1999 Chevrolet Malibu review from North America
"Garbage can on wheels"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Transmission blew at 61,500kms.
A/C doesn't work on first 2 settings.
Main computer chip malfunctioned.
4 Way hazard switch is faulty, signal lights only come on once in a while.
General comments?
It was a beautiful, sunny day when my 95 Probe got totalled off. I was waiting to turn left at an intersection, the light turned red, I waited till it was safe then some lady blows it.
So now I'm looking for a new car and get suckered into buying this grandpa sedan by my Pops, cause it's low km's and in great condition.
I'm not too pumped about it initially, but maybe things will come around and it'll grow on me, I think to myself. And boy did it grow on me. Like a cancerous tumour on your colon, or a wart on your... well I'll keep that to myself.
Shortly after I bought it the transmission blew at 62000km. 2500$ fix which I couldn't afford. Pops pays it. Thanks Dad.
Go to turn on the A/C on a hot prairie day. I don't do this often because the car is so under-powered I need all the help I can get. Notice that the 1 and 2 settings on the A/C don't work anymore. And that's how it still sits.
Try to forget about it and signal to turn right. Signal lights don't come on. It's a faulty hazard switch, almost every time since then I want to signal I have to jiggle the hazard switch. Which, is, about 1 1/2 years.
I love doing that.
Also, this summer I went to buy groceries with the car (I own a sportbike so the car is driven an absolute minimum).
The car doesn't start, doesn't turn over, nothing. Battery is fine. Try later and it does, so I take it to the shop. 500$ fix, take it home and park it.
Get back in a week later to buy groceries and the same thing happens. The theft light turns on and it won't start. Eventually get it to the shop and 'oh jeese, we were getting a faulty signal, so it's another 500$ to fix'.
So as you can tell I'm not impressed with the quality of this car. My Ford (I never thought I'd say this...) was a much better car. I'm avoiding GM from now on.
I am currently in the market looking to improve. So if any of you want a 1999 Malibu with low km's, leave a comment.
It's a great car ahahahaha.
Recommended reviews
| Decent performance at a Decent price |
| $12000 to the dealer and the problem is still not fixed |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.4 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 3 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 58000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 83000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Ford Probe |
| Date of Entry | 28th October, 2006 |