In the past I have owned a 1997 Malibu and a 1998 Cutlass (same car basically) they were even the same color. Both were 3.1L. Most people didn't even realize I had a different car, anyway,
I rarely got a tank below 30mpg with mostly highway driving. My best tank was about 34mpg. Considering these are bigger cars with V6 motors I think that is terrific. My current car a 93 civic DX (auto) is only getting about 36 mpg on the same trips(my daily commute).
Anyway I was thinking about picking up a chevy classic if and when I see one for a bargain. I think they were made in 2004 and 2005, same thing as the first generation malibu, but they were made for fleets/rentals or whatever. They are supposed to come with a 2.2L. Does anyone have any experience or know anything about how these cars do with fuel economy?
Yeah, you're exactly right, they continued them on for fleets and renamed it to separate it from the next gen Malibu. I'm not entirely sure, but my guess would be that the 2.2L is the Ecotec found in the Saturn Ion/Chevy Cavalier. Problem is the Classic would be a tad heavier, and you can't get them in 5MT as you can with the other two. Low 30's is my stab-in-the dark guess.
Be careful, though. Fleet/Rentals equal people beating the shti out of them and probably a marginal maintenance history. Maybe get it inspected by an 3rd party mechanic if they'll let you before purchase.
yo jandree, you are local! I'm from chester county. yeah the car would have to be decent for me to take chance on it.
Back in 1988 my parents got an 87 celebrity 4 cyl sedan from one of those AVIS rental car sales places. It had 40K on it when they got it. They had it towed to the junk yard about 8 months ago. It had just turned over 180K. With all the body rust and oil leaks it just wasn't worth putting the money in for inspection. They never had any problems with it other than the normal wear and tear.
They just got lucky on that car probably. for every car like theirs, there is probably 10 others that are junk.
The 2.2 Ecotec is a great engine. It was built to be GM's "import fighter," and it is a very well designed, pretty efficent engine. I have one in an 03 Cavalier, and I usually average over 30 MPG w/ mine, except when I'm playing "Speed Racer." Take a look at my gas log and you will see my ups and downs w/ it.
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unstable bob gable
AMERICAN ROAD WARRIOR!
Take a look at my gas log and you will see my ups and downs w/ it. 
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