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2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
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It should also be larger than the current version. Can't wait!
Replaced recently the worn-down original Firestone Affinity tires by Firestone Firehawk SH-30. Already 10 days. Like much the new tires.
The Regal is a wonderful car. Quiet power, very smooth ride, excellent visibility, very comfortable, and a lot of toys and convenients. Still like to drive my Malibu. Especially in city: very nimble car.
Concerning the weight: Malibu is not so much lighter, than Impala. Do not remember exactly, but something like 10% difference in weight.
Malibu is smaller than W-bodies, but not exactly a small car, just a smaller mid-size one. 3 inches difference in width and 10 inches shorter than Impala, the longest of W-bodies. 6 inches shorter than Regal, even less difference with GP.
The difference in width is noticeable, both inside and when driving in city. But I feel the extra length of Regal, only when parking in cramped garage.
I posted earlier that I was having problems with my front suspension. The car was riding real rough, especially over smaller bumps. I thought about what could be causing this, and came upon the only thing that could possibly be wrong. The tire pressure. Now, I did have new tires put on the car at 9,000 miles, and I have two flats in the back tires, both of which were plugged. So I was thinking that probably these places that did work on my tires, didn't think to check the manufactures label, to see what the recommended pressure was. So I did. It states that there should be 26 psi in the front, along with 29 psi in the back. So I checked my pressure and low and behold, I have 35 psi in three tires, and 41 in the other. I did deflate them to the manufactures recommendation. The car has made a complete 180. It rides very smoothly now.
If only I was smart enough to check the psi earlier.
I would even dare to say, it happens especially often in good dealership. They do not skip to inflate the tires with oil change etc., - but still do not remember the right specs and are overinflating.
See the posting #106 on this board. The problem hermama reported with his new Malibu suspension, most probably, also are due to the excessive tire pressure.
There is another, but related problem: the mechanics at local Firestone are suggesting to inflate the tire of my Malibu a bit more, something like to 32 psi front / 29 rear. Even when they were told about the manufacturer specifications.
Probably they are right: the tires I replaced recently were worn out mostly on shoulders. The same was with my other car, a Ford Taurus. Looks as this is due to my driving style.
Just the opposite is right. The front tires must be inflated to higher pressure. 29 psi front / 26 rear.
malibu99: I, too, was at the New England International Autoshow on Sunday and was disappointed in the base Malibu Chevrolet had over there. I wish they could have had at least a Malibu LS over there, which is really a competitive domestic car. Both Honda and Toyota had their top-of-the-line Accord's and Camry's over there......
As far as the coin holders are concerned, from what I've seen on my dealer's lot, none of the 2000 and 2001 Malibu's have coin holders. If I am not mistaken, the design of the glove compartment in the 2000 model is also the same as that of the 2001 model. Personally, I do not understand why Chevrolet would change it as I really like the design of mine, which is larger and has a lock.
The Impala LS has a somewhat stiff, rough ride specially over uneven or broken pavement. The tires, Goodyear Eagle GA's are stiff and tend to be noisy. GM's recommended pressure (As per trunk's placard) is around 31PSI COLD at all four corners. That's my current setting. Do you think it is too much air pressure to begin with? I never carry more than 2 people in the car and no heavy cargo or trailers. What would be a safe bet for ride/handling comfort/economy as far as air pressure goes?
These tires seem to last for a long, long time, but when the time comes to change I think I am going to put some Michelin Pilots in there.
Appreciate your opinion and always enjoy reading your posts from a fellow GM fan!
For what reasons you had to service the car the other six times, excluding the two times with the rotors?
Does 98/99 have this feature that lights won't turn on until you release the parking brakes when start the car? just curious...
malibu99: I agree that had Chevrolet put a nice, fairly-equipped LS at the autoshow, it would have attracted a lot of potential buyers. I don't get why Chevrolet would put a bare-to-bone Malibu over there, either. Did you get a chance to open the glove compartment in that Malibu at the show? Apart from the fact that it doesn't have a lock, it is also smaller and less convenient (comparing to the one in the 1998/1999 model) to use due to design.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?&f=0&c=Sedans&t=4081&q=400
http://www.internations.net/ru/lada/index.html
Did you ever rode in a "Chaika" sedan? Are there any new GM models available in the Russian market?
And no, I never did ride the Chaika (it mean Gull in Russian). They were produced in very small numbers, for VIP official busness only - federal ministers, regional bigwigs, higher rank generals, etc. Except in Moscow, you could see them less often in Soviet Union, than RR in USA.
Or yes, in bigger cities it was possible to hire an used Chaika for a marriage ceremony. Like a limo in USA. But we did not. Nor our friends - at least, cannot remember. Would be ridiculous.
imshyru: I myself looked into purchasing a disc changer a while ago and after visiting several mobile electronics stores and GM dealerships I have come to believe that the only CD-changer that is compatible with the stock deck is the Rockford Fosgate ones. However, they do not make 10-disc changers but 6- and 8-disc changers. The problem was that none of the local stores in my area carried it and the only way for me to get one was to mail-order it and get it installed at a local shop. I ended up not getting it simply because I did not have the time to go through all the trouble.
Was disappointed with the tiny glove box of my new Regal, a bigger car generally.
But, in principle, I do not like the exposed electronics near the glove box. I am not sure, what are its functions, but potentially this is a safety item. Somebody could short the electronics, while pushing conductors in the glove box.
Actually I am planning to buy a 98 Malibu from a dealer.It's 98 with 43k.V6 auto.Dealer is asking 9985$ for this.Is it Ok?What are the things I should look?Also I am planning to take mechanical breakdown insurence from AAA.I am planning to use it 4 years around 50K more.If any body has any suggestion about any other car in 10000$ range.How much mile Maliby is expected to runs great?Any idea about resale valu?I would very much appreciate quick response.
Here is a review of the Malibu. just food for taught:
http://www.thecarplace.com/malibu00.htm
Good luck
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1998/chevrolet/malibu/base.html
or, if you are buying LS,
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1998/chevrolet/malibu/ls.html
or use http://www.kbb.com
The same with other used cars.
I have a 98 Malibu and like it. Bought it used, one year old, with 15k, September 98. Now it have 37k, just out of warranty.
Generally sound car. Very good engine and excellent transmission. Was rear-ended and repaired; it is build strong.
Had a lot of nuisance problems. Examples: dead speakers, squealing struts, sticky "door open" sensor, a dead resistor in the fan speed regulator.
Except ruined brake rotors, almost nothing need visits to dealership and was fixed when changing oil. Several times this required only lubricating (strut, sensor). It cost nothing for me -everything was fixed under warranty. But, given the repair history, I bought an extended warranty with zero deductibles. For peace of mind, if not savings.
The repair / maintenance / cost of ownership:
Replaced brake rotors at 22 thousand miles, about $400-450, tires at 37 thousand, $465 or so, and the 30 000 mile service cost me about $400, as well as I remember. Except tires, replaced at Firestone, did everything at dealership. Must be less expensive at other places.
Other than this, paid only for oil change / tire rotation / air filter.
Hard to say about resale value - Chevy started to produce the model only from 97. Probably, only so-so.
The resale value does not matter, though, if you are really planning to use the car till 95-100k miles. With such mileage, all non-premium American cars cost next to nothing. About $1500 or so as trade-in.
I would reserve $300 or so at saving account, to cover rotor replacements till 100k miles. Not at dealer - it is way too expensive.
The after-market rotors, like Rasbestos, usually have a life-time warranty (this is for part, but seldom for labor). And the parts have way better reputation, than the original GM ones.
Most of service stations provide some labor warranty, for 6 month to one year. Some places, like Firestone service stations, are doubling the labor warranty for AAA members.
jack
jack stands
wheel cover/lug wrench
socket to fir caliper bolts
coat hanger to hang caliper off strut to keep it from denting or stretching brake line
C-clamp to compress caliper
anti-rattle clips
pads
rotors
pad lubricant (usually comes with pads)
can of brake parts cleaner
rags
box under the master cylinder to catch any spillage
If you haven't added any brake fluid to your system you shouldn't have to worry about spillage. But if you have been topping it off as your pads wear, it will overflow when you compress the caliper.
Especially in NJ. I believe, it is very hard to drive in the "Garden State". They are always complaining about traffic on NJ highways. People do not complain so much about I-95 in the CT/NY area, nor about the route(s) from CT to the JFK airport. NJ must be much worse.
When I measured the highway mileage with my 98 Malibu last summer, it was 31.5 mph, as well as I remember.
Well, I have a heavy foot. And never tried to save gas: I like the feel of accelerations. But, any case, this is highway, not a city. I believe, my wife would get 10% better mileage (she always gets), but not 38 miles per gallon.
Did you use cruise control?
About my test. It was a short trip from New Haven, CT to the border of Vermont and back by the I-91. Very nice route: hills and low mountains farther to North. Roughly 4 hours the both ways, including a half-hour stop.
It was a hot summer day. Air condition on 3. Moderate to heavy traffic about 60% of distance, heavy one in/around Hartford CT, and Springfield MA. Traffic became light soon after Springfield.
Average speed for the trip was 65 mph. Down to 50 mph in Springfield, higher in light traffic, but I kept the speed less than 80 mph all time. In our places it is normal to drive about 10 mph above the posted speed limit, with good road conditions. But more than 15 mph above is generally considered speeding.
We have no cruise control with our Malibu, so I cannot test it. But I consider the 31.5 MPG a very good mileage, especially with my driving style.
We live in the Southern-Central CT, not in Western MA. Town of Hamden, a bedroom suburb just north of New Haven. My wife and I both work in the downtown New Haven.
But we like to drive around and, had criss-crossed MA several times. From Pittsfield on the West to Boston on the East, and to its suburbs, like Hingham, and up to Newburyport.
The hills and mountains of the Western MA are gorgeous!
38?!
Thanks,
L8_Apex
Sedans Host
04/28/00; mileage 30.191
Job 1 - change oil and filter. Total $21.95
Job 2 - 30k mile service. Inspection: fluids, battery, exhaust, belts, engine timing, etc., etc.
replaced: PCV valve, fuel filter,
cleaned: air filter, brakes.
Labor $63 +
parts: fuel filter $24.38,
pcv valve $5.48
brakeclean $5.38
total parts: $35.24
total labor+parts $98.24
Job 3 - [skipped] free.
Job 4 - Fuel injector: clog with fuel deposits. Flush and clean.
Labor $57 + parts $ 32.95 = $89.95
Job 5: replace drive belt.
Labor $31.50 + parts $53.81 = $85.31
Job 6: Clean and adjust rear brakes. $31.50
Job 7: Rotate and balance $29.95
Misc: Environment / waste $3.82
Tax: $21.66
Total: $382.38
As you see, the oil change and tire rotation costs more like $50-$55 with tax than $40. The bulk of service, though, was with the belt an injectors, plus PCV valve, brakes etc. and the thorough inspection.
The service prices looks a bit on higher side for me, but nothing out of this word. Given this service was performed at dealer (usually more expensive), and Connecticut is generally expensive place, it looks OK for me.
But there were some points in the postings, genuine related to Malibu. This was concerning the maintenance items / costs for this car, its reliability and the service of Chevrolet dealers.
For example, the car manual calls only to oil and air filters change and tire rotation at 30,000 miles, plus inspection of fuel tank, cap and lines. This was what my opponent pointed on.
But GM recommends also to inspect the car twice a year, not depending on mileage. It was natural to combine the inspection with 30k mile service. After thorough car inspection by mechanic it was found that the car needs some other services after 3 year and 30k miles. The most expensive of them were injector cleaning and belt replacement.
I believe, the services are rather routine. I believe also, that the info can help other owners of Malibu to form right expectations concerning the costs.