Looking into purchasing a 98 Malibu

I'm looking into purchasing my first car and I've been looking at this one '98 Chevy Malibu. I just have a few questions for you guys. Is the car pretty reliable? Does anything seem to unusually break? Is it good as a first car? The brakes have been replaced on the car, just to let you guys know. I've also heard people have had a lot of trouble with the AC, is this something for me to really worry about?

Thanks for your hlep.

Look elsewhere. The '98 Malibu is probably the worst choice out there.

Look elsewhere. The '98 Malibu is probably the worst choice out there.

How so?

I survived with a new '98 loaded LS for 6 years until the extended warranty ran out, then bought a new loaded '04 Maxx LS, again with the extended warranty.

I love Chevys. They depreciate terribly, but if the purchase price is right......

The '97-01s are awful as far as reliability ('02s & '03s likely similar). And cheap, on the market. Read the threads in here and decide.

If you want to spend your time as a "fixer upper", aka high-school kid with LOADS of free time, go for it. Personally, I'd say go for the Bu, but don't make your date wait on it, have a backup plan.

Make sure the 3.1 (no advice on the 4-cylinder, if that's the case) has had the intake manifold gaskets replaced. They go at 5 years/50,000 miles-"ish". And cripplingly expensive (like $800 min for a reliable job). The A/C switch is bad. The Theft System is bad (ignition lock cylinder). Each of which would cost you hundreds.

Otherwise, overpay for a ricer Civic, or worse, double-overpay for a '94-era Accord.

Make your own decision. Constant attention or minimal attention.

I survived with a new '98 loaded LS for 6 years until the extended warranty ran out, then bought a new loaded '04 Maxx LS, again with the extended warranty.

I love Chevys. They depreciate terribly, but if the purchase price is right......

The '97-01s are awful as far as reliability ('02s & '03s likely similar). And cheap, on the market. Read the threads in here and decide.

If you want to spend your time as a "fixer upper", aka high-school kid with LOADS of free time, go for it. Personally, I'd say go for the Bu, but don't make your date wait on it, have a backup plan.

Make sure the 3.1 (no advice on the 4-cylinder, if that's the case) has had the intake manifold gaskets replaced. They go at 5 years/50,000 miles-"ish". And cripplingly expensive (like $800 min for a reliable job). The A/C switch is bad. The Theft System is bad (ignition lock cylinder). Each of which would cost you hundreds.

Otherwise, overpay for a ricer Civic, or worse, double-overpay for a '94-era Accord.

Make your own decision. Constant attention or minimal attention.

Thank you wpbharry. That was very helpful.

having a 3.1 engine there is a intake manifold gasket to go out, have it check by mechenic other wise it is a good car .my daughter and son in law bought one they like it

having a 3.1 engine there is a intake manifold gasket to go out, have it check by mechenic other wise it is a good car .my daughter and son in law bought one they like it

Thanks. What do you mean by "to go out" ?

The lower intake manifold gasket will almost certainly fail between 80,000 and 130,000 thousand miles on all '97-'03 Malibus. The gasket is made with a rubber that is succeptable to the orange OAT coolant/antifreeze that is used on the car. Many other GM cars also have this problem.

The fix is not difficule, but it is quite involved. To have GM do just the gaskets when they fail usually runs about $600. Most people also have the water pump, thermostat, accessory belt, and various other gaskets and seals done at the same time. The cost to do this is usually upwards of $800. If you are mechanically inclined, or know someone who is, the Haynes manual, a good socket set, a couple of torque wrenches, $300 and about ten hours are all that is needed to do all of the work yourself.

Other than that, this car will:

1. Need the Blower motor resistor replaced at a cost of $80 (mechanic) or $20 (you). This is because the HVAC fan probably only works on settings 3, 4 & 5.

2. Need to have the HVAC head unit removed, and at a minimum cleaned, or possibly replaced to prevent a flicker in the lights and settings. The cleaning will take about a half hour and only require some rubbing alcohol. Other than this, the unit can be replaced by you or a mechanic for a cost of about $125.

3. The dash board will always have a tick or chatter. Everytime I am in there I tighten everything up and it is good for about three months then something starts to rattle again.

Thank BeatnikTermite! I greatly appreciate your reply. Thank you very much!

I have to defend the Malibu, Yes I have had the theft problem, and had to replace the fuel pump, and the heater resistor, oh dont forget the hazard/turn signal flasher replacement (recall). But in its defense I have put a 160,000 plus miles on the car and it has only left me stuck at home when the fuel pump went out. Mine is a 2000 (3.1 V6) and has not had the intake gaskets replaced. So for the money there a great car that runs good in my book. just have it looked at before you buy, check the car on a dealer computer for the maintenace history.

Right on ! goofy 4467...My dad bought a 97 and has said that it is one of the better chevy's he has had. Has about 90,000 mi on it now. only lost a fuel pump,(in gas tank) at about 70 k. Later...Mark

I am going to have to agree with mark and goofy. I think the Malibu is a good car, I am now the 3rd owner. The intake gasket has gone out once but other than that it’s been fine. Mine has 60k miles and it and runs great. The 2.4L (LD9) engine is pretty quick (16.6-16.7's) if you ever have to race and is really reliable. JHI what are you looking at is it just going to be a "car" or are you going to modify it audio, performance, rims etc?

Don't get me wrong, I love my Malibu. I consider the few things that I listed to be routine maintenance.

I know of only those three things, new tires, and new brakes that have been put into the car for 133,000 miles. Not bad when you think that these things probably cost no more than $1,500 if the dealer performs the work, and less than $700 if you do it.

My 1999 has been going strong for close to six years.

Bought a used 99 in 2002...runs good, comfy for long trips...Laid out $400 to fix the anti-theft problem, the intake gaskets were covered under the extended warranty, fixed the stereo reception problem in 3 or less minutes myself, and spent an hour cleaning the contacts in the AC control box...

If you're buying from a dealer, ya might seriously consider getting an extended warranty, other than that it's an OK car.

I have to agree with choosing another vehicle other than the Malibu. I had a 2002 and it started having issues starting up and after taking it to the dealership several times the mechanic admitted to this model having issues with the starter and numerous other things.

Needless to say the day after I got it back it was stolen and determined that the alarm had been disarmed. (Thinking the mechanic may have had something to do with that). But regardless of that whole situation, I would definently take a second glance over the car before purchasing it.

Sorry to be so negative. Wanted to be truthful.

Stay away from the 1997-2002 Malibus. They go to hell at about 75000 miles. This is why they are sold so cheeply as used. Ask someone who is a mechanic at a GM dealership if you need more advice.