14th Nov 2003, 17:48

I just recently bought a 1981 Malibu Classic four door, an I love it. It needs some body-work, and the engine could use a tune-up, but it's a great car to drive around in.

The only problem I have is finding used body parts.

29th Sep 2004, 11:52

I have a 1982 Chevrolet Malibu. I still have the original window sticker =) I acquired the car from my mom when my dad died. I like it, but unfortunately the car will not pass state inspection because I need a new frame rail. I have not been able to find one anywhere. I have a junkyard not far from my house looking for one, but everyone they find is worse than the one before it... and 10 times worse than the one I have. The car has 115,000 miles and because it sits more than its driven I now need a tune up because all of the oil leaking has coated the plugs and it barely runs. It has a 4.4L 267 V8. The car is generally in good shape except that the drivers' side doors are totally rotted and needs to be replaced... which makes sense since the drivers side of the car takes the beating in bad weather. Pennsylvania salt and pothole covered roads... this car has survived for a long time. I am really trying to keep it going.

6th Jun 2006, 23:15

I am about to turn 16 and considering purchasing a used 1982 Chevrolet Malibu classic. I love the way the car looks and the one I am thinking about buying has only 70k miles on it. I was just wondering what is your average gas mileage on the vehicle. That is really the only make it or break it thing I can think of at the moment. Please respond.

13th Jun 2013, 20:00

An 82 Malibu should have either a 305 V8 or a 3.8 litre (231 cubic inch) V6 engine. Possibly a 267 V8, but I doubt it. Anyway, any of these three engines should give you decent to excellent gas mileage, with various power levels. The 305 and the 267 get almost the same mileage, but the 305 has 150 HP while the 267 has 115, making the 305 the better candidate. The 3.8 litre V6 has excellent gas mileage and reliability, and only has 5 HP less than the 267, which isn't bad at all (personally, the 305 or the 3.8 litre are the better choices).

The rear end gear ratio's also a factor, and an 82 should have a 2.73 open diff, a 3.08 open diff, or a 3.08 posi. For gas mileage, the 2.73 ratio is the best, but the 3.08 posi, despite being a higher ratio, puts the power to the ground much more effectively, saving gas.

Lastly, if the 82 is a station wagon instead of a sedan, then it naturally would get slightly less mileage due to it being heavier.

Hope this helps, and enjoy the car.