Used 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews
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Good Car LS V6
two yaers done me good so far But if it's hard to start when hot hit the gas while cranking if it don't twince. My radio just went out got A Refurbished for $185 works good now. the staring wheel got tight once coming out one tight parking space. I put in park and hit gas a littie never had that proplem agan. My wife share this car drop me off and go home and go to work and pick me up 60 miles a day alway ready to go.
Excellent Car... GM Finally Got it Right
I bought this car because I had accumulated some GM credit card points. My last two cars were German VW cars, but after reading the safety reviews I decided to purchase a GM car. With almost seven months of riding this car I love it. In fact, when the lease is over I probably will replace it with another Malibu. The car is spacious on the inside, and is full of great accessories. I especially like the heated seats and the OnStar system.
- LS SedanMSRP: $4,990161 mi away
- LT SedanMSRP: $3,799251 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $5,995276 mi away
My Chevy
I have had to replace the stereo twice, the dealership says that "self made cd's" tend to not work in the cd players and they will eventually get stuck inside. I can't have the back windows down on the freeway cause of a knocking wind sound but the gas mileage is good. Regular oil changes and tire rotations and maintenance work wonders. The car gets me where I need to go and with any product you buy, there will always be issues. I find that people who complain non stop about their cars are the people who do not do the regular maintenance. This is a long term investment that does require routine care. Sometimes you get a lemon though. It is American made and that is good.
Great Basic Commuter Car
Needed a safe mid-size car that got great mileage. Mostly used for commuting but will carry the family on the weekends. I have over 8,000 miles on it and it has never gotten under 27 mpg. My commute is 50/50 freeway/city streets so I am very happy with the mileage. It is a very quiet car and the 4 cylinder never has me wanting more. The chasis is very european in its ride qualities with a taunt ride. This car does everything that I need of it well.
Malibu LS V6
Excellent care for the money. You can catch this car used for a reasonable and fair price. It is much improved as compared to previous Chevrolet vehicles i have owned. I was considering Toyota or Honda...but overall I am equally satisfied with the new Chevrolet Malibu LS V6.
Excellent Value
Terribly disappointed in my two Toyotas. Went back to Chevy and wow what a car. Great gas mileage, very good road handling, and competitively priced. Am getting ready to buy a new car and it will be another Chevrolet product.
Not the best I have owned
The interior is so easily stained along with a crappy radio. But the biggest issue is the steering. GM knew the steering was flawed but failed to recall it- I fixed the top part but today my mechanic told me to stop driving it. It will cost $900 to fix. The mileage and power have been nice and it is a pretty car. I replaced my wife's car last month and now have to buy another one. It will not be a GM.
Average midsize car
I purchased my 05 4 months ago. I've been in for repairs for 3 items; 1/ Loose front left strut that was replaced. 2/ Shifter assembly was replaced , the manual shift mode was inoperative. 3/ Rattling sound in the steering column, It's true that GM says they do not have an effective repair yet for this problem. Hopefully the car will be reliable from now otherwise I will sell it when the warranty expires. I decided to buy the Malibu and save the 4 to 5 thousand dollars over what a comparable '05 import would have cost. The car is a great deal used but I wouldn't buy it new as the depreciation is high.
Great Choice
I love this car. I am a librarian and put hours of research into the choice of this car. The fact that it recently got top safety ratings just confirms that the research was worth it. I often drive a family member's Accord, and the interior and driving feel of this car are vastly superior. People are reluctant to say it's better than Camry and Accord due to their long reputation of excellence, but from what I've seen they are slipping and the Malibu is a much better choice.
Great fuel mileage - expensive repairs
The fuel mileage is excellent. The brakes fail way too early. I have gone through one complete brake shoes/pads/rotors.drums replacement at about 50,000 miles. Now the front rotors are warped again.. The transmission failed at 84,000 miles. I had it serviced at 80,000 miles (maintenance schedule calls for transmission service at 100,000 miles). I now have over $3000 in repairs on a 5 year car. I have a 13 year old Ford ranger (90k miles) that I have spent about $1000 in repairs. Good thing GM now has 10 year 1,000,000 power train warranty. However, what will that warranty do for you if the car strands you for 5 days 1000 miles from home while you wait for the transmission to be repaired?
Much improved from older models
My wife and I traded in our 2002 Malibu and purchased a new 2005 Malibu. Overall it is much improved over the older model.The only thing we were dissapointed in was that the new model we purchased did not have ABS brakes and was a 4 cyl.
Happy Camper in Black
Nice car worth your money.
Small Car with a Big Ride
I am a Big Guy and I drive a Chevy Silerado, and the Family car is the Malibu. I was very suprised at the amount of room in the car. It fits me like a glove and can that Malibu move down the road. The ride is superb for a mid size and it handles well. The electric steering is very sensitive, requiring little effort. My wife and teenage daughter love the look and the way it drives also. We drove it on vacation and averaged 28 mpg on the interstate,mountains, and city. We drove the speed limit and then some. The only complaint is that the interior could use a little upgrade to make it more asthetically pleasing. Over all a wonderful vechile
No comparison to the former Malibu
After 3 weeks of many test drives and research the decision was far too obvious. My LS has 16,000Kms, the full airbag package, ABS, traction control, V6, OnStar. Safety rated as one of the top 6 cars and the only North American car on the list! It keeps good company with Lexus, VW, Saab, Subaru. My decision was based on safety, price, and fun to drive-ness. I got way more than that! The fit and finish on the exterior metal is amazing. It's a classy undiscovered jewel in a sea of hype and look-alikes! Check out the new Malibu. Saying its new & improved doesnt begin to do it justice. This is the best car I've ever owned, and there's been a lot!
My review
I really love this car. It handles so much better than my last car. I got an awesome price thanks to this site and it looks great inside and out. I think this is the best thing that I've ever purchased, and it is so good on gas! I love all the features and the V6 engine. Overall i think this is the best bang for your buck!
The right decision
I bought my Malibu after a month and a half of searching for a vehicle after I totaled mine. I was a bit skeptical on this purchase because I know what kind of problems Malibus have had in the past. I work with cars everyday so I get to see first hand what kind of problems come thru my door. Once I saw the car's sleek design and I was able to test drive it, I was sold. This Malibu was far past my expectations of a Malibu. I love the 3.5L V6, which my dad says is too big for me and my lead foot! I purchased this car used with 80000 miles on it. I have put almost 6000 on it since I bought it and I have very few complaints. There are a few bumps here and there, but thats normal for a used car.
the new malibu is great
the new malibu is far better then the old one.it more fun to drive and it handle 100%better then the old one.
MAXX
I drive the malibu MAXX LT, a well constructed and appointed car..lots of room, mileage is good ( better than my Honda), and the power is more than adequate...the car is one of GM's gems and should set the standard for midsize sedans with a hatchback all at a cost far below the Japanese cars.
One problem
I like the car but the power steering was a great problem. The steering wheel would move on its own (pulsating) and locked up on two occasions. The entire steering column had to be replaced. I was very disappointed in getting the car fixed. parts were not available and it took 10 days to get the car out of the service department. Pretty good car -- terrible service makes for an unhappy owner.
Great Car
My Malibu is a great sedan for comfortable and economical transportation. The engine is a real world work horse that has good torque and all the pick up you need. There's no apparent performance degradation when pulling the AC and it can climb the steepest hills without having to drop gears and run the engine hard. Runs on regular unleaded with no performance loss. Gas mileage is great. On an all freeway trip driving 1,499 mi from WA to AZ I used 43.8 gallons of gas for 34.2 mpg. Average speed on the info readout was 69 mph, on the highway I usually had the cruise set at 76mph.
A step up for a first time buyer
My last car was a Pontiac Grand Am so I made a conscious decision to buy a more powerful car and I definitely got it! As a recent college graduate, this car is decidedly more grown-up without having the stuffiness of it's larger counterpart, the Chevy Impala. Good stereo, comfy seats, and ample leg room make this a good choice. I usually get 22-25 mpg with city driving.
Mediocre at best
I bought this car with the intention of putting alot of miles on it. Its looks are great and i never fail to get stares. However the build quality is not good. I have sveral dash rattles and my air conditioning occasionally quits working. My shifter is loose and rattles over the smallest potholes. The gas mileage is great. I have no problems hanging with mustang gt's.
Malibu LS Sedan
Interstate speed is excellent, well over 30 mpg. Very maneuverable and easy to drive as an around town car. Also, comfortable to drive at highway speed. Surprised to find that mileage at 75 mph very little less than at 55 mph. Comfortable leather upholstery and heated seats are appreciated.
New Chevrolet Malibu LT
This car is great - the seats are beautiful. Fuel economy for the power is better than my 4cyl - especially on the highway! Took a while, but now I really like the look of the car. Mine is white w/neutral leather interior. Nice! Problems are lots of little rattles which drive me nuts. Wish the car had more "status". Starting to see some base models as rental. Chev should only use the "Classic" as rentals to elevate this model's status. Overall an extremely good value, content & performance, & reliability for the buck!
You Gotta Have This
This car is more than you can want. I was very impressed with the remake of this model in the 2004 year. The ride is very comfortable and the interior is very user friendly. I'm glad I bought this car.
2 thumbs up
Recently bought the 2005 LT model. The car is excellent, smooth on the road, lots of interior space and is fun to drive. In the short time I've had it I'm getting about 26 mpg city and 31.7 highway. Prior to buying, I had read reviews giving the car high ratings, and reviews saying the car is so-so, and that Honda (Accord) and Toyota (Camry) have nothing to worry about when compared to the Malibu. All I can say that after comparing all three and now owning the Malibu, the Malibu can easily hold its own against the Accord & Camry.
Malibu Maxx
Leased it a month ago. What a great car. High quality, lots of features, very affordable.
Malibu Driving Experience
A truly fun car to drive. All interior controls in close proximity to the driver. On one 400 mile trip with AC used sparingly, the car averaged 38 mpg. There is plenty of cargo space. Air conditioning with outside air at 93 degrees on maximum brought in 40 degree air easily cooling off the car. A great car .
Fabulous!
I researched this car for what seemed like years and my homework paid off. We love our Malibu, Stella. She is fun to drive, she turns heads, she is fast and easy to steer. I would recommend doing your shopping online and getting financing somewhere else. It saves so much hassle, even though you have to say no a million times to the sales guy and the closer. You can get a much better deal this way though and it's fun to watch them squirm.
Losing the Battle against Europe
This car was marketed to me as a European design with European type quality. After owning several German cars and being quite satified, I was a bit hesitant buying a Chevy. However, I got a GM discount & solid rebates which sweetened the deal considerably. I pulled the trigger on the Malibu and now have buyer's remorse. I should have went with my gut. The car is subpar when compared to it's foreign peers. Average quality at best. I've had the car in 3 times for brake problems. The dealer finally replaced all four assemblies. Bottom Line: the car is ok if you get a discounted deal.
Good and reliable
I've had this car for about three years now. It's at about 70 thousand miles and still running great. I have the base model, so there isn't a lot of power, but the gas mileage is great and it's got a decent amount of pep for a four cylinder. The ride is smooth and the transmission is fluid. It has plenty of leg room and the interior, while not made of top grade materials, has held up nicely to a 4 and 1 year old.
Better than Average
Purchased on a Friday in Aug 2004. Left for a 3 week plus driving vacation on the following Monday. Averaged 28 MPG through all terrain. Put on over 4000 miles over the time period. The only drawback I have discovered is the RAPID decline of the initially GREAT ride. I would compare the initial ride to an Infiniti, but now it's like any other car I have owned.
My Awesone NEW Car!!!
My experience with this vehicle is that it is pretty darn awesome. My parents resently purchased one for me and so far I am still being amazed by this car.
Problems, problems, problems
4 steering colums,3 brake jobs , 1 muffler and 1 electric mirror Is the summary of the problems I had to live with during the last 8 months.
Good buy.
After driving this car for a couple weeks I feel the car is considerably under rated by the editors. Drives great, overall quiet smooth operation, brakes have excellent feel and action. The car makes driving fun again. The entire car has the quality and feel of a higher priced vehicle. A joy to drive.
Love the Mailbu
This is our first "Low priced" car in many years and we are amazed at how well we like it. We can't understand why your "Pros" don't rate this car higher. We find the steering and brakes to be excellent. It is a great size for around town and still does well on the highway. We are thinking about trading one of our other cars for a second Malibu. Everything on our car works as it should and it has never been back to the shop. We like the OnStar, XM radio, remote starting etc. All around good balance. Car is tight and quiet. More than worth the money. Highly recommend it.
2 MONTH CRITIQUE OF MY MALIBU
Have had the car since late July. The car is comfortabe on long road trips and the highway fuel economy is great (33-35 mpg on regular gas). Initial overall quality has been exellent. The new 3.5L V6 engine is very responsive.
Is this car for you?
The new Malibu is a bargain with the GM discounts and rebates. You get a 200 hp V6, 6 disc CD, sunroof, power seats, and premium wheels for about $18,000. The cars run well on the highways. A recent trip where I averaged 68mph (260 mile drive) I got 36+mpg. WOW. Road noise is fair, acceleration is fun, the car has a lot of jump.
outstanding auto vs cost
I compare this auto to my 55 chev 2dr ht in size,performance,appearance both interior and exterior. could not be more pleased. ideal car for the wife also.
Great
very good car I love it everyone super super vehicle please buy one of this i have one
My Malibu LS
I purchased my Malibu after a long 3 year battle with my 2001 Saturn L-200. Great car only issue is a slight dash rattle between 50-62 mph other than that it's great. Fuel economy is awesome. Great power. Roomy interior. I noticed one individual stated that Chevys are junk and that he was going back to Toyota well go, buy foreign and push our country into more of a recession. This car is a good value no matter what way you look at it.
Not too great
I had this car for three years. Fuel consumption is great, all controls are good location. Smooth ride. Steering control and braking is excellent. Visibilty is great. Stereo doesnt have aux input and hard or cannot be upgraded. engine are noisy. I sent the car several times to the dealership for steering problem, cd drive running continously, small area paint peeling off under 2 front door and at the luggage door. Within two years under 12000 miles, they had replaced the lower ball joint and lower arm assembly due to clunking noise in the front suspension when it hit a bump even though that I drive it carefully.
Great car for midwest weather
Bought my Malibu with 19K miles on it. I now have 58K on it. I bought Malibu as I always wanted to try an American car. I have not been disappointed. In last 4 yrs I never had any maintenance job on this car. I have driven to places like Green Bay from Chicago with heavy snow but the car has done very well. With outside temp of -40 F, the car starts in 1-2 try. I was amazed by it. I don't know about other GM cars but I would surely recommend Malibu to anyone who wants a midsize.
2005 chevy malibu l/t
I like the car, i traded a toyota matrix on same, I am very well pleased with all aspects of the Malibu
Love my Malibu!
I love driving my Malibu! I traded a Malibu 2002 LS for this Malibu. The Chevy Malibu line has improved immensely! My new Malibu is an excellent handling automobile. I enjoy driving it every time I get behind the wheel! As a bonus, I receive many compliments on the design ....I am really very happy that I own this car!
2005 Chevy Malibu review
I just traded in my 2002 SUV for a more economical car. Versus other cars in this midsize sedan category, I like the solid feel of this vehicle. The interior is much better than some I have seen. It is stylish and fun to drive. I am VERY happy with the gas mileage. It is loaded with a lot of neat extras that I enjoy such as the Driver information center. I am very happy with my decision to move to a 4 cylinder. When asked to, it will scoot! Great pricing, plus GM rebates, make this an affordable vehicle to own. Maintenance is a breeze as well - very affordable.
Not bad for the money
This car is built relatively well. The body seems to be substantial and fit is good for the price. The car drives adequately well, but that's about it. Many driving characteristics are fair at best. Handling lacks feel for the road and the car seems to levitate/drift at upper highway speeds. Acceleration is a bit sluggish yet. Braking feels very "all or none." On the inside, the seats are okay--a bit wobbly as you shake them but OK. The sound system is decent but defintiely not great. Controls are a bit tougher to reach than would be ideal. Still it seems to hold together. Relatively smart looking instrument panel. Not a bad car for the price, but definitely not extraordinary.
Smooth As Silk
Excellent ride, gas mileage, visibility. Superb steering. Well designed trunk. Many features. Great value for the money. Would recommend highly.
My Great Little Malibu
Great car. I love mine.
Best Value in the segment
It can hold its own against both the Accord (I owned a 2001) and the Camry but at thousands less. I was able to purchase this vehicle at $2500 under invoice, by far the most bang for your buck in this segment. This car is loaded: heated and power seats, heated outside mirrors, XM radio, everything you could want. GM quality has improved substantially along with interior styling. 5 years ago I don't think I would have considered a Chevy, but now they hold their own against the best. Ride is excelllent, acceleration admirable. The only gripe I have is that it would be nice to have a few more pieces of accent trim.