1997 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews

She's a good car

Written by: OftheNorth on 03/08/2007

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

I know lots of people have had problems with their Malibu's, but I've had nothing. The car was purchased new and has been driven in the mountains, cross country, in city commuting mode and more. Its never failed me. It's currently serving me well in the Canadian north, where it fires up every time, even in -40 weather (without being plugged in). It gets good gas mileage (~35mpg) if one goes easy on the highway, but in city traffic, the best I can usually muster is 22 mpg. Not good there! It's a comfortable roomy car, and would make for a good first auto for a new driver. It's safe, not too fast and they're cheap to get parts for (most of the time!) While I'm no Chevy fan, iIdo like this car.

Favorite Features

Highway gas mileage, trailer pulling capacity, interior room

Suggested Improvements

City gas mileage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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35mpg v6 + reliable!

Written by: chevyman on 05/14/2006

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

1 alternator and tires/brakes in 135,000 miles! Gets 35 mpg and the new cars with V4's can't do that! Great car. Too bad used American cars are worthless, but then again, why would I ever sell it?

Favorite Features

MPG, adequate power, interior design works

Suggested Improvements

Driver door won't stay open on any incline when parking

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: knoxdj on 12/29/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Has been a great car... would recommend to anyone if it has the 4- cylinder... Do not purchase the 6- cylinder everyone I know that has one has problems after problems. Biggest thing we had to replace is the water pump. I have owned this car for 5 years and it has been the most reliable yet. Great buy!!

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, few mechanical problems

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder near the driver side door needs to go!!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Love it!

Written by: Runt on 11/29/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

Not one problem EVER! Love this car and wouldn't trade it for anything. Will be my Son's car next year, that is how much I think of this car.

Favorite Features

Interior and exterior design are tight.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe a bit better mileage.

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Malibu: practically trouble free car

Written by: asucincyoh on 08/09/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I bought my 1997 Mailibu in April of 2001. It had 73,000 miles on her. I had no vehicle trouble on any of these trips. My only complaint about the car is the fuel economy. For a 4 cylinder the gas mileage isn't that great. The most I ever got out of a tank of gas was 367mi on 15 gal tank. But dependibility wise this is the best car I have ever owned. The only part to ever break on the car was the altenator. That broke at about 90k mi. And it cost about $100 to replace by myself. But in 135k that was the only part to break. I would recomend a Mailibu to anyone who wants a dependable car. Also, the power is decent and it is fun to drive for a four door sedan.

Favorite Features

Dependability! And the standard ABS and cruise control. Interior design.

Suggested Improvements

An additional A/C / heat vent for the people in the back seat.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I will miss it!

Written by: Sonia Q on 03/31/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

My very first car. The re-introduction of the classic Malibu, great looking body style, and good price got my attention. Since purchasing in '97, I put on 78,000 miles on it. Although it was 4 cyl. and no frills, it fulfilled its purpose to get me around but it also looked stylish (I have gold color). The car never left me stranded BUT, for the last 7K miles, I've had a water pump leak problem.

Favorite Features

The exterior style-the gold color looks very stylish with tint. Very roomy back seat and very nice looking cloth interior(beige). I also liked the convenience of the left cup holder and the option to put on fog lights. I never did it but you can also get a spoiler to make it look even better.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the water pump/gasket leak problem! Bottom line, all Chevy dealers know what the problem is but very costly to fix, and once you think it's repaired, it'll come back to haunt you! I replaced the water pump twice and it still didn't go away until I fixed the gasket. Also, lots of wind noise.

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1997 Malibu NY

Written by: CM on 03/31/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

MY 97 Malibu - Great Car for the price I paid. Large enough to be comfortable and small enough for easy driving in the city. Mechanicals OK - a bit sluggish and mpg seems to be poor. Styling is adequate, not flashy. Repairs are few. Water pump most expensive repair yet. Hope to keep this for a few more years. My son could use it for college.

Favorite Features

Reliability

Suggested Improvements

More support in seat cushions. Can be very uncomfortable! I like a back end that is higher and that feels like it can handle a big load.

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1997 malibu

Written by: r m on 10/28/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

My 97 Malibu is still running fine - had to replace water pump at 22000 mi- and window control for driver side. Car is OK

Favorite Features

Front wheel drive

Suggested Improvements

seats need more support

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A LEMON!!

Written by: Debs24 on 09/25/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

i owned my car for seven years. and unfortunatlly its paid and i cant buy a new one.but these are the things i have to share. had it two weeks the steering wheel harness shorted,2 sets of control arms,2 alternators,2 manifold gaskets,control board for tail lights,main computer had to b replaced,tracking bar was bent,2battery's,serpentine belt, now tensioner chatters,a/c control head 3 times, paint chipping the room,doesnt hold alignment,a/c doesnt function right,the first 6 months we had it we had to replace half of the interoir trim and seat cloth,now we have a piston slap,radiator cap was craked,4 sets of brakes,2 sets of rotors,leaves stuck in blower

Favorite Features

sound system, the split back seat is handy, the net in the trunk

Suggested Improvements

DONT MAKE MALIBUS!!!, work on engine, electronics need improvement.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Don't Buy First Year Models or Chevys

Written by: msmiley on 09/23/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

I bought this car in March of 1997 and had problems with it ever since. Let's see...3 lower control arms (they rattled), ABS sensor bad, #1 fuel injector bad, altenator quit, brakes wore prematurely, headlights fogged over, brake pedal pad fell off, rear window seal blew out, interior panelling came off, turn signal wouldn't cancell after making a left turn(took two dealership visits to convinve them it was actually malfucntioning), and numerous other problems. This car is junk, not even rental fleet worthy. I got a divorce and she got this hunk of junk, thank goddness. I bought an import which now has over 35,000 miles on it with NO problems.

Favorite Features

It was comfortable to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Cheverolet should build a better quality product. I know there are die- hard Chevy owners out there and will continue to buy these crappy cars and trucks. I was even thinking of purchasing a new truck and thought about the Silverado, but have decided against it..it's junk.

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