Used 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews
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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!
- Base SedanMSRP: $4,995615 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $5,995737 mi away
- LS SedanMSRP: $1,899808 mi away
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.
great car
excellent, great power and gas milage, speed hold on hills even with 4 adults.
New Chevy Malibu
Attractive styling for a midsize car. Lots of features are standard. Very good pricing. Wonderful ride. A joy to drive.
05 LS Malibu
Very good performance, ride quality, and stand alone styling. Excellent for family in town and great on the highway. Well thought out design and features like the fold down passenger seat are very useful.Comfortable seats on long trips. Only driven 5000km. Very happy with purchase. Excellent value for the dollar compared to the overpriced imports. Only waited four weeks for factory order car to arrive, excellent.
Malibu
This car is well equiped and price is reasonable
Nice car
Bought this in May. Waited till it had 9000 before I made comment on it. Have 4 cyl and get 34 to 36 mpg on the hwy. 22 to 24 city. Great ride on both hwy and city. Handles great. Very quiet interior. Lot of standard options for the price. No real problems so far. Dont like the upgraded radio, only real complaint at higher speed radio turns up to high automatically can't hear passengers talking . Have Saab 9.5 for other car. will most likely buy another malibu instead of Saab. Same frame as 9.3 half the price, seven eights same ride.
Good used car
I love the overall gas mileage. The 4 cyclinder has good pep. I have noticed the sun roof rattles? Squeeks every now and then along with the brakes as well at times. I commute 80 miles a day and find it to be a comfortable ride. I always look forward to driving since I bought the vehicle. No regrets thus far.
First car
I bought this car used, and the main purpose is to get me from work and back. This is my first car, and after training in other vehicles I can say that I fit in this car very comfortably, more so than my folks old Cougar, my friend's new Solara, or the last Sentra I sat in. I've had other Chevy owners (mostly pickups) call it cute, and then look shocked when they see a 6'2" football build guy come out of it. The sound is great, everything works just fine. Passing cars in Upstate NY's hilly roads is an everyday thing so I love the V6 engine and the power behind it. The safety features (ABS, Traction Control, Multiple airbags, passive anti-theft, etc) assured the folks that I'd be just fine.
Loving It
This is definitely the car for me. I am getting 33.9 mpg on the highway and 27.8 in the city. The new electronic power steering is great, no dead space when wheel is at center. I live in Southern Wisconsin and this car tracks great in the snow and ice. Select shift transmission makes slippery take offs a snap. Traction control works very well. Factory installed keyless remote start sure makes window scraping a breeze. Not to mention heated seats in cloth. Don't have to have leather if you don't want it. The shift into passing gear is extremely smooth, don't get a big head jerk as the car gears down. Plenty of passing power on the interstates. I highly recommend this car to anyone.
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!
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.
just bought
Well I have only had this vehicle going on a month now, but so far it is okay. The 05 model appealed to me because it was stylish and spacious at the same time. I really like the chrome details, especially on the black and red. My family and I are tall, so for us to fit comfortably is important. The only thing is, without looking at the logo this car can be mistaken for many others out there. Also by purchasing a 4cyl, I saved money, but was surprised by the amount of power the car still has for it only to be a 4cyl. The gas mileage is great.
Great
very good car I love it everyone super super vehicle please buy one of this i have one
Can't beat the price!!
GM rebates and other incentives convinced me that I could be happy with this stylish domestic vehicle. The ride is excellent, with the Saab platform. The 4 cyl. is a bit of a dog but the mileage I'm getting is worth overlooking this (28 ave., city.) The seats are comfortable and the instrumentation is easily reached and visually convenient. Real nice sound system for an "aging rocker"! Lot's of backseat and truck space in addition to the spacious front cabin area. Handling is adequate as are the brakes. The Malibu meets my realistic expectations of a quality car. It is not however, my Camry.
Great value car
I have a long commute to work so I wanted something economical, safe, comfortable, quiet and with some spunk. I also wanted something with enough space to offer some versatility for longer road trips and for hauling people and things around. This car has all this and for thousands less than a comparably equipped Accord, Camry or Maxima. The only thing that Chev should really try to improve is the front suspension. It's not bad but it does not feel as solid as with many of the competitive models. Overall, a great value for a mid-sized car.
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.
Car for the kids
We bought this for our kids to share, getting 29 miles per gallon. It's very safe and solid, so no fear of injury if they are in an accident. It's roomy inside to fit all of their "stuff", and still be safe in travel. It has a good warranty, and the seats fold to fit band instruments. The 4 cylinder runs great and still had enough power to get a speeding ticket. My wife even drove it for three months to work and loved it for the size and comfort. Thinking of sending this with the college boys and buying a second for the high schooler, but hate the thought of all the dings in the college lot. This is why we looked for reliable and inexpensive. I would recomend this car 100% for quality transportation.
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?
2005 Chevrolet Malibu
I Got a great deal on this car compared to the competitors. GM incentives saved me 25% off MSRP. Great ride and performance. Extrememly pleased with 200hp 6 cyl engine that gets over 37 mph on highway!
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.
2004 Malibu LT 4-door sedan
Original automatic transmission was bad. GM replaced with a 5 year warranty. No other complaints. If you live in a cold climate, remote start is a dream, clearing windows and warming car in 4-5 minutes. Plenty of interior space, lots of zip, good economy Would buy again. With incentives, a great auto for under $21,000
Not too shaby for the price
Plenty of pickup. A very nice looking car, gets good mileage and is a quiet, comfortable ride.
Absolute best car I have ever owned
Can't belive how much you get for the price. Quiet smooth ride with great luxury features. Excellent power with great gas mileage.Beautiful design with plenty of room. Can't think of anything that would improve this car.
BEST BUY
I am thrilled that for less then 25k I bought a mid-size sedan that both my husband and I are comfortable in. Finally a vehicle designed for someone short. I am just barely over 5 feet and every other car I have ever owned I can not help but sit dangerously close to the steering wheel. In my last car there was less then 6 in. between myself and the steering wheel. The Malibu has the adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheel, allowing me to sit at an arms length from the steering wheel. My husband is 6 foot and it fits him as well. Finally an affordable car for those of us not average.
2005 Chevy Malibu
I've had my new car only 3 weeks and have drivne it about 1,000 miles. Gas mileage is not what I expected, but I think the reason is I've only driven in the city. Maybe it'll change for the better on the highway. From driving a mini-van for many years, this mid-size is not bad. I can get in and out from tight spaces, and it maneuvers very well. Side view mirrors are not easy to adjust (for me). You can't see cars as they get close to pass you. Had a close call.
America is coming back
After being shut out in the cold for over 3 solid decades, the American auto industry is taking an about face with customer satisfaction and all out quality. Not a bad word to say about the Malibu, smooth ride, great start up, superb gas mileage and handling. Hope that things come around more so in the future and will be looking forward to support our American economy again!!
'05 Malibu LS sedan
I considered this car and the '05 Camry LE. GM's employee pricing promotion and the Malibu's excellent ride & handling balance ended up being the deciding factors because the two cars were a wash in areas like assembly quality, interior comfort, materials quality, quietness, and styling. The Camry has a slight edge in trunk room and rear seat legroom, but not enough of one to justify the price difference. Overall, the Malibu is a comfortable, fun to drive sedan with materials and assembly quality equal to that of the Camry. Also, so far (with 2600 miles on the odometer), it has been trouble- free. If you're shopping the Camry, shop the Malibu, too. It might surprise you---it did me.
Completely satisfied
I've owned the 2005 Malibu for about 6 months and have 9000 miles on it. The ride is very smooth and comfortable. The engine is quiet and very powerful with great acceleration. I'm get 29MPG in overall driving with some highway and some stop and go traffic.
Nice Reliable Car
I just bought my Malibu August of 05. I have been driving it ever day since I bought it and I am loving it. I am suprised by the amount of powe the 4cyl has. I am a college student and the with the MPG is awsome. I have take several trips with the car and have never had a problem. Passing cars is no problem with the 4cyl.
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!
Bill's Malibu
Love driving this car.Handles like a pro. I also love the automatic shift. The engine is fairly quiet and responds immediately.This 4-banger is above all my expectations. The interior design is unimaginative and looks like someones fishing car. The rear seat room is almost non-existant.I love the information panel and the radio exceeds most.Overall I would rate this car a 7.5 out of 10.
If not fun, then at least reliable
I bought the car slightly used, a program car. The LS was the mid level car in 2005, and mine is loaded, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control, etc. It goes down the road comfortably and quietly, and is a very nice ride. I like most everything on the car, with the exception of the electic power steering. This is a car that I can be comfortable in, even with the sunroof. I owned a 1998 Malibu earlier, and had nothing but problems with it. This redesigned Malibu, I'm hoping, will cure that bad taste left by my previous car. I think I'm going to enjoy my new Malibu. It appears to be well crafted, well put together, if not spectacular. It is a good, midsized, American car.
Our New Malibu!
We leased our Malibu on June 5th, 2005 (It's our fourth Malibu lease in a row, dating back to 1997). We like this year's design best of all. My only regret is that we did not get it with the sport package. It runs and handles very well, with plenty of room for rear passengers, and room in the trunk. We are getting about 21mpg. around town, and about 30 mpg. on the highway.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4 dr 3.5l6cyl
Just had my Malibu 2 weeks. So far I really like it. I had to bring it back to the dealer for a steering rack. Hope that fixes the noise. We took a 200 mile road trip and I got 36.8 miles per gallon. Back and forth to work (about 70% highway) I get about 31. I'm fairly pleased with that. I think the onboard computer is right on. What people don't realize is that you have to check the Department of Weights & Measures rating on the pump when you get gas. ou don't always get a gallon for a gallon. The closer it is to 12, the more accurate. I always try to fill up at stations that are rated at a 10 12. I find that the car's MPG computer seems to be really close then.
Buy This Car
This is the best car I have ever owned. I traded in a 2001 Malibu, which I thought was great. This car is light years ahead of the 2001 I had. Unbeliveably, the bigger engine is giving much better mileage than I got on the 2001. The 2001 delivered 26 mpg and so far the 2005 (according to the onboard computer)is giving me 29.7 mpg. That is from day one till now, 1,100 miles later. I've had the car 6 weeks now and it just keeps getting better and better.
Great Car
Very roomy, love the seat electric heaters, Trunk is probably the largest for mid size vehicles. We bought ours LOADED, including Satellite radio and Onstar. This car is the BEST value for the money. We have put 26,000 miles on it in 7 months, and have enjoyed every mile.
Wish I'd Known What I Know Now
I bought my Malibu brand new from the dealership and it has all the bells and whistles. It's been 3 years this month and I've had the steering column replaced due to a recall(after taking it 2 times to have it checked before the recall). I've had the 6 disc cd changer replaced because my disks were stuck in it, I've had to buy touch up paint because the paint jobs so thin that any brush against an object scrapes to the grey plastic and now the battery's dead in my key fob & they have to order a whole kit to replace it!! Oh, & my sunroof rattles when it's open. I'm just afraid that when my factory warranty's up, I'll be up the creek with this car!
I Love My Malibu
My husband went and bought me a new 2005 Chevy Malibu. We already had a 2002 model of the Malibu and I couldn't have been happier. I love Chevys and the Malibu is perfect for me and my family. I especially love the automatic start!
The great American comeback
Americans can now be proud that our industry is coming back to providing the customer with an outstanding automobile. Awesome ride, steering, interior and best of all GAS Mileage!Will never buy a foreign vehicle as long as I live as a real American! Thank you General Motors!
Excellent Car!!!
I love my Malibu. It's roomy. Great gas mileage. It has power. Great turn radius. Large trunk. Beautiful interior.
GM still remains no 1
Unlike some of the critics, I like the feel and smoothness of the ride. I don't expect a Nascar ride, ie, not a lot of speed. It has enough pickup to get up to the speed laws. Got a good employee discount and better yet no hassling. It turns good at corners. So far, and too soon to tell, it has no mechanical problems. So I would recommend giving it a try. GM is not all that bad, foreign cars have their quirks. Gas mileage is as good as any car depending on driver's habits. Tires are good, but you may want better if you drive a lot in snow. Like the drivers hooked mat, keeps from moving around back of pedals.
Close, but no cigar..
I have 2 issues with this vehicle, and neither can seem to be cured by GM or the dealer. First, the car just wanders all over the road. You need to constantly adjust the steering wheel to keep it in the center of the lane. and up until the first snow storm in my area, I didnt have any other issues and would have lived with the other, but when we had our first snow storm, the windshield wipers showed there problem. For some reason, and I cant understand why no one else seems to notice this, is that the passenger windshield wiper wipes the water right onto the view of the driver, and seems to fall right between my eyes. I get a headache everytime I drive the car. Not a good selling point.
Chevy Rocks
This Malibu has even more power than the old model. Tight, quiet, turns like a champ and the new electric driven steering module is better. The mileage is as advertised and thats at 75mph on the highway. I love the suspension, the quiet ride, the XM radio. I got it loaded other than the OnStar. The engine is a champ. Plenty of power in all conditions. Smooth with plenty of torque .
Should have known better
Should have known better than to buy another Malibu after having problems with an '01 model. With the exception of the steering column recall, this car seemed very good until about 3 years in. CD changer doesn't work. Interior shotty. Power steering started acting up, numerous squeaks. Then the starting began sticking, and the ignition in the dash had to be replaced at a cost of over $500. Finally traded the thing when the entire electrical system went haywire and blew the turn signals. Chevy makes good trucks; why can't they make a car? I will never own another GM car.