On the 03/04 models, ABS was a $500 option (I know because I still have my window sticker). I'm not sure about '05-'08.nugentc wrote:One more question about features: Are anti-lock brakes standard or optional on the Vibes of 03/04 and 05/08 years?
Thanks again!
Not until 2009 were ABS Brakes, traction control and additional airbags made standard. I almost bought a 2008 but the numbers didn't work for me and my 2003 Vibe only had about 27,000 miles. The added safety features of the 2009 plus a slightly lower price and some great incentives made buying my 2009 a no brainer. The difference between what I paid the dealer for my 2009 and what I got in a private sale of my 2003 was $3,654. Not bad for 6 years and 33,000 miles.trb wrote:ABS was an option on the 05-08 Vibes also. My son's 06 does not have it, but a lady I know does have it on her 05.
Awesome advice Houston Both of our 2009 Vibe GT's are listed there and have been for four years+. Also, to this day, other than the normal wear & tear items which will need addressed, we've had no problems at all.Houston wrote:
My Vibe is listed on http://www.truedelta.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and I suggest that everyone here also list theirs.
Leather wasn't a factory option until 05. I never got a chance to try the leather factory seats out but I am convinced they were either seats from a dif car or catskins in that '03 you sat in. Seats are extremely expensive to change (mid model cycle) for a manufacturer because crash testing would need to be redone. (This is why Vette seats suct for so long) so I can positvely say the Vibe had the same seats from 03-08.have another question about possible 03-04 vs 05-08 differences. We sat in a 2003 Vibe today with leather seats. I found them to be really uncomfortable compared to our old 06 Vibe with cloth seats. They felt really hard overall and the seams seemed to push in my lower back in the driver's seat. Is this a difference in seats between 03-04 vs 05-08 years? Or is it a difference between the leather vs cloth in most years?
The 3rd generation 2009-2010 might be considered a better value if you want 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction/stability control, and extra air bags that were standard starting in 2009. This was an issue with my wife - not as much for me as I considered those to be something else that can go wrong though we only drive 6,000 miles a year so less of an issue with us. But with all of that the deal we got on the 2009 was about $2,000 less than the 2008 we looked at a year prior. The 2009 base eliminated a few features - roof rack, fold down front passenger seat, hatch window that opened - none were of significant interest to us anyway. Glad I have a 2009 vs. 2008.Nasmfell wrote:nugentc wrote: Yes to your question about years better than others. Answer 2005 and later ones, not only for the DBW, which did away with hoses and cables for cruise and throttle, but also the chance to get Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which was not offered on the 2003-2004 models. What also goes in favor of the 2005 and later models, the oil consumption issue that plagued some 2003 and 2004 models, was greatly if not completed reduced or eliminated. If you're in a Northern climate, there is a good chance that it would be harder to find a 2003-2004 without rust. Finally, since Pontiac and Vibe are no more, you can swing a very good deal on a later model for not much than a 2003-2004. That being said, 2008 may be the best year in terms of reliability, features and value. Thanks for the informative thread
jake75 wrote:The 3rd generation 2009-2010 might be considered a better value if you want 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction/stability control, and extra air bags that were standard starting in 2009. This was an issue with my wife - not as much for me as I considered those to be something else that can go wrong though we only drive 6,000 miles a year so less of an issue with us. But with all of that the deal we got on the 2009 was about $2,000 less than the 2008 we looked at a year prior. The 2009 base eliminated a few features - roof rack, fold down front passenger seat, hatch window that opened - none were of significant interest to us anyway. Glad I have a 2009 vs. 2008.Nasmfell wrote:nugentc wrote: Yes to your question about years better than others. Answer 2005 and later ones, not only for the DBW, which did away with hoses and cables for cruise and throttle, but also the chance to get Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which was not offered on the 2003-2004 models. What also goes in favor of the 2005 and later models, the oil consumption issue that plagued some 2003 and 2004 models, was greatly if not completed reduced or eliminated. If you're in a Northern climate, there is a good chance that it would be harder to find a 2003-2004 without rust. Finally, since Pontiac and Vibe are no more, you can swing a very good deal on a later model for not much than a 2003-2004. That being said, 2008 may be the best year in terms of reliability, features and value. Thanks for the informative thread
jake75 wrote:In many respects for some the 2008 might have been the best Vibe/Matrix year. Everything is negotiable. For what a 2008 would have cost me I think I would looked elsewhere but I really had no compelling reason to replace my low mileage 2003 Vibe anyway. In 2009 the numbers made it a no brainer. Saw the ad in the Saturday morning newspaper and was at the dealer by noon to buy the car.
nugentc wrote:Here's a question related to my original post, so I'll keep with the same thread. Which would you choose:
- an 06 for $5,500 somewhat negotiable from a dealer, has a one-owner history with 151,000 miles (no warranty above 150K miles)
- an 03 for $5,500 with not much wiggle room at all from a private party (original owner) with 83,000 miles
Both have some similar options (ABS, moon roof, tinted glass and side air bags, I believe). The 06 has alloy wheels.
The 03 has an issue with the AC flapper clicking in the dash, which I've read about how to repair elsewhere on this forum.
Maybe this is a no-brainer, but I'm curious how people lean.
Thanks for the great conversation and insight so far!
Yes! And red gauges.tpollauf wrote:I would go with the 2003 Sportier nose on it also
ColonelPanic wrote:Good call on the 2003!
The 2003's dome light control is on the instrument panel illumination dimmer switch instead of the independent switches on each light on newer models.
Rotate the dimmer wheel all the way up and the dome lights are off, down one click and they're on, one more and they're on/off with the doors from that point down to the bottom.
The direction Pontiac took with the 2003-2004 styling-wise was more appealing for many of us old timers.Nasmfell wrote: You're not a fan of the 2005 and later models?
ColonelPanic wrote:The direction Pontiac took with the 2003-2004 styling-wise was more appealing for many of us old timers.Nasmfell wrote: You're not a fan of the 2005 and later models?
The 2003-2004's also weren't victims to the shenanigans of the accountants as much as the later years. Simple features that were nice to have and probably didn't cost much to implement were axed. Sure, later years had fancy items added to the options list like leather but fitting the dual level storage armrest or the lighter socket to the console was apparently deemed too expensive to continue offering.
Then the GT model saw power downrates every year until they pulled the plug, and the AWD was dropped at the same time.
I still prefer any year 1st gen over the 2nd though.