Hello car peoples. I need advice on a "to be mine" chevy malibu - General

Hey everyone. By next summer i will be the owner of this 2006 chevy malibu. [img]http://i.imgur.com/cTyQ3.jpg[/img] The retail is 10k on it, and private sale is about 8.2k (all USD). It has been agreed that i will be buying it for 3k once my mom can get a loan for a different car. The car is nice. It looks nice, it handles nice, and it's reasonably new. The problem is my mom has chosen to neglect general maintenance on it. The car has 89,590 miles on it. It has been over the oil change mileage almost every time recently. The transmission fluid hasn't been done as long as we have owned it. It needs struts, shocks, and tires. It also needs some interior work done to get rid of some aesthetic issues but that's down the road. Now... I want to take it to get whatever it needs done in terms of fluids and what not, the cheaper stuff that i can afford to get done on it. What needs to be changed\flushed\replaced\otherwise? All i know is the battery is new and the air filter is good. I was told by a classmate that all fluids should be flushed and replaced at 30k miles, but everyone ive talked to says different about everything. so yeah! thanks for any help! List: Transmission service Shocks Struts (1300 usd) Belts oil change (20 bucks, first on list)

Make sure it gets all new belts if it hasn't already. Including the timing belt/chain. Also get a transmission service and brake job done ASAP.

Sell the Malibu and get a Honda. Honda's don't need gas, oil, etc.

[QUOTE=Hack;32614887]Sell the Malibu and get a Honda. Honda's don't need gas, oil, etc.[/QUOTE] I think you mean Toyotas, and they still do. Just not as often :P

[QUOTE=m0nkey98;32614810]Make sure it gets all new belts if it hasn't already. Including the timing belt/chain. Also get a transmission service and brake job done ASAP.[/QUOTE] brakes are pretty new. like 4 or 5 months ago i think. transmission service? what does that entail? how much are those? im not exactly stacked on dosh. and how much are belts to get changed? do i need to get all the "fluids" flushed? someone mentioned that to me today.

Transmission service=transmission fluid change. You could opt for a fluid + filter change but that's more pricey. I don't really know how much it would cost for your car but Google says around 100-300 dollars. A timing belt/chain would probably be pricey (about 500-1000 dollars) to have changed but it's not something you want to do your self. But it's extremely important because if it breaks you're going to be paying a lot more(your engine will shit itself). It's recommended to have your timing chain/belt replaced every 60,000-80,000 miles. But a serpentine belt, which powers your accessories (like air conditioning, alternator, etc), is like 20 bucks and you could probably do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. If not, a shop can do it for pretty cheap as well. This is important too but it's more likely to have already been done (because it's pretty simple to do). And about the fluids, well really all you have to worry about is engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. If any of these are low, just top it off with whatever's in there. Unless it's leaking, in which case you should stop the leak ASAP...

[QUOTE=gerbile5;32615943]brakes are pretty new. like 4 or 5 months ago i think. transmission service? what does that entail? how much are those? im not exactly stacked on dosh. and how much are belts to get changed? do i need to get all the "fluids" flushed? someone mentioned that to me today.[/QUOTE] If you wanna make sure your car is in top top shape, it probably wouldn't hurt to flush/change all the fluids and get new filters.

honestly I would tell your mom to sell the car and let you pick a more reliable one the car is probably going to cost you a shitload of money in the long run

[QUOTE=JDK721;32616406]honestly I would tell your mom to sell the car and let you pick a more reliable one the car is probably going to cost you a shitload of money in the long run[/QUOTE] Omigawd Chevy GM must be unreliable hurrr It's got 89,000 miles on it, it's only 5 years old, and it's in good shape. That car is going to last a while.

sell it, get an s2000

[QUOTE=JDK721;32616406]honestly I would tell your mom to sell the car and let you pick a more reliable one the car is probably going to cost you a shitload of money in the long run[/QUOTE] Right, and he should buy a Hyundai instead.

2003 Article. That's a huge feat for a company that everyone picks on and says is unreliable. [url]http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-03-11-cr-picks_x.htm[/url]

[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;32617976]Omigawd Chevy GM must be unreliable hurrr It's got 89,000 miles on it, it's only 5 years old, and it's in good shape. That car is going to last a while.[/QUOTE] chevy malibus aren't that reliable for one. second, his mom neglected the car, and it will probably come back to bite him in the ass. [editline]4th October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=gonedead0;32618248]Right, and he should buy a Hyundai instead.[/QUOTE] hyundais are more reliable than chevys, so what's your point?

[QUOTE=JDK721;32624534]chevy malibus aren't that reliable for one.[/QUOTE] ([url=http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/malibu/2006/reliability.html?style=100565589]citation needed[/url]) [QUOTE=JDK721;32624534]second, his mom neglected the car, and it will probably come back to bite him in the ass. [/QUOTE] Neglecting maintenance isn't a deal killer with a car. If nothing that bad has happened to it yet, a round fluid/filter change will leave the car in good standing. [QUOTE=JDK721;32624534] hyundais are more reliable than chevys, so what's your point?[/QUOTE] He was poking fun at the fact that he should sell one boring car for another boring car when there is no reason to. He's getting a decent car and has no need to take his chances with getting another car. Not only that, but he knows everything that has happened to that car. If he was to buy it from someone (dealer or private seller) he could easily get hit with concealed problems.

[QUOTE=JDK721;32624534]chevy malibus aren't that reliable for one. second, his mom neglected the car, and it will probably come back to bite him in the ass. [editline]4th October 2011[/editline] [b]hyundais are more reliable than chevys, so what's your point?[b][/QUOTE] Provide sources? I have a Chevy S10 and I bought it from some kid who knows nothing about cars, the most work he put into the car was "getting his friend at future shop to install a sub and speakers for him". It's at 166xxx KM and still runs like a dream. I let my friend drive it and he said it drives so smooth. My dad had a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt to save gas for work and that thing also ran perfect. He has 20+ years of automotive engine experience (He's built a 60s Ford Drag from the ground up. Friend did body work and he handled the engine work). My mom has a 2008 Chevrolet Impala and it's been driving nearly perfect for 3 years, she's the type of person who tells me I should go to Mr. Lube for an oil change (ROFL). And my family isn't all chevy junkies, I previously owned a corolla (Now owned by my sister), and my dad used to own a Saleen Mustang and after that, a trans am with a 'vette engine. [sp]Not to mention that Hyundai was reputed for having notoriously bad cars. However, their quality has increased drastically in the last few years and for the 2012 model year, they are putting out an excellent selection of cars.[/sp] Don't bring your biased opinions here, they are stupid. If you are really worried though, get it inspected. We can only tell you so much over the internet, if you aren't very knowledgeable, an inspection costing $50-$150 could tell you everything that's wrong with the car, best case scenario (or worst case if you see it that way), you find out nothing is wrong apart from some fluids needing to be changed.

both kia and hyundai are in the top 10 here, while chevy is no where to be found or ANY AMERICAN car manufacturer for that matter: [url]http://consumerist.com/2009/01/the-10-most-reliable-car-brands-vs-your-preconceived-notions.html[/url] and in this list of 100 most reliable cars, there are three hyundai different models, while there is not a SINGLE chevy model: [url]http://www.gizmag.com/the-100-most-reliable-cars-of-the-last-decade-in-order/5657/[/url] I know you guys hate korean cars, which is fine (I'm not a huge fan of them either), but let's not distort the facts here. kia and hyundai are MORE reliable cars than chevy.

Any car can be reliable. I usually ignore car reliability reports because it's always just biased. If you take care of it and treat it right, any car can last as long as you're willing to keep it. Some people say Chevys suck ass and theirs broke down in a week, others the opposite and theirs have been running for 18 years etc. It's always just preference.

[QUOTE=NuclearAnnhilation;32630998]Any car can be reliable. I usually ignore car reliability reports because it's always just biased. If you take care of it and treat it right, any car can last as long as you're willing to keep it. Some people say Chevys suck ass and theirs broke down in a week, others the opposite and theirs have been running for 18 years etc. It's always just preference.[/QUOTE] except in the studies, they take a look at how often the cars had to be repaired, etc. I agree, if you maintain a car properly and drive it nicely, it should last. but the fact is that car manufacturers are not all equal in terms of reliability and quality.

[QUOTE=JDK721;32631148]except in the studies, they take a look at how often the cars had to be repaired, etc. I agree, if you maintain a car properly and drive it nicely, it should last. but the fact is that car manufacturers are not all equal in terms of reliability and quality.[/QUOTE] There's also the fact that different cars appeal to different audiences. The average Kia Driver is not going to be someone who changes all the fluids themselves, installs their own brakes, etc. They won't maintain it as well as say, a car enthusiast would take care of his Supra. The reverse might also be the same too though. Some cars might be reputed for reliability because the average user gets them maintained by the dealer and drives them lightly, whereas some cars might notoriously be driven hard and poorly taken care of. I'm not saying that all cars are equal. That's completely untrue. However, making blanket statements just make you look retarded. There's a difference between saying "Don't get a 4 cylinder Fiero, they are unreliable" to "Don't get a chevy! They are all unreliable! Get a hyundai!"

jdk please take your shit out of here. i want the car. i like the car. even if the engine and the transmission goes and i have to pay 5k to get rebuilt, then im still making out less than the retail value of the vehicle. The neglect is only rather recently due to money and time issues. Thanks for the advice guys. Im gonna look into oil change, transmission flush with a filter check, and check belts. I can't spend 1k getting a belt fixed at the moment, absolutely not unfortunately. But i will have it looked into by my mom's mechanic if i do go saturday. going to try to see how much my school's automotive will charge us for getting all this shit done. they offer a hug discount off labor so ive been told. [editline]5th October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=m0nkey98;32616298] And about the fluids, well really all you have to worry about is engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. If any of these are low, just top it off with whatever's in there. Unless it's leaking, in which case you should stop the leak ASAP...[/QUOTE] so basicly as long as theyre there, theyre fine (exceptions to oil since oil changes well yeah you know)? and will the car have a serpentine belt AND a timing belt or just one or the other? I will have it\them looked at to check integrity for sure when i take her in.

[QUOTE=gerbile5;32631351]jdk please take your shit out of here. i want the car. i like the car. even if the engine and the transmission goes and i have to pay 5k to get rebuilt, then im still making out less than the retail value of the vehicle. The neglect is only rather recently due to money and time issues. Thanks for the advice guys. Im gonna look into oil change, transmission flush with a filter check, and check belts. I can't spend 1k getting a belt fixed at the moment, absolutely not unfortunately. But i will have it looked into by my mom's mechanic if i do go saturday. going to try to see how much my school's automotive will charge us for getting all this shit done. they offer a hug discount off labor so ive been told. [editline]5th October 2011[/editline] so basicly as long as theyre there, theyre fine (exceptions to oil since oil changes well yeah you know)? and will the car have a serpentine belt AND a timing belt or just one or the other? I will have it looked at to check integrity for sure when i take her in.[/QUOTE] Your school charges for labour? Wow. Unless you're in a college or university, my high school did free automotive work. The parts were also hugely discounted.

[QUOTE=gerbile5;32631351]jdk please take your shit out of here. i want the car. i like the car.[/QUOTE] you don't need to be an ass

[QUOTE=Tukimoshi;32631424]Your school charges for labour? Wow. Unless you're in a college or university, my high school did free automotive work. The parts were also hugely discounted.[/QUOTE] Wow your schools have an auto shop class? :(

[QUOTE=JDK721;32631912]you don't need to be an ass[/QUOTE] You were being an ass (that, or incredibly ignorant). We shouldn't even be having this discussion. This guy came to us with a situation (I'm getting this car; my mom skipped on maintenance; what do I do to make sure it's ok?). He didn't ask whether or not he should sell the car or what car he should by. Keep your stupid Hyundai crap out of here and post something helpful or just don't bother posting at all.

[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;32632917]Keep your stupid Hyundai crap out of here and post something helpful or just don't bother posting at all.[/QUOTE] it's funny because I'm never the one to bring up hyundai in the first place. this time it was someone else, but generally YOU'RE the one that mentions hyundai first

[QUOTE=JDK721;32632978]it's funny because I'm never the one to bring up hyundai in the first place. this time it was someone else, but generally YOU'RE the one that mentions hyundai first[/QUOTE] Someone else mentioned it because it would be the typical thing for you to say. Sure enough, you didn't fail to impress and thus you followed up with this: [QUOTE=JDK721;32624534]hyundais are more reliable than chevys, so what's your point?[/QUOTE] This is all besides the point, the point being that you derailed the thread with stupid advice.

[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;32633016]Someone else mentioned it because it would be the typical thing for you to say. Sure enough, you didn't fail to impress and thus you followed up with this:[/QUOTE] what would be the typical thing for me to say? I NEVER bring up hyundai at all; it's always brought up by someone else to which I respond to. the only time hyundai is mentioned is when you guys are trolling. the fact is that hyundai makes more reliable cars than chevy. I don't give a shit if you hate the cars hyundai has, but don't fucking try to make up bullshit and say that chevy is more reliable than them because they aren't, and neither are any other GM car manufacturers. [QUOTE=Super_Noodle;32633016]This is all besides the point, the point being that you derailed the thread with stupid advice.[/QUOTE] not at all. giving advice isn't derailing a thread. the thread was derailed because you guys got upset that I criticized an american car and started trolling like this: [QUOTE=gonedead0;32618248]Right, and he should buy a Hyundai instead.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=JDK721;32633079]I NEVER bring up hyundai at all[/QUOTE] [img]http://emotibot.net/pix/583.jpg[/img] [QUOTE=JDK721;32633079]it's always brought up by someone else to which I respond to. the only time hyundai is mentioned is when you guys are trolling. the fact is that hyundai makes more reliable cars than chevy. I don't give a shit if you hate the cars hyundai has, but don't fucking try to make up bullshit and say that chevy is more reliable than them because they aren't, and neither are any other GM car manufacturers.[/quote] This has nothing to do with what I think about Hyundai. This is about you saying something stupid and then crying about the backlash. [QUOTE=JDK721;32633079]giving advice isn't derailing a thread. the thread was derailed because you guys got upset that I criticized an american car and started trolling like this:[/QUOTE] You gave terrible, unrelated advice (probably without thinking about it too much) and baselessly criticized the Malibu. Apply some common sense and it won't seem so confusing.

[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;32633148][img]http://emotibot.net/pix/583.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] nice job editing out the other half. I NEVER bring up hyundai FIRST. the only time I ever mention hyundai is if I'm responding to someone else. for fucks sake, is it that hard to understand? [QUOTE=Super_Noodle;32633148]This has nothing to do with what I think about Hyundai. This is about you saying something stupid and then crying about the backlash.[/QUOTE] then why did you say "keep your stupid hyundai crap out of here." I didn't even bring hyundai up in the first place. I was responding to an asshole who mentioned hyundai out of no where.

[QUOTE=JDK721;32633196]nice job editing out the other half.[/quote] I edited out the other half because I wanted to focus on the asinine statement it was supposed to back up. Included or not, it didn't make the first half any more credible. [QUOTE=JDK721;32633196]then why did you say "keep your stupid hyundai crap out of here." I didn't even bring hyundai up in the first place. I was responding to an asshole who mentioned hyundai out of no where.[/QUOTE] You could easily replace "keep your stupid hyundai crap out of here" with "keep your shit mentality and opinion on cars out of here". I used "Hyundai crap" because that's what me and other people generally think of when your standing on cars comes to mind. Consider the following: [QUOTE=JDK721;32633196]I NEVER bring up hyundai FIRST. the only time I ever mention hyundai is if I'm responding to someone else.[/quote] Gee, people keep baiting you with Hyundai-related remarks. I think the reason might have something to do with the fact that you religiously defend Hyundai whenever it's brought up. That, and you've had a history to bring about discussion of Hyundai one way or another.