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Dealers tell me that GM auction prices for Malibus are high but won't tell me what they are going for at auction. I assume that it is around 13-14 for a 2009. The local dealer wants 16k for a used 2009 ( ex-rental car) with 34k miles on it. That is BS. I can buy a new 2011 for about 19,500 out the door. Granted it is a base model but it comes with all the normal equipment that one would want -cruise, auto, PW, PM etc. GM has reduced the rebate from $2500 to $2000 but you can get an AARP discount of $1000 plus a military discount or credit union discount of about $1000. I think that it is FAR better to buy an LS Malibu new than mess with one that is practically out of warranty or IS out of warranty and driven at Avis or Alamo by 200 people or more. A program Cadillac is one thing. A Chevy is something else. If you want a used car buy one from a private owner and MAKE SURE that he IS a private owner not a curbstone dealer. Ask for maintenance details, etc. If he is a curbstoner he won't have them.

What exactly is the status of the new 2012 Malibu? This is supposed to be a redesigned car on a shorter wheelbase (which means that I won't buy it) but although "Spy" photos are all over the net I would assume that it would be manufactured in May if it is coming out. Does anybody know about this?

What I can't understand is what niche the Cruze is supposed to fill. It replaced the Cobalt which offered a coupe and an SS model with performance suspension as well as a bland 4 door sedan. The Cobalt also offered a high gas mileage model. The Cruze is larger than the Cobalt but is a 4 door with nice styling but nothing unique. Young people will buy a Focus or even a Fiesta which comes in wild colors and looks sporty. The next step up is the Malibu which is too close to the Cruze in price but is more of an all around family car. GM offers nothing sporty.since they did away with Pontiac. The Cruze should have offered a coupe or better still a convertible model,

You make some good points too. The Focus always appealed to younger people. I rented a Malibu LT1 last spring in Seattle and drove it several hundred miles. It was very comfortable on the road and in town driving. It also sat four people comfortably. The back seat legroom on the Cruze is 35.4". On the Malibu it is 37.6" This is a significant difference if you are in the back seat. I haven't driven the Cruze but have sat in it and wouldn't want to be in the back seat for long. As a commuting car it would be fine but face it - it is a Cobalt replacement. Unfortunately it is priced too close to the Malibu for me to consider one. There is really no advantage I can see in it. The next Malibu may be smaller than this one so I'll take the present model. All the GM cars seem to be getting smaller. Cadillac has lost me in the last few years. I have an 03 DeVille and don't like the CTS or STS. Both the DTS and the STS are on the way out. The XTS will be the size of the LaCrosse so why not buy a LaCrosse for thousands less? If I want a sports sedan I'll buy a Mercedes. What I want is a comfortable road car. The Malibu rides much better than the CTS and has much more front seat room. The CTS's huge console crowds legroom.. I also have an 09 Cobalt red coupe. It looks sporty but rides very well with its 15" tires and base suspension. It also gets 40 on the road.. I don't carry passengers (except for small grandchildren) in the back but I didn't buy it as a people hauler. I think that the Malibu serves as an all around vehicle. My wife has a Traverse so the Cadillac will go when I get the Malibu.

I'm sure that the Cruze rides well and is comfortable but it is much smaller than a Malibu and with current discounts (a dealer in the Texas Panhandle is taking $5000 off MSRP on a 2011 Malibu -this is a factory rebate plus dealer discounts) it might be a smart decision to at least consider a Malibu. The base model comes with most everything that people want. The LTs add larger wheels, alloys, bluetooth, suede upholstery etc. The highway mileage on the Malibu 4 is 33 so it should do 35-38 on the road. No GM car has decent resale so I'll be getting an 09 or 10 Malibu. A two year old Malibu only holds about 50% of its original list price. Once the excitement wears off on the Cruze and Ford comes out with a new Focus it will be a has been like the Cobalt and by summer (probably spring) will have $2k or more rebates. Ford I understand will have a new Fusion as well which will draw prospective Malibu buyers.