1998 Chevrolet Malibu LS review from North America

Just had Intake Manifold gaskets replaced at 65,000 miles!! ($700) Ouch!

Brakes and Rotors need to be changed every 10,000 miles. ($300 every time)

HVAC control unit fails on a yearly basis. Failures range from loss of fan speeds to the A/C compressor turning on and off by itself. Currently on fourth unit. (part itself costs $350)

Original tires wore very quickly. Replaced with Michelin.

Tail light bulbs melt in the sockets.

Cloth interior wears very quickly.

Alloy wheels discolor or peel.

Resale value in New York ($4200!!!) Car was considered Mint condition.

The following was a letter I sent to Chevy. Still waiting for response, though I don't expect much.

I just wanted to thank Chevrolet for convincing my wife and myself to convert over to Honda. We have had such joy owning the 1998 Malibu. The monthly trips to Hustedt Chevrolet for problems ranging from brakes and rotor replacements, HVAC control replacements, front strut mount replacements, recalls on wiper assemblies, front end vibrations, alloy wheel peeling or discoloration, indicator bulbs melting in there sockets, and the latest $700 Intake Manifold gasket replacement at 65000 miles was just enough to push me over the edge. I have been an advocate for Chevy for years. Well you just lost a longtime customer. I would just like to know why Chevy chose to do nothing about the problems listed above? If you are interested, which I doubt, do a GOOGLE. COM search and type in (1998 malibu problems) in the search field. Hundreds of sites of persons who own the Malibu telling their tales. It is sad that the original advertisement for the Malibu stemmed on "the car you knew America could build". Exactly what kind of car was Chevy referring to? I would love to know. We are now the proud owners of a 2003 Honda CRV, we traded in the Malibu and were only able to get $4200 on the trade in. My Chevy S-10 is currently in the shop for $1000 worth of repairs. Once I can get my S-10 in running condition, I will be trading it in for a vehicle that I can depend on. I am leaning towards the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. Are there any quality made Chevy's that are as reliable as the two trucks listed above? Come on, be truthful! Oh, wait did I forget to tell you that I did contact you in the past with some of our concerns. Nicholas Bagwell was informed of the vibration problem and did nothing for us except say, "sorry, but we can't help you." We wound up paying over $300 for brakes and rotors. Oh, did I tell you this was the third set of rotors replaced within a 30000 mile time period? The HVAC unit craps out every year, which for us is fortunate since the warranty for a replaced part is one year. Well, all my info will accompany this message. If for any reason you actually are concerned with the happiness of your customers feel free to call me. I would be happy to spend hours telling you what a joy it was owning the Malibu.