1997 Chevrolet Malibu Review
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Poor quality
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan
Review
Purchased car from family/original owner at 40k. 6 cycl. 40k replaced alternator, brake pads and adjustment, battery and tires by 30k, by 70k serp belt, headliner-visor worn, a/c - Freon, now at 78k, oil pan gasket leaks, est. -up to $300. Suspension is bad, you feel every minor bump. This is the fifth and last gm for me. Imports are not perfect, but, this is terrible! I might try a Mazda?
Favorite Features
none
Suggested Improvements
Install better quality parts like the imports do. Longer warranty, 70k.
Great bang for the buck
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan
Review
This car is so fun to drive. The perfect mixture of performance and fuel economy. We bought this car with a lot of highway mileage but it was a great little car. It still is and we have only had small problems that were easily fixed and back on the road. Even the usual gasket problem didn't affect it until over 120,000 miles. I can't complain. Beats the old Ford Taurus by a long shot.
Favorite Features
Great V6. Responsive and powerful. Acceleration is great. Nice stock stereo and comfortable seats. Handles great too.
Suggested Improvements
Electronic system has had some problems. Still nothing bad except a tricky windshield washer pump.
2 out 3 people found this review helpful
'97 Malibu Review
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan
Review
I bought the Malibu used with 40,000 miles on it. It was our second Malibu, with the first one totaled in a wreck. We drove the second Malibu to almost 140,000 miles before selling it. Overall, a good car with good gas mileage. We did replace the power steering pump, all of the front pulleys, and alternator during our 100,000 miles of use. At the time we sold it, the head gaskets were needing to be replaced (A $900 expense if done at the Chevy dealership). We would purchase another Malibu.
Favorite Features
A lot of interior room and standard equipment for the price. Fun to drive and easy to park. Loved the fact that the back seats folded down to allow for long objects to be carried. Good gas mileage for a v6 engine.
Suggested Improvements
Air conditioning could be improved so that it did not cut off and on by itself. I suspect this was a fuel savings tactic.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Not a bad car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan
Review
Ever since I have had my license I have always bought GM cars. I believe in supporting the American auto companies and I have never had very many problems with them, and if I did they are cheap to fix. I recommend this car to someone that is looking for a standard and reliable vehicle!
Favorite Features
Gas mileage, handling
Suggested Improvements
Fix the lower intake manifold gasket problem. It seems that many people have had those go on their Malibu's.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Crappy car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan
Review
This car has been through 2 water pumps, one timing chain, (due to a dumb mechanic!), I have had brakes put on 4 times. It wears tires quick. Everything that goes wrong is very expensive to fix. Brakes alone for this car are $150. This car is not worth any amount of money paid for it. I know it's a used car but 2 water pumps in 6 months. That's nuts!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Everything under the hood! And the gas cap. Doesn't go on good and then the check engine light comes on!
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