1998 Chevrolet Malibu review from North America

Here's the problem with this car. You've GOT to be constantly checking every little thing and doing all the necessary mainteinance. I bought my 98 Malibu about a year and a half ago and I've already dropped $850 to recondition the transmission. It needed to be done, but the true problem, I came to find out, is that the motor mounts are going bad and need to be replaced. Hence, the "chugging" when going up a hill. If you own this car, yes, you're screwed eventually. Your best bet is to save up a couple thousand dollars, clean up the Malibu really nicely. Maybe spring for a wax and an interior shampoo and then... sell it. SELL IT BEFORE IT BREAKS! Until then, change the oil regularly with a good high mileage oil. Check your fluid levels constantly and make sure you do the inexpensive upkeep. (eg. spark plugs, hoses, oil change, air filter, brakes) Oh yea, the brakes have an intermittent design problem and you will have to be changing them every six months or so. My suggestion is, you learn how to do it yourself and buy the lifetime warranty braked from Auto Zone. Even without the warranty, you can get away with changing them for under $30 if you do it yourself. It's not hard. Good luck and hopefully GM will give us all a gift basket or something.