Hi, I need some opinions! About 2 years ago, I had to have my transmission replaced in my 2011 Chevy Malibu with the ecotec motor, and everything was fine for about a year. Then I started having problems with second gear, but thankfully it was covered under warranty. Six months later, the transmission had to be replaced again, also covered under warranty, and I’ve driven it for another year without major issues. Now, it’s showing signs that the timing belt might be going. Luckily, my fiancé can fix that, and he was also told that it’s a good idea to replace the water pump at the same time. I’m debating whether to keep the car as a starter for my 20-year-old daughter or just fix it up and sell it. I’d appreciate any advice!
Is it the 2.2 or 2.4 liter ecotec? Those are pretty solid motors. You just need to make sure you’re warming the car up before driving, getting the engine to at least 150°F. Also, never go above 3,000 RPM for the engine to last. For daily driving, try to keep it between 2,000–2,500 RPM. And yeah, the water pump is pretty easy to replace if you’re already doing the timing belt. If you drop one of the bolts into the timing cover, you’ll have to remove it anyway, so it’s smart to do both at the same time. I’ve got 230k miles on my 2010 HHR with a 2.4L ecotec. No major issues. Just drive it gently, and it’ll last. These engines aren’t built for racing.
@Lior
Thanks for the advice! Mine’s the 2.4L ecotec. It’s good to hear that these motors can last if you take care of them. I hadn’t thought about keeping the RPMs that low, but I’ll keep that in mind. Sounds like I’ll need to make sure my daughter knows to drive it like a grandma if I decide to keep it for her.
@Marley
Yeah, as long as she understands that it’s not a performance car and treats it gently, it should hold up for a while. If you’re already doing the timing belt and water pump, it’s a good chance to get some more life out of the car. Just make sure you keep up with the maintenance, and it should be a good starter vehicle for her.
If the car has already had two transmissions replaced and now it’s needing more work with the timing belt and water pump, you might want to consider selling it. I understand wanting to keep it as a starter car for your daughter, but these issues could just be the start of more repairs down the road. At some point, you’ll be putting in more money than the car is worth. Maybe it’s better to sell it while it’s still running and put the money toward something more reliable for her?
@Remy
That’s what I’m worried about too. The idea of fixing it up now is tempting, but I don’t want to keep sinking money into it if other things are going to start going wrong. I’ll have to think about whether it’s worth the risk, but selling it might be the smarter move in the long run.
@Marley
It’s definitely a tough decision. If you think the car is mostly solid and your fiancé can keep up with the repairs, then maybe it’s worth holding on to. But if it’s starting to feel like a money pit, selling it and putting the cash toward something more reliable could save you a lot of hassle down the road. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
I agree with the others. If your fiancé can handle the repairs, and if the car is still in decent shape otherwise, you might get a few more years out of it, especially as a starter car for your daughter. But keep in mind that if it’s already had two transmissions replaced, that’s not a great sign for long-term reliability. If it were me, I’d fix it up, see how it runs for a bit, and then decide whether to sell or keep it.
@DorothyWalker
That makes sense. Maybe I’ll fix it first and see how it goes before making a final decision. If it drives well after the timing belt and water pump are taken care of, I might feel more confident keeping it for her. Thanks for the advice!