MALIBU Can you help me spot defects?

It sounds pretty good. The engine compartment could use a good cleaning up, but that's trivial. I think the pretty paint is hiding some rust issues. The driver side lower hinge post has a nasty looking rust bubble where it meets the sill. The lower drivers door is looking a little crusty. The interior is decent. I would get the car up in the air and check the floors, frame rails, trunk area, and all the lower extremities.

I'd also suggest bringing a knowledgeable car guy/ buddy with you. As they say, two heads are better than one.

If there's any doubts about the car, don't hesitate to walk away.

seen the running boards and figured it would be from SK That bubble at the bottom of the door would make me walk away unless it was near free. I can do mechanical but hate hate hate dealing with rust and bodywork

I'd certainly want to see it from underneath. Those running boards have me curious about what's going on under that blue paint. There are a lot of questionable fashion decisions there, but that's just my opinion...which you asked for.

It's easy to show what's good but what about the floor pans, frame and oil leaks. Fresh paint can hide alot of problems

Why does it have running boards???

It's like they ordered from the wrong JCWhitney catalog.

I'd RUN AWAY at that price. I wouldn't pay more than $1,500.00 for it. You say you don't care to do body work, you'd be kicking yourself once you get under the paint. For the money you'll be spending just for mechanical restoration/improvements, that car would be a real money pit.

Turbolq4 said:

Why does it have running boards???

It's like they ordered from the wrong JCWhitney catalog.

Click to expand...

It seemed to be all the rage for Gbody's here...I've posted several for sale pics for Gbody's with running boards. Not sure why.

Sadly we had one back in the late 80's. We bought this 86 Cutlass back in 87/88 and it had them on....I swear the dealers where suggesting it?



Sorry for the thread jacking Austin

I too noticed the bubble in the door pillar...and like Driven don't care for some of the mods but that's me.

Austin are you looking for a Malibu in particular? Personally I think that one...for what it is and condition is priced much too high. There are still quite a few nice Gbody's around...if you're not in a hurry to buy. This Malibu was posted in Regina last year as rust free and only needing paint...for $3200 firm.






This one was posted in Saskatoon...early last year and sold quick...asking price was $4500 OBO. I talked to the guy and it sound like a really nice car...new tires and exhaust..







I still see alot of Cutlass's pop up...the odd Grand Prix and a few Monte Carlo's....all seemed to be priced lower than what you're looking at. I think you can find alot "more" car and likely spend less money.

The running boards were installed as a preemptive measure to catch all of the rust that would be eventually fall from the bottoms of the doors.