1998 Chevrolet Malibu review from North America

Brake pads need annual replacement.

Leaking intake manifold gasket.

Alternator had to be replaced at 24,000 miles.

Battery needed replaced at 25,000 miles.

Tires (Firestone Affinity) all had to be replaced before 30,000 miles.

Rotors had to be replaced at 26,000 miles.

My family leased this car for me to drive for three years while I was in graduate school. During this time, I greatly enjoyed how well it drove, as well as the interior design of the car. It handled extremely well, especially when I needed to accelerate quickly into interstate traffic.

Before the lease (and three year warranty) expired, the only maintenance issue I had was an alternator that went out and had to be replaced. I chalked this up too bad luck, and decided to buy the car at the end of the lease.

Soon the litany of Chevy Malibu problems began occuring to my car as well. The brake pads practically melted off, the intake manifold began leaking, and my tires had worn to the point of replacement, all below 30,000 miles.

One mechanic thought my mileage was off, because she could not believe a car would have as many problems as mine had, given its mileage.

While I have no complaints about how the car drives, maintenance has cost me about $1200 per year for the two years I have owned the vehicle outside of warranty. I cannot recommend this model to anybody, as it is a maintenance disaster.