09+ vs. 03-08 Vibe

[HighMileVibe]

Just back from a business trip and rented an 09 Vibe so I have some fresh comparison to our 06.* First impression: smaller, it seems 10% tighter in every direction but that is just a seat of the pants guess. It seemed more like an economy wagon whereas the 06 feels a little more micro SUV.* I like the up/down tap shift available* stereo integrated into console - more difficult upgrade* smelled like a smoker - but that's not the cars fault* still lots of room to work in the engine bay* rear most windows are about useless - pillars cut off almost any view out from the drivers seat - just assume spray paint them black. They are at least somewhat useful on the 06.* Like the taillight design but not the rear glass - looks like it was a common glass piece from another, smaller car and made to fit. Also doesn;t have the glass only opening like the 06.All in all, I like the larger size of the 06 and would have preferred the 09 continue the trend of incrementally larger inside while maintaining the same size outside. As it is, it is truly a corolla wagon now vs. a smaller, more efficient RAV4 alternative.

[jake75]

As an owner of an '03, now an '09, I think the only thing dimensionally smaller on the inside is the rear cargo area. I always saw the Vibe as an economy wagon - not a Rav4 alternative.It is not as hard to see out of as I thought it would be.The '09 seems quieter. Miss the fold down passenger front seat. Not so much the rear glass opening feature or the roof rack.I bought the '09 mainly because the economics of my deal were compelling and I wanted the added safety features. Overall I am very satisfied with this '09 and would not want my '03 back.

[lowincash]

i haven't been in a 03-08 vibe but i do find the 09 vibe small inside. maybe i'm just used to my other cars which felt more roomy but those cars were also wider by a few inches too. and yeah the rear view visibility on the 09's horrible lol but i'm use to it and feels normal now. took a week or two to get use to it.

[Houston]

I just this afternoon (Thursday, but it will be Friday by the time this is posted) bought an '09 2.4 automatic. The new 2.4 is definitely quieter, much quicker and rides better than the '03 1.8 that I still have. Back space does seem smaller. I stayed with the 16" steel wheels, thanks to someone on here saying the ride was better than the optional wheels. Thanks to whoever it was. I ordered the spoiler that will be painted and installed ($361 total) when it shows up. I saw it here on a another Base and it really sets it off. I've only driven it for about ten miles, so that's all I can say for now. $2500 in incentives on Vibes right now. Might be better next month, but who knows?(Edited with this added Friday afternoon): The dealership couldn't close yesterday evening, because they couldn't communicate with the state computers. The good news is that an additional $1000 rebate just started this morning bringing total in rebates right now to $3500.

[rAERRK]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I always saw the Vibe as an economy wagon - not a Rav4 alternative.im with highmile, ive always seen the 03-08 vibe as more of an suv, rather than a wagon like the matrix and new vibe.

[Silversn95]

I wonder why there is this perception that the old Vibe has more cargo room. According to some of the specifications I have seen on-line the 03-08 cargo room is 19.3 cuft where the new Vibe is 20.1 cuft.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »I just this afternoon (Thursday, but it will be Friday by the time this is posted) bought an '09 2.4 automatic. The new 2.4 is definitely quieter, much quicker and rides better than the '03 1.8 that I still have. Back space does seem smaller. I stayed with the 16" steel wheels, thanks to someone on here saying the ride was better than the optional wheels. Thanks to whoever it was. I ordered the spoiler that will be painted and installed ($361 total) when it shows up. I saw it here on a another Base and it really sets it off. I've only driven it for about ten miles, so that's all I can say for now. $2500 in incentives on Vibes right now. Might be better next month, but who knows?I suspect that the 2.4L is quieter than even the '09 1.8L because it probably runs at lower rpm's for any given speed. Also - it has the 5-speed AT so that lowers rpm's at highway speeds. Don't understand why the 1.8L's didn't get a 5 speed AT. Maybe that engine doesn't have the power necessary to run in 5th gear.

[vibolista]

Yup, agreed... 03-08 Vibe a Micro SUV. 09 is more 4 door hatch like. Not a bad car by any means, but 09 was a step away from the SUVness of the original concept... more zoomy.My 1.8L 5 speed manual may not have race car performance or the refinement that the 2.4L offers... but I really don't mind NOT having to pay the extra tax at the fuel pump to feed the 2.4L. Sorry, but I have not found the need for any increased power or perfornace from my near SUV. If you really need the power fix for track days, go find one of those new Subbie WRX wild machines they are advertising on TV lately. That thing's insane, kids.

[HighMileVibe]

maybe the dimensions FEELING smaller is all inthe lower roof line. I am 6'2", I have about 6" headroom in the 06 whereas the 09 I had about 3". Still just guessing. The dash also seemed closer and tighter wrapped again leads to a feeling of smaller.

[MarkM04]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »I just this afternoon (Thursday, but it will be Friday by the time this is posted) bought an '09 2.4 automatic. The new 2.4 is definitely quieter, much quicker and rides better than the '03 1.8 that I still have. Back space does seem smaller. I stayed with the 16" steel wheels, thanks to someone on here saying the ride was better than the optional wheels. Thanks to whoever it was. I ordered the spoiler that will be painted and installed ($361 total) when it shows up. I saw it here on a another Base and it really sets it off. I've only driven it for about ten miles, so that's all I can say for now. $2500 in incentives on Vibes right now. Might be better next month, but who knows?(Edited with this added Friday afternoon): The dealership couldn't close yesterday evening, because they couldn't communicate with the state computers. The good news is that an additional $1000 rebate just started this morning bringing total in rebates right now to $3500.So what did you get, and what was the total?

[Houston]

Quote, originally posted by MarkM04 »So what did you get, and what was the total?2.4L 5-spd automatic Navy Blue Metallic Base Vibe with the Preferred Package, rear storage compartment, fog lights and air-conditioning. Sticker price is $20,335. I ordered the rear spoiler to be painted and installed when it arrives ($361 total) which brings the price up to $20,696. I also ordered the smokers package and cargo cover. These are included in the OTD price, but I don't remember what they cost - something piddly.I get the GM retiree discount and had $808 in GM Card earnings. Adding all taxes, fees, new license and subtracting $3500 in incentives... my out the door price was $16,160.63.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »2.4L 5-spd automatic Navy Blue Metallic Base Vibe with the Preferred Package, rear storage compartment, fog lights and air-conditioning. Sticker price is $20,335. I ordered the rear spoiler to be painted and installed when it arrives ($361 total) which brings the price up to $20,696. I also ordered the smokers package and cargo cover. These are included in the OTD price, but I don't remember what they cost - something piddly.I get the GM retiree discount and had $808 in GM Card earnings. Adding all taxes, fees, new license and subtracting $3500 in incentives... my out the door price was $16,160.63.I have not generally seen $3,500 in incentives around here. Just the $1,500 rebate. Maybe the dealer is getting another $2,000 in incentive money that they can pass on or not, There was apparently $2,000 in such dealer incentive when I bought my 1.8L in January but it was only offered on 4 specific 1.8L units - not available on the 2.4L etc. My guess is that GM wanted to unload some inventory and tied that incentive to specific units ordered.

[Houston]

Needless to say, I was happily surprised to see all that incentive money. I was expecting something between $500 and $1500. I have no idea what they were all for, but each code and it's amount shows up on the statement. They did mention the one that started Friday might just be a Memorial weekend special.

[jake75]

In Ohio you can tell if it is a rebate or dealer incentive money by looking to see if it is subject to sales tax. If the car is 20,000, the dealer discount including dealer incentives is $3,000, and the rebate is $2,000, you pay sales tax on $17,000. The distinction is tha tthe dealer discount and dealer incentive is dealer money (a price reduction) whereas the rebate is like a money off coupon from the manufacturer. If the sales tax is 7% a $1,000 rebate is really only $930.

[808 Vibes]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »Needless to say, I was happily surprised to see all that incentive money. I was expecting something between $500 and $1500. I have no idea what they were all for, but each code and it's amount shows up on the statement. They did mention the one that started Friday might just be a Memorial weekend special. congrats (I'm jealous) $500 of that might have been owner loyalty bonus I think that's what I remember.

[bonzo4ever]

Anyone have any thoughts on the loss of the 1.8L and the 6-speed option in the GTs? I wandered through the dealership yesterday and checked out some of the new GTs, but I don't know how I feel about them. I suppose the switch to the 2.4L is because most drivers never tapped into the upper rev range where the VVTL-i really shines (how many grocery trips do you know that crack 6100rpm?). Still, for me I'd rather have the 1.8 VVTL-i.