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On my 2010 Jetta TDI, I have noticed that toggling the air on or off an inperceptable difference in FE. I can get 54 mpg on my route to work with the air on which is basically the same as running with it off. I attribute this to the torque of the diesel motor. My Jetta is white (with black interior) but toggling the AC button only allows the air to remain cool for perhaps 1-2 minutes at a time which sounds similar to what you are experiencing in your 08 Jetta. I live in Texas and we are currently experiencing daytime highs of 100+ and morning lows in the mid 80s. The real key to this is what is the FE effect of driving the Malibu with and without the AC and is that difference enough to justify it as a primary deciding factor in changing cars? (You didn't mention if your Jetta was 2.0T or TDI and if it is diesel its definitly not worth trading it in for a Malibu!).
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