1998 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1 V6

Summary:

Nice, but costly

Faults:

Intake manifold Gasket.

Water pump.

Brakes.

Drive train.

Lots of other repairs.

Wiper transmission.

I have a very large file of other little things that I had to replace.

General Comments:

I like the look of the car.

I like the way it drives when not in shop or in need of repair.

Really do like the car besides all repairs needed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th September, 2006

1998 Chevrolet Malibu LT 3.1 V6

Summary:

Worthwhile

Faults:

Front spring broke, replaced springs and struts.

Head gasket started to go, so replaced.

Fuel regulator went, idled hard. replaced, started to do it again, runs great, just not at idle.

A/c stopped working.

Tensioner pully snapped off.

None of these are reasons why I would not recommend this car.

General Comments:

Very quick with a K&N air filter and nicer tires on it.

Reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th August, 2006

1998 Chevrolet Malibu

Summary:

Excellent value

Faults:

Very few problems. Total repair cost of about $2,000 over the past 8 1/2 years.

Change oil every 3 months at the dealer.

Brake change, alternator change, windshield washer mechanism replaced.

Needed an A/C electronic mechanism (no low speeds work), costs $375, didn't have it done and use high A/C speeds and works great.

A great car. Gets between 20 and 31 mpg depending on whether local driving and A/C used. I have the larger engine, but little extra power stuff (like power windows), not getting these to avoid problems.

General Comments:

An excellent car and I'll likely get another Malibu or (I'm leaning towards this) an Impala next.

The handling is excellent, as are the brakes. It has the original battery and has always started up instantly; I changed the tires at 40,000 miles.

The dealer is excellent and, in my experience, the only good dealer locally, so while I may find other cars snazzier, I'll likely stick with Chevy.

I'm amazed at the mechanical problems reported; maybe I made a good choice getting the base model and buying it new; also getting the oil changed every 3 months no matter how few miles I put on the car in the previous 3 months.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2006

7th Aug 2006, 07:20

My girlfriend has a 98 Malibu, and the blower also went. As a word of advice, for other owners, we replaced it on our own. The part (Blower Resistor) cost $19.99 at autozone, and took us about 45 minutes to replace.

Highly recommend replacing it yourself rather than taking it to a dealer.

1998 Chevrolet Malibu

Summary:

The car is junk

Faults:

Had to replace radiator hose, alternator. The brakes have been worked over and over again. The A/C doesn't work half the time. The ABS light comes when I'm driving.

And just recently, the coolant light comes on every time I start the car even though I had the system flushed out and checked for leaks a couple of weeks ago. Does anyone else have this problem??

General Comments:

This car is such a hassle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th July, 2006

23rd Oct 2006, 16:29

I have the coolent light problem. all my coolent is leaking into the engine and mixing with the oil. Some gaskets are blown inside the engine apparently.

10th Apr 2007, 08:58

I had the coolant leak issue with mine also, but it just simply wear and tear, the intake seal is worn out, I replaced it with a new one and I haven't had that problem since.

1998 Chevrolet Malibu Sedan

Summary:

Some times I like my car, but other times I just want to drive it over a cliff

Faults:

Where to start...

On the VERY first day that I got my car while driving home from the dealership, the windshield wiper arm broke, during the biggest rain storm I have seen in a long time.

Both my wheel bearings went out twice.

When I had my tires changed I found out that my wheel was cracked.

I have replaced my brakes, roters, and all that good stuff 4 times since I got the car.

Now my Cataletic Converter has fallen off and my poor little car sound like a great big diesel truck.

The front seats can't be moved without stopping the car first.

The driver side window rolls down just fine, but getting it back up is another job.

My car battery died and when I tried to jump my car, the car alarm that I don't have decided to go off.

General Comments:

Okay, I'm an 18 year old high school graduate, working 2 jobs. I make good money, but I never see it, but the repair man does...

Don't get my wrong I can't talk too bad about my car... she can go, and she has got me from point A to point B, that is when its not in the shop.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th May, 2006

28th May 2010, 05:17

Don't worry, you're not the only one. I have spent over 2500 fixing my Malibu in the past year, not counting the 2 years prior. I am currently trying to sell the thing as I've spent over 7000 on the piece of crap; any luck with any other makes?