1998 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews

180,000 miles with no effort

Written by: David Doering on 08/12/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

For the money this has been a great car. I have never been stuck on the road. Have had it towed from the house twice for serpentine belt issues, but that is great for the way I have taken care of it. The original brakes and rotors were horrible as has been well documented with this car, but cheap replacements have done well for many miles. I am starting to have rust near the gas cover. I have seen this on two other Malibus as well. Overall, I have been extremely pleased with the value of this car.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: chevy_man2u on 06/28/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I drive my Dad's 1998 Malibu with a 3.1L V6, and everyone says it's horrible. Well, in all the time we've had it, we never had problems with it. We got 43 mpg highway, average 30mpg city, 25mpg with my teenage driving. It has great performance, it's comfortable, and I've had very few problems with it. However the problems I had were from me putting off regular maintenance. The car handles great, and when I get on the highway I never have to worry about coming on too slow. It stops well, turns well. This car is awesome

Favorite Features

The performance and gas mileage. Also the exterior looks good. The sound system is also pretty good, and maintenance never costs all that much compared to other cars

Suggested Improvements

Interior can use some work, like the back seat. It feels like it has little support and you feel whatever is in the trunk

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Overall Fair

Written by: davidred on 04/24/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

This car currently has about 116,000 miles on it and we are the only owners. It was purchased brand new back in 1998. I have some very mixed reviews on the car over all. Mostly with areas of suspension, A/C control and ABS light. We also had a the CD player replaced while it was still under warranty. The body of the car has done well over the past nine years and the engine just recently started giving us trouble. We have a coolant leak into the engine. Overall I give the car a fair rating. I probably would not buy another one.

Favorite Features

Car gets very good gas mileage and handles well on the road especially in winter time. It is also a very spacious car and can hold a lot on trips. Interior of the car has held up well especially with having two kids.

Suggested Improvements

We have had the A/C switch replaced twice in the car while under warranty. Yet we still have problems on 1 and 2 setting. We have had a couple of struts replaced, a wheel bearing and tierod replaced before 60,000 miles. The ABS light also goes on and off from time to time.

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My Review

Written by: jayman2176 on 03/25/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

I bought this car from my aunt at 61,000 miles. I have had some of the same problems that most of you did. Brakes go in 15,000 miles even with aftermarket brakes. ABS sensor goes bad. Faulty automatic winder motors. Pull goes out. The base line performance lacks but I many performance parts added to the motor and suspension. It made it a good track car after modification. But all and all it still an American made car which means it will never be better than a 7 out of 10.

Favorite Features

The look over all and what a few performance parts can do to this car.

Suggested Improvements

Take some tips from other country with quality of cars. Make a car that will last over 100,000 miles with out major work done.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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OK-good car

Written by: asdfjkl; on 06/15/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Was great for about nine months, then little things started to happen. Check engine light came on. Took it to autozone for diagnostics and they told me it was a camshaft position sensor. Its acceleration improved after that. The starter failed me in December...which I fixed. The V6 does not give a do-it-yourself person much room to work around. The wheel bearing on the front right side became very noisy and had to be replaced. As far as minor annoyances: Vent selector knob broke (without abuse), the "ding ding ding" of the alert when you get in the car or are low on gas is very annoying, cornering isnt great, nor is mpg. It's an ok-good car. Not the best, nor the worst I've owned.

Favorite Features

The space, adjustable steering wheel, keyless entry (on mine), decent acceleration,

Suggested Improvements

GM needs to make vehicles that are good on gas. 25 mpg isnt good enough for me, nor the environment. Does it really need to weigh 3000 lbs? Manual trans. would be nice. Also,"dinging" alert sound is quite annoying. Could corner better, too... plus stock cd player skips

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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American Trash

Written by: ayoung on 06/12/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

The V6 is strong but as with most American cars, it is poorly built. At 100,000 the intake manifold gasket went. I can already tell the transmission is living on borrowed time as it, like most American transmissions, can't make up its mind which gear it needs to be in. It also shifts hesitatingly. Fortunately this was a hand me down from my wife's parents and we have only had to pay for the repairs, not the car. I just wish the American's could build something that lasts.

Favorite Features

None

Suggested Improvements

Build something that lasts. AKA the engine and the transmission.

10 out 16 people found this review helpful

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Mt 1998 Malibu LS

Written by: Jan on 06/06/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

I have loved this vehicle since day one! It has out performed my expectations and handles the road like a champ! My mileage has ranged 25 city and 32 highway consistantly for eight years!

Favorite Features

Roomy trunk, fold down seats, inside access to trunk space, and left hand cup holder for driver!

Suggested Improvements

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Not Like my 1980 Chevy Malibu

Written by: Bill on 04/15/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Driving and handling were no problem - excellent as a matter of fact in acceleration, braking and handling curves. Gas mileage was better in my 1980 Chevy than the 1998 one. A/C switch was the first item to go, then the blower switch. Radio reception lasted about 3yrs. Went through at least 4 or 5 brake changes and recently have been taking on water in the trunk when it rains. When driving I feel cramped in (I'm only 5'8") - why can't Chevy make the Malibu like they use to???? My 1980 Malibu lasted for 20 years - great car!

Favorite Features

Driving and handling. Fold down back seat for added trunk space.

Suggested Improvements

More room, better gas mileage, better quality craftmanship.

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Five years of a Malibu

Written by: James Parker on 01/07/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

After five years and 200,000Km some critical design problems are obvious. Front wheel bearings last about a year, ABS sensors are built in to the bearings and are suseptible to water, salt. $600 replacement cost. Power steering pump is also poor. Front seat belts are awkward to use. Paint quality is poor, clear coat has delaminated in several spots. Driveline is good, engine electronics trouble-free so far. Electric windows are a hassle. Factory sound system has average sound quality, both CD player and tape player. Seating is a bit harsh on long trips. Pass-through rear seats are good for carrying big stuff.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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My 1998 Chevy Malibu

Written by: Fran on 11/25/2005

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

For the most part, this car has been a great friend! Always reliable, & gets me from point A to point B. Not a fancy car, and nothing to really look at. But if you are looking for a vehicle that is well made, reliable, & can sit 4 to 5 persons at one time; this is the vehicle for you!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

They should improve the electricals to the vehicle. The only flaw I saw is when you turn on the A/C, at times it can turn off, or the A/C button "blinks".

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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