[pingis]

Hi, My mother is planning to buy a used car. She is ready to buy any kind of car that isn't too small and has an automatic transmisson We've looked at a lot of cars on the internet and right now she is considering buying a 2005 2.2I Malibu in Germany (We live in Sweden). Where we live it is more likely to meet a Rolls Royce or Space ship when riding on a highway so I don't have anyone to ask about the Malibus around here. The car she seems to be in love with has got an extremely low mileage and the price is good. So, if the car is as good as I think it is it is a Malibu in just about perfect condition. Now to the questions: The 2.2 motor. Is it good? I know Chrysler had problems with their 4 cyl engines. Are the GM engines better? Are these motors built by GM in America? I have read some terrifying stories about the electrical power steering of the Malibu. Do all Malibus have this steering or are there models with hydaulic steering? If the electric steering is likely to need service I don't think we will dare buying this car since I don't think the local GM dealer would be able to fix it. Any information on what is likely to go wrong on a 2005 Malibu would be highly appreciated.

 

[Macleod52]

The 2.2 is an excellent engine, and assuming it was taken care of, you shouldn't have any troubles with it. The electric steering is fine (assuming it has it). People are just scared of new things and this is something that scares people. They think it's not working right because they're not used to it. Just the ignorance in human beings.

Other than that, I don't have a lot of information for you.

 

[pingis]

So the engine is good. That's great news. The steering does scare me a bit. I have read some bad stories about it and IF anything would go wrong with it I don't think any workshop in our area could repair it. Do all 2005 Malibus have the electric steering or just some version?

 

[Macleod52]

So the engine is good. That's great news. The steering does scare me a bit. I have read some bad stories about it and IF anything would go wrong with it I don't think any workshop in our area could repair it. Do all 2005 Malibus have the electric steering or just some version?

I don't know about pre-2008, but if anything the V6's would have the hydraulic and the 4's would have the electric.