Hey fellas I'm just bought a new to me 2011 chevy malibu with 32k miles. This is the newest/lowest mileage car I have ever owned so I really want to treat it right, maybe get 300k out of it. My research of the ecotec 2.4 determined that the motor should be a good one, GM claimed they did less warranty work on that engine than any engine that they produced. I just wanted to post here to get some ideas on what I can do to keep this powertrain in tip top shape. Also I wanted to get your opinions on the overall reliability of the 2.4 ecotec with 6 speed auto. Better yet the reliability of the malibu in general. Thanks for any info.
Just bought 2011 Malibu
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Why not help him instead of trying to make him feel bad about his purchase?
After 4.5 months with my '11 Regal, my take on its 2.4 engine with the 6-speed is that it may be a little hard on oil, but good on gas. I just got back from a 2000-mile road trip to Amarillo, TX, during which the car returned about 29-30 mpg highway mileage, on regular (mostly E10) gas, running happily all day at 65-70 mph.
My dealer had just changed the oil, and so I left with 99% oil life, and got back with 70%: 29% of the oil's life (according to the monitor, anyway) used up in 2000 miles. I'd thought the long highway miles would decrease the oil's life less swiftly. But that's about what two months' worth of ordinary driving for me would have come up with anyway. Which merely means I'll need to go with fairly short OCIs, I guess.
Recalls don't necessarily mean the car is not worth having, do they? The WSJ article won't open for me right now, but if the Malibu recalls were for a malfunctioning blinker switch or something, those would be minor compared to a sturdy engine and transmission.
My dealer had just changed the oil, and so I left with 99% oil life, and got back with 70%: 29% of the oil's life (according to the monitor, anyway) used up in 2000 miles. I'd thought the long highway miles would decrease the oil's life less swiftly. But that's about what two months' worth of ordinary driving for me would have come up with anyway. Which merely means I'll need to go with fairly short OCIs, I guess.
Recalls don't necessarily mean the car is not worth having, do they? The WSJ article won't open for me right now, but if the Malibu recalls were for a malfunctioning blinker switch or something, those would be minor compared to a sturdy engine and transmission.
My company has tons of Malibus in the fleet. The 2011's would mostly be cycling out by now. I haven't heard any horror stories, but more important than anecdotal evidence is the fact that they still offer the Malibu alongside the Fusion as one of two base car choices. If the Malibu was less reliable/needed more repairs it would no longer be offered. We have analysts that crunch the hard numbers on these things.
Take good care of it and it will most likely take good care of you.
Take good care of it and it will most likely take good care of you.
In reading that article it seems that many issues were on older models than the 2011. Plus the "malibu family" of cars, i.e.; Malibu Maxx, Pontiac G6, and Saturn Aura, having multiple models off same platform with good sales increases the number of recalled vehicles.
The thing that i would focus on is that at least GM is getting their sh!t together Finally.
I would way rather have a car that will have a problem fixed if it needs it, than having to pay for repairs out of pocket, or having something fail and someone getting hurt too. Plus if you got a good deal on the car because of the issues thats a bonus if the problems never happen or are preemptively fixed.
The thing that i would focus on is that at least GM is getting their sh!t together Finally.
I would way rather have a car that will have a problem fixed if it needs it, than having to pay for repairs out of pocket, or having something fail and someone getting hurt too. Plus if you got a good deal on the car because of the issues thats a bonus if the problems never happen or are preemptively fixed.
The Ecotec is a very good engine, probably as good as that found in anything wearing an Asian badge.
The automaitc transaxle does not stand out as being troublesome and is at least not the cheaper CVT solution found in many new cars.
Overall reliability is probably on a par with an Accord, Camry or Fusion. I know that it's popular to rip on GM cars, but the facts don't support the jabs.
I write this as a long-time Japanese car owner.
The few American vehicles we've owned over the past thirty years have always impressed me with just how bad they really weren't, contrary to the popular hype.
I'd say that you've bought a nice, roomy machine that should give you many years and miles of service.
300K?
Probably not.
200K+?
Surely!
The automaitc transaxle does not stand out as being troublesome and is at least not the cheaper CVT solution found in many new cars.
Overall reliability is probably on a par with an Accord, Camry or Fusion. I know that it's popular to rip on GM cars, but the facts don't support the jabs.
I write this as a long-time Japanese car owner.
The few American vehicles we've owned over the past thirty years have always impressed me with just how bad they really weren't, contrary to the popular hype.
I'd say that you've bought a nice, roomy machine that should give you many years and miles of service.
300K?
Probably not.
200K+?
Surely!
Those are nicer looking than the newest Malibu.
Ford has had a lot of recalls ... because people cant operate a touch screen radio
Ford has had a lot of recalls ... because people cant operate a touch screen radio
My dad has a 2012 Malibu LT with the same powertrain and he hasn't had any issues yet with about 35k on it. When I've rode with him before, the transmission seems to shift weird to me, but I'm used to 4 speeds with OD, not 6. His highest mpg is about 30, while our Impala 3800 can easily match that with more room. Overall it has been a nice car for him. I agree the new Malibus look worse than the 2008-2012 models. 300k might be pushing it, but 200-250k sounds attainable. Enjoy your new ride
have a 2009 mailibu in extended family with 95,000 miles.
-repairs: front and rear brake pads and rotors.
-battery replaced 1 year ago
also have a 2010 in extended family with 50,000 miles.
-repairs: front pads only.
-battery replaced last week
so far both have been good vehicles.
p.s. both vehicles have the 2.4L and the 4t45e
-repairs: front and rear brake pads and rotors.
-battery replaced 1 year ago
also have a 2010 in extended family with 50,000 miles.
-repairs: front pads only.
-battery replaced last week
so far both have been good vehicles.
p.s. both vehicles have the 2.4L and the 4t45e
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a lot of police departments use them and beat them bad and they still run a long time.. Maybe not as good as the crown vic's but so fat we had no early engine failures and we do the rebuilds for a number of departments.. They seem to be good much better than the dodges although the dodges look meaner..
Yeah the dodges in black look pretty sinister which is a good thing.
I think you'll be fine with the Malibu. This coming from someone who has owned mostly Asian cars since 1999. My neighbor has one in the taupe color that I think looks handsome.
I think you'll be fine with the Malibu. This coming from someone who has owned mostly Asian cars since 1999. My neighbor has one in the taupe color that I think looks handsome.
Originally Posted By: caravanmike
have a 2009 mailibu in extended family with 95,000 miles.
-repairs: front and rear brake pads and rotors.
-battery replaced 1 year ago
also have a 2010 in extended family with 50,000 miles.
-repairs: front pads only.
-battery replaced last week
so far both have been good vehicles.
p.s. both vehicles have the 2.4L and the 4t45e
These are wear&tear items, not repair items.
have a 2009 mailibu in extended family with 95,000 miles.
-repairs: front and rear brake pads and rotors.
-battery replaced 1 year ago
also have a 2010 in extended family with 50,000 miles.
-repairs: front pads only.
-battery replaced last week
so far both have been good vehicles.
p.s. both vehicles have the 2.4L and the 4t45e
These are wear&tear items, not repair items.
Well here is the deal. We started paperwork but I can't wire the money until Tuesday so it's not a done deal. I didn't realize there was alot of recall issues with the malibu. I'm thinking of switching to accord or camry now.
Would you rather have a 2011 malibu with 30k, or a 2010 camry or accord with 50k? I could possibly get a camry or accord with 30k if they are still on the lot but it will still be a year or two older than the malibu. Would love some opinions on this. Reliability is my main concern, this will be my wife's car and I travel for work. Don't want to have to worry about her getting stranded somewhere. I also want to try to set a high mileage record lol.
Would you rather have a 2011 malibu with 30k, or a 2010 camry or accord with 50k? I could possibly get a camry or accord with 30k if they are still on the lot but it will still be a year or two older than the malibu. Would love some opinions on this. Reliability is my main concern, this will be my wife's car and I travel for work. Don't want to have to worry about her getting stranded somewhere. I also want to try to set a high mileage record lol.
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How about this. 2009 accord lx-p 30k vs 2011 camry 57k? Year vs mileage.
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Either the Accord or Camry in 4 Cylinder versions would be my pick depending on price and option levels. I would not want to deal with VCM issues on the accord, but the Toyota Camry with the v6 is a rocket-ship fast compared to all the 4 cylinder competitors.
I don't think its a contest to compare the Ecotech to Japanese engines, which i think are better on oil, and are more desirable, but thats debatable. I have seen 2 separate Ecotechs serviced by dealers following OLM that have heavy heavy varnish and some sludge in them. This i don't like, but synthetic could prevent that.
I don't think its a contest to compare the Ecotech to Japanese engines, which i think are better on oil, and are more desirable, but thats debatable. I have seen 2 separate Ecotechs serviced by dealers following OLM that have heavy heavy varnish and some sludge in them. This i don't like, but synthetic could prevent that.
Thanks memphis. The camry is a LE package. Accord is a lx-p. Both are 4 cylinders. What is the vcm issues your talking about? You would have no regrets buying a 09 accord over a 11 camry? Price is the same but two year difference. I'm buying from carmax and will have a 5 year 150,000 mile powertrain warranty also.
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Well wife doesn't care for the 09 accord. It's either the camry malibu or maybe altima s of similar year and mileage. Any opinions on the altima?
You're splitting hairs.
Since you don't know how any of these cars was treated before ending up on an indie used car lot, brand matters less than price and apparent condition.
I'd buy the Accord simply because we've had great experience with a number of Hondas over the past few decades.
But then again, I might buy the Mal just to try something different.
I'd avoid any Nissan product based upon what I've seen, but there are probably any number of happy Nissan owners who'd be happy to tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about.
In short, buy what you want and can afford.
Most newer cars are very reliable and durable.
Any of those you've mentioned would probably work out just fine as your wife's daily driver.
Since you don't know how any of these cars was treated before ending up on an indie used car lot, brand matters less than price and apparent condition.
I'd buy the Accord simply because we've had great experience with a number of Hondas over the past few decades.
But then again, I might buy the Mal just to try something different.
I'd avoid any Nissan product based upon what I've seen, but there are probably any number of happy Nissan owners who'd be happy to tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about.
In short, buy what you want and can afford.
Most newer cars are very reliable and durable.
Any of those you've mentioned would probably work out just fine as your wife's daily driver.
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