Every so often, it will actually get me where I want to go.

75% of the time, It either is in the shop, or I am driving it while it needs to be in the shop.

This car just isn't made well. Plain and simple.

Similar Products Used:

I don't know...maybe Hyundai?

Less than a comparable Honda/Toyota

Road noise 70+ MPH.

I needed a car, but I was on a tight budget. After evaluating several other cars, the Malibu stood out. Comparable Japanese made cars were $4,000 - $8,000 more! I was able to get all the features I wanted (ABS/PL/PW/CD/Alloy wheels) for under $16K.

The car is quite roomy. I was very impressed with the large passenger and trunk area. Except for the interior, the car is very attractive.

Once you get to 50 MPH, the engine (2.4L Twin-Cam) does a good job moving the car. Getting there is SCARRY! The engine is very noisy, and not very powerful.

The transmission is smooth, but never likes to stay in any particular gear when cruising. (The dealer told me this is normal)

The paint job is a joke. I have so many nicks and scratches I lost count. The last car I owned (Saturn SL-2) was less prone to being scratched.

The dealer fixed a squeaky control arm and loose weather stripping under the warranty. The air conditioner needs service. It turns off by itself.

Besides the minor problems mentioned above, I have not had any serious mechanical failures. (KNOCK ON WOOD!) My odometer reads 62,000 miles in two and a half years.

Unfortunately, my car has not kept its value. According to Kelly Blue Book, the car is worth a little more than a third of what I paid for it two and half years ago. Regrettably, I cannot recommend this car to my friends or family.

Similar Products Used:

Saturn SL2 - Best American built car, period.

Nice dashboard, engine is quite when not in motion

Cheap, loud engine when driving, harsh ride, ugly seats, horrible sound system, very unreliable, baldn styling, I could go on and on....

Crap...this car is not worth it. I owned one for a week, seveal problems dealer was fored to buy this junkpile pack. Chevy sucks...unless you get a vette. AVOID THE MALIBU AT ALL COST!!!!!!!!!! Go with a Camry, Intrigue, Acura anything but this!

Similar Products Used:

Ford T-bird, PLymouth Voyager

decent car for a decent price.

road noise, handling

I bought a new 97 Malibu after searching car lots all over NY.
Dealer mark-up's on new camry's and accord's put them out of my league, and there was no bargaining with them (Camry's started at 24,000, with no ABS).
The Malibu has started up everytime I got in the car. Power is adequate, certainly not overwhelming, as is the ride. Wind noise becomes excessive over 70-75 mph, while road feel is still good.
I've had 2 problems with this car in 3 years. The battery needed replacing (leaked), and the control arms on the front end had to be replaced. total outlay - $100. Both problems were resolved in less than 1 day.
It has hauled 5 grownups, and their luggage, to Virginia and back many times, cruising at 75 most of the way, without a hiccup. It holds the road very well.
for the price I paid, 17.5K, and the full set of standard features that were options on other cars, I got my moneys worth.
It's been a good, dependable drivable car, and at this price, that's all I was looking for.
change the oil frequently, take decent care of it, and it has paid me back well.

Similar Products Used:

Camry, Accord

It starts and runs

Everything else

Most of the reviews on this site sum things up nicely with this car. It was an absolute disappointment. Everything about it screams CHEAP!! The inside is typical General Motors platic on plastic on plastic. The automatic gear shift is so thin (and ugly) my 8 month old could break it, everything rattles and squeeks, and the 150 (more like 50) HP V-6 is pathetic at the altitude I live at (6000ft).

I thought I could live with the car, but I ended up disliking this car so much that after only four months, I went to the local Ford dealer and picked out a Ford Contour V-6. I negotiated and got a great deal. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!The only bad thing is that I feel sorry for the poor salemen that will have to try to sell this car.

Similar Products Used:

Ford Contour, Toyota Camry

Looks good on paper

Every thing!

Ok...here it is. I bought a 97 and it spent 63 days in the shop over 9 months. I finaly got Chevy to buy it back under the lemon law. The fool I am took another in trade...a 98. Although a far better car then the first. I still had nothing but problems. I just traded it in on a Jeep.

Similar Products Used:

Accord, Camery

This car's a real bargain with ABS, dual airbags, auto transmission & all features you can only find in luxury cars. Password protection in stereos are great and so with 150 bhp engine, smooth ride & 215/15 tires are just what I'm looking for. With 3 years warranty & Road-side assistance program, who could ask for more?

After using the car for 15 months, I noticed squeeks in the suspension when on an uneven level. Maintenance was only once to change the a/c switch. Mileage now stands at 40,000 kms.

I could not be happier with my Malibu '98. It suites my need with a family of 5 plus the safety I could not find in Japanese cars with a limited budget. I bought the car for just 14.6 kUSD as compared to similar Japanese models which could easily cost 17.0 kUSD if you go with all the features in '98 Malibu. I felt more safe than in any other car which doesn't have ABS/dual airbags and the engine is powerful enough. GM should be commended for the 3 years warranty and Road-side assistance program for '98 & up models which is giving us (customers) a reason to patronize their products. Hoping they could extend this to older GM units.

Similar Products Used:

Honda '93 manual transmission

6 cly. good get up and go, nice style, convenient accessory placement

mechanically speaking this car is a piece of crap. brakes replaced twice before 30k miles, water pump replaced @ 20K. very noisy ride, clunking noises from engine and a big fight with chevy to cover expenses, never again will i buy any chevy product

run dont walk to the nearest ford dealer

Similar Products Used:

antique bicycle which is much more reliable

Performance, value standard equipment

none now

We liked our last Malibu (2 yr lease) enough to get another one. The basic package is unbeatable, just the right size inside and out, thoughtful touches such as the left side and back seat cupholders and dashboard mounted ignition key.

We did have to have new bushings put in the front suspension of the '98 to stop squeeks and the whole front suspension felt loose.

The 2000 model has fixed everything I had reservations about. Engine is quieter, suspension is solid, a CD player is now standard on the LS and the speakers seem better, too.

You just can't find a car with these features for the $18,400 I paid. Car handeles great, too and you can feel the extra 15hp for this year.

Similar Products Used:

1998 Malibu LS

Great value, comfortable, the most trouble-free car I've ever owned. Great dealer.

Excessive road noise from the engine area when the road has any bumps at all, the air conditioner isn't very powerful and takes a long while to cool down. The upholstery is ugly.

Bought it new over two years ago and now have 40,000 miles on it with absolutely nothing having gone wrong. (OK, the battery went dead after one year but that was replaced free.) I tried the Accord but couldn't fit behind the steering wheel (I'm over 6'4"), and tried the Camry, but it was $6500 more for a very similar car and Toyota dealers are notorious for their poor service and rip-off "options" that aren't optional. The Malibu fit & finish seem to be as good as any.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota corolla, Mazda 626