Tell them to look up the true cost of owning.

The Malibu might seem like a better deal right now, but maintainence over the next 10 years will probably be more. The Civic will be more fuel efficient than that american V6, therefore saving you a good amount in gas money over the next 10 years. Civics don't depreciate as quickly as other cars, so if you have to sell the car later, then the civic will get you more money back. Also, go compare insurance rates to see if the civic would be less. Remember, the true cost of owning is the real number you guys should be looking at.

And after you have convinced them to get the civic, go to www.edmunds.com to look up what invoice price on a civic is. Then add a few hundres to this number, take it to a few different dealers toward the end of the money, and see if they'll close the deal.