08 or 09 Vibe ???

[BIGDADDYGT]

I just got back from the dealer and can't decide which way to go. I need a commuter with good MPG but with style. I think the gas mileage was a bit higher on the 08. And there is the $1200.00 incentive but the 09 looks awful nice. I think the 09 was 24 city and 29 highway. The 08 was 25 and 31. Are these realistic MPG numbers?? I'm looking at GT automatic cars. Any advice?? THANKS

[ajconover]

With my '06 automatic FWD (same engine as the '08 automatic) I get about 30.5 mpg with about 80% highway driving. I've gotten as low as 28 when doing a lot of shorter trips and as high as around 34 when traveling.

[bull77]

Quote, originally posted by BIGDADDYGT »I just got back from the dealer and can't decide which way to go. I need a commuter with good MPG but with style. I think the gas mileage was a bit higher on the 08. And there is the $1200.00 incentive but the 09 looks awful nice. I think the 09 was 24 city and 29 highway. The 08 was 25 and 31. Are these realistic MPG numbers?? I'm looking at GT automatic cars. Any advice?? THANKSif you're looking at the 09 GT auto, i think the mileage is rated at 21/28i get similiar mileage as ajconover

[WaveAction]

i'd go with an 08 personally

[scooter]

Quote, originally posted by bull77 »if you're looking at the 09 GT auto, i think the mileage is rated at 21/28Actually, they list the GT w/Automatic at 21/29 - HIGHER than the manual, which they list at 21/28.For me, the big features that would drive me to the 09 if price is no object is all the new standard safety features - side curtain/side thorax airbags, stability control. These are all options on the 08.... plus, I think I like the looks of the 09 better.

[CoolAKid]

To each his own.. At this point, I definitely prefer the "older" Vibe styling (mine is an '06). And I still have not seen an '09 in person - only in photos. But I do have to admit that the more I see of the '09, it is starting to grow on me a bit.

[VivaVibe]

In terms of MPG you're probably better off with the 08. My 04 Base 1.8 consistently gets 30 city/hwy and 35+ highway. I've heard the 09 1.8 does not do as well on MPG. I'd also check on the safety features. Somewhere I read that the stabilitrac is not standard on all models.You may get better MPGs on something smaller, but wouldn't get the utility, comfort and styling.

[SagWhite]

If you compare the EPA estimated MPG of the 2006 and the 2009 for example, it's normal that the numbers for the 2009 are lower because they changed the way they calculate the MPG recently.If we compare the MPG with the new way to calculate MPG, it's pretty much the same: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg...22104This show the estimated numbers for a 2006 (with the old and the new method)The estimated MPG for a 2009 base with manual transmission is 26/32, so it's close to a 2006.I'll be able to tell you the truth in a few months!

[Jyik40]

With the 09 GT you get the 5 speed automatic along with the independent rear suspension. I have also heard that the 09's have a quieter interior compared to the previous gen. The only thing is that you have more weight to carry around with the 09.

[northvibe]

the 1zz for the 08 to 09 only changed by the 09's getting dual vvt. unless the car gained some weight the gas mileage should be about the same if not better (Real mileage not this EPA crap). as for the GT or 2.4 base model, thats a way different engine and you'll not get as good as mileage as the 1.8l. Looks = 09cost = 08meh you just need to decide whats more important the looks or cost.... gas mileage should be almost the same in the real world between them.

[chris777]

Quote, originally posted by BIGDADDYGT »I just got back from the dealer and can't decide which way to go. I need a commuter with good MPG but with style. I think the gas mileage was a bit higher on the 08. And there is the $1200.00 incentive but the 09 looks awful nice. I think the 09 was 24 city and 29 highway. The 08 was 25 and 31. Are these realistic MPG numbers?? I'm looking at GT automatic cars. Any advice?? THANKSHave you driven both? I wrestled for quite some time between a vib/trix and scion xb(1st gen) and even a toyota echo(best non hybrid economy). Well I ended up with what I needed (wanted) I had driven an xb at carmax for like 15 minutes and while I liked it, Iimmediately drove the vibe afterward, less than a minute into my drive she got a call from a customer who showed up early for an appointment so she asked to cut the ride short, but it was enough for me to tell Iliked the power of the vibe better.I wrestled with that comfort, and cargo capacity, and the vibe looked better and better especially when I noticed that according to the http://www.fueleconomy.gov site they got like $50 bucks a year difference in overall economy. I tried pulling the 09 but its not on there yet. Though If I were looking new I would probably get an Xb as it seems to be the cheapest way to get the camry engine that is in the vibe/trix/xb and Iam sure others.Ultimately I suggest you balance your wants with your needs, and go with what suits your situation best. I personally didn't want a payment, and I got my vibe for just over 10 k used (its an 05 w/ 16500k) Don't get in a hurry if you can help it , as it is alot easier (and less painful) to choose rationally rather than make a several thousand buck mistake. I had a buddy who went from owning a honda s2000 to trading it on a Vette, (and having a payment on his loan alone of more than most peoples house payment) to getting extremely upside down on it, and trading it on an suv, that he had no need for. but he wasted several thousand in the span of just a few months, because of his impulse buy.But compare the 2 and see which one makes the most sense for you.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »Looks = 09cost = 08meh you just need to decide whats more important the looks or cost.... gas mileage should be almost the same in the real world between them.If the '09's standard safety features are important to you then it isLooks = 09Cost = '09Also - don't forget that unless you plan to keep it ten years the trade-in value of an '09 vs. '08 will be equal to or exceed the paltry $1,200 rebate.IMO the only reason to buy an '08 is if you prefer it over the '09 for reasons such as roof rack, a little more cargo room etc.

[Blast Chamber]

We looked at the '09 Vibe when we bought our '08, and we didnt' like the '09 nearly as much. The lower rear hatch height and the speed-racer styling didn't match our practical, family-hauler needs. The '09 standard safety features are nice, but we ended up getting those as options so it wasn't a problem. Even our salesman said he prefered the older body style, and he had no reason to lie since he could have made more commision trying to sell us that '09 (which was even the same color).

[jake75]

My take on the '09 vs '08 pricing is that an '08 with the safety options (ABS, extra airbags, stability & traction control) was significantly more than the '09. Did you find that to tbe the case? Maybe they offset all or most of that with discounts/rebates.

[BIGDADDYGT]

WOW! Thanks for the input. Now I'm really confused. I knew these cars had enthusiasts and I'm glad I found this site. If I was 20 years younger it would be a no brainer to go for the 09. But at 44 I'm leaning toward the 08. Or maybe an optioned out base model with the 1.8. I piled the wife and 3 kids in the 09 GT and the suspension is a little firm. I must be getting old, I never thought I'd say that!I dont think I can go wrong either way. I think I'll go and stare at them some more. THANKS AGAIN

[Blast Chamber]

As far as pricing, it's hard to say since I didn't have the invoice numbers handy for an '09 (we were there specifically to look at their '08 models, so that's what I did my homework on). The MSRP of the '09 was lower than the '08, but I ended up buying the '08 for well under invoice, plus got the $1,250 rebate. Being the dealer had about a dozen '08 Vibes and only a couple of '09s, I don't think I could have bargained them down on a newer one even if we had liked it better (which we didn't). If someone had the numbers crunched and bargained hard, the price difference between a loaded '08 and an '09 may be insignificant.

[asburydan]

If I were choosing based only on looks, I would choose the '08. I am an older guy (older than you) and I love my Vibe for looks and for several other good reasons including gas mileage.

[chris777]

Quote, originally posted by BIGDADDYGT »WOW! Thanks for the input. Now I'm really confused. I knew these cars had enthusiasts and I'm glad I found this site. If I was 20 years younger it would be a no brainer to go for the 09. But at 44 I'm leaning toward the 08. Or maybe an optioned out base model with the 1.8. I piled the wife and 3 kids in the 09 GT and the suspension is a little firm. I must be getting old, I never thought I'd say that!I don't think I can go wrong either way. I think I'll go and stare at them some more. THANKS AGAIN I suggest you make them work for your business and see if they will give you an offer you can't refuse on the 08. But its like the others have said, either get a deal and a half on the 08, or go with the 09.Its a buyers market, thats how I got my 05 for less than loan value, it was like a reverse trade in. make the market work in your favor, unless you are set on an 09,and even then youdon't have to buy either, unless its worth it to you