Get the Chevy, its newer and it's not as complicated or expensive to fix.