My girlfriend is looking at a 03 Vibe

[04shadowvibe]

So I have talked my Girlfriend out of her 1997 Chrysler in favor of a Vibe. Her current car is not going to make it much longer so she needs a newer car, and one that gets more MPG. She set her budget at 10K.Here is what she found.... 03 Vibe Base Front wheel drive automatic 66K Miles 2 owner clean CARFAXDealer is asking $9589So we go to look at the car, get to the dealer and we dont see it. Asked a salesman and he said the car went to auction that day...its 3rd day on the lot. I asked why, he said there was an open bank lean on it and the dealer was unable to get the title for at least a month so they sent it to sit on the auction lot instead of theirs. So he said he would go retrieve the vehicle if we wanted to see it. We said next week we will come back to see it. So a few days later we look online and the car is marked sold. Called the salesman and he said because they had a lot of calls on the car and it was not on their lot they marked it as sold. So we asked if we were still gonna be able to see it and he said yes but it has some major issues. I asked what and he said he would go get the service paperwork and call me back.So he calls back and says here is what the car needs to pass the dealer inspection...at a cost of $1200....Its really dirty, needs detailedneeds oil and filter changeneeds tranny fluid and filter changeneeds wiper bladesneeds 4 new tiresneeds the front rotors machinedSo i was like ok nothing too major thereSo he said if they do all the work we can get the car for $9300....if we decline to have the work done we can have the car for $8100.So we are going to go look at the car this week and I was just wondering what to look out for on the 03 Vibes. I have had a new 04 and 06 Vibe but never looked at a used one and just wondering what to look for.If it looks good to me I am going to try to get my mechanic to look at it before we decide. What do you all think? Its by far the best price out there and there are under 10 Vibes for sale in my area.I will post back with updates after we look at it. Thanks

[04shadowvibe]

Oh and I forgot....The car is pretty loaded up...Monotone, moon and tunes, alum wheels, rear bumper guard, GM splash guardsNot sure on ABS or Side Air BagsThe car is also at a non-GM dealer, but it is a large import brand dealer

[random]

Seems quite high to me with the issues and mileage and for the year, but I got my Vibe a 2005 for $9000.00 and it was barely over 50,000 miles.It has no issues or things required to be done. Mine is not loaded but then I have no need for a bumper guard as it has all the plastic body molding which IMO surpasses a bumper guard. BTW, I did a carfax on mine as well and came back clean.

[jimincalif]

Get the details on the car and check out the value at edmunds.com and kbb.com. At edmunds I put in an 03 base 66K auto, monotone, sunroof, audio, alloys and power doors/windows and ABS. I chose "average" condition. Dealer retail came back $7,876.

[northvibe]

I sold my 2004 vibe with 74k miles for under 10k, I think you can get a better deal. If you do go to a stealership, you can talk them down pretty easy, make sure to use kellybluebook and http://www.nada.com to get an idea of the worth of the car. check craigs list and the paper, there are some sweet deals to be had, and with all my used cars I took it to my mechanic and for 100 bucks they did a nice look over mechanically to make sure it was good.

[04shadowvibe]

Wow Vibes must be way cheaper elsewhere....Here there are not many for sale. The range on the 03s are $7500 for one with 88K and a R-Title up to an 03 with 98K for $11989. Now there are quite a few manual Vibes in the area but she cant drive a stick. One has 37K and its only $8500 but again its a 5speed. They must really hold their value around here and people must not want to sell theirs.She also looked at a 04 Base Vibe at a local mega GM center and it had average miles but it was a strip out....no power anything...and they were asking $13950, but it has since sold.I tried Craigslist and the local papers and there are no Vibes except for the few at the dealers. Edmunds TMV of the car is $7700 so Im sure we can bring the dealer down some still. Our 2nd choice is a 03 Base Vibe Auto about 2hrs from here at a dealer. It has 54000 miles and they are asking $9988, just reduced from $12988. But this one is not perfect either....The radio surround, radio and ac controls are very scratched up and the pain is rubbed off. I know the plastic wouldnt be hard to repaint but the radio would need new buttons or replaced along with the ac controls.Our biggest selling point is who will take her chrysler in trade....it has a lot of issues and she doesnt want to get stuck having to sell it outright.

[ToolGuy]

First, the dealer should do all these repairs and cleaning in order to sell it on their lot. Second, I do not consider any of these major repairs. They are all typical of this cars mileage. However it tells me the previous owners did nothing to it. I would definitely have an independent check it out and or have the selling dealer include a warranty with it of some kind. Even if it is a 3 month or something. And if you get an 03 or 04, keep in mind the window recall is coming. You will need to call GM and tell them you are the new owner of the car so that you will get the notice in the mail.

[04shadowvibe]

I know about the recall and im sure my local dealer will do it no problem.Also, I have a mechanic that does my cars for the last 40yrs for my family so IF we decide its ok then I will have him look at it. Id also rather have him service it that some guys at this Honda dealership...I know my mechanic will do it right....for way less than $1200.I can tell from the website pictures the car is dirty and probally not 100% maintained. The front wheels are covered in brake dust and the paint looks kinda yellow. The interior looks ok, mats and carpet look somewhat dirty. I keep all of my vehicles in tip top shape and cleaness....so I cant expect to find that in any other cars.What do u guys think we should be shooting for in price?? Dealer offered $8100 without the repairs, $9300 with.

[northvibe]

did you get quotes from http://www.nada.com http://www.kbb.com?I think you should be paying 9 or less for a high mileage vibe in decent shape.

[04shadowvibe]

Yeah kbb 7500-9000nada 8500-10700Edmunds 7600-8100Each site said 68000 miles is expected for this year and this one is at 66200.Dealer said $8100......but were gonna try for some more.

[ToolGuy]

I would try the $7,500 when you see it. Look at the fog lamps too because both may be broken. Plan on a new cabin air filter as well since I doubt it was ever changed. Also check that the AC works, AC fixes can be high! Check for over-spray inside the wheelwells as indication of a repaint of some kind. Ask to see if there are service receipts and try a car fax or go to the local GM dealer and see if they will run the VIN for you.

[random]

Last night when I read this, I glanced over it as I had been at a fair all day so my skim reading was not that good.I thought you said it had 86,000 but I see it only has 66,000 which is twenty thousand better than what I was thinking when I responded earlier.Still, hearing your description, it does not sound like the vehicle was well cared for. I would shoot around seven grand, no actually I would go for the manual with 37,000 and 8,500.00 much better deal. You can teach your girl how to handle a stick and may be glad you did.As for my 05, it had been a rental, I guess you can look at this two ways, many people driving it and that may not be good. Me, I think it was a plus in my case as the vehicle is clean and I guess this could be due to a rental gets inspected a lot more than it would if an agency was not checking these cars over with a fine tooth comb all the time. My interior is immaculate, the vehicle is immaculate all the way around. It looks like a bran new car. There were several other Vibes, three or four that I looked at as well as one Trix. All others were priced higher and not as clean as mine. The dealer wanted 10,995 but came down to 9,500 quickly and I told him 9000 cash you have a deal. It was done quick.My biggest thing I over looked was the rear tires had little tread left. I looked at the front tires and they were good and did lot realize the back ones were not the same. Shame on me, but I guess I was too busy looking at the frame underneath for signs if it had been in an accident, it had not as I did do a carfax.Plus I am really surprised that there would be such a differance for an automaticor a manual.

[04shadowvibe]

No problem random... I cant get her into a stick...no way. We live in a very hilly area and addd to it snow and she wouldnt have a clue. She would be going through clutches like crazy! lolThe only other 2 she is looking at are both 9989 range, one is decient but has some interior issues, the other is bare bones...maybe pw pl. There just doesnt seem to be a good selection of Vibes out there but man the used lots are loaded with a ton of nice trucks and suvs.

[jake75]

Budget $10,000. How did she get that number? Is that cash she has, or is it what she think she can finance and afford the payments.My problem with the economics of buying used out of warranty cars is that considering (1) lower finance rate on new cars; (2) added maintenance & repair costs of used cars, particularly those with over 60,000 miles: and (3) the aggravation of breakdowns etc., a lower priced new car might be a better economic choice. A basic Ford Escort with AT ought to be had for $12-13K. Other alternatives include Kia, Hyndai, Nissan Sentra/Versa, etc. As far as getting rid of her Chrysler - anything that runs can be sold for $500-$1000 these days A dealer is not going to give you any more than half what you could sell it for. It may look like more because they add the discount they would give you for buying wthout a trade into the price they offer you for trade.When you drive a used car off the lot it depreciates just as fast as if you drive new car off the lot. Dealers like to make $2,500 on a used car; they are lucky to make $500 on a new one.Just my opinion.

[random]

I think I did get very lucky with mine, I was not even looking for it but had been wanting a Vibe, I went into a neighboring town to look at a Rav4...it was a POS.On my way driving back to the expressway, I saw the Vibe out of the corner of my eye and stopped on the next block. I ran back and took a look at the vehicle and basically bought it on the spot.I gave them a hundred bucks to hold it and it took a week for me to get it finalized but that gave me time to do the Carfax on it, I suppose if it would have came back a lemon, I would have let them keep the 100 bucks but it came back good and has been a perfect vehicle. I replaced the back rubber.Two other minor oddities with mine, only one original floor mat and no alarm which I found hard to believe when they gave me the key, I did not get a remote/remotes. I had a keyless entry installed afterwards and sure enough, there was a module to a previously installed alarm (after market)I admit there are not a lot of Vibes around on the market, you may want to try Ebay and do a drive back, that is what I was thinking of doing.

[04shadowvibe]

So we went and looked at the Vibe I was talking about and ended up looking at 2 other ones......The first Vibe was the one for $8100 and it was nasty!!!!!!!!!!The car was a mess....paint was very dull and chipped, the interior was nasty, sunroof shade was broken, windowsheild was cracked, auto headlights sensor was broken and I even found a plastic juce bottle in the rear storage compartment that was full of alcohol!!!!!!!!!!!!So we left there and went to look at the Vibe about a half hour away.The 2nd Vibe was a 03 54000 miles, GM Cert, was $12989 reduced to $9988. This is the car with the very scratched up radio and ac control and dash plastic. Looked great from the front.....Then I noticed a large dent on the roof. As I went to the back of the car there was a large dent under each taillamp and the rear bumper cover was cracked. My sisters Vibe just had damage like this to one quarter and it was $1200 to repair so i figured at least $2400 for the rear damage on this car. Then I noticed a large crease on the rear door.....at this point the GF said there is too much damage on this car and we left without seeing a salesman.The the 3rd Vibe we looked at was just listed yesterday 03 Neptune 52000 miles, all options except alum wheels. The price on the website was unlisted. Got to the dealer at 9pm as the salesman was locking the gate. I asked to see the Vibe and he said it was in detail bay so he took me back. This car was spotless, 2 new tires. He wasnt sure of the price because it just came in but he informed me that there were 3 calls on it allready and someone was scheduled to drive it tomorrow. So chances are it wont be there long.There are a few newer Vibes out there here but they all start at $15000+ so that doesnt help. Maybe some more will turn up soon....cause what we have seen hasnt been too nice.

[northvibe]

holy monkeys' you should buy a vibe out of state then

[04shadowvibe]

We may do that, Ohio and WV are under an hour away its worth a look.

[northvibe]

I think you should, I drove 2 hours to get my new mazda.

[jake75]

If you want to see some pretty unrealistic prices on used Vibes - check out the inventory nationwide at CarMax.com. CarMax often has really attractive prices new car prices at their new car dealerships, but overall I think their used car inventory "no hassle" pricing is atrocious.

[04shadowvibe]

We just hate to call over the phone and be told its in good condition and drive 60 miles to see it have at least $4200 in body damage like the 2nd Vibe we looked at.

[northvibe]

yeah be straight up with the salesman. I'm so blunt with them cuz they just want to screw you over. if they arent a stupid dealership they can prolly email you pics of the car.

[random]

Not sure where you are at but just plugged in a Ohio Zip code and did a search on Ebay, many are newer ones but looks likt there are a few older ones to choose form.http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Ca...8ae56

[04shadowvibe]

I just tried the Ebay, the ones around here are way too much and the one reasonable one is one of the 5speed ones.Were fgoing out the door now to look at the 3rd one from last night...she really liked it and we may get it tonight idk?

[04shadowvibe]

Well my girlfriend is driving a Vibe now! She got the 03 Neptune one we looked at last night with 52000 miles. Very clean car...a few small issues but nothing major. She was able to get the payments she wanted so she is very happy.Thans to everyone who has followed our search here. I am so glad she is now a Vibe owner....awesome cars and great group of owners!Ill get some pics asap and we will be setting her up with a screenname here for sure!

[jake75]

Well, I have an '03 Vibe Neptune bought new in Jan. 2003 with a little over 30,000 miles. I hope your girl friend remains as happy with hers as I have been with mine. I usually trade every 3 to 4 years as I have a low tolerance for maintenance and out of warranty repair issues but may just keep this one for a few more years as its Toyota underpinnings would indicate the potential for a relatively trouble free future. My Conti tires were replaced at 20,000 miles mostly at GM's expense so that will not be an issue for awhile. By that time I should have accumulated the maximum $3,500 cash back on my GM Card to help buy a new one.

[ramenboy...]

dude,congrats on being the proud owner of 2 vibes!!!if i didn't say that when you first joined the forum, i'm sayin it now.

[random]

Congrats, glad you found one with low miles, she should have a good used vehicle for some time to come.

[northvibe]

awesome! glad to hear you finally were able to find a good one. My sister is driving my old one, should have almost 80k miles on it with out issue

[03neptunevibe]

Hey everyone! I absoutley love my 03 Neptune Vibe So far it has been great. I also want to thank everyone for all their help. Buying this car was a big thing for me I look forward to being part of this site!

[Kamikaze]

We're all happy to help, and congrats!