2006 Chevrolet Malibu

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Great gas mileage.

Styling could be better, but each time I stand back; I like it!

Fantastic performance on the 3.5 V-6 engine. Friend drove it from the British Columbia interior as I drove my Jaguar in lead. As we drove through the Canadian Rockies, I noticed this mild mannered, 65-year old woman taking the corners very aggressively and would accelerate, pulling up beside me and then fall back. I asked over the two-way radio what was she doing and her answer was a resounding Yahoooo!!! She owns a far more expensive car and stated she was absolutely impressed with the handling and performance. What more can I say?

Interior space is great.

Trunk space is great.

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
The dash is plan.

The seats show stains too easily and must be cleaned on a regular basis.

I have 140,000 kilometers on the ticker. Not impressed with the fact that there is an oil leak on the ground. I was informed that Chevy has a service note out on the fact the rear seals might have to be replaced on some cars.

Today noticed I have a hum from the front wheel bearings. Had it checked and sure enough, both bearings will have to be replaced. Bummer.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
OK for the next month I'm going to invest about $1,200 for repairs on a car that is four-years old. That equates to $25 a month of ownership.

I can think of other cars that had I replaced the same parts, I'd need to auction off my first born. Hummmm, maybe that's not a bad idea.

Overall, I love my Malibu.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Have the SS sedan. Definitely the only way to go with Malibu's.

Roomy enough to sit 4 adequate sized adults very comfortably, sometimes 5.

The 3.9L engine is awesome. A lot of power at any speed. I still get an average of 20 in mostly city driving, which isn't too bad considering the size of the engine.

The car handles beautifully, kudos to the upgraded SS suspension and 18 inch wheels. Corners on a dime.

Dual exhaust adds nice appeal and exhaust note.

Side airbags are a plus.

Remote start is a nice add-on.

And I could keep going on...

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 4 speed auto with manual mode is interesting. Would have preferred a shift gate, rather than a button control on the knob, but it still works. I wish it could have been maybe a six-speed auto like in the Pontiac G6's?

Interior is no eye-catcher. I would have liked to see more brightly lit gauges at night. And no other SS emblems in the interior other than on the steering wheel. Would have liked to seen maybe SS in the carpeting or the embroidered into the seats.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
The SS sedan is worth it. It looks and performs better than any other Malibu that Chevy offers. The engine sounds very smooth, yet is a powerhouse. The interior is comfortable, but Chevy could do a little better with their interior styling. It's functional, but it's not going to blow you away. And as much as I would prefer a different tranny setup, this Malibu is still a performer.

If you're looking for a car that's roomy, a performer, has got nice appeal to it, but yet don't want to spend the extra money, then I would strongly recommend the Malibu SS. You'll love it.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
I have a Malibu maxx.

I love the gas mileage which sometimes gets up to 33mpg on road trips.

I really love the handling and the fact that it is a heavy car and gets around in the winter well.

I love the space for hauling dogs and the trunk area is my tack room and it all fits well.

Plus I love the get up that it has, I love power!!!

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is a rattling/vibrating in the dash somewhere that isn't always there, but when it is, it is really annoying.

I also hate the interior material, it stains so easily, even from just mud.

There is also the intake manifold gasket. It is in the 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5's. There is a plastic part that melts over time and ends up putting antifreeze in the engine (not cool!). If it is caught before your engine goes, it is about $800 to fix, and some places over $1000.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
Overall I love the car, I wouldn't ever give it up, but with the gasket problem, I am really afraid that it ate away some of the seals, and now I could get major leaks. So, it will be going.

And from the research that I have done, I am going to search for a Subaru!

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Handling.
Pick-up.
Confident Ride.
Huge Interior.
Comfortable.
Rear & front passenger seats fold down (except in SS). Standard rear seat skylights in the Maxx. Rear seats are adjustable and recline.
As a used car value, it can't be beat price-wise. I paid $8K for a 4 year old Maxx. (I'd be ticked-off though if I bought it new and paid the new car price of 24K).
I hope Chevrolet comes out with another Malibu liftback!

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Plastic around radio-air controls is a bit plain, like something is missing.
In the Maxx, replace shade screens in rear seat skylights to panels, like the front sun roof.
I've seen some complaints posted about steering noise common to many GM models w/electric steering. I haven't experienced it w/my used Maxx at 34K miles. I'd have any used car checked out like I did before purchasing it.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
I would recommend the Malibu Maxx as a used car choice. As a "car" person, I just couldn't committ to an SUV, even a small one. The Maxx '04-'07 Maxx is a great compromise.

The "trunk" is amazingly versatile. My sister who owns an upscale SUV import was impressed with the cargo shelf, which can be set to 3 different levels and has hooks for carrying plastic grocery bags. The shelf also slides out as a table. With all the seats folded down, the cargo space is enormous, yet the Maxx is somehow .5" smaller than the standard Malibu Sedan.

I really like it!

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Like almost everything. Was very affordable. Great gas mileage. I get around 30 mpg driving in rush hour traffic. I can get 35+ with careful driving on highway trips. Comfortable to drive and ride in. Can easily fit 2 carseats in back. 3 is a squeeze but we have done it. Exterior looks good. 54,000 miles and nothing has gone wrong. (We had to get new tires last year)

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Interior seems cheap but is comfortable and seems to be wearing well even with 2 small children and their "stuff"

Rattling noise in the dash. Dealer couldn't locate it. It drives my husband nuts so I get to drive it instead.(A pro for me)

Doesn't handle well in slippery conditions. Any thought of touching the brakes and it goes sideways.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
Overall, we have been very impressed with this car. We traded a dead Lumina with 220,000 miles for the Malibu with 1. Once the inital new car "look it only takes one try to start it; all the windows go up and down; all four doors open" glow wore off we were still impressed. The gas mileage is awesome. It is a smaller car but it is roomy on the inside. Recently we made a 4 hour drive with 3 adults and 2 kids in booster/carseats. The back seat was cozy but my 6 month pregnant sister was able to fit in the back seat comfortably. (We took turns driving) It is the first car I have ever been able to successfully parallel park.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Love the way it handles.
Good gas mileage.
Nice looking.

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Interior stains easy.
Humming noise underneath and have had everything checked to new tires, wheel bearings, brakes and etc..but noise still there..started at 70 k.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
I would buy another because in 2005 owned one and was in a accident. Pretty bad one and I believed it saved our lives. Got another and just the humming is frustrating.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
I like how personal it feels.
If coolant gets 2 inches under the bottle fill line, it tells me.
Buttons are easy to reach without leaning forward.
And the computer read out has a wide range of options.

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is a humming noise, like the flapping of insect wings in the dash, I couldn't locate for a couple years. It is the rubber seal, just above the wipers, on the outside of the front window that lets air pressure out of the engine bay. Super glue fixed it. A new seal would as well.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
A great car for the price. Very economical and user friendly. Mine has 105,000 miles and it gets 36mpg on the highway. 2.2L. Interior does stain easily if you have kids or don't buy seat covers. A lot of space in the trunk. And if you can stand changing your own oil, the filter is just an insert and it's on the top of the motor. Good ideas went into making this car a great buy, even as a used car.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
The price.

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Improve the intermediate shaft problem.
Improve the deafening noise level inside the car.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review:
Good.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Smooth and comfortable ride.

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Horrible rattling noise coming from the dash area.
Really slow acceleration.
Really dull interior.

Pros: What do you like about 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Smooth ride.
Great acceleration.
Nice style.

Cons: How would you improve 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Compressor went out at 30,000 miles, heated seat switch kept coming on.
Interior could have been better. Warranty covered the problems.
Tires weren't of the best quality. Had to replace them the first year.