GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello everyone,So glad I found this site. I'm looking into buying a new Vibe here in Houston. I have a few options lined up, but don't know if these are considered good deals or not. Looking for some advice...2008 Platinum Vibe w/ preferred package (remote keyless, power windows/doors), anti-lock brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, front and side airbagsMSRP is $20,755. Dealer's asking $19,500 plus TTL. (that includes the $500 rebate)2007 Salsa Vibe with preferred package, anti-lock brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, monsoon stereo system, smoker's package (don't really care about that, but the car comes with it).MSRP is $20,685. Dealer's asking $18,591 plus TTL (includes $1,000 rebate). Only thing is, this Vibe is located 200 miles away, so they'd have to deliver it here.What do y'all think? Are these considered good deals, or should I keep haggling? Thanks for any feedback!

Hey, fellow H-towner! Welcome to GenVibe!The 2007 Salsa package sounds like a better deal. The Vibe being 200 miles away shouldn't be a problem and they shouldn't charge you for that either; dealers often work out swap arrangements, so don't let them charge you extra.I'm curious why one dealer offers $500 and the other $1,000. Maybe there are more rebates available; might want to check that out.Let us know how it goes!

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »I'm curious why one dealer offers $500 and the other $1,000. Maybe there are more rebates available; might want to check that out.Let us know how it goes!They are only offering $1,000 rebates on '07 models. Maybe as an incentive to sell those over the '08 model.Welcome. Like zuben stated, seems like the '07 seems like the better deal. It all depends on what features you want and can get, i.e. the front and side air bags, monsoon stereo system, etc.

My choice would be the 2008 - because1. Surviving a crash due to the side airbags is more important to me than having a moonroof and a better stereo that I can't appreciate anyway because the Vibe engine is a bit loud.2. One model year newer will make that car worth the $1,000 more when you trade or sell it unless you keep it for ten years.[Also - I think that the 2008 has cruise control as well unless they changed the specs from 2007.]The 2008 has essentially a $755 dealer discount plus $500 rebate. The 2007 has essentially a $1,094 dealer discount plus a $1,000 rebate.If you check the 2008 invoice that will include adv fees of about $300, $20 or so for gas and a perhasp a consumer contact fee you will see that the 2008 price is about $250 over invoice - the 3% holdback is $605.

Thanks very much for the feedback. Decisions, decisions...This is our first new-car purchase as a married couple, so we're a little overwhelmed. So I definitely appreciate all the advice.

I agree that having side airbags is a plus. However, the argument that the 2008 will be worth $1,000 more can't be supported. First, the MSRP of the two vehicles is nearly similar ($70 difference). Second, the 2007 will show up having "low miles" in resale calculations relative to the 2008; that will more than offset the $70 price difference.I'd keep shopping...Houston's a big town and there are lots of dealers that would love to clear out their '07 inventory by the end of the month. In fact, I'd wait until the last week of September to buy; it will be your best chance to negotiate a good deal.

Newlyweds, eh? This will be fun! Two (of you) against one (salesperson) is always better. Work on your "good cop, bad cop" routine..you can always switch sides between dealers. Don't let the salesperson talk to just one of you.Keep us posted...and when you get your new ride...post pics!!!

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »I agree that having side airbags is a plus. However, the argument that the 2008 will be worth $1,000 more can't be supported. First, the MSRP of the two vehicles is nearly similar ($70 difference). Second, the 2007 will show up having "low miles" in resale calculations relative to the 2008; that will more than offset the $70 price difference.I'd keep shopping...Houston's a big town and there are lots of dealers that would love to clear out their '07 inventory by the end of the month. In fact, I'd wait until the last week of September to buy; it will be your best chance to negotiate a good deal.I went to Edmunds.com to check their used car prices for identical Silver 2003 and 2004 Vibes both "clean" with 50,000 miles. These were equipped with AT and the Pfd package. 2003 Trade-in value $8,225; 2003 Private sale $9,456;2004 Trade in value $8,955; 2004 Private Sale $10,391A $730 diff in trade in value just because it is a one year newer model.A $835 diff in private sale value just because it is a one year newer model. This at least supports a likely difference of a great deal of that $1,000.As the days go on there will be fewer and fewer 2007's left and the one's left bythe end of the month will not likely be equipped to most people's desires. That is why they are the last one's to sell. And to the extent they have unwanted options which raises the current cost, your numbers get worse as the depreciation on options is a lot more brutal than on the base price portion. Buy an option if it is something you value but don't count on getting much back when you trade or sell. If you go to pontiac.com you can actually search dealer inventories and look at window stickers. The dealer sites often do not have that much detail.In the past 20 years I have bought a new car about every two years and sold about half of them instead of trading them in so I do have some practical experience. It is a lot easier today with all the information available on the internet - but you still have to separate opinion from fact.

See the topic "GM will speed up Pontiac Vibe development". Maybe waiting until Spring 2008 for the 2009 Vibe makes sense.

Eek -- don't know if I can wait 'till Spring 2008. We're currently a one-vehicle family, and as much as I love the Harris County Metro system (heh heh), I'm definitely ready for my own transportation.Problem is, father-in-law (a retired mechanic/service rep) says we should definitely get one with anti-lock brakes. There don't seem to be many with that option.

jake75, btw, thanks for doing that research. and especially for the tip about the pontiac site. that's really coming in handy, instead of going to the individual dealer sites.

Parrish Hadley at Beck & Masten on 1960 is the Internet sales director. He is one of the friendliest salesmen I've ever met. If you call him he will help you find one that fits your needs, no matter if they have to bring it in from another dealership. He helped my find my vibe that I bought around this time of the year back in 2005. He still keeps in touch with me to see how I'm doing and how my vibe is holding up. I'd recommend talking to him to help you out in finding the vibe that suits your needs for the price. -Shay

Quote, originally posted by EnVIBEable »jake75, btw, thanks for doing that research. and especially for the tip about the pontiac site. that's really coming in handy, instead of going to the individual dealer sites.I hope you are having better luck than I am with pontiac.com. It keeps freeezing up on me. I don't think it is my computer as the chevrolet.com works o.k.

I tried on my wife's computer - no problem. Perhaps Pontiac has "improved" their website and I don't have some program up to date that is needed.

why buy new and buy all that insurance ,etc. for years unless you,re loaded with money? i bought a 2003 vibe in new orleans for $7500. it,s red with the alloys,color matched bumpers.automatic with 80,000 miles. it was a interstate commuter miles,private middle aged owner,non-smoker. that,s about as good as it gets. but anyway for no reason am i gonna go sign papers for $20,000. worth of car. for most newly wed couples that,s alot of notes to add on to the budget. each to his own. i don,t even buy comp/collision insurance on $7500. just alot of liability and uninsured motorist.

I've found that buying a new car at the right price, then selling it 3 to 4 years later myself, made sense for me. On average I think it has cost me about $200 a month with no maintenance or repair other than oil changes and tire rotations. There is considerable value in not having to endure the expense and hassles of repairs, tire replacement, brakes etc. not to mention the peace of mind I get in knowing that I am probably not going to have any problems. I would wonder how much good life is left in a car with 80,000 miles. Of course if no one bought used cars my plan would not work.

Thanks for all the great advice. We decided on the 2008 platinum Vibe. Soooo happy! Now my only question is, Why isn't there a "Team Platinum" thread on this forum?

Congrats on the purchase. You picked a great color, one of the best. As far as the platinum team, since there is a platinum and satelite that are the same. There is the Team Silver- http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=25812

President Clinton getting off Air Force One with new dog.Marine Guard "Nice dog sir!"Clinton" "I got it for Hilliary"Marine Guard: "Good trade sir!"My thoughts precisely about the '08 equipped as you wanted vs the '07. In my life my decisions to spend a little more on what I really wanted usually proved right, whereas I often later regretted instances when I compromised just to save a few bucks.