See ya later POS Malibu

[gapboi210]

I am freeeeee!!!! I traded in the Malibu. It had 79K miles and I had to fix the following in the 2 years I had it.

Starter
Gas Gauge
Rear power window
another rear power window
a/c control panel
engine rebuild w/ polymer coated pistons
front struts
strut mounts
battery
battery cables

it looked like it was in excellent condition. I got my dream car. Toyota 4 Runner Limited 4x4. DO WHAT I DID! GO FOREIGN OR AT LEAST RUN FROM THE MALIBU!

[TheBenzon]

some people like the bu and respect it we dont need to know negative comments. So let hope you enjoy your 4runner cause i know some people that didnt have a good time with the bu and some that didnt have a good time at all for the 4 runner. after all these are cars you never know what can go wrong with them.

[gapboi210]

Don't get me wrong, i loved the way the 'bu drove. I think a lot of people underestimate their power and handling. The thing that pissed me off more than the car was Chevrolet's neglect. They knew that it was basically inevitable that the intake gaskets were going to fail, a/c control panels would go on the fritz and several other items were failing but they don't try to make things right. The malibu doesn't seem to have a reputation for longevity without dishing out some major bucks.

[igkyoa]

but really if you think about it no car lasts for ever... evertually you will have to replace parts... the gasgets thing is not normal but it seems like its only about 1 in 10 have that problem and otherwise its really not a bad car

[67malibu]

I have a '99 Malibu with 155K miles. I've replaced the lower intake gaskets and one brake caliper. Total cost: about $100. That's it in seven years. With every model, you get some bad cars. My brother and one friend have had 4-runners and from the problems they've experienced and poor gas mileage, I'd say they're crap but that's from the only two people that I know own them (or did own them, they dumped them.) Once again, they could be the two in a 1000 but it's all about personal experience. AND, wait until something needs to be replaced on a Toyota and your wallet will be wishing you still owned a domestic.

[gaspig]

I have a 2002 Malibu and a 1993 Lumina - both have the 3.1 but it is obvious the engines are nothing alike...the Malibu is a mechanical disaster! It is obvious GM is cheaping-out on all parts in newer vehicles, as are most manufacturers these days. Gapboi210 did the right thing and cut his losses...

[tractorboy]

BAH ! ,,, We have a 98 Malibu that we really like and Also a 2003 Impala.
All the reviews for the new Malibu say what a wonderfull car it is, and I must say I see a lot on the road. As far as the 4- runner ... i hope when you are on the freeway you do not have to make any sudden emergency manuevers 'cause that thing is going over. As far as the complainers go , sure you can get a bad car and yes the lower intake gasket is a pain, you also have to consider that it is unknown how a lot of these cars are treated or taken care of.

[gapboi210]

of course it is an suv. and i could not make any abrupt manuevers in the malibu cause it was always in the shop lol. and as far taking care of cars i am very strict on taking care of cars. my roommate owns his own mechanic-body shop plus it was under warranty so all needs were addressed immiediately. just seemed to have too many needs. every problem i had with that car there was a TSB out where several other Malibu owners were experiencing the same thing. according to; GM all design flaws but customers had to pay for the updated corrected version.

IE: Motor Tapping---said it was a flaw in the alloys and metals used in the pistons. Piston slap was occurring and you could opt to have the updated polymer coated pistons. hmmm design flaw.

rear end popping when turning over speed bumps dips etc. according to GM another design flaw. additional bushings needed to be added to the rear sway bar to keep it from moving and shifting. again up to the customer to pay for GM's engineers mistakes.

intake manifold were leaking supposedly due to 2 factors. improper torque specs on the intake bolts and for some reason DEX-COOL was acting somewhat caustic to the gasket. gm came out with a redesigned one but again if you want it fixed you are going to have to pay for the bad design.

and the price for repair on foreign cars is not a huge jump from domestic either unless you drive something exotic. the people at enterprise car rentals are going to miss me ha ha ha i think i put some of their kids through college i was there renting a vehicle so much. this forum can be very handy just search it. and blah to all you people who are taking this straight to the heart and being all whiney and wah wah wah all cars don't last foreverl well duh but they should not need a major repair every other month just to limp to 100K miles.

[tractorboy]

well at least in the malibu you won't be killed . LOL

I never experienced any of that in my Malibu

your starting to sound a little whinney yourself

[slls]

What I could never understand is why GM takes so long to fix a design flaw. It went on for years on the intake gasket leaks, aftermarket had a fix before GM.
Transmissions the same, worn valve bodies, broken sun shell, aftermarket first on a fix for them.
Now GM is now on the verge of bankrupcy, the $3 a gallon gas may just be the last straw.

[gapboi210]

Originally Posted by slls

What I could never understand is why GM takes so long to fix a design flaw. It went on for years on the intake gasket leaks, aftermarket had a fix before GM.
Transmissions the same, worn valve bodies, broken sun shell, aftermarket first on a fix for them.
Now GM is now on the verge of bankrupcy, the $3 a gallon gas may just be the last straw.

Thank you!

I love how eveyone is comparing the handling ability of a 4x4 suv to the Malibu! lol no fu&#king sh$t! Ha ha ha. Just saying needing to replace intake gaskets, control arms, several sets of rotors, (all common problems) IS NOT NORMAL!!! And like he said GM did nothing to redesign or change until the next body style. And from reading this forum they seem to have dumb a$$ mistakes on them too. I see a ton of old hondas and toyotas on the road. you dont see as many old gm sedans with as high mileage on the road. whens the last time u saw a corisca or cavilier with 200K+ miles and still running great? ha ha lets see how many people get all pissy now. let the posts begin!!

[tractorboy]

gapboi210 Ya know, once you were slightly amussing now we have just grown tired of you.

I have never experienced what you have listed with my 98 Malibu.

..maybe it is just cosmic automobile karma , no matter what you get it will be a POS.

SO OFF YOU GO to the Toyota section to start complaing

good bye, too bad, so sorry ...don't come back

[gapboi210]

my point exactly.

[gapboi210]

Originally Posted by tractorboy

gapboi210 Ya know, once you were slightly amussing now we have just grown tired of you.

I have never experienced what you have listed with my 98 Malibu.

..maybe it is just cosmic automobile karma , no matter what you get it will be a POS.

SO OFF YOU GO to the Toyota section to start complaing

good bye, too bad, so sorry ...don't come back

and btw way don't crap over the net. how brave are u to be mr.bold smart a$$ by talking crap by typing it on your keyboard.

[tractorboy]

Na nah na na. I am rubber you are glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.