Thinking
Lawlor
04-29-2005, 04:28 PM
im thinkin about buying a malibu.. any advice on which year to buy or nethin i should look out for??
igkyoa
04-30-2005, 01:52 AM
get one that is a 2001 or newer they seem to have less problems then the 97-00 malibus
spflick
04-30-2005, 08:56 AM
if you are going to get a malibu get the 3100 sfi motor (watch for intake gasket problems) or get the 2.2l ecotec 4 cyl i have heard nothing bad about them (ecotec)
spflick
spflick
wpbharry
04-30-2005, 09:07 AM
Avoid all recent Malibus except for the 2003, the 2004-5 Classic and the '05 Malibu.
Although I fear all will eventually succumb to the problems the others have experienced.
2002's are starting to see problems crop up. '97-'01s are already highly problematic. Even the early years ('97-'99) with the 4-cylinder.
Although I fear all will eventually succumb to the problems the others have experienced.
2002's are starting to see problems crop up. '97-'01s are already highly problematic. Even the early years ('97-'99) with the 4-cylinder.
Lawlor
04-30-2005, 05:18 PM
so around a 97 or so would be my best bet i take it?.. how long do they usually last.. anyone have any ideas about how the milliage is on the malibus
wpbharry
05-01-2005, 03:34 PM
To reiterate my prior post, avoid '97s, '98s, '99s, '00s, '01s, and '02s.
The last gen Malibu ('97-'03) didn't get great gas mileage. Maybe 14-15 city and 25-28 highway, for the 3100 V6.
The '04s and '05s with the 3500 V6 get much better mileage, and have far fewer problems for a new model than the prior generation did. My '98 was a disaster from the get-go. But some '04s have the nasty power steering failure issue (not mine, built late in the model year).
If you're thinking of a '97-ish, might I suggest a Honda of that same vintage? Or a Toyota? They cost more up front, but most likely way less when it comes to upkeep. If you want American, check Consumer Reports for models with better reliability than the Malibu.
The last gen Malibu ('97-'03) didn't get great gas mileage. Maybe 14-15 city and 25-28 highway, for the 3100 V6.
The '04s and '05s with the 3500 V6 get much better mileage, and have far fewer problems for a new model than the prior generation did. My '98 was a disaster from the get-go. But some '04s have the nasty power steering failure issue (not mine, built late in the model year).
If you're thinking of a '97-ish, might I suggest a Honda of that same vintage? Or a Toyota? They cost more up front, but most likely way less when it comes to upkeep. If you want American, check Consumer Reports for models with better reliability than the Malibu.
Lawlor
05-01-2005, 07:04 PM
alright, thanks alot.. im just lookin for a car about $8,000 and a malibu just seemd around the type of car i wanted.. or an oldsmobile cutlass or something like that
johnholl
05-03-2005, 11:26 AM
alright, thanks alot.. im just lookin for a car about $8,000 and a malibu just seemd around the type of car i wanted.. or an oldsmobile cutlass or something like that
$8000.00? Get a Toyota.
I'd steer clear of the malibu. Resale value is horrable. Use caution on purchasing any other GM vehicle with the 3100 enigne
$8000.00? Get a Toyota.
I'd steer clear of the malibu. Resale value is horrable. Use caution on purchasing any other GM vehicle with the 3100 enigne
Lawlor
05-03-2005, 01:52 PM
alright thanks
WoW3dset
05-05-2005, 12:53 AM
Whats wrong with the 3100 v6 engines?
wpbharry
05-05-2005, 07:50 AM
Intake manifold gaskets normally go around 50,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. It's an expensive deal, unless you have an extended warranty (I did on the old '98). When mine were replaced in summer '03, they used a brand new type of gasket, that apparently would never have had to be replaced again. Same problem with the 3400 V-6 (both OHV and DOHC) and some 3800s. The problem, GM claims, will not resurface on the new 3500 (in my Maxx) and 3900.
The reason why I dumped my '98 last summer was that the extended warranty was about to run out and the car had a fetish for monthly service visits. One thing after another, constantly.
The reason why I dumped my '98 last summer was that the extended warranty was about to run out and the car had a fetish for monthly service visits. One thing after another, constantly.
bcopeland
05-08-2005, 03:50 PM
Ditto that. GM should have been embarressed by these engines and cars. No wonder their stock is suffering. I think all top managers in Chevy Division and at GM who knew of these problems should be indicted and charged with highway robbery.
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