~ Might be gettin a Vibe - problems to look for? ~

[Nutella]

Hi guys,I'm thinkin about getting a used Vibe. Around 2005 year, FWD model. I like the wagon practicality and the apparent quality of this vehicle, great fuel economy and styling. I will be using it primarily for city driving and with a newborn in a childseat. Other vehicles on my list (after Vibe) Mazda3 hatch, Honda Fit.I know a lot about the car from research and also test drove one. But I'm not aware of the real world problems common to this car.I'd like to gather some of your opinions on this car and what problem areas to watch out for (perhaps in particular years?). Just want to get a heads up. Thanks a lot!btw I'm new here, and near Toronto. Big up to the CDN members!Larry

[GrayFox]

Welcome! I can't really speak on problems... but what I would suggest is trying to find a AWD model, since you live up north, if you don't mind having an automatic. I have a 05 base and everything has been perfectly fine for me Common problems range from dash rattles, wind noise, other little things to tranny & clutch issues (5spd manual) The 05s have DBW and are rated with a little less horsepower (still peppy ) I hope you can find one you like. Good Luck!

[bull77]

I have a '06 Vibe - like AnO_Vibe said, theres dash rattle and engine noise.I have the FWD model and with my winter tires and Ottawa winters, I've had no problems. Also have a 4month baby a large dog that fits comfortably in the back. Really recommend getting a Vibe - you won't regret it

[ToolGuy]

I have an 03 and it has been trouble free! Just replaced my crappy Conti tires at 43,000. I still have the original battery and brakes too. I do normal maintenance, oil, coolant, transmission, air filter changes and just the past weekend changed out the power steering fluid. Will do my plugs at 50,000. It has been to the dealer only twice. Once for the rotten egg smell, corrected with a TSB, not an issue for 05 and newer and to check the Conti tires only to tell me GM will not do anything about them.Great car, cannot go wrong! If buying used, check the fog lamps to see if they are broken since they are made of glass and usually break!

[GrayFox]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »If buying used, check the fog lamps to see if they are broken since they are made of glass and usually break! haha yeah I forgot to metion that... one of mine has a pinhole in it and speaking of busted fog lights...toolguy sells lexan fog-light protectors! haha I need to get a set sometime...

[Atomb]

hey larry,i'm in mississauga too. welcome!rattles are definitely there...especially in the winter/cold weather.i'm not super happy with the general performance in the snow but i haven't put snow tires on my car for the 3.5 snow days we have per year. (when compared to other cars i've driven without snow tires)i've had incessant problems with my brakes but that was due to my dealership trying to do 'preventative work' on them and royally effing them up. Since that has been somewhat resolved, things are pretty good...so far.can't think of anything else actually. i know there are various issues on the board here ranging from transmission to difficulty starting the car in certain circumstances.We're having a meet up at Winston Churchill and 401 on April 14th. Maybe show up for that and take a look at some of our cars and i'm sure more things will come to mind!see you then!PS: thanks to your screen name, i've got a MASSIVE craving for some of that awesome hazelnut-chocolate on some fresh italian bread now!!!

[Nutella]

Thanks for the opinions so far and the welcome. I'm very over analytical about cars and do all my own maintenance so I need to get real quality feedback from the inside (you guys!)I also tried getting on the MatrixOwners forum but nobody is registering my new Login so I can't login there.Btw, the Vibe would be for the wife and BABY on the way I myself drive a Protege5 (here's some pics) http://www.toprotege.com/forum...67311 ANO_Vibe: I'd be getting FWD and using winter rubber. I'm not so keen on added complexity from AWD, just wanna keep it simple.bull77: Good you like the car with a dog and baby. I myself was recommended it by people who have 2 little kids and they fit their stroller and stuff ok.MiVibe-ToolGuy: Thanx I'll keep a heads up on the fogs.Atomb: SMALL WORLD DUDE!! There's meets? I LIVE WITHIN 7 minutes of Winston Churchill@401. I wonder if I'd have already purchased a Vibe before then. Maybe I'll wait until after this meet. Would be great to check out some of these local Vibes outside of a dealer setting..-oh and I eat Nutella almost EVERY DAY on bread at breakfast. I buy tons of it.

[Nutella]

I'm restricting myself on looking for Vibes only with ABS.This seems rare. I don't know if I should forget about the ABS. I just think it will help in slippery situations and prefer not to do without it. How about the ABS? For those without it, are there situations where you guys feel it would've been safer with ABS? Better braking response for panic stops or swerve manoeuvers? Does the ABS suck in the Vibe? I know it does in my Protege5 -it's WAAAY too sensitive and kicks easily on light snow - too slow making stopping distance too much. Even in parking lots, lane ways, residential streets. Almost seems more dangerous. But its superior for rain.

[GrayFox]

I don't have ABS and haven't really needed it, yet (I hate saying that...) The Vibe is pretty quick on it's toes to me (handling wise) But I don't live in a big city with TONS of traffic or anything like that... I wish I had it just because thoSWEET p5 BTW

[GrayFox]

I didn't even think of mentioning this but I have a toddler and she's perfectly cozy back there (she likes to use the two front seats as footstools... I'm trying to break her from that haha). The only bad thing is the lack of elbow room for anyone sitting back there while her seat is in the car.

[Atomb]

i also forgot to mention that i've got the kid in there on occasion and there's good room for the rear facing seat (easy to install too) and the back definitely has room for a stroller and groceries.with or without the vibe, come to the meet and maybe we can answer some questions!look in the 'ontario' section for more info.based on those pics of the protoge, looks like you're off towards hurontario?? warehouses in the background (although the one pic looks like the cold storage place at Winston Churchill and 401 in the background!)i don't think i've seen your protoge around my area....

[northvibe]

I love the car, only thing that bugs me is the semi cheapness on the interior. My passanger visor unsnaps easy and yeah the driver a pillar rattles... 3m double sided foam tape will take care of that easy though. I have ABS and it came in handy this winter a couple times, just make sure you know to slam that brake and hold, no pumping and it works great. I would for sure buy the vibe again, normal maintenance and this car has been awesome. also has a decent aftermarket for performance mods.

[pwarren4]

Loose nuts behind the wheel

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by pwarren4 »Loose nuts behind the wheelNo comment

[pacerman]

My 05 is throttle cable, built 02/05 AWD Abyss monotone, so far so good.

[NewNeptune]

Quote, originally posted by Nutella » How about the ABS? For those without it, are there situations where you guys feel it would've been safer with ABS? Better braking response for panic stops or swerve manoeuvers? Yes, I wish I had it. Literally the day before Christmas last year, I was driving about the speed limit, at night on a city street approaching a stop light. No one in front of me. In AZ, the road tends to "melt" in the summer, thus there are grooves (mini ditches) where the tires wear the pavement at stop lights. It was raining and at this particular intersection, they must have been pretty far back from the light and filled with water. Light turns yellow in front of me and I get down to maybe 30 MPH and then I slid through the intersection. I almost got smashed by a truck that thought I was going to stop and then I panicked and almost took out the traffic light pole.So yes, I wish I had ABS.

[Nutella]

^^^ NOW THATS WHAT I'm AFRAID OF! Thats why I've got this must have ABS requirement. For those 1 in 100 times you'll do a panic stop in a slippery situation, it can save your (removed).

[dianebrat]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I love the car, only thing that bugs me is the semi cheapness on the interior. I passed on the Dodge Caliber for that reason, to me the Vibe interior is head and shoulder above the Caliber, it was cheap exposed pebble grain plastic on the doors, not even an attempt to have a vinyl skin over it.BTW if you're looking at older models, I know in '06 AWD automatically had ABS checked on the option sheet.Diane

[NewNeptune]

Quote, originally posted by Nutella »^^^ NOW THATS WHAT I'm AFRAID OF! Thats why I've got this must have ABS requirement. For those 1 in 100 times you'll do a panic stop in a slippery situation, it can save your (removed).Yep, and I wasn't even doing a panic stop. Just a regular stop. Must be the crappy OEM tires that don't hold traction very well. I can even feel them slipping when I make medium speed turns on dry pavement. It happens when I go over those concrete dividers that channel rain between a side road and the main road.

[Nutella]

When/where exactly is the meet on April 14th ?EDIT: Nevermind, I found it.. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=27276 I have to be somewhere down Winston Churchill at 4pm. So I might be able to drop by for 3pm (in my Yellow Protege5) No Vibe yet

[Whelan]

More room than a 3, faster than a Fit. The fit is smaller compared because it goes up again other small cars like the Nissan Versa, Suzuki SRX, etc.The 3 is a competitor but also has more power and a sportier look, feel, drive to it. But it does lack big time in rear legroom and cargo space. It sits lower than the Trix/Vibe also. So if you want cargo room, the 3 may not be the best choice.

[Nutella]

^ Yeah we'd like the 3 but not enough room so it's ruled out.Vibe/matrix has the best hatch trunk room IMHO.