NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:29 am

Well as the title says, I am new to vibes and hope I made the right decision. I bought it as a commuter car. hope to get good to great mpg.... (I drive 65 miles ONE WAY) 3-4x per week (have a subie for the bad weather). Anyway, just wanting to get opinions on reliability- what I have read elsewhere has been almost entirely positive. It is being shipped from Dallas to here in Colorado this weekend, I will be the 2nd owner, it was a fleet vehicle for a time according to the car fax. It's a 2004 115k miles, paid 4650.00 (w admin fee but not incl tax and shipping). It appears to be in great shape, power everything, sunroof etc but still the base model. Plan on having all fluids flushed and possibly new serpentine belt/thermostat/plugs/wires. I like to do this with all used cars i buy. Any other suggestions? Don't want to spend a ton, cuz i just did that on my subie I got last month... What are opinions on reliability and longevity? Hope to have for a long time and get over 200k on it.

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:54 am

Welcome!!!

ramenboy... · Post by **ramenboy...** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:21 pm

welcome to the family!i've got about 150k on my o4 vibe and it's still running well. one thing to think about... if it was a fleet vehicle, regualr maintenance will have been done.post pics when you get the car!

BlueCrush · Post by **BlueCrush** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:26 pm

Welcome to GenVibe! No need to change wires as there are none. We have coil-on-plug ignition. Also, I would clean the TB and MAF sensor.

djkeev · Post by **djkeev** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:46 pm

Welcome, you'll enjoy the economy of the car for sure!One tip Do NOT flush your fluids. If by flush you mean the machine they hook up to your engine or trans and pump cleaners through. I repeat do NOT use these devices. They can and do cause more harm than good in the long run.By all means CHANGE you oils and filters. Don't overlook replacing the brake fluid either.The best tip is to change your oils frequently. We could argue about filters and oils and synthetics but we all agree, change your oil frequently and you'll not regret having done so.No car every had major troubles because the owner just changed that oil way too much!!Dave

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:19 pm

Welcome!

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:49 am

You've bought a tough and long lasting car. Corolla is the basis, so if the maintenance was done, your Vibe should be fine. The only plug I've really seen make a difference in a higher mileage engine is the NGK Iridium. There are so many choices. That's a near epic commute you do out there in the Wild West! Did you see and drive this car, before you bought it, or is it a blind date sort of thing? The price seems good if it's in good shape! Let us know how this car turns out for you.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:32 am

What is the TB? I know what the MAF is.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:36 am

How would change the fluids then? I don't have the time or tools to do it myself. Please let me know.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:43 am

No did not get to see it up close and drive it... ebay kinda thing... but tons of pics, it does have a golfball size dent on the front fender by the hood and by the rear hatch on the right upper part, I will include the link to the pics.. you guys tell me what you think.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...:1123Let me know if you can download them or not since the auction is over.

bodhi_tree777 · Post by **bodhi_tree777** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:15 pm

Quote, originally posted by HORSESCO Â»What is the TB? I know what the MAF is.Car looks good, congrats! They are extremely reliable, just keep up with proper maintenance. The TB is the throttle body, if you run a search you're bound to come up with info on cleaning it. Pretty easy, from what I understand. Cleaning the MAF is a breeze. All you need is the cleaner and a phillips head screwdriver. Welcome to the forum

Blueridge9 · Post by **Blueridge9** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:03 am

Welcome, I also have a 2004 Base Model and it has been very reliable.I would reprogram the remote after purchasing a car. I would have the battery tested since it's winter and be sure you have the right tires for Colorado snow since it came from Dallas. You might look at the owner's manual or on Genvibe to see how to change the cabin filter behind the glovebox. From a cosmetic standpoint you might like seat covers and a cargo liner to prevent things from sliding around, arrowhead decals. You can see my photos.Enjoy the Vibe,

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:10 am

Welcome!I love the Springs! I have family all over that area.All your Vibe answers can and will be answered in the millions of posts in these forums.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:47 am

Wow sweet vibe with all your add ons! Actually yes it needs tires but I will just be getting all seasons since i have a subie I drive when the bad stuff flies! I will be getting all of the fluids flushed and a general check tomorrow. Had the battery and alternator checked at Advance auto and all is good in that area, and air filter and wipers were practically new.It had been repossesed from the previous owner (female) and sold at auction to the dealer I bought it from.

ramenboy... · Post by **ramenboy...** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:41 am

glad everything seems to check out ok! its a fun car!anyways one thing they said earlier about the fluids... its usually a better idea to have the trans drained and filled as opposed to flushed and filled.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:25 am

Have you stuck any pictures of you vibe on genvibe yet? The eBay link to you car was gone. Pictures, all new members need to post pictures!

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:33 am

I just clicked on the link--from my email.. you can cut and paste or just click on it... they are there, have no pics yet just got it yesterday and had to do some stuff to the subie today, taking the vibe in tomorrow... ANYWAY TRY THE LINK AND LET ME KNOW.. IT WORKED FOR ME JUST NOW.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:47 am

ACKK! I can't find the link, so I'll have to muster up some patience.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:43 am

try the link in my post click on it..it should work.. just got back from the shop, it is still there... needs struts and flushing of a bunch of things. Not brakes tho.. getting tires too... cha ching... would not be bad if i had not just had to go thru this with my used subie i bought tooo!

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:00 am

Pictures, got them... thanks. Link worked this time. Looks like a great car for the miles and they did take a lot of pictures of the Vibe, very nice of them, really. I'm sure you've had it checked already... how's the transmission doing? A good set of tires will make a huge improvement on noise levels, ride and performance, especially this time of year when you often need extra grip.

Blueridge9 · Post by **Blueridge9** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:21 am

Vibolista, Your Vibedolf Reindeer makeover is so clever.

HORSESCO · Post by **HORSESCO** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:35 am

Had all the fluids changed yesterday and new shocks--OEM were still on there, along with strut mounts and dust covers, also had serpentine done.. brakes were fine tho as was the spark plugs and air filters. 1200.00 later tho.. ughh. New tires too. (275.00 installed)No didn't go with pricey or snow tires as I have a subie for snow days.. it does have more hail damage then showed up in the pics and Cd player is not working --will most likely go after market.. runs great tho! Like driving a go cart! Love that! It reminds me of my mazda 3 I sold, now just waiting to see what the gas mileage is like, here in colorado we usually lose a few mpg's becuz of the altitude.

NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them.

NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them.

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (BlueCrush)

Re: (lovemyraffe)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (bodhi_tree777)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (Blueridge9)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (vibolista)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (vibolista)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (HORSESCO)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (vibolista)

Re: NEW TO MY 2004 VIBE- don't know a whole lot about them. (vibolista)