2000 Chevrolet Malibu Base V6

Summary:

Seems nice, but has constant mechanical problems and becomes a nightmare after 100k miles

Faults:

Brakes and rotors wear out once a year.

Fuel pump died out of the blue.

Engine mount bracket broke for no reason.

Severe coolant leaking problem.

Shaking at speeds above 70 mph.

Weird rattling noise from back left of car when turning.

ABS light is constantly on, even if nothing is wrong.

Turn signals worked when they felt like it (were recalled and fixed by dealer).

Main drive belt spontaneously broke.

Tires wear out at least once a year.

Car frequently has difficulty starting.

Yesterday, automatic transmission stopped working properly. The engine revs at high speeds and doesn't shift right away. Took it to my mechanic today and am awaiting the bad news.

Both front door speakers in 2008.

Cigarette lighter stopped working.

All this and much much more I can't even remember.

General Comments:

I've had this car for almost 6 years. When I first got it, it seemed like a great car, but things quickly went downhill. In the past few years, this car has left me stranded on the side of the road more times than I care to remember.

In the past 2 years, something serious and expensive has broken/stopped working every few months. As soon as I get the current problem diagnosed/fixed, I'm getting rid of this car.

It has turned into a nightmare. I've spent almost as much time driving other people's cars as my own in the last 6 months.

However, if I can manage to forget about all the mechanical issues, I really do like this car. It's fun to drive, with quick pickup. It's comfortable, roomy, has good sound from stock speakers (though I recently had to replace both front door speakers after they died), and has good visibility. My personal two favorite features are the ignition's location in the dash, and the cup holder located just to the left of the steering wheel.

Driving the Malibu is not all fun and games though. Its handling on slippery surfaces is positively terrible. The only accident I have ever had was due to sliding off a wet road. Tires spin when pulling out from a stop on wet roads, even with the lightest acceleration.

Another big complaint is that the base model of the 2000 Malibu comes standard with practically nothing. You get a radio with a clock. No CD player, not even a tape deck. No power windows, locks, etc. The most basic of basic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th December, 2009

7th Dec 2009, 17:33

"Seems nice, but has constant mechanical problems and becomes a nightmare after 100k miles"

Hate to tell ya, but this rings true for ALL GM vehicles.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu

Summary:

Chevy is wrong for letting this car off the assembly line

Faults:

Well first off, I regret selling my Honda to buy this Malibu, but tomorrow it's gone, selling it, bye bye, here I come HONDA!!!

So the first day I got the car, it took around 30 seconds to learn how to start the car. I drove it to school a few days later, and BAM, the anti theft light came on, no start. So I sit for 10-15 minutes, come back, and the car starts. Starts horrible after about 2 weeks after I purchased the car.

Brakes are terrible.

Blinker's have a mind of their own.

Brake lights have a mind of their own.

Just a bad car; should be recalled.

General Comments:

Chevy should smack themselves for putting together a car like this.

I'll never buy another Malibu again. Maybe I'll never buy another Chevy or better yet a GM car period.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th November, 2009

27th Nov 2009, 06:44

For Pete's sake, the car is 9 years old - what do you expect, if you want new car experience, buy a new one, and if you get the same problems, then you can complain.

14th Nov 2012, 13:30

Never had brake light issues, it's only refused to start when the starter went out after 120k miles. It all depends on maintenance and care. Some cars don't handle neglect well. If you drive it without caring for it, simple things become major problems. Letting them sit for years outside with no attention isn't good, either.