2004 Chevrolet Malibu Standard from North America - Comments

Not a thing. I haven't had any problems with the Malibu yet.

I traded in my 2003 Accord LX (It was very unreliable...yes, I said unreliable) on a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu in January of this year. I do not regret doing so, either. My Malibu has been a very reliable car with some thoughtful features and gets good gas mileage. It is the base model. It's not a speed demon with the 4 cylinder, but it is adequate for my needs. It will still get out of it's own way without a lot of trouble. I especially like my fold down front seat. I am remodeling a room in my house, & it's a great feature for hauling planks of wood, drywall, and anything else it can swallow. this car rides a lot better than my Accord did, as well. much smoother. Chevrolet gets 2 thumbs up from me for the new Malibu!

"I traded in my 2003 Accord LX (It was very unreliable...yes, I said unreliable) "

OK Buddy I believe you. And I do believe that General Motors and all American Car Makers (including even Ford) still build affordable and Reliable cars.

After all, Honda cars have got to be the most overrated cars ever built. It seems that anyone who owns a Honda becomes a brainwashed Lemming, buying into the delusion that Hondas are defect free, never break down, and have better performance than any other make of car, especially those "unreliable American gas guzzlers". The automotive press consistently praise Honda products while overlooking their flaws, and do exactly the opposite to any domestic vehicles.

POWER TO AMERICA!!!

SCREW THE JAPANESE CRAP!!!

Why do you find it hard to believe that somebody had a Honda Accord that was unreliable? It's not impossible, you know. Check out some of the 2003 Accord reviews on this website. While they are reliable for the most part, not everybody has had good luck with a Honda. Your sarcastic comment is not funny, either. That crap about Honda owners being brainwashed lemmings is posted all over the place on this site. It is possible that someone can have an American car this day in age, and actually have good luck with it. By the way, I am not the original poster. Just someone that is tired of people that act like nothing or everything goes wrong with a car just because of it's name.

8900 miles, and your already praising your malibu? its funny how all the people who are compalaining about their malibu's have 40-50 thousand miles on them, and the ones that are saying so many great things about it have 1-30 thousand miles on them. well when you reach 50000 miles I want you to come back and update us on your malibu. and I can see some people are jus envious of the japanese cars. maybe ill trade my 1991 accord for a 2000 malibu seeing how the cost is almost the same. but that would be nuts trading a good car in for a peice of junk.

My 04 Malibu was a total piece of junk by 7000 miles. By the time GM bought it back with 18000 miles, it had the steering shaft replaced three times, along with two sets of brake pads. My replacement 04 Impala has been a dream.

I love it how some people that own Hondas and Toyotas automatically assume that everyone is jealous of them, especially if someone has anything negative to say about one they had, or one that somebody else had. Newsflash for the owners that are in denial, Honda and Toyota have their lemons also, and the chinks in the armor are really starting to show through these days. And don't tell me "Yeah, but they have much less problems than the domestics" that argument doesn't fly either. Besides, the 2004 Malibu was a completely different car than the one that came before it (which I agree were total junk), and while there were some lemons in the first year, (the above comment is a good example) overall, most who have bought the newer model are satisfied.

I own a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, with which the next-to-last (2000 or so) generation Malibu shares a basic platform (3.1L engine, wheelbase, etc.). It had not a single problem until 85,000 miles, and runs strong today approaching 106,000. Obviously, the GM midsize sedan platform is seriously flawed. Any good, self-respecting automobile in this day and age should know well enough to suck before the 85,000 mark.

To the Honda enthusiasts: Show me one of your new Accords with no problems before 85k miles, then post ridiculous comments. Until then, keep your domestic-bashing to the Honda pages. And don't forget to read my unrefined 92 Cutlass Supreme review. It's the one titled "Beats Accord, Hands down." You can hate me there.

If you look at any car company's history they all had good and bad models/years. How about an early 80's Camry. Remember the Pony? Show me your 1982 Honda/Toyota/Mazda or any other japanese car and then drive my two early 80's GM vehicles. The GMs will put those things to shame.

Recently I drove an Accord along with many other japanese cars before buying a 05 Malibu. The Honda dealership had their heads so far up their a**es it completely turned me off. I now refuse to buy a Honda...EVER. I made the decision to buy what I did based on research on many factors such as safety, features, value, dealership reputation, looks, comfort, driveability, etc. In the end, there was no match for the Malibu. The Accords didn't cut it at any price, Camrys are overpriced and besides, I didn't want to drive the same car as most everyone else on the road. I like to be a little unique at least!

Cars are simply cars, they are all a crap shoot when purchased new or almost new. GM has had some amazing models over the years, and some bad ones just like anyone else. It's not out of the question that they may have another outstanding design and many new Malibu owners feel that may be true. I've owned enough cars and have an open enough mind to know that this car is built very well.

I am in total agreement about cars being a crap shoot. You can probably even find a brand-new problematic Corolla.

I also agree that Hondas are overrated, and practically everyone that talks about how great their Accord is drives one from the early 90's. I drive a 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera which currently has 181,000 miles and has had only an oxygen sensor and radiator replaced. Every electrical and mechanical system works flawlessly.

Its nice to finally see some people that aren't so brainwashed by this japanese car hype... my sister purchased a new 2004 civic.

-on the way home from the dealer the front speaker began to rattle (dealer told us to lower the volume and bass)..the volume was at 50%, and bass was off!

-while driving the panel under the steering wheel fell onto my sisters feet (thankfully she didn't panic as she usually does)

-steering is rough and vibrates a lot during normal driving.

-brakes pads worn at 17,000km (and no she doesn't speed or brake hard)

-gas mileage isn't as great as everyone says.

-at 23,000km the car still hesitates sometimes.

But I gotta give credit where it is due.

-fit and finish are nice for a car of its price range.

-besides the weird steering it handles OK on highway.

-sound system is not too bad either for a entry level stock system.

My father buys only american cars... and in his experience gm has always been the most reliable (he currently has a cavalier wich gives him no problems at all!) no one believes me when I tell them his cavalier is super reliable.

After years of only driving vw/audi my mother is also going back to american.

Just my experience.

Yeah, if you ignore all the JD Power surveys, Consumer Reports ratings (which come from OWNERS), and the reviews here American cars are the best in the world.

And what are you defining as American? Your sister's Civic was built in America by Americans, sold in America by Americans, and bought by an American.

The Malibu may be assembled in Kansas, but the reality is a lot of its parts are not American in origin. In fact, even its design has European, not American, roots.

And GM was almost bought by the French and may still be bought by some foreign entity.

As far as consumer reports go... they are extremely biased and even once have admitted to a biased review. They are not done by people that have driven the car they are done by analysts of the cars themselves. Did you know that Honda and Toyota lie about their HP and TORQUE because they rate their readings at the flywheel and not the wheels.

15:22

And there are not any biased reviews on this forum. Get real.

Yeah, if you ignore all the JD Power surveys, Consumer Reports ratings (which come from OWNERS), and the reviews here, American cars are the best in the world.

And what are you defining as American? Your sister's Civic was built in America by Americans, sold in America by Americans, and bought by an American.

The Malibu may be assembled in Kansas, but the reality is a lot of its parts are not American in origin. In fact, even its design has European, not American, roots.

And GM was almost bought by the French and may still be bought by some foreign entity.

Agreed 100% Honda & Toyota ARE the REAL American manufacturers these days. If you want to see your money go to Mexico, Canada, or France instead of the USA, buy a GM. Otherwise if you'd rather have quality, dependability, and a true American car you can have pride in, buy a Honda or Toyota. I also read CR, and go by their recommendation.