Any reason not to buy a Vibe?

[Five_By_Five]

Hello, everyone! I'm not a Vibe owner yet, but am planning to get one in the near future. I'm just wondering if there is any reason (too many problems, not reliable, etc.) that I should not get this car. I love the exterior and interior appearance of it, I've heard that it's got some good kick to it as far as acceleration and general driving goes. I talked to a woman who said she really liked hers. I peeked at the threads that discussed the various problems that the car had and there seemed to be alot of them. Would most any new car these days have just as many problems as the Vibe seems to have? I've never purchased a new or fairly new car before so I don't know alot about late models. I would appreciate any insight and opinions anyone may provide. Thanks a bunch

[joatmon]

I like mine, and haven't had any significant problems with it, so I still think it is worth buying. Fun to drive, handles well, mileage is good, versatile, etcOn the "good kick to it" you need to test drive one to really know. For some people the base is fine, and for some even the extra power of the GT is still not enough. How acceptable the acceleration will be to you depends on how you drive, what you are currently driving, and what you want the car to be able to do.

[zionzr2]

WELCOME!!The Vibe is an Awesome car. It can hold an enormous payload, Excellent Mileage, very comfortable on short and long trips.Yes it does have a few quirks, but any car will...I doubt you will find a message board for any vehicle that didnt have a problems section...The nice thing is that there is more often than not a simple fix or solution to a problem.Humans are imperfect therfore the stuff made by humans will have imperfections from time to time.

[drunkenmaxx]

dont get a vibe if you dont like strangers asking you about it!!

[Atomb]

i really do like my Vibe...this weekend I managed to load up 14 2x4x 96" pieces and a bunch of 2'x4' sections and i could close the hatch and drive home in snowfall (everything protected inside!)I had a similar question once pertaining to reading about all the 'bad' things (for the Vibe and other stuff). Then one day I did a quick experiment...i thought of a product i already owned/loved/ and had no problems with.I looked up info on that product (my bike, by the way) and i found a bunch of 'negative' stuff posted. It just proved to me that even for something that i owned and NEVER would say anything bad about, it is still possible to find bad comments on the internet!So don't base your decision on only the 'bad' comments..... (that was a wordy response.....sorry!)

[Merzbow]

I haven't had any problems with mine other than a few roadblocks while installing the exhaust and Cold Air Intake but those don't have anything to do with the actual car. I wouldn't trade this car for anything.

[Jahntassa]

As i'll say to anyone. Depends on what you're looking for. Depends on which model you're looking at too.The 05' Vibe is the third year, but second generation. It's got more GM incorporated in it than 03-04', and some will say, a meaner look.If you're interested in navigation at all, I'd highly reccomend the factory setup. It's one of the better in-car navigation systems by-far, including aftermarket. I've had very few, if any, problems with mine.As far as issues with my car: I have an 03' GT.- At 26k miles, my clutch started slipping badly, it was not covered under warranty, and i'm currently waiting for the parts to come in to replace the clutch. Somewhat costly. Some people have gotten theirs switched out under warranty, but they wouldn't for me.- Paint is always an issue, chips are more than inevitable. If you're getting an 03-04, invest in the front-end cover. Expect to pay about $80 for the OEM version.- The stereo is okay, but if you're planning on changing out the stock stereo (not NAV), don't get the M&T option. It's going to be more trouble than it's worth to change it out. Unless, of course, you desperately want the moonroof. If you're satisfied with the M&T sound, go for it.Test drive, test drive, test drive. Find the car with the options you want, or similar, and drive it! If there are none availible with all the options you want, find some cars that have some of the options, and check them out first. The GT is a fun drive, clutch aside, and if you can drive a stick, I highly reccomend it.

[ragingfish]

Yes!One reason!It's too easy to mod, and you'll spend too much money customizing it like I have...

[kep427]

Like most new models, the '03 seemed to have it's share of problems. I've got an '04. At the begining I had a problem with the CEL going on; but Pontiac fixed it. Otherwise, a pretty sound car for the $$. Just don't expect the advertised gas mileage (goes for most vehicles).

[POLO]

Me to it was my first new car,before i bough the vibe,it take me about 3-4 month to decide wich vehicule,i visit all the dealer brand;toyota,honda,nissan,chrysler,...First,my choice was to buy new,or used,or loan,...Second,i compared all the cars in many category;reliable,space,utility,economy,performance,...Third,the option,...After almost 1 year complete,i'm happy with my choice,but i regret to buy a two-tone,maybe at spring i will sent my car to the dealer to paint the cladding side.

[UWAdventurer]

Purchased our '05 on 10/30/04. Owned trucks & SUVs previously. Needed the gas mileage as we commute 35 mi one way daily. Gas mileage has averaged right at 30 mpg, which we are happy with considering most of our driving is stop & go, no highway. A couple of small probs which were handled quickly by our dealer. We did purchase the 7yr/100,000 mi warranty due to the miles we will put on the car. Car sits higher than most small cars, making it easier go get in and out. We will get the windows tinted.Dislikes: Center console is short for us to use as an armrest.No tinting on the windshieldDash material could be nicerNo auto dimming mirrorAll in all we are satisfied with our decision to purchase. Hope this helps.

[ColonelPanic]

Even though I'm posting "here's what is screwed up now" threads more than many here, I would still recommend this car to anyone who may be interested. Most Vibes aren't that flaky, it would seem. Just like anything else you buy, you generally end up taking a risk that you may have problems. For instance, I've had plenty of issues with my car, but my buddy bought an '03 after I bought mine - while his has been back to the shop on just a few occasions, he has had pretty good luck out of it. The main thing I would stress, and this goes with any car you buy, is to pay close attention to the dealer. Even with Toyota components in this car, you may still have problems, so try to find a good dealer so when you do have to take your car in, you won't end up with a headache or ulcers. Even with the most reliable car, if you have one problem and end up getting treated poorly by the dealer, that tends to sour the whole experience of owning the car.The '05 will probably be a better car than the '03 - I would still consider buying a new Vibe in a heartbeat. GM has had ample time to work out the various bugs they had with the older models. And really, for a first-year effort, the '03s weren't all that buggy... Overall, the Vibe is a great car - fun to drive, unique, roomy, practical, economical, reasonably environmentally friendly, and there are far worse cars out there than the Vibe in terms of reliability.

[jake75]

Take any problems noted on a site like this with a grain of salt. As with all enthusiasts, these people are very picky. I bought my 2003 Vibe when I really didn't need a car because the price was too good to pass up with a $2,000 rebate, $2003 GM card rebate, and a $1,050 discount. If you qualify for the additional non-GM owner conquest rebate of $1,000 which, with $1,500 reg rebate and $1,000 discount is $3,500 off MSRP, I think the price is still right. Otherwise I might be looking at a PT Cruiser. I had a 2001 PT that I sold in 2004. Gas mileage isn't as good, and long range Chrysler reliability might not be up to what we are hoping for in this Vibe "Toyota twin" but the PT was a very comfortable and versatile vehicle. Of course if you hate the PT look don't buy it at any price. It's a hate it or love it kind of car.

[kostby]

Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Vibe!Here's what the Vibe offers, in no particular order:1) Unique styling. The front end of the '05's seem more mini-van-like than the original, but it hasn't slowed sales.2) Toyota Corolla/Celica-based chassis, suspension, transmissions & engines = mechanical reliability3) Very versatile seating/cargo hauling combinations for up to 4 (or 5 passengers, if some are children) in a relatively small car.4) Decent gas mileage 25-30 average mpg is typical.5) Decent performance even with base automatic.6) Option packages offer well-equipped cars at reasonable prices for the average (non-audiophile) owner.7) Decent ride and handling, even with stock (Toyota-based) suspension, wheels & tires.IMHO 98% of the Vibe owners who post here LOVE some or all of these things about their cars, and I include myself in that number. (I bought a used '03 in February 2004.) I never discount the possibility that every manufacturer produces some 'lemons', and there are lemon-laws to take care of those folks. At least one disgruntled Vibe owner has taken advantage of that ---> http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=12220There are >150,000 Vibes sold, and only about 2,600 people have EVER registered on GenVibe, so posts on these Genvibe forums may not reflect the experiences the 'average' Vibe owner, but of 5 Vibe owners I know (none of whom post here), everyone still thinks they purchased the right car for their needs.Complaints from Vibe owners have often focused on the following:Daytime Running Lights (DRL's) that seem to have a mind of their own. On 03's that haven't been updated it's merely annoying. Pontiac issued a service bulletin and updated logic. Haven't heard about it from '05 Vibe owners, maybe they're finally fixed?Crappy factory tires especially the 16" Continentals. They wear extremely fast for many owners, especially those who drive aggressively. (Paint prone to chipping, especially on the front surfaces (hood especially) of '03-04 models. Haven't heard much from '05 owners - they've only been out about 6 months - too early to tell?Lack of choice in aftermarket products especially when compared with what is available for the almost twin-under-the-skin Toyota Matrix. Body kits, Altezza-style lighting, carbon-fiber items, and additional performance upgrades (particularly for the 2-zz VibeGT engine are scarce, but things are improving!

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Take any problems noted on a site like this with a grain of salt. As with all enthusiasts, these people are very picky.Well said, and a very good point... I'm (removed) as heck about my cars, any issue I find, regardless of how insignificant triggers a call to the dealer. I think I notice things that most people would never even pay attention to. lol

[jmf2]

I'm on my 2nd vibe, so you know I like the car. And the first one saved my sons life in a 70mph triple rollover, nuff said.They're damn good cars!And for a station wagon, they're very cool

[EH2005]

First off, I'm new here, too so now there are only 149,739 Vibe owners out there who still need to sign up at this great site. My wife and I traded our 2002 Monte Carlo SS for a 2005 Vibe on October 23 (we have a baby due in March and needed more usable cargo space) and I have no complaints at all so far. Much of my pre-purchase research was done right here so a quick thanks to all of you GenVibe veterans. I find the car very fun to drive (even with automatic - wife can't drive a stick) and I've been getting 29 MPG out of the box in almost all city driving (1,500 miles so far). Interestingly, our Vibe was equipped with 16" Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires and not Continentals so I guess we lucked out there! So far, I would definitely recommend the Vibe and this site as well!

[PopeyeFAFL]

I have my Vibe 2005 since August (had 2 Honda Accord in a row).So far, I'm very please, this could well turn out to be the best car, I ever own (time will tell).I plan to keep it 5 to 7 years, after that, I will either seel / trade it for something else (a Volvo perhaps), or I will decide to run it through the ground, until it die.

[03VibeGT6Spd]

I have an 03 GT and love the car.You should see the looks and hear the comments when you waste people in races. The only major problem I have with it. I'm scared I'm going to get tickets with it.I passed a cop one night on the highway at 102mph. (he went after the other car) he was sitting in the middle with his lights off.Thats is a good cruzing speed in that car.I had the speedo upto 138mph.It's just a fun car to drive and it begs you to abuse it.

[nismo]

You won't find anything bad about this car unless you mess it up yourself. I only have problems with mine, because I caused them to happen or because for the fact that my poor Vibe has been in 2 accidents. I wish my insurance would have just totaled mine .All I can hear are rattles and annoying sounds coming from the inside. O well. I like my car and there's nothing anyone can do about this to change it . I guess I will just wait for a chance to pick up a GT or get a base S/C. Once you start modding urs, your gas mileage will prolly go down. Not that it shouldn't, but some of us here have erges to speed here and there. Like me hitting the governor at 118mph. Not going to be doing that for a while.InderInder