03, 04 Malibu ?

I know the 3.1L V6 has some problems with gaskets going bad but after you
replace them with good aftermarket gaskets there don't seem to be problems,
with the Orange coolant it sometimes gums up in the hoses for the coolant
system and switching to the regular green coolant seems to fix this. I have
a 2.2L Ecotec which is the four cyl and it is a 2004 Classic and I havn't
had any problems with it and have 36k on it now, also my car was a owned by
a rental company before I bought it so I'm sure it was abused by the rental
ppl and still no problems, all in all I like everything about it, except for
the appearance ;p but a body kit can fix that lol.

"Henry Kolesnik" <kolesnik.RemoveThis@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:9Qake.196$TJ2.78@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
 > I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to know
 > how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
 > lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
 > warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
 > normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
 > transmission or other big cost item?
 > tnx
 >
 > --
 >
 > 73
 > Hank WD5JFR
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

Sorry to hear that. Consumer Reports gives a black X to all Malibus except
the 03 and it looks like the X for the is a mistke.

--

73
Hank WD5JFR
"Ron" <ronton DeleteThis @southslope.net> wrote in message
news:d6re2h$ik3$1@news.netins.net...
 >I do not know if the 03 and 04 are any better than my 2000. I have just
 >over 50000 miles and have spent almost $2000 in repairs. Now I think I
 >have at least one front wheel bearing going out!!! Pure GM junk!!!
 >
 > Ron
 >
 > Henry Kolesnik wrote:
 >
  >> I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to know
  >> how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
  >> lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
  >> warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
  >> normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
  >> transmission or other big cost item?
  >> tnx
  >><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

I agree with Ron.
I have a '97 Malibu, my only GM product in 44 years of driving, and truly
the only one I'd call "junk"
Ray

"Ron" <ronton RemoveThis @southslope.net> wrote in message
news:d6re2h$ik3$1@news.netins.net...
 > I do not know if the 03 and 04 are any better than my 2000. I have just
 > over 50000 miles and have spent almost $2000 in repairs. Now I think I
 > have at least one front wheel bearing going out!!! Pure GM junk!!!
 >
 > Ron
 >
 > Henry Kolesnik wrote:
 >
  > > I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to
know
  > > how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
  > > lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
  > > warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
  > > normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
  > > transmission or other big cost item?
  > > tnx
  > ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

We have a 1998, its poorly made and has been trouble prone. If you really
want to buy one get a used one, they have zip residual value. Too many
troubles to bother listing. GM stock is Junk so is their vehicles.
The new Malibu's and GM cars have problems with the electric steering, very
expensive to repair. You want a car to go over 200,000 miles get a Honda or
a Toyota.
My son has a Honda Civic with over 300,000 miles and still running.


"Henry Kolesnik" <kolesnik.RemoveThis@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:9Qake.196$TJ2.78@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to know
how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
transmission or other big cost item?
tnx

--

73
Hank WD5JFR
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

I'm the head wrench for a '01 & '02, both with mileage in the 80k range.
One car is a piston slapping sounds like a diesel in morning car that just
had the ignition cylinder and intake gaskets done. The other car is all OEM
and fine. Go figure.
It depends on the car, every brand, which now is a assembly of global parts
with varying quality.
Toyota, oil sludged motors that blow seals n' gaskets. Been there with a 2.2
Camry
Hondas that pop trannys and various other electrical things.
They all have weak models, etc. .
Myself, no more foreign cars for me, I've had my fill and it's GM or Ford
for now on.
If you can get one cheap and do your own work they are basic modern cars.

"Henri" <henri_latour.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:m8cke.1451357$8l.550313@pd7tw1no...
 > We have a 1998, its poorly made and has been trouble prone. If you really
 > want to buy one get a used one, they have zip residual value. Too many
 > troubles to bother listing. GM stock is Junk so is their vehicles.
 > The new Malibu's and GM cars have problems with the electric steering,
 > very
 > expensive to repair. You want a car to go over 200,000 miles get a Honda
 > or
 > a Toyota.
 > My son has a Honda Civic with over 300,000 miles and still running.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

On Mon, 23 May 2005 02:01:41 GMT, "Henry Kolesnik"
<kolesnik.RemoveThis@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

  >>I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to know
  >>how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
  >>lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
  >>warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
  >>normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
  >>transmission or other big cost item?
If you want reliabiliy, avoid the V6 like the plague.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

On Sun, 22 May 2005 22:33:18 -0400, "Daniel G."
<Danny73.RemoveThis@columbus.rr.com> wrote:

  >>I know the 3.1L V6 has some problems with gaskets going bad but after you
  >>replace them with good aftermarket gaskets there don't seem to be problems,
  >>with the Orange coolant it sometimes gums up in the hoses for the coolant
  >>system and switching to the regular green coolant seems to fix this.
The 3.1L V6 also has piston slap problems, that can reduce the life of
the engine (no matter if GM says it doesn't).

I have a 2003 Malibu with the V6.

Mine only has 41,000 kms on it, but it is not what I would call a
reliable car.

My base model 98 Cavalier was far more reliable than the Malibu.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

all I can say is read my post about my 2001 3.1 6 cyl from
chicagomichele . right now thougyh i tell ya she's a winner. At Lease 2001 3.1 V6.....see ya gotta maintain a perfect maintenence by the book don't deviate and its best to go to the dealer for the work I swear by it(and I always use an extended warranty for every car I own) but I haven't had to bring it in for many major probs since I bought it new in 2001,I think it was only twice. Yeah I l have been letting Sears do my brakes a brake job is too costly at the dealer but if you can afford it, do it. soon as I am back at work sears will see me no more although they did a helluva job putting on some ceramics for me. Yeah, Dealer maintence with your Malibu is definitely the way to go. Mine ain't junk never has junked out. I am truly happy with mine.
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

"Henry Kolesnik" <kolesnik DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:9Qake.196$TJ2.78@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
 > I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to know
 > how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
 > lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
 > warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
 > normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
 > transmission or other big cost item?
 > tnx
 >
 > --
 >
 > 73
 > Hank WD5JFR
 >

Bought a 2003 Malibu LS brand new in September 2002. Dumped it 9-months
later. Replaced it with a Chrysler Sebring...which going on 2-years now
hasn't been in the shop yet for anything but oil changes and tire
rotations...not a single warranty item so far. GM has some good cars. The
Malibu just does not seem to be one of them. Perhaps the Pontiac G6 or the
Buick LaCrosse would be better choices. Of course, one couldn't beat the
old 80-vintage rear-drive Buick LeSabres. Those puppies would routinely go
200K-300K miles easily!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

whoa! like I said I haven't had a problem maybe I truly got the reversed lemon, from all I hear i am grateful. Is your warranty covering your repairs? (i hope)
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

Interesting that so many people complain about the 3.1 in the Malibu, but I
hardly see any gripes about the same engine in the multitude of other
vehicles that GM dropped it in. Perception? Reality? Hard to believe that
the pistons only slap and the manifolds only leak when it gets into a Malibu

"Brad Clarke" <me DeleteThis @privacy.net> wrote in message
news:k5s3911ush8u2h58s6m4a6dql036re7613@4ax.com...
 > On Mon, 23 May 2005 02:01:41 GMT, "Henry Kolesnik"
 > <kolesnik DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote:
 >
   > >>I'm retired and looking at getting one of these cars and I'd like to
know
   > >>how the reliability of the 4 and 6 cylnder compare. I'm looking for the
   > >>lowest maintenace cost. Also I like to know if buying the GM extended
   > >>warranty is worthwhile. Will either of these cars go 200,000 miles with
   > >>normal maintenance or are there bir problems at some milestone like
   > >>transmission or other big cost item?
 > If you want reliabiliy, avoid the V6 like the plague.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

On Wed, 25 May 2005 01:24:36 -0400, "Chris" <an.other DeleteThis @not_here.ca>
wrote:

  >>Interesting that so many people complain about the 3.1 in the Malibu, but I
  >>hardly see any gripes about the same engine in the multitude of other
  >>vehicles that GM dropped it in. Perception? Reality? Hard to believe that
  >>the pistons only slap and the manifolds only leak when it gets into a Malibu
According to the resident expert in alt.autos.gm, piston slap affects
the 3.1L V6 more than the 3.4L V6 for some reason.

The 3.4L V6 is deployed in a lot more vehicles than the 3.1 is, and they
also suffer from intake manifold gasket leaks.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ? 

"micheleChicago" <UseLinkToEmail.DeleteThis@AutoForumz.com> wrote in message
news:1_591102_6c20cb232f650f277fe8ebf3cbaeed35@autoforumz.com...
 >
 > whoa! like I said I haven’t had a problem maybe I truly got the
 > reversed lemon, from all I hear i am grateful. Is your warranty
 > covering your repairs? (i hope)
 >
 > --

Yea, warranty covered repairs. I would estimate that the car spend about
1-2 weeks in the shop for repairs during those 9-months. Compared to the
Sebring I have now that has spent ")" days in the shop in 2-years. The
biggest problem is that the car's body seals weren't sealed at the
factory...it leaked like a sieve when it rained. And the car was one of the
noisier cars I've ever owned...maybe had something to do with the sealing of
the seams as well. The car was simply not very well put together. It was
the worst car I had ever purchased (and that goes back 30+ years!) I
personally wouldn't buy another Malibu.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 03, 04 Malibu ?