2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT V6 from North America - Comments

I've had to replace the wiper blades (only because I do so whenever I buy a new car) and had to order the rear wiper from the dealer, but nothing has actually "gone wrong" (knock on wood). My only real complaint is that in order for the OnStar system to work, I have to pay $100 to upgrade to the digital system, as it has the analog system in it now.

I found my Malibu Maxx when I went the local Chevy dealership to look at an 06 Cobalt. I had a 2005 Ford Focus that was killing me to drive, and wanted something better. While glancing around the lot, I noticed the Maxx and took a look. It's fully loaded with Leather, Micro-suede inserts, 6 CD Changer, XM satellite radio, OnStar, Premium Sound, a DVD Player with 2 sets of wireless headphones, sunroof, and the list goes on. The price of the car was what really got me ($9950). After test driving the car, I was sold! The handling is terrific, and acceleration even better. I test drove the car during a really bad rainstorm, and took it on the Interstate. The traction control really makes a big difference. In the two weeks I've had the car, I've put about 1600 miles on it and am averaging 30 MPG city/hwy miles. The previous owners of the car bought it new at the same lot I got it from after trading it in for an 08 Malibu, and their loss is my complete gain!

Update: I've had this car for 5 months today, and have put over 15,000 miles on it. So far, nothing has gone wrong! It's sitting just over 111,000 miles and is still running strong. My gas mileage has stayed right around 30 on the freeway, and the overall maintenance costs are fairly low compared to other cars I've owned. I live in the Pacific Northwest and we are experiencing one of the coldest winters on record (it was 27 degrees(F) at 2pm today), and it just cruises right along. The seat warmers are really helpful, as is the remote start. Today was the first time I have driven it on ice or snow, and it did not slip once. I think this ones a definite keeper!

Update: I have now had the car for almost ten months, and am sitting at 117800 miles (I've now put about 22,000 miles on it) and am still loving the car.

The only issues that I can find is that one of my remotes no longer works at all, and on the other I cannot use the remote start, as for some reason that button sets off the alarm! Other than the problems with the remote, there is a rather odd noise coming from the general vicinity of the sunroof, whether open or closed, that sounds like a rock is smashing into the side of my car.

I've done a complete tune up on the car since I got it last July, and let me tell you, it is a royal pain to find spark plug wires for this car. Not a single parts store in town had them (including the dealership) and I had to drive an hour to Portland to get them. The car is still handling well.

If anyone reading this knows what the random sunroof noise could be, will you leave a comment? Thanks!

"If anyone reading this knows what the random sunroof noise could be, will you leave a comment? Thanks!"

I had a friend who had a similar problem with the sunroof on his Pontiac Grand Am. It WAS a rock (a very small one) that had somehow managed to get inside the cavity containing the sunroof. I can only assume that it somehow bounced in there wile the sunroof was in a partially-open position. The noise was amplified inside the car and it was louder than you'd expect from a little rock.

The bad news is, the dealer had to fix it and it cost a lot. It's a real hassle getting into the workings of the sunroof. You might just want to turn up your stereo and live with it.

Another update: It's the middle of October, and I've now had the car for 15 months. I'm sitting at about 129,000 miles and the car is still ticking! I put new tires on it about a month ago, and am just keeping up on the oil changes.

Since I bought this car in July 2008, I've done the 100k service, new tires, oil changes, and two air filters. Other than that, the only REAL problem I've had with the car was the steering column going out (the mechanics inside where making a clunking noise and the dealer replaced at no charge to me since I purchased a 36k warranty), the passenger side park/blinker bulb socket went out (which I've heard is a common problem with this car) but the dealership was able to fix it at no cost to me, even though my warranty would not cover it, and for some reason the only button that works (and only intermittently) on my key fob is the unlock button. Now that it's getting close to winter, I'm definitely getting a new fob so that my remote start will once again work! Here's to another 15 months of a great car!