help deciding, 03, 04, or new vibe...

[albert]

Gonna buy one, just have to decide which. This is to be my wife's winter car, as she stores her 02 WS6 T/A convert in the winter. The 03 is 12K, the 04 is 14 and the new one is about 17,500. Any advantage to the different years? Is the 03 worse than the others, less refined and such? Is there a big difference between the 03 and the 04? Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated. We make our descision monday.

[Mavrik]

04-05... don't get the 03.

[zionzr2]

if you get the 03 or 04 make sure the Cat and PCM have been replaced. under the rotten egg tsb

[tecton]

dont get the 03?lol, whythe 03 has less milesthe 05 has ugly front bumper, looks like it tried to (removed) **** a BMW04-03 are practically the same, but in this case id opt for the preference of color/option/miles

[airee85]

I just got my first Vibe, a 2003 base lava two-tone (with now 25k miles on it). I love it. I'm still getting use to driving a 4 cylinder after being so use to my V6 on my Grand Am GT. But it's all good.

[ColonelPanic]

There is no reason I would pass up a well maintained and well cared for '03 for a newer model. It could very well be as good of a car as that '04.Not that a great big difference between an '03 and an '04, really.... In fact, some of the "new car bugs" that were present in the '03s carried on to the '04 models too. They still have the same easy-to-chip paint, the same rattles, etc. Two things about an '04 that are different: The gauges were redesigned to address visibility complaints, so for '04 they have white numbers/red markings, whereas the '03 gauges were all red. That's reason alone to go for the '03, I like those gauges so much better, but that's just personal preference. Aside from that, the '04 had a reworked daytime running light module to correct some sensitivity issues with the automatic light control. XM became an option too, I think.The catalytic converter TSB that was pointed out could be an issue with the '03. You may or may not have a rotten egg smell from the exhaust when you stop... If the car isn't under warranty and you do have that problem, I'm pretty sure that the cat and PCM replacement can still be covered under the federal emissions warranty, perhaps someone can confirm that. Aside from that, there really aren't many widespread mechanical issues with the '03 models. With any model year, check to see how the paint is holding up, check for moonroof leaks (if equipped) and other water leaks (particularly on the floor,) and that's about it....

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »04-05... don't get the 03.and why? never had any problems (not like others) with my 03 GT. only prob on the 03/04 is the crappy battery.

[albert]

Thanks for the info. The 03 is silver and the 04 is blue. Is either more suseptable to chipping than the other? The big concern my wife has is that the new car dealer said he felt the 03's were less refined, noisier and have a buzzier engine. I'm all for jumping on the 03 and saveing some bucks, but she's not convinced it would be the right choice.

[ColonelPanic]

Seeing the color of the 2004, I would buy that one.

[AKLGT]

unless you are looking at the GT models, there were NO differences b/w both models except the guages. the paint is still the same, the battery was the same, etc. my hubby's 04 base vibe was pretty much the same as my 03 GT (minus the engine of course). interior was identical except for personal touches. lol. but before you decide, make sure you have a trusted mechanic look through EVERYTHING! i wouldn't trust those dealer "inspections." back in 99, I bought a 92 Blazer that had the dealer "inspection" and included a "warranty" as well. after 2 weeks, i found out it had an engine leak and fuel injectors had to be replaced. over $1500 in repairs! any other car i bought or thought about, I had my mechanic do a thorough check. he saved me a lot of money and hassle!

[northvibe]

right on trdvibe - i bring any car im interested in to my mechanic and for 80 bucks they look EVERY thing over. on my vibe they found a pinhole in the passenger side boot (cv thingy) so before the warrenty ends i just need to get that fixed. I would maybe go 04, better color and the new gauges freakin rule sounds like the dealer is being like every other dealer guy and making up crap so you spend more. its the same engine etc. so idk how it would be less noisey with a newer one...... before i do a search and get yelled at is there a site or link here for recalls etc. for vibes so i can bring it to the dealer and get them all checked ?

[jake75]

Buying the '03 and spending half of the difference on an extended warranty might be a good idea. 12K isn't very many miles but the 36 months will be up soon. I have an '03 bought 1-25-03 and now 16,000 miles and never had the rotten egg smell, the Neptune paint has held up well, and no other complaints (maybe a few rattles but I can live with that). I am going to trust the Toyota reputation and not buy an extended warranty. My only options were the AT, Power package and Monotone (cause it was there - not that I cared). MSRP was 18,690. I paid $13,650 plus tax after discount, GM rebate, and bonus GM Card Rebate. A similar '05 with employee price, rebate, and conquest rebate runs about 16,000. A 25% disc. for a 2 year old car soon to be out of warranty doesn;t seem like a great deal even with ionly 12k but perhaps that '03 you are looking at has a lot more options. Check out Edmunds.com and KBB.com used car values to make sure the price is in the ballpark.

[merckx56]

Look a little bit for a deal on an 04 GT. I got mine with 8000 miles on the clock for $14,500 out the door. The window sticker was in the glovebox and the original retail was over $22k. The GT I got has every option available for 04.I had to travel about 3 hours away to get it, but saved a pile over either buying new or buying close to home.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by albert » The 03 is 12K, the 04 is 14 and the new one is about 17,500. Any advantage to the different years? Is the 03 worse than the others, Quote, originally posted by albert »The big concern my wife has is that the new car dealer said he felt the 03's were less refined, noisier and have a buzzier engine. . My cynical side would expect the dealer to try to sell you the more expensive car. Also, maybe things have changed, but I still remember the days when genvibers knew a lot more about these cars than the dealers did.You didn't say how many miles each had, or if there were differences in installed options, both of which are important in comparing the two.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »You didn't say how many miles each had, or if there were differences in installed options, both of which are important in comparing the two. Oh - must have been late when I read this post- I was seeing the prices as miles. Miles are money and if these cars have the typical 12-15,000 miles/year on them for the difference I'd go for NEW. WIth new yu are sassured of no expense other than oil changes and tire rotations for the first 3 years (unless you put a buchu of miles on a car, and if you do that uised car likely will be toast in 3 years). Brakes, tires, battery etc. etc etc.

[binary]

Quote, originally posted by tecton »dont get the 03?the 05 has ugly front bumper, looks like it tried to (removed) **** a BMWHarsh dude.

[McVibe]

I'd say go for the 04, although I have a little bias considering that I like the gauges in the 04 better than the 03 and the 05's grill...ew. Or you could just hold out for the 06

[tecton]

im telling you05 grill = bmw knockoff

[Atomic]

I was hoping for an '04, but all I could find were former daily rentals with 40,000km/26,000miles and up.For an extra couple of grand, I leased a new '05 with warranty on everything.With the GM discounts and rebates and the promo gas card, (good for 20 cents per litre discount for up to 2,500 litres/660 US gallons), it was a hard deal for me to pass up.

[jmf2]

I liked (and miss) the all red displays on the 03's, but the silver is BORING! (i've owned 3 silver cars myself...BORING). i'd go with the neptune blue myself. If you went with an 05-06 and get moons and tunes, you get a nice little built in sub in the back too, and if you really wanted to brighten up your corner of the world, you could find a nice fusion vibe! PS. apologies to all the owners of silver vibes, including my parents.

[albert]

Kind of leaning toward the 03 silver with 30K miles to save the 5 grand off new. That'll give us that money toward a car for the son who gets his liscence this next spring. Also like the silver idea since her WS6 is black and I'm constantly cleaning it . Lot's of salt on these roads in Ohio in the winter and silver really hides the mess. So it's kind of a practicality thing with us. Still, really excited since this is such a slick little vehicle. I do much prefer the older front end as well!

[hippyvibe]

I know this isn't an every day occurrence but I purchased an '03 Vibe GT a couple of months ago with 25k miles on it for $14 000 flat... and it actually came with EVERYTHING on this list:Premium Monotone Paint JobTinted windowsPontiac Spoiler6 speaker premium sound (not including subs)6 CD in-dash changerElectric everythingMoonroofTwo 10" Coustic CF-1044 carbon fiber subwoofersEibach 1.2" Pro Lowering KitSportMax Racing RimsDunlop SP Sport 9000 tiresAEM Short Ram Cold Air IntakeFlowMaster 60 Series Delta Flow MufflerTRD Front STB (anti-roll bar)Progress Rear STB (anti-roll bar)The service department had jacked the amp so I had to pick one of those up, but meh! I thought it was an AWESOME deal! Not to mention we actually found and met the previous owner (through Genvibe.com) and received ALL the receipts for everything ever done to the car! Pretty cool if you ask me

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by hippyvibe »Not to mention we actually found and met the previous owner (through Genvibe.com) Looks like it must have been blk182@n7 Didn't know he sold his car

[hippyvibe]

Justin it was =-D We try to stay in touch with him too! Nice to be able to ask him Qs from time to time... That and it was nice to have him introduce us to lift the right way! =-D He traded it in for a G6 GT at the dealership my brother works at and therefore I got a great deal on it =-D I snapped it up within a few hours of Justin trading it in!

[jake75]

Did Justin ever tell you what they gave him for it!

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by albert »Kind of leaning toward the 03 silver with 30K miles to save the 5 grand off new. That'll give us that money toward a car for the son who gets his licence this next spring. Also like the silver idea since her WS6 is black and I'm constantly cleaning it . Lot's of salt on these roads in Ohio in the winter and silver really hides the mess. So it's kind of a practicality thing with us. Still, really excited since this is such a slick little vehicle. I do much prefer the older front end as well! Probably made your decision by now, but consider:30,000 miles x 20 cent/mi deprec. = $6,00075% tire wear x $400 = $30075% brake wear x 120 = $9075% brake fluid change = $30Coolant change due = $60Wiper baldes due = $10Battery due = $6550% x trans fluid change = $603 year bumper-to-Bumper warranty = $900 Etc Etc EtcFinance rate on new cars lower than on used.If financiing an Apples to Apples comparision would be the monthly payment on a 2.5 yr old used car over 36 months vs. monthly payments on a new car over 66 months. At the end of either loan you have a 66 month old car.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Have you looked at any AWD's? Since your in Ohio, I would think that traction would be a top priority for a winter car.

[hippyvibe]

Ya... He said that they just payed the rest of it off for him! Why?

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by hippyvibe »Ya... He said that they just payed the rest of it off for him! Why?Just trying to get some insight on what kind of mark-up the dealer was making on a used car. You no doubt got a good deal, but in my experience dealers are happy to make $500 at most on a new car but make $2,000-2,500 on a used car. Also many people do not know what they really get in trade as the dealer does not separate out the new car discount from the trade-in value. Years ago I had a neighbor that traded every two yaers. I would have liked to buy his car but he though he was getting all this money for his used car but the trade-in number included what he could have got as a discount. Example, $20,000 MSRP less $12,000 trade. Well he could have bought the new car without trade for $17,000 so he really was only getting $9,000 for his trade-in. I'd have gladly paid him $9,500 but he didn't understand the math. To him, why should he sell his car to me for $2,500 less than the dealer was giving him in trade.