Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

General discussions about the Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix. New members, introduce yourself here!
Post Reply
JPark
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 12:35 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by JPark »

I had (it pains me to type that word) a 2006 base trim Vibe with 188k trouble free (not counting the 2 recirc motors) miles on it. It got totaled (not my fault) two weeks ago, so I've been looking at a replacement. I checked out the HR-V but, short version, it sucks. I checked out a few others but really just wanted my Vibe back.

On the used market, I found a 2005 Moon & Tunes Vibe with 152k miles on it for $4000. It looks/feels like my old Vibe. I trust it, but feel a bit wary of it since it's a year older than mine and mine was already getting old.

I also found a 2009 2.4L GT (automatic) listed at $7900. I tried buying the exact same car last week for $6500, but somebody else got there first. I've always disliked the redesign (poor visibility, ugly), but looking at this one it's quite beautiful. So, if I can talk him down a bit, should I get it? Are the Vibes after the 2009 redesign as reliable as my old faithful 2006 was? Are they known to have any specific problems I should look out for?

This forum will be one of the things I'll miss most in a post-Vibe existence. Thanks in advance for your help.
RIP '06 Platinum Vibe--at 189k miles, you died too young
'09 Vibe GT--we're still getting acquainted
User avatar
vibenvy
Posts: 7121
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by vibenvy »

FWIW, we have not had any major issues with either of our 09 GTs.

That said, there are some 09 2.4L engines that consume oil, but this seems to be limited mainly to early 2008 built 09s. Our Vibes were built in October and November of 2008 and do not consume any oil at just under 70,000 miles.
Image
2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
tpollauf
Posts: 4027
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:37 am
Location: Toledo/Oregon, Port Clinton Ohio
Contact:

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by tpollauf »

JPark wrote: So, if I can talk him down a bit, should I get it?
YES ... GET IT !!!
Image
2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
2014 Silverado, 2004 Vibe GT

"everything is modifiable"
User avatar
trb
Posts: 1670
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 4:06 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by trb »

I had my 2010 GT for about 2-1/2 years and from 36K to 78K miles and had no issues except for a battery and broken radio knob. The prior owner only had it in for service to replace the radio knobs twice under warranty. I would still be driving it if my daughter didn't get rear ended in it. :(
Thomas
the "Mustang Guy"
1987 5.0 LX Mustang
2016 Mustang GT - current daily
2004 Satellite Vibe &
2009 Red Vibe GT -twin's cars
2003 Neptune Vibe GT - prior daily
2010 Red Vibe GT - RIP 6/16/14
2006 Platinum Vibe - son's car
Caretaker

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by Caretaker »

While I can't comment on the Camry engine, as the current/former owner of both generations, I think the second gen is better in almost every way. I can only imagine that the Camry engine powering such a small car is a thrill to drive compared to the Corolla engine. Both engines seem to be oil burners so you are taking a risk there when you buy a second generation Vibe. Heck, even my '03 AWD "consumed" a quart of oil between oil changes just like my current model does. If it happens that your "Camry" Vibe consumes over 2 quarts in between oil changes, there are TSBs out there addressing the consumption in the 2.4 liter engine. Let us know how it works out. Bottom line: not only is the second generation extremely reliable, I could write several paragraphs on why it is an improvement over the first gen. My issues with the second generation over these past 7 years:
- slight oil consumption, well within specifications
- new water pump
- new alternator
- broken radio volume control knob
- paint chips on the hood

Everything from the fabric on the seats to how the car has aged in repeated DC winter/salt environs has illustrated to me that this car looks MUCH better and has held up better at age 7 than my '03 did.
JPark
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 12:35 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by JPark »

I bought it, broken radio knobs and all. Aside from a bunch of chips on the hood and two mean dents on the door frame, it seems to be in great shape.

Edit: I tried uploading a pic but couldn't get it to work. I'll try again in the morning.
RIP '06 Platinum Vibe--at 189k miles, you died too young
'09 Vibe GT--we're still getting acquainted
User avatar
MacGyver
Posts: 340
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2016 2:45 pm
Location: Ottawa (09 Base)

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by MacGyver »

JPark wrote:Edit: I tried uploading a pic but couldn't get it to work. I'll try again in the morning.
Pics have to 130kb in size or less.
2009 Vibe Base
JPark
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 12:35 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by JPark »

IMG_0341.JPG
IMG_0341.JPG (84.18 KiB) Viewed 3987 times
RIP '06 Platinum Vibe--at 189k miles, you died too young
'09 Vibe GT--we're still getting acquainted
User avatar
trb
Posts: 1670
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 4:06 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by trb »

Looks nice! Great picture. Congrats!

Oh, I still have a rear cargo cover from my 10 GT if you want one. Just LMK.
Thomas
the "Mustang Guy"
1987 5.0 LX Mustang
2016 Mustang GT - current daily
2004 Satellite Vibe &
2009 Red Vibe GT -twin's cars
2003 Neptune Vibe GT - prior daily
2010 Red Vibe GT - RIP 6/16/14
2006 Platinum Vibe - son's car
JPark
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 12:35 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by JPark »

trb wrote:Looks nice! Great picture. Congrats!

Oh, I still have a rear cargo cover from my 10 GT if you want one. Just LMK.
Sure! I wondered if that was supposed to come with the car or not. Mine didn't. How much do you want for it?
RIP '06 Platinum Vibe--at 189k miles, you died too young
'09 Vibe GT--we're still getting acquainted
User avatar
vibenvy
Posts: 7121
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by vibenvy »

Congrats on the "new" Vibe! Do you have any modifications planned for it?
Image
2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
JPark
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 12:35 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by JPark »

vibenvy wrote:Congrats on the "new" Vibe! Do you have any modifications planned for it?
Thanks! For now I'm just doing a cargo mat (Home Depot entry mat variety). After that it depends on if I need to spend much on maintenance. It has a bit of a chirp when I let off the break a little, and I may get the TPMS taken care of.

Potential near term mods:
- aftermarket head unit
- hitch
- bike rack
- route a charging cable
RIP '06 Platinum Vibe--at 189k miles, you died too young
'09 Vibe GT--we're still getting acquainted
User avatar
trb
Posts: 1670
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 4:06 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by trb »

JPark wrote:
trb wrote:Looks nice! Great picture. Congrats!

Oh, I still have a rear cargo cover from my 10 GT if you want one. Just LMK.
Sure! I wondered if that was supposed to come with the car or not. Mine didn't. How much do you want for it?
I need to weigh it and get a price for shipping, but it shouldn't be more than $14 for a priority medium box, probably less. I was asking like $50 for it, but can do $40 + shipping. Post your zip and I can calculate an exact price.
Thomas
the "Mustang Guy"
1987 5.0 LX Mustang
2016 Mustang GT - current daily
2004 Satellite Vibe &
2009 Red Vibe GT -twin's cars
2003 Neptune Vibe GT - prior daily
2010 Red Vibe GT - RIP 6/16/14
2006 Platinum Vibe - son's car
enfield577
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:20 am
Location: South of the Mason-Dixon Line

Re: Is the 2009 2.4L FWD GT Reliable?

Post by enfield577 »

I was gonna jump in and say - heck yeah, buy it NOW - but you did. :D So I will say - congrats! It looks great!

For hard-to-find parts at pretty good prices, you might also try http://www.xpressgmparts.com. I'm lucky - I live about 10 minutes away from them, so I don't have to pay postage.
Image
2009 Vibe GT Red Hot Metallic 2.4L
Garage - viewtopic.php?t=34799
Post Reply