Estrella, next time Mars, Saturn or Neptune transits a major point in your chart, tell me then if you think "malefic" is outdated. I think when people say they don't like the term it's because they feel hurt themselves because they relate to the planet, maybe it's their Sun or ascendant ruler or something.
I've experienced both good and bad with those transits. It depends on lots of factors, including what aspects are happening to other planets and midpoints.
Actually, I've experienced plenty of Mars transits that positively energized the area being transited.
Since Saturn has been transiting my 11th house, I've made many stable, quality, long lasting friendships.
Neptune transits have brought creativity, mystical experiences, dissolving of walls and barriers.
But when you really experience it and see that these labels have been earned by the planets because they're usually negative, like how Mars makes confrontations and muggings, Saturn depression, isolation and loss, you'll see how've they gotten them. Objectively though in the "Great Scheme of Things," these are minor issues, personal issues (sometimes on a large scale though) that lessons can be learned from and eventually are healed by time, but they are still mostly negative in their actions. The planets are like people and Mars and Saturn just don't have good personalities. No, it doesn't mean they're all bad, but they are bad.
Every planet has a high and low expression of its energy. I firmly believe that one of the main good reasons for using astrology is that we can foresee what energy will be affecting us when, and we can to a large extent use our free will to determine how we will use the energy.
For example, when Mars hits the I/C it will be bringing lots of energy and drive into the home. This could manifest as arguments, fights, or conflict. Or, we could channel that energy more constructively by getting the family involved in something dynamic like home improvements, gardening, or taking a martial arts class.
Believe me I know Saturn has a repressive side, but Saturn also brings with it essential energies like discipline, organization, responsibility, loyalty.
Even though Jupiter isn't considered a "malefic", I've seen Jupiter transits go along with some really bad things in people's lives. Like; overextending financially followed by bankruptcy, overindulging poor dietary habits that lead to health issues, problems related to alcoholism, liver problems, etc...
To me, every planet is neutral until I see variables that show me otherwise.