Bought an appliance:

[speeder]

First time I've ever bought a car in my life purely as an appliance, specifically, a work vehicle. As I've written here before, I drive for Uber part time since '21, (was a great post-pandemic gig), and have worn out my Jetta Tdi using it for the job. I also wanted a newer car that qualifies as a "comfort" car on the Uber platform, they have a list of newer vehicles with legroom that get a slightly higher rate from riders.

While renting cars from Hertz that were comfort cars, I realized that business was a lot better in slower times with those cars. A lot of people choose the option for a slightly higher price and there is less competition since ~90% of the cars working most times are regular Uber X cars. Comfort cars still get Uber X requests but not the other way around. Possibly better healed riders and better tips as well but that's just from limited data on my part.

Of the cars I rented, a clear and surprising winner emerged, especially when price to purchase was factored in. The latest version of the Chevy Malibu. Is it as good as a Camry or Accord? Maybe not but I really liked it for what it was and in an apples/apples comparison for used cars, (year/miles/equipment), it's something like $5k less.

I bought this 2022 Malibu LT w/ 31k miles and a little factory warranty left for $17k from Hertz car sales. The cars they sell are regular rental cars, (not the Uber rentals which are absolutely trashed by the end), and it was the nicest one I found in their stock. Had to drive down to San Diego to get it and I'm a happy camper! It has a great spec with no sunroof, cloth interior and most of the lux features I wanted like Apple CarPlay, heated seats, dual climate control, etc. It also has the 19" wheels which look good, ride is smooth but I'm watching for potholes for sure. I got an alignment and 4 new tires immediately and it drives great, IMO.

All of the cars in this class, (Accord/Camry/etc.), have 1.5 turbo engines and CVT transmissions now. It's incredibly quiet and smooth, performance is decent but mostly I just glide in it. Totally satisfied so far and I think it's kind of a looker. "See the USA in your Chevrolet!"

[Zeke]

Looks decent, certainly not awful, but that is pretty white bread. Perfect for what you intend.

When my wife and stepdaughter recently took an Uber up to LAX, a nice older gent showed up in a VW ID.4 EV. I was impressed. Took 2 women's baggage pretty much in the rear hatch and left plenty of room for the passengers. The guy even asked if I was going. No. He was relieved but he could have done it.

[Steve Carlton]

Getting a Comfort car is a smart play. Nice refrigerator!

[KFC911]

I was expecting a microwave .... or a blender .

[Arizona_928]

Don’t expect any sense of reliability out of the 1.5l turbo.

I’ll be surprised if it makes it to 100k on the original powertrain (including the turbo )…

[Steve Carlton]

[look 171]

You must really like the harbor fwy. I drive it on average couple times a month now that I am working on a house in Palos Verdes, I am there two times a week. Coming home sucks even at 2 pm.

I hear those Chevy ride pretty comfy and nice.

[Chocaholic]

Wasn’t there a Seinfeld episode where Kramer ends up getting an “appliance” to relieve his constipation? Oh, wait…that was an “apparatus”. Never mind.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

LOL ... my man Ice-T doesn't roll without it!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Don’t expect any sense of reliability out of the 1.5l turbo.

I’ll be surprised if it makes it to 100k on the original powertrain (including the turbo )…

I think that you may be right about that, the whole *small engine in a bigger car* thing they’re doing isn’t meant for longevity. I just hope that it takes a dump while it’s still under factory power train warranty, 5 yr/60k if not mistaken. I sort of drive it mellow most of the time, (going for mpg), and plan on maintaining it by the book.

[Arizona_928]

I hope you got a good one. They look good. I’m not going to lie.

Get the auto stop thing deleted so you don’t cook the turbo. I’ve seen a lot of indy shops and engine builders recommend maintenance at half the recommended mileage.

[KNS]

Never liked domestic cars - never wanted to own one. Their reputation in the '70s through '80s for the most part, was deserved.

Last week I had a Chevy Malibu rental like yours and came away impressed. I'd consider one as an appliance daily driver.

[berettafan]

Have liked the Malibu for several years now. Great looking car.

[Baz]

Congats on your new ride, Denis!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

I hope you got a good one. They look good. I’m not going to lie.

Get the auto stop thing deleted so you don’t cook the turbo. I’ve seen a lot of indy shops and engine builders recommend maintenance at half the recommended mileage.

Hmmm, never considered that the auto stop would damage the turbo…I defeated it at first because I thought it was annoying but then realized that it actually gets better mpg with it on, especially doing Uber, which of course is a lot of stop and go and waiting outside of hotels, etc.

Now that I’m used to it, I don’t mind it. I drive the car pretty easy and I assume that the potential damage is from lack of cooling oil passing through the turbo?

I agree about upping the service intervals, they are way too long for that engine.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by KNS

Never liked domestic cars - never wanted to own one. Their reputation in the '70s through '80s for the most part, was deserved.

Last week I had a Chevy Malibu rental like yours and came away impressed. I'd consider one as an appliance daily driver.

It’s not a BMW or a Lexus but I really like it. Chevys were always pretty nice cars when they were new and tight, this one is no exception. I realized that I bought it for the same reason that people have been buying them since Jesus was in diapers…they’re cheap and they look good.

[WPOZZZ]

I think those Malibus and the Ford Fusions are nice looking cars. I, too, am looking for an appliance. I am very interested in the Ioniq 6. It is weird looking, but 361 mile range and a 36 month lease of @$250 cannot be ignored.