are the 2005,2006 Chevy Malibu problematic?

[Rob]

are the 05 or 06 Chevy Malibu problematic Ive read reports about steering problem but since i work on my on car i was wondering if i got and 05 or 06 not sure with one is better will i always be under the hood or am I better off with a ford focus(zx3)

 

[ajw]

Consumer Reports mag gives a little better grade for the 2006 Malibu than the 2005. Ford Focus is rated a slight bit better in the same years.

 

[Life is good]

I own a 2006 Malibu Maxx. We have had replaced every single part of the electric steering system with the exception of the steering wheel itself. My wife will not drive this car and the dealer offered us a pittance when I tried to trade it in. So here I sit with a car that I can't give away and nobody in the house will drive it. GM's solution to all the problems; Why don't you buy our $1700.00 extended warranty and we will look after you

I not so politely told them where they could shove the warranty. I will never buy another new Chevy product from one of their dealers.

 

[BIGDOG]

From what i have heard they have been really good car. You will get lots of miles out of them with little problems.

 

[mikey]

malibu is a great little car, they built a ton of them and the parts interchange is excellent so parts should be easy, haven't heard of major problems with the ps, but be aware that a lot of these cars started their service lives in a rental fleet, like Alamo-this in itself is not a reason to stay away from a specific vehicle, however, get a carfax report if you can to assure no major body work-ford docus is great little car too, in my opinion, they are so similar as to allow the flip of a coin to decide which one, all other variables being equal...good luck.

 

[Jeremy B]

If you plan to put on large millage, the brake fluid from the factory will need to be changed BEFORE the company suggests so, its costly, but the car will last longer, as well the oil will get sludgier faster in Locals, we burn the gas less economically, and American oil refineries have good standards, but not the best, so use a fuel additive, read up on the different ones.

as well, keep the inflation of your tires at an optimum, for smaller cars will usually turn a little steeper, making the walls wear a small amount faster.

this is all true for both cars, but if you really want a vehicle that will keep you free from gas charges and systematic problems ( fords were good, 30 years ago, now they have been run out, true capitalism), try for something like a Honda or Hyundai, there are more parts than you could ever need, a dime a dozen, cheap to fix, and practically a write off if ever you crash