[slalomking]

I think BRsexton may be right...I have long had a nagging feeling for some time that something was wrong right from delivery of the car as new.

Talked w/ the local Olds Service desk...typical replies were....'engine not broken in yet....winter oxygenated fuel....may take up to 10K to get engine broken in well"...blah blah....

Why do the Alero rentals I use with similar mileage (9,000) go faster and get better MPGs then?.....

I gotta figure out a way to get these guys at the dealership to listen to me and starty poking around a little.

Thanks all for your input.. Yes, the Alero's looks (in and out) rule over the dowdy Malibu, but damn my luck to get one saddled with a problem that I am now convinced (after hearing from you guys) really exists.