1999 Chevrolet Malibu 2.4

Summary:

Performance car if the engine stays together

Faults:

If I had known that there was going to be problems with the engine being such a lemon I would have purchased extended warranty. The engine is so poorly designed that the local wrecker can't keep rebuild ones in stock. 75000 km and the bearings for the crank rolled. Left me stranded on my holidays. Quoted a cost of $6500 to have a new one from the factory. It is only 15 000 km over warranty!

General Comments:

I love the car, but the cost of a new engine is more than 1/2 the price of the car. Buy the extended warranty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th July, 2003

6th Jul 2004, 00:55

Buddy, you might have wanted to check the resale last July. I believe it was right at $6800, and so a new engine was $300 short of the total value of the car.

7th Nov 2005, 20:11

To the owner or whomever posted this review, sounds like you consider the '99 Malibu as a performance car since you said so at the top. You have the 2.4L 4-cylinder motor, right? Granted, at 150 hp this engine does have plenty of get-up-and-go and I know this from having owned a couple of 4-cylinder cars in the past (one of them being a '92 Olds Achieva 2.3L 4-cyl with 120 hp, but this car was very peppy!), but I'm sure this car wasn't designed to be run like a Camaro or a Corvette. Do go for either one of these if performance is right up your alley, but if you prefer a 4-door sedan, dump the Malibu and go for a Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. That is, if you still prefer GM, but 2000-later Nissan Maxima comes to mind if you want to go foreign for a change.

I realized the post in question is over 2 years old already, so whomever reads this might want to keep this in mind. I've read all the reviews back to 1998 up to this one, so it sounds like the 1997-later Malibu isn't very forgiving unless all recommended maintenance is followed to a T.

1999 Chevrolet Malibu Luxury 3.1

Faults:

1999 Malibu boils over from heat. Wouldn't run, stalled, wouldn't start. Have spent Thousands of dollars to get car repaired. New catalytic converter, so many new parts I can't remember everything they did. Had a 1998 Malibu that wouldn't start when it rained and sold it and got the 1999 Malibu only because they had to work with me. Would not recommend the Malibu model. Too many problems.

We are now looking at a new thermostat and possible cooling system. Back to the garage this Monday. You could buy a luxury car for what you pay in repairs on the Malibu. Unreliable car due to not starting, overheating, water leaking from the overheating, and constant stalling.

General Comments:

I like the gas mileage the car got when it was new. Again, the cost of thousands of dollars of repair is not worth the car. But I was saving it for my teenage granddaughter hoping for decent insurance rates, but doubt the car will run with only 62,000 miles. We have taken extremely good care of the car, 3,000 miles changes, etc. It is definitely the poor quality of the car. Unreliable vehicle. Scary for a woman like me to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th July, 2003

1999 Chevrolet Malibu LS

Summary:

Pretty good family car

Faults:

The back window shattered with me sitting on the inside of the car.

The CD Player and tape player went out.

The check engine light keeps coming on I was told it was the O2 sensor, I had that replaced the light still keeps coming on.

I have also noticed engine noise upon accelerating.

General Comments:

The seats are very comfortable, they recline well and the fabric is still in great condition.

The interior lighting is good.

This car is very spacious, I have no problem with room for a car seat, stroller, and kids toys all in the backseat, it is spacious enough that I don't have to put anything in the trunk.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 5th July, 2003