Is the Vibe right for me?

[divallol]

Hi all.First of all, thanks for a great site/ community!Okay, my wife and I are looking to purchase a used/ new car (if used then less than 2 years old). She is also expecting (yeah!!!) so we have to think of things like space (stroller in the trunk). We want a reliable, economical car that we plan on keeping for at least 5 years. I have always had great luck with Toyotas and the Matrix/ Vibe is the natural consideration. Here are the cars we're thinking of:Scion xA (reasonable price, cool look, good mpg BUT I think they're rather small)Nissan Versa (bigger, newer technology BUT must buy new)Toyota Matrix/ (-EDIT-) Pontiac Vibe (lots of space, reliable, good mpg BUT relatively expensive)I should also mention we are over in Europe right now so I can't really test drive until getting back to California in 2 weeks. We have both accepted positions there and hence will be needing the transportation.One other thing- if I am looking to buy used, are there big differences between the 2003-2004-2005 models? Let me just also extend my appreciation in advance for any help or advice you might lend.best!

[SuperSpeedWagon]

the diffrence in the newer modles is pretty much the front bumper and sound packages you can get for it...... ummm i have had my Vibe for a good 3 years mayeb and i still have not had a problem with it!! its reliable and gets killer gas mileage you will love it I like the matrix butthe vibe body to me is something diffrent and i like it better dont know why... oh yeah and welcome to GenVibe!!!!

[northvibe]

First thing, Welcome to genvibe!! and congrats on the soon to be born baby The vibe/trix will have the most storage of ANY of the new cars like it. The vibe will be cheaper new than the trix. The 2003 had all read gauges for the cluster (speed, trip, gas etc.)2004 - same as 03 some new features but main diff is it has red and white gauges now2005 - new facia (its a love or hate it one, kinda van looking), some models have drive by wire (making cold air intakes hard to find a working one for), some also had a paint chipping issue on the front end. I think they added stabilitrac too and NAV2006 - same with 2005 for the most partI say if you can find a used 04 with low miles and it is in good condition go for it. oh yes i do recommend the vibe for you guys. Many people have posted links of their accidents and all passangers were saved by its safety features Theres also many members here with babies and vibes and love them a used vibe with like 30k miles 2004 should run like 13,000 with fairly loaded vibe. Just kelly blue book the vibe you want so you know what to expect on a price so people dont try to charge you too much.I payed 12800 before tax for my 2004 base vibe with power options and 26k miles. Rarely see a deal like that

[damronjr]

Copied from my response at MO!:haha, same reason I bought the Vibe. Wife was expecting, had a 2 door single bench seat small S-10. Was looking at the Mazda3, Matrix, Vibe, xA, etc... Went to Toyota dealer, looked at xA, said no way was I going to fit a stroller in there, looked at Rav4 of the time, said same thing, looked at and loved Matrix, sat in it and said (removed), why is this thing so cramped. Went next door to Pontiac dealer, looked at Vibe, decided to go with it. Found out later the Matrix and the Vibe are the same, guess I just needed to adjust the seat! lol Don't know about the Versa, might look into the Fit as well. New Rav4's are bigger now. Good luck!

[joatmon]

I have never been in a xA, but my brother bought a Vibe and has a friend with an xA, he says the xA is a lot smaller inside, and that the Vibe has a better ride. I don't know about the Versa, but there's always risk bying a car the first model year. To me it looks the most like a minivan, I like th elook of the xA/Matrix/Vibe better.Overall, Matrix/Vibe have been reliable cars. I haven't compared prices between them new, but a used Matrix willl usually sell for more than a used Vibe, which is good if you are the one selling. The Matrix comes with a longer factory warranty. Other than mostly cosmetic differences, the rear windows are different between Matrix/Vibe, and it looks like the Matrix might have slightly better visibilty out the back. I got a good deal on thhe Vibe, and I prefer the look of the Vibe over the Matrix. I see a lot more used Matrixes for sale in the newspaper than used Vibes, not sure what that indicates, but I like to think that it means that Vibe owners like their cars more than Matrix owners like theirs Maxda 3 and Dodge Caliber are also similar cars. You really need to test drive them before you decide, everybody wants something different out of a car, so make the most of the test drives. Might not be all that useeful until you are over here and actively looking, but autotrader.com and cars.com are good online resources for finding used cars in the US.Are you coming home to the US, or leaving home for the US? Either way, welcome. Good luck with the car decision. And congratulations on the upcoming parenthood

[divallol]

thx joatmon.We are leaving Europe and moving to Cali (my home state). I know the test drive is important, but I am starting to lean heavily towards the Matrix/ Vibe. I just sold my 2005 Skoda Fabia (basically a VW Golf- parts manufactured by VW) with 101hp so I am not gonna be too picky about a lot of pickup. Just something smooth, practical, reliable and comfortable enough (and since I'm 5'7" my size is hardly a limitation... lol)

[SuperSpeedWagon]

Oh yes this is a good and comfortable ride! Im about 5' 10" - 5' 11" and I fit perfect in the front my friend drove my car once and he said it was awesome to drive very smooth and he's 6'2" lol he fit perfect!!! The base vibe has about 130hp and the Gt has i believe 170-180hp so you'll have more power for sure in the Vibe or Trix. Good luck on the car buying VIBE RULES!!!!

[Viberrrr]

We were really close to buying the XA but took it for a really long test drive and I can tell you it's not as nice a ride as my Vibe.Versa, looked into it but our budget didn't allow us to go new.We ended up getting a used 2003 Vibe with Moon and Tunes and we really love it. We can haul a ton of stuff in that thing and it gets great gas mileage. We plan on having it for 10 years if we can. You can find nice deals on used ones but you have to have the time to find then. It took us awhile but found what we were looing for. Good Luck

[jake75]

Time (again) for my new vs. used sermon. Dealers are lucky to make $300 on a new car. They will make $2,000+ on a used car. A new car loses a lot of value the moment you drive it off the lot. A used car also loses a lot of value the moment you drive it off the lot. Drive that used car around the block and try to sell it back to the dealer and you will see what I mean. Used cars are going to need tires, brakes and other routine maintenance sooner than a new car. A bumper to bumper warranty on a new car is worth money. IMO miles are worth 20 to 25 cents. A used car with 20,000 miles should be $4,000 to $5,000 less than a new one. But with new car rebates and discounts it is rare to get that kind of a reduction from what it actually costs to buy new. Also financing is less costly on a new car than a used car. [IMO there is only one way to get a decent deal on a used car - use a dealer who will buy one to your specifications, not more then 2 years old, not more than 25,000 miles, at auction for a $500 fee. Then you probably can drive it around the block and sell it back for only a $500 loss.]

[MailGuy!]

The Vibe is a very good car to have for a new baby. Not only for the good safety of the car but for the practicality. On trips when baby needs to be fed, the back seat is huge! You can hang out back there comfortably with a baby on your lap feeding until he's done. (when parked of course) The fold down front psgr seat doubles as a changing table/formula mixing station. The cargo hold is big enough to carry anything you need to bring to the inlaws house for a day away from home(stroller, bouncer, etc.) Also, my baby always falls asleep in this car because of the smooth ride. Oh, I'm six ft tall and the car seat fits behind my seat. My wife apreciates the height of the car and how easy it is to get the car seat in and out. In regards to parenthood(as well as everything else I do with the car) This was the best purchase decision I could have made.I've had this car for more than two and a half years and reliabilty is top notch. (coming from a VW based car, I'm sure you can apprec. this)If you ever have anything that won't fit in the car... like the box for the crib. Just bungy it to the roof rack.By the way, when the fam isn't in the car, find some twisties and drive it like a sport sedan, it's fun to push this car through the corners.P.S. The Versa is tiny. I saw one this week and it was about the size of the XA-very narrow. Hope this helps.

[Katscan]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Maxda 3 and Dodge Caliber are also similar cars.When I was looking for a new car I looked between the Mazda 3 the Chevy HHR, Toyota Matrix and of course the Pontiac Vibe.While the Mazda 3 was very sporty, it was too small for my tastes and it sat low to the ground.The HHR was very cramped inside and despite the fact that it has a bigger engine than the Vibe and had more HP...the darn thing felt very sluggish and unresponsive. It may look big on the outside but to me it was cramped inside. Not to mention the very plastic feel to the interior...(the other thing was the center controlled window switches....hate them to death....)I went with the Vibe over the Matrix because I just liked the body styling better.Another contender to the Vibe is the Dodge Caliber Let me tell you...while it may be cheaper than the Vibe.....it is a horriable vehicle. I had to drive one for a week when I was out on a buisness trip. Yes the Vibe is more expensive than some of the others(not by much though!) but, IMHO it is the best choice out of them all.

[MAVibe]

You can definitely find deals out there---- I got mine for 14,900, w/ a lot of options and only 4,000 miles on it!So far we love it...There seems to be just the right amount of room. I'm also a new parent, so this was an important issue. I'm also seeing a lot more Vibes out there than I did say 6 months ago...

[jake75]

I think I have seen a brand new 06 Base Automatic advertised here for $15,999.

[Viberrrr]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Time (again) for my new vs. used sermon. Dealers are lucky to make $300 on a new car. They will make $2,000+ on a used car. A new car loses a lot of value the moment you drive it off the lot. A used car also loses a lot of value the moment you drive it off the lot. Drive that used car around the block and try to sell it back to the dealer and you will see what I mean. Used cars are going to need tires, brakes and other routine maintenance sooner than a new car. A bumper to bumper warranty on a new car is worth money. IMO miles are worth 20 to 25 cents. A used car with 20,000 miles should be $4,000 to $5,000 less than a new one. But with new car rebates and discounts it is rare to get that kind of a reduction from what it actually costs to buy new. Also financing is less costly on a new car than a used car. [IMO there is only one way to get a decent deal on a used car - use a dealer who will buy one to your specifications, not more then 2 years old, not more than 25,000 miles, at auction for a $500 fee. Then you probably can drive it around the block and sell it back for only a $500 loss.]Jake I respect your opinion but have to disagree. Many people like new but I have saved thousands over the years on slightly used cars.2003 base FWD Vibe 26,300 milesAuto, GM Alarm, Side curtain airbags, Premuim sound system, Power Passenger Mirror, Cruise Control, Tinted Glass, Power Mirrors, Alloy Wheels, Power Locks, CD Player, Sun/Moon Roof, Anti-Lock Brakes, Remote Keyless Entry, Power Windows, Front and rear Floor Mats.I got this for $12,600 out the doorAnd when I priced this same car with all these options it was over $20,000 and it does not have the Side curtin air bags, GM Alarm and floor mats.

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[divallol]

Thanks a ton to everyone. What a lot of great advice! I will keep checking this board and promise to let you know when the decision is made. I feel so much more empowered now to make a better decision. The xA is definitely off the board, the Versa quite unlikely, so we will probably be going with the Vibe/ Matrix as soon as we find the right one. On a side note, I have noticed that like 90% of the used vehicles are automatic... is this a U.S.-thing, cuz I love driving manual??

[isaaclud]

^ imo the AT Vibe I test drove ('06) felt CASTRATED by the auto tranny...just reallyweak.....The 5-speed really pulls the power outta thismotor my friend, its SO FUN! I vote HELLS NOto scoring an AT Vibe.....also, have you checked into xB's? those thingsare funky son, and you can get them slightlyused as well....I almost picked one up myself.

[Katscan]

Quote, originally posted by isaaclud »^ imo the AT Vibe I test drove ('06) felt CASTRATED by the auto tranny...just reallyweak.....The 5-speed really pulls the power outta thismotor my friend, its SO FUN! I vote HELLS NOto scoring an AT Vibe.....also, have you checked into xB's? those thingsare funky son, and you can get them slightlyused as well....I almost picked one up myself.I would agree with you that the 5-Speed is a lot more fun to drive. Now there are two reasons why I went with AT with my Vibe.1)Nowdays you get better MPG with AT than you would with Manual...I mean common lets face it. When you have a MT you cant help but gun it more ofthen then you should 2)For everyday driving I found that an AT was less hassel for me as I have driven a MT for many years and sometimes I would like to just press on the gas and go without having to shift all the time. City driving and traffic suck and is a pain with a MT.(IMO)

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by isaaclud »^ imo the AT Vibe I test drove ('06) felt CASTRATED by the auto tranny...just reallyweak.....The 5-speed really pulls the power outta thismotor my friend, its SO FUN! I vote HELLS NOto scoring an AT Vibe.....also, have you checked into xB's? those thingsare funky son, and you can get them slightlyused as well....I almost picked one up myself.I didn't have any complaints with the Vibe's automatic as far as power goes, it had enough power for me... The car I have now has 110 HP and it's still fine with the automatic, and actually the EPA highway estimated mileage for my car is better with the automatic, so I win.. I'm sure a manual is fun but it day in and day out, I just want to get to where I'm going without always having to be so involved with driving. And with the greater number of automatics that appear to have been sold, it looks to be the safest choice for reliability. My old Vibe was the exception, that tranny died at 63K. But there are more people with 5-speeds and 6-speeds here that have failed them than there are those who had automatics... I can only think of one other person besides me who had trouble with the auto.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Viberrrr »Jake I respect your opinion but have to disagree. Many people like new but I have saved thousands over the years on slightly used cars.2003 base FWD Vibe 26,300 milesAuto, GM Alarm, Side curtain airbags, Premuim sound system, Power Passenger Mirror, Cruise Control, Tinted Glass, Power Mirrors, Alloy Wheels, Power Locks, CD Player, Sun/Moon Roof, Anti-Lock Brakes, Remote Keyless Entry, Power Windows, Front and rear Floor Mats.I got this for $12,600 out the doorAnd when I priced this same car with all these options it was over $20,000 and it does not have the Side curtin air bags, GM Alarm and floor mats.To each his own - I respect your p-o-v as well. When you say "priced over $20,000" was the msrp or actual transaction cost less discounts and rebates? Assuming $18,000 after rebates and discounts, and my low end 20 cents/mile depreciation, that nets to $18,000 - 5,260 = 12,740.I also have had the advantage of buying a car when the deals were right and not because I needed to buy. My 2003 Vibe MSRP $18,690 was $13,650 plus tax in part due to a Jan '03 special GM Card promo; and my 2004 T&C MSRP $24,450 was $18,500 plus tax (paid a little too much for that one).I also prefer new as I value the time and energy it takes to buy replacement tires, brake pads etc. more than others might. At the moment, nearing retirement, I am experienceing a frugal stage so even though my 2003 Vibe is 42 months old (out of warranty) it has new tires (warranty replacement) and I only have 22,000 miles on the odo so if I don't weaken I am going to keep it another couple of years. Same for my 2004 T&C with 16,000 miles which will be out of warranty the end of October.My main point is too many people pay way too much for a used car - you didn't .

[mcgusto82]

the vibe is a nice car. reason i bought it was also, we were expecting. the back is very open, and can fit a big stroler, but you won't have much space left for groceries. if you want space, then the Xa is not a car for you. it's tiny. The versa falls near there too. it is bigger, but limited trunk space. I think the 03 sentra has bigger trunk and space. Honestly, i want to recomend the Mazda 3. The vibe is almost at the end of it's current design. The caliber.., bleh! it might look good from the outside, but the interior is very low class. The HHR is also small, surprisingly. the vibe is a fun car as a stick, very fun. But if you want space, a town and country would make you very happy. ( i also have one)

[808 Vibes]

Welcome to the board, and congrats on the baby!!!!!! The Vibe's versatility and gas mileage are some of the main reasons I decided to get one ...I also kept family in mind (hopefully in the very near future!)

[Viberrrr]

Jake this healthy debate is great. I believe buying new was right for you, but the issue I have is you started this whole thing with a sermon on how new is the only way to go. With the dicounts AND a GM card in my wallet it may have been the way for me to go also.Quote, originally posted by jake75 »and my low end 20 cents/mile depreciation, that nets to $18,000 - 5,260 = 12,740.I also prefer new as I value the time and energy it takes to buy replacement tires, brake pads etc. more than others might.My main point is too many people pay way too much for a used car - you didn't . One can't just throw out that every car depreciates at 20 cents/mile. Cause it just isn't true. Many Toyotos and Hondas have a higher resale value than other used cars. Many, many factors go into how a car depreciates. I can't tell you how mant times I went to Kelly Blue book before I purchased my car.I have also never thought of routine maintance as part of a consideration in purchasing a car. Preaching a sermon to buy new because of tires and brake pads for me just does not hold any water. If that is a concern for people then leasing is probably the best route to go.True, many peole do over pay for used cars and many people walk into dealerships and over pay for new vechicles.I too had the luxury of having time just like you to find the right vehicle and it tooks me months to find it but with divallol getting back into country they may not have that same luxury. Hope they find what the're looking for.

[jake75]

I tried to sprinkle my sermon with a lot of "IMO"s. I guess my main point was "you have to run the numbers" and as you say, many (most) buyers don't. They just assume used is a better deal and that they can't afford new.And those "numbers" have to include the often higher financing rate on used vs. new, the value of the new car warranty, and also IMO the cost of "routine" non-warranty maintenance such as brakes and tires which are costs that will be incurred sooner than with new -and in my case in the past 10 years never as I bought "new" again. Not counting the value of money, I have been driving new at average cost of about $200 a month per car with the only expense being gas, oil and tire rotations.My other point is don't fall for the used car salesman's "buy a new car and drive it around the block and you have lost $xxxx as that is often the case with buying a used car as well. I did check CarMax used cars and they appear to have a good selection of used Vibes in the West (California, Arizona, Idaho etc.). They will ship to another location for free of a reasonable fee.

[AKLGT]

my 03 VGT a year ago was sold for $13K with 32K miles on it. it needed work. i'd not spend more than $13K on a used car... unless it was something special and had really low miles. as jake said, right now with all the rebates and 0% financing, it'll cost you about the same to buy NEW than used in the long run. that bumper to bumper warranty is worth A LOT of $$$ and peace of mind.

[jake75]

I suspect it is rebates OR 0% financing. Yet another situation where to make the right choice you need to run the numbers.

[Viberrrr]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I suspect it is rebates OR 0% financing. Yet another situation where to make the right choice you need to run the numbers. I quess the bottom line is we all have to do our homework and for me that's half the fun. Thanks Jake for the spirited debate and I wish divallol happy hunting.

[divallol]

Thanks all (and I enjoyed the debate as well ).We are planning on buying the car with cash, so financing is not really an issue. How do I find out about the various rebates that are being offered right now?I just contacted a Toyota dealership in my area and I could buy a new 06 Matrix base w/ 5spd for $15,800... but I've heard GM runs really good incentive offers every once in a while.

[ColonelPanic]

Well, you are buying at the right time of year for big discounts. Can't beat the end-of-model-year clearance stuff you may run into...GM doesn't do the incentives as they once did, but something good enough may pop up. Good luck!