Update 2025

I have not posted to this blog as regularly as I had hoped.

I am still using this car as my primary commuting car between Socorro and Magdalena. I have taken it on several trips to Amarillo, as well as one trip to Phoenix.

On 9/22/25, I was in a minor fender bender. I got an estimate, but the company said they would not fix it (the car is too old by their standards). I need a headlight, grill, bumper, upper support and impact bar. I also need to straighten out the hood in one small spot.

I’ve had several oil changes and rotated the tires since my last update.

I have updated the mileage logs and the repair logs.

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: June, 2025

In the past month, I have driven 298.7 miles, fueled up twice times, and averaged 28.29 mpg. I spent a good part of the month out of town, so I didn’t travel much with it at all.

I did my own oil change this time around and have updated the repairs log.

I disassembled the tail light and found that one of the tail light bulbs was not making full contact with the clip that holds it in place. It arcs sometimes, melting the plastic. I squeezed the clip a little tighter and moved the lead to the light and that seems to have fixed the problem.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Struts in the front (passenger side) is leaking badly
*Muffler

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: May, 2025

In the past month, I have driven an unknown number of miles. I did not keep good records this month, and was out of town for most of it anyhow.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out
*Struts in the front (passenger side) is leaking badly
*Muffler

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: April, 2025

In the past month, I have driven 1583.30 miles, fueled up five times, and averaged 27.75 mpg. I used this car to get around Socorro and Magdalena, but did also take one weekend trip to Amarillo with it.

I had the oil changed at Magdalena Schools and have updated the repair log.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out
*Struts in the front (passenger side) is leaking badly
*Muffler

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: March, 2025

In the past month, I have driven 1908.90 miles, fueled up seven times, and averaged 29.15 mpg. I drove it around Magdalena and Socorro a bunch, plus made two separate weekend trips to Amarillo.

I did notice the front passenger side strut is leaking badly. I will try to address this after some of my other car repairs.

The muffler is also dripping water- it’s completely rusted out. It’s the original muffler for the car, so I can’t complain.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out
*Struts in the front (passenger side) is leaking badly
*Muffler

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: February, 2025

In the past month, I have driven 1599 miles, fueled up six times, and averaged 27.86 mpg. For the beginning of this month, the Malibu was the only car I had on the road- I would drive to Socorro and Magdalena, and spend the night in my office.

I did notice the front passenger side strut is leaking badly. I will try to address this after some of my other car repairs.

The muffler is also dripping water- it’s completely rusted out. It’s the original muffler for the car, so I can’t complain.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out
*Struts in the front (passenger side) is leaking badly
*Muffler

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: January, 2025

In the past month, I have driven 1885 miles, fueled up seven times, and averaged 26.29 mpg. Most of the miles were running back and forth to Socorro and Magdalena from Rio Rancho.

Take 5 did an oil change at the end of the month.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: December, 2024

In the past month, I have driven 1735.20 miles, fueled up six times, and averaged 27.24 mpg. Most of the miles were running back and forth to the train, and a few trips to Magdalena, though I did make a trip to Phoenix and back.

I broke down hard twice this month, requiring a tow each time. The first was on the return trip from Phoenix. I was almost home and the oil pressure sensor failed. It sprayed oil all over the engine bay and the red oil light lit up. Furthermore, there was smoke coming from under the hood as the oil burned.

Soon after that was fixed, the starter got weaker and weaker. Eventually, it wouldn’t start. I had to tow it literally across the street to Christian Brothers again. They put a new starter in- I think the old one leaked and filled up with oil, as it smoked a little each time it tried to start.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: November, 2024

In the past month, I have driven 1127 miles, fueled up four times, and averaged 27.36 mpg. Most of the miles were running back and forth to NMT and Magdalena, though I did make a trip to Amarillo and back.

I had the battery replaced at O’Reilly, which took far too long.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out

Thank you for reading my post.

Monthly Summary: October, 2024

In the past month, I have driven 1714.3 miles, fueled up six times, and averaged 28.83 mpg. Most of the miles were running back and forth to NMT and Magdalena, though I did make a trip to Amarillo and back.

There was an oil change at Magdalena in there somewhere, but I don’t know when. I also let the car sit for too long over an extended weekend and killed the battery.

Upcoming repairs:
*Troubleshoot random honking
*Trunk latch is getting hard to open and close
*Door locks randomly flip or don’t work at all
*Passenger taillight is still out

Thank you for reading my post.