$1,000 rebate or 0% finacing on '04 Malibu. I'm alittle surprised that they're putting incentives on it already.

 

Surely that is on the Malibu Classic isn't it?

 

THey got to keep prices competative. I think it will take a while for people to notice this car is so much better.

 

I don't think it works that way. Once you start putting rebates on a model, it will be very difficult to stop-- the consumers will just hold off knowing that if there was a deal in the past, there'll be a deal in the future. This is why Toyoya can sell all they want with minimal incentives, because consumers know from history that a better deal is not likely to materialize 2 months after they sign the papers.

If GM really wants to get off the rebate train, they have to it with new (and presumably better) cars where they can make a clean break. At least in the case of the Malibu, a $1000 rebate seems smaller than what they used to have, which is a positive step as long as they can hold the line there.

 

$1000 is a pretty low rebate at this point in the rebate game...

Add to that the fact that Malibu is hardly a "to die for" car, even if it is a quality built car full of great options.

Really, the majority of people shopping for a Malibu are looking for value ...

Heck, I'll be honest, when my wife and I were looking for the new 4-door car, our short list was 2004 Malibu LT and 2004 Grand Prix GT2.

We were leaning toward the Malibu LT, because there you got more luxuries for the money, even if in a smaller package.... but then the GTP became an option... so we went that route instead,

 

GM even announced they will be doing this as a part of their long-term business plan. They will do this withi just about any new car introduced (certain models probably excluded).

 

honestly some better styling would be almost as much as an incentive as 1K in rebates... Im sorry but the new restyling looks flat out horrid

 

I'm not sure I would say it's "horrid", but "tepid" would fit the bill. I know GM says that Camry and Accord sell well and they're boring, but I think they sell well in spite of being boring. People buy them for their other virtues. Malibu hasn't established those other virtues yet.

I saw two new Malibus on the road today (both silver), then I saw one of the previous generation Malibu. I like the styling of the older one better, but then again, I used to own and love a 1991 Maxima.

 

Camary has a $750 rebate