2005 Chevrolet Malibu User Reviews

Pros

cheap car

Cons

head gaskets

Purchased As Used

i've had the car for about 4 yrs now..w/no major issues, just the usual stuff... until last month, when the head gasket blew. apparently this is a problem for several chevy models. it cost about a grand w/towing, to fix

Pros

Awesome fuel....40 on the highway / 26 in town

Cons

No lower lumbard support adjustment in my model

Purchased As New

Have owned several vehicles....The only other vehicle I have been empressed with was the 89 mazda 626. This car rides wonderful, and the gas mileage is Awesome. I get on average 39.6 to 41.3 mpg on the highway, and in town I average 25-28 mpg. It handles great on the snow and on ice. It has been reliable, and comfortable for long family road trips. I highly recommend this vehicle for anyone looking for a good car with excellent gas milleage....read morehide

Pros

Smart body style

Cons

Suspension "shimmies" at 80mph.....ROUGH RIDE!

Purchased As Used

We traded in our 1997 Cadillac Seville for the 2005 Malibu LT VE four days ago and initially, I have been pleased with it.Has 54,000 miles on it. Interior is gray leather to match the silver gray exterior; condition is like new. However.....leg room is sparse in the backseat and the ride is not as smooth as I had remembered when I test drove it. There are so many accessories that I am still learning them! I was in love with it until I read so many reviews about steering locking up on so many drivers while they were driving! I am scared about that now. So far, I have not heard the 'rattles' that many reviewers have mentioned with the steering. I have been disappointed with the laissez faire of GM to fix some of the problems of reviewers. All in all, if I have no problems, I will be satisfied with the car. Time well tell....read morehide

Pros

Good fuel economy so far.

Cons

Brakes squeal after only 23,000 mi. Mechanic said rotor problems prevelant in this car.

Why aren't the brakes, that have a record of problems in this vehicle, covered by warranty for the first three years?

Pros

Excellent fuel mileage; good looks; strong 4-cylinder engine

Cons

Limited range of up/down in adjusting the steering wheel column

I have a 2005 base model with nearly 19,000 miles on it.....no complaints at all except with the limited range of adjusting the steering wheel column. I'm 6'2" and although I have plenty of head and sideroom, I have trouble getting the steering wheel adjusted to where I like it and still be able to see the speedometer well enough to my liking.....rides and handles very well....very impressed with the 2.2 Ecotec engine on one long-distance trip that has been made.....I live in the Atlanta Metroplex which is incredibly sprawled-out and I frequently have to travel around on my job.....car does very well in heavy commuter traffic....I get around 30 mpg around the city and got 38 mgp on the long-distance trip. NICE!!...read morehide

Pros

Great fuel economy, quiet ride, tons of features.

Cons

Water leaves mark on seats. AC condenser leave bad smell

I like the ride and the car has many features. I enjoy the car very much. Only complaint is the AC condenser gets wet from humidity in the air. Bacteria can grow in this wet environment and leave a smell. After reading about it on the net, I sprayed Lysol in the air intacts for the AC Unit. The smell disappeared, but my car smelled like lysol for 3 days. Over all, I love the car, and that was my only complaint. I don't know if that is the cars fault, so I give it high marks....read morehide

Good value for the money! Excellent fuel mileage
I drive 1000 miles a week,car is very comforatable.

Pros

SMOOOOOTH!!!

Cons

Can' t think of any!

As a huge Chevy fan, I just traded my 2000 Blazer for a 2005 Malibu with only 11,000 miles on it and for only having it for 3 days, I'm in high heaven! One thing for sure, I could go on and on on how smooth the performance is and even when accelarated it doesn't feel like I'm going above 65! I better slow down, eh? If there is another feature I enjoy is the storage in the trunk for my hockey bag and sticks. Other than the gear in my hockey bag, I have 'cubby holes' secured with nets to hold my extra pair of hockey skates. PLUS! I can push down the back seat to let my sticks rest and still be able to keep my daughter's car seat in the middle so I can monitor her through a nice wide angled rearview mirror. I have to give my daughter credit for picking this vehicle out and I don't think it was just because the color of it being white! She can't wait to ride with her daddy in his 'new' car!...read morehide

Pros

fuel economy, remote start, roomy, nice factory stereo

Cons

seats could be more comforatble

I have a 2005 v-6 and what take-off. I cannot believe the power. I love the fact that the stereo volume will go up when the road noise gets louder in the car and goes down when you slow down. The inermittent wiper also sense road speed and will go faster as you speed up. The factory stereo reads songs and will tell you he song on your Cd or the name of the radio station if it is transmitting the signal. You can tell I have not had a new car since 1994. I only give 14,000,00 for mine with 17,000 miles....read morehide

Pros

Smoothe operator

My family has always drove Chevrolets it's the American way for us.

I bought a 2004 Chevy Malibu back in December 2003. My husband said I could get any reasonable car I wanted, and I went straight to the Chevrolet dealer.

I love my '04 Bu and I'm sure the 2005 is just as good.

You're right Kevin, it'll always be Baseball, Apple Pie & Chevrolet for me....read morehide