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Chevrolet Malibu

4972 messages,  Last post on Feb 09, 2013 at 10:37 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Sedan

Messages Page 140 of 498

#1385 of 4972 re: new Malibu by dtownfb

Jan 22, 2003 (12:56 pm)

Congratulations!
 
The recent years for the Malibu have been much better then the early years. Chevy seems tohave gotten rid of most of the bugs. I have a 2001 Malibu LS with 23.7k miles. So far so good. All I have done is oil and filter change, rotate tires and changer the air filter.
 
Others who have had their 'BU longer may be able to give you a better perspective then me.

#1386 of 4972 To Spratt1 - New Malibu by chevymalibu19

Jan 22, 2003 (4:42 pm)

Hey, you should consider the malibu. I think it is worth the money. I'm a college student in Oklahoma City, and thus for it has proven to be very dependable. The main headache about this car is the brakes. Seems like the rotors warp very easily and far to often. I have 112000 miles on a 98. I did have one fairly big problem, one winter my power stering pumb burst. It was expensive to repair, but it was under warranty. Other then that, just brakes and brakes. So far, I've been lucky with my interior, I don't know if it is because i don't have kids or what not, but nothing is falling apart...yet or rattling.
 
Test drive one, and drive it hard, slam the door. I've even jumped a couple of ditches and curbs, of course not on purpose, and yes i did have to get an alignment. Anyway, good luck.

#1387 of 4972 New Malibu by spratt1

Jan 23, 2003 (7:29 am)

Thanks to "dtownfb" and "chevymalibu19." We actually have already purchased the car. Bought it 1/20/03, and was just asking what I could expect. I drove four of them before the one I purchased. Tried all kinds of conditions and was very pleased with the overall performance. I have owned a Passat in the past, and our other car is a '99 Volvo V70. While the Malibu does not have the handling or acceleration of those other turbo equipped cars, it is pretty good anyway. The ride on the Malibu may actually be better for most everyday driving, more like (and no less than) a Camry. As for rattles,and related, I encountered none in any of the ones I test drove, and the one we purchased is completely rattleless. Can't say the same with the past Passat or our current Volvo. Also, the 'BU is very quiet inside. All in all we are very pleased with the initial quality.
 
We purchased a sage 2003 LS with the CD/Cassette upgrade. The stereo sound is very good also.

#1388 of 4972 spratt1..New Malibu by deminin

Jan 23, 2003 (11:36 am)

Good choice! We've had our new loaded LS for a few weeks now, and no problems. The brake rotors seem to be the weakest link (according to notes in this discussion), but brake problems can usually be traced to break-in techniques, or driving habits. If you are in a situation where you have to contend with hectic rush-hour traffic every day, you may have to take it easy the first few days/weeks to allow the pads to seat properly. Luckily, we are retired, and live in the country, where the pace is a bit slower, so just normal driving here in the boonies should be ok.
I did make one addition to our LS..since we live about 1/2 mile down a gravel road. I bought a set of factory mud flaps, and installed them. The tires are fairly wide, and will throw rocks onto the lower mouldings/paint. These factory flaps fit perfectly, and offer good protection without looking obnoxious. They are easy to install if you follow the instructions carefully. There is enough clearance to drill behind the front tires--by turning the wheels, but it is better to remove the rear tires before drilling, unless you have a right angle drill. I left them the flat black/unpainted, and they look good against the gold color of the car. And, I concur with your opinion of the upgraded stereo. I can boom-box with the teenagers, or put in an ENYA CD, open the sunroof shade, and cruise in total enjoyment. Good luck with your new Malibu

#1389 of 4972 mud guard by tamu2002

Jan 23, 2003 (12:55 pm)

Hi deminin, the dealership did the installation for us when we bought our Malibu, so I didn't realize you have to drill holes on the car to install the mud guards. I thought you just screw them on. Or, maybe your Malibu didn't come with the mud guards and you special ordered them?

#1390 of 4972 brakes by tamu2002

Jan 23, 2003 (12:59 pm)

Our Malibu's brakes feel a little tight. I mean you have to put a lot of pressure on the pedal to make a stop, compared to another Malibu we testdrove. They also make a barely audible friction noise when braking at low speed. Are these signs of future problem?

#1391 of 4972 Mud Guards and Brakes by deminin

Jan 23, 2003 (7:09 pm)

Yup, the factory flaps both look good and serve a good purpose. You definitly have to drill. The instructions call for a 1/8" bit, but I went down to a .120" size to get a better bite. The front screws have a sealer on the threads, so if you drill carefully, and install properly, you get a good seal that won't rust (metal fenders). Thats why I did it myself..the old rule of "if you want something done right, etc."
As for brakes, some minor noise on disk brakes is normal..depending on the type of pad being used..just a slight sound if you listen closely. With the aluminum wheels, its easy to monitor the disks. When washing the car, etc., always inspect the rotors. They should be smooth, with no evidence of grooving etc. You can reach thru the wheel, and feel the inner surface with your finger to test for grooves. Don't do this unless the car has sat awhile..they get hot. If I start seeing any wear as the car gets some miles on it, I will probably change over to Sintered Iron pads. They are a softer material, and grip better. Plus, the iron compound has a tendency to melt slightly as the pads heat up, and help fill any microscopic pits that form in the rotors..thus helping to keep them in good shape. I used these iron pads..Raybestos brand from O'reily auto parts..on a '90 Z28 I drove for my last 10 years of working, and they did real good. I could haul the Z car down from 90 to zip real fast, and no chatter or grabbing. I got 60,000 miles out of the first set, and had most of the pads left after 30,000 on the second set when I sold my toy car. I never touched the rotors on the Z. In my opinion, if you have to turn the rotors, its better to replace them.

#1392 of 4972 to Spratt and tamu by chevymalibu19

Jan 23, 2003 (11:36 pm)

Congradulations with you bu, Spratt, sounds like a nice one. I'll think you'll enjoy it, keep the maintenaice up, and its good deal. I use the maintenence schedule in the manual that came with the car. I've come to realize, i guess these people actually know what their talking about
 
Tamu, i bet the noise that you hear sounds kinda like a slow whining noise just before you stop huh? Well, for my car usually does that right after i have my brake pads replaced. Now, about you pedal being tight, i'd like to know what you find out about that i have no idea.

#1393 of 4972 deminin and malibu19 by tamu2002

Jan 24, 2003 (6:53 am)

Deminin,
Thanks for the brake pad recommendation. I'll definately keep that brand in mind when the time comes to replace them.
 
Malibu19,
Your description of our braking noise sounds about right. Does your car still do that now that the pads have been broken in?
 
Anybody have any idea about the brakes being tight? My feeling is it is better than being too soft. But it's some getting used to the extra pressure required for a full stop. But again, it's not like you have stand on it or anything.

#1394 of 4972 Brakes on malibu by buguy

Jan 24, 2003 (11:05 am)

It is very nice to read comment after comment on this site about the brakes. If that is the main gripe about our car, I am glad to be part of the mailbu ownership clan. Easy fix, many different brands and types of pads to choose from, quite inexpensive and not difficult to do ourselves if we don't mind getting a little dirty and bruising a knuckle. Seeing all good advise. I have had excellent luck with Wagner pads. $34 for both fronts and long lasting without leaving brake dust embedded in my front mag wheels. Chevy builds the car we knew they could build and it comes close to competing with the Japanese cars. Price wise it beats them!

Messages Page 140 of 498

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