98 Malibu with 93k miles, THe body and interior are in great shape. A local credit union is taking bids on the car. Ive run it thru kbb now I was wondering what you guys think

Well, since my '98 LS with a LOT lower mileage and every option is worth around $4,000 wholesale (MAYBE $4,500, depending on the dealer), I'd say that one is probably worth no more than $2,250 wholesale, possibly less. Might depend on 4 vs. V-6. Not a clue about retail values.

A neighbor traded in his '97 (4-cyl) with 98K miles last year at this time and got $1,800 for it trade-in. The car was SHOT!!

The values are pathetic, but given all of the problems with the car, understandable.

If you can't get it for $1000 or less, I wouldn't even think about it. This car has a lot of issues, so be prepared. They hold their value as well as Iraqi currency.

I agree with the notion that these vehicles have a ton of problems. I had a 1997 and it was a P.O.S. I have, however, heard they get better after 100K, but I wasn't about to stick around and see. After only having the car for 20K and 67K miles on the odometer, I dumped her. I got an 2002 Alero instead, which has nearly the same engine, but less problems with the alternators, front struts, water pumps, ect.

I would go for a cheap Toyota or Honda; one of those will give you far less issues than any Malibu.

Jeremy

You may be right about the Malibu getting better after 100k. I have a 97 Malibu that I bought with 130k. It now has over 170k. The biggest problem I've ever had was the ABS computer going bad, which cost me $325 to fix. Other than that, it runs great.