Hello, I’m trying to get my first car and need one as soon as possible. I found a 2008 Malibu with 160k miles, and the owner is asking $1900 for it. I just need something to last me for about 4 or 5 years until I can upgrade. Should I get it or try to find something else? Thank you!
Get more info on the car. Take it to get scanned and check the VIN number. What’s the overall condition like?
Finley said:
Get more info on the car. Take it to get scanned and check the VIN number. What’s the overall condition like?
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely check the condition and get it scanned.
Make sure it doesn’t have the Active Fuel Management system. With 160,000 miles, it probably doesn’t, but it’s good to confirm—AFM can cause camshaft issues.
Ridley said:
Make sure it doesn’t have the Active Fuel Management system. With 160,000 miles, it probably doesn’t, but it’s good to confirm—AFM can cause camshaft issues.
Malibus have never had AFM, so you should be good there!
Check for any maintenance records. If the previous owner kept up with oil changes and repairs, that’s a good sign!
Koa said:
Check for any maintenance records. If the previous owner kept up with oil changes and repairs, that’s a good sign!
Great point! I’ll ask the owner about that.
For $1900, it sounds like a decent deal if everything checks out. Just make sure to do a thorough inspection.
Riley said:
For $1900, it sounds like a decent deal if everything checks out. Just make sure to do a thorough inspection.
I agree! I’m hopeful it’ll last me a few years.
A test drive is also essential! See how it feels on the road before making a decision.
Nari said:
A test drive is also essential! See how it feels on the road before making a decision.
Definitely! I’ll take it for a spin and see how it handles.