Chevy Malibu

[TwoGloves]

Anyone driving one? My car got totaled a couple weeks ago (dumb ass would have killed me had he hit my driver's side door instead of my front end) and I think I'm going to get a Malibu. Found one today for $23,700 and with all the rebates and such it got knocked down to $16,900. Hard to pass that up. Can anyone clue me in as to how you like yours?

 

[TigerVols]

Dude, there's already a thread on this...

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/76319/

;D

 

[TwoGloves]

I was hoping it wouldn't show up on that thread so I purposely didn't read past the second comment! (I haven't bought it yet, by the way. But I think I will tomorrow.)

 

[User 1019]

In-laws have one, and just driving that one the few times I have has made me not want one. Just not a solid, durable car.

 

[TwoGloves]

Uh oh.

 

[Boom_70]

Howie Long drives one

 

[User 1019]

For me, it's the typical Chevy (car) experience. Car looks decent, just doesn't hold up well, underpowered and cheap feeling. Used Accord/Civic, dude.

 

[imjustagirl]

spnited has one if you want to PM him.

 

[Buck]

I have a policy against buying American cars.

 

[spnited]

Have a 2004 that has not given me one bit of trouble. No complaints at all.

Two co-workers also have '04 and '05 Malibus...just as reliable.

 

[playthrough]

For me, it's the typical Chevy (car) experience. Car looks decent, just doesn't hold up well, underpowered and cheap feeling. Used Accord/Civic, dude.

Disagree with buying used Accords/Civics. Not for the cars themselves, but the premium prices they bring as used cars. I've always bought used 'Murrican cars on the cheap. Looked at a Malibu, didn't dislike it but bought a Taurus instead.

 

[User 1019]

For me, it's the typical Chevy (car) experience. Car looks decent, just doesn't hold up well, underpowered and cheap feeling. Used Accord/Civic, dude.

Disagree with buying used Accords/Civics. Not for the cars themselves, but the premium prices they bring as used cars. I've always bought used 'Murrican cars on the cheap. Looked at a Malibu, didn't dislike it but bought a Taurus instead.

They carry a premium, no doubt. But they're more expensive for a reason.

 

[cranberry]

I bought a loaded Malibu for my wife in November and we're extremely happy with it. It's a tight, well-engineered car. But make sure you get the bigger engine.

 

[amraeder]

My parents love Malibus, they keep buying them (well, they've only had 2. But when they got rid of the first one, they went out and got another one. They just keep their cars for a long time). Their current one has had a few electrical issues (the power locks were funky for a bit, they'd randomly go up and down while driving), but that's been the only issue they've had with any of either of them. Gets great gas mileage, too. Think they get around 32 mpg on it.
Pretty sure that when this one's time is up, they'll get another Malibu.

 

[TwoGloves]

I drove an Edge and absolutely loved it. Maybe the nicest vehicle I've ever driven except when I used to drive my boss' Regal and Park Avenue 30 years ago. Only thing I didn't like was the price. Drove an Equinox and didn't like it nearly as much and it was almost the same price. Funny, they have trouble keeping the Equinox in stock here. Drove an Explorer and didn't like it much either. What was strange is I drove an Aveo and Cobalt and the Aveo was roomier (surprisingly roomy for such a small car) but when you factored in the rebates, the Cobalt was about $600 cheaper even though its sticker price was about $3K higher. Oh yeah, saw a Corvette for $122K. Salesman said they were going to knock a couple of grand off it to try and sell it. Thank God. I'd hate to see somebody pay $122K for a car they could have bought for $118K! And he said they sell 5-6 a year.

 

[amraeder]

Was along for the ride when the girlfriend test drove an Aveo a few weeks ago. Totally agree with you on it feeling super roomy for it's size. Girlfriend didn't find the seats on either to Cobalt or the Aveo to be very comfortable, though, so she soon went looking elsewhere.

 

[slappy4428]

Have a 2004 that has not given me one bit of trouble. No complaints at all.

Two co-workers also have '04 and '05 Malibus...just as reliable.

In the last couple of weeks, I've replaced struts, tie rods and the rack as well as replace the serpentine belt and pulley.
Am now leaking antifreeze; the perpetual problem of the intake manifold is rearing its head. Depenadble car for the last nine years, but things are falling apart now... still, lot to be said for no car payments.

 

[amraeder]

How many miles in those 9 years, Slap?

 

[TwoGloves]

Have a 2004 that has not given me one bit of trouble. No complaints at all.

Two co-workers also have '04 and '05 Malibus...just as reliable.

In the last couple of weeks, I've replaced struts, tie rods and the rack as well as replace the serpentine belt and pulley.
Am now leaking antifreeze; the perpetual problem of the intake manifold is rearing its head. Depenadble car for the last nine years, but things are falling apart now... still, lot to be said for no car payments.

That's what totally sucked: I paid mine off 13 months ago. But they're giving me $6700 for an '04 with 118,000 miles so that ain't bad.

 

[imjustagirl]

Jesus. I paid $6900 for my '03 and it only had 51K miles on it.