Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe?

General discussions about the Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix. New members, introduce yourself here!
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GoLowDrew
Posts: 241
Joined: Mon May 17, 2004 2:56 am

Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe?

Post by GoLowDrew »

09 GT has been on my list. I kind of wish the car will still be around maybe 10 or 11 - when I'm really ready.Pontiac is ending after 09. So no Pontiac.- Is it a good idea to buy a ca that is out of production? - Does anyone know what the availability of parts in the future? I read something like GM would still have to provide OEM replacement parts for 10 years: something like that. I think I read that when Oldsmobile was done.- If "I love the car so much," consider a Toyota Corolla/Matrix instead?- Any chance "Vibe" will come back as a Chevy?*** I have not come by this site for a while, so I'm sure the questions were already asked.Thanks
2004 Vibe, Auto Trans. Built Sept 2003. Date in service May 2004. Sold May 2006.
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joatmon
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (GoLowDrew)

Post by joatmon »

I think you should not worry about support for the car. Almost everyithing in it will live on in some Toyota model for a few years to come.It may be agood itme to buy, but I think it will be something you'll need to act on before too long. There is a limited number of Vibes to be bought now.You should compare Vibe and Matrix, very similar, some differences that may or may not give you a preference.SInce GM pulled out of the deal with Toyota at NUMMI, and NUMMI itself may not survive that, it seems very unlikely the Vibe will come back as a Chevy.
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Kincaid
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Post by Kincaid »

GM is also required to continue to produce replacement parts for many, many years (15?).
1997 Civic EX sedan w/auto trans2001 Accord EX sedan w/5-spd manual2009 Vibe 2.4L w/5-spd manual, sunroof, monsoon, GT spoiler, Magnaflow muffler and rolled SS tip, lowered on H-Tech springs, window tint, debadged (save the red arrow!).
jake75
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (GoLowDrew)

Post by jake75 »

Shopping for a Vibe now, is, as George Bush would say, "hard work".If you are serious then you will need to act quickly. Search your area dealer websites to see what they have - and then see what kind of deals they are making. My guess is that you should be seeing $4,000-5,000 off msrp on a GT after all discounts and rebates. If you have an GM Card earnings that will add to your deal. Got a "Clunker" hanging around that qualifies? $3,500-4,5000 more from us taxpayers. Matrix probably less than half that discount. I was going to drive my '03 Vibe for a few more years but bought a '09 1.8L base in January at a steal, then sold my '03. Had that opportunity not happened, and if I needed to replace my '03, I would have probably opted for a little less car and money like a Honda Fit or Scion xD; or a little more car and money Nissan Rogue or Honda CRV. Or I might have got real trendy and bought something like a Nissan Cube or Scion xB.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
jake75
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Re: (Kincaid)

Post by jake75 »

Quote, originally posted by Kincaid »GM is also required to continue to produce replacement parts for many, many years (15?).I keep hearing people say that, and I am sure that there will be Vibe parts for the next ten years, but if GM actually went full belly up you can kiss any "requirement" goodbye.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
Banjovibe
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Post by Banjovibe »

So then we just go to the Toyota dealers, right?
We live our lives by the choices we make. I chose Vibe
vibolista
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (GoLowDrew)

Post by vibolista »

We've been saying it for a while around the forum... if you want a Vibe, you better get online and search for the car you want... ASAP or even sooner. The Vibe is a Toyota Corolla based car, so parts will not be a problem for a long time to come. The factory that produced the Vibe is now in limbo. Chevy or Buick or Cadillac may eventually come up with a Vibe like car that could be as good as the current Vibe, but it's not likely they will be smart enough to fill that niche. The Vibe is one of the roomiest cars around in its size category, and it gets better gas mileage than even it's smaller sized competition. The Matrix is OK, but it's going to cost you quite a bit more and it's not going to look as good, unless you're into that kind of hodge-poge design that doesn't make much sense to me. I've looked at it and I've tried. The first gen Trix was a good looking car, but you better go see one of the new ones up close. It sure doesn't look as nice as the new Vibe. If I had not jumped on my Vibe when I did, I would probably be driving a lowly Honda Fit or some other smaller car as my daily driver. I never found anything close to the value of the Vibe for the money and I looked at just about everything out there foreign and domestic. Get to it if you really want one.
'08 Manual, Sun&Sound, 17" Borbet Type CA wheels, 215/50 Summer Tires... 16" OE steel, 215/55 Snow Tires
djkeev
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Post by djkeev »

By all means, go and go now.There are great deals to be had now and screw depreciation concerns. You are buying to drive it. The only parts that could possibly become hard to find are body parts in the future but that is true of ALL cars after they are no longer made.Mechanically...... Toyota Corolla. You tell me parts won't be easy to find! Go purchase in comfort and confidence, maybe you'll get the last one!Dave
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Scooter Dave
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (GoLowDrew)

Post by Scooter Dave »

The potential problem is body panels and other parts specific to the '09/10 vibe (which was only made for a year +). I think they are supposed to have parts available for 10 years but not so sure the reality of that especially now that GM is Government Motors.Having said that, I bought a 2009 Vibe [4k off sticker] and will take my chances. In my opinion, the Vibe looks better than the Matrix, is less money, and has a longer warranty.
vibolista
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (Scooter Dave)

Post by vibolista »

Just be really carefull with all your panels!
'08 Manual, Sun&Sound, 17" Borbet Type CA wheels, 215/50 Summer Tires... 16" OE steel, 215/55 Snow Tires
Vibe17
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (vibolista)

Post by Vibe17 »

This is something I worried about as well. Maybe in ten years or so it may be hard to find some parts.But there really is not anything that can be compared to the vibe. The matrix does not look as good to me. Other hatchbacks are either too expensive or just don't have what I'm looking for in a small car.The others are right though, get one soon! In metro detroit only one dealer had the color and options I was looking for. There are not too many left and I don't think they will last.The vibe is just about perfect - for me.
shane_c
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (vibolista)

Post by shane_c »

I'm worried as well. I had a 2006 Vibe and loved it. Now driving a Focus Wagon that I hope to get rid of in the next few months. For myself I will probably get a Matrix since Pontiac won't be around. The new generation 09-10 I MUCH prefer the look of the Matrix over the Vibe. But from 03-08 I prefered the look of the Vibe.
2006 Vibe (base) - Platinum Silver, 5 spd, ABS, Power Package, Infinity Speakers, Dynomax muffler, Cosmo SR intake - SOLD
Kincaid
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Post by Kincaid »

I'm not sure the Matrix will last past 2010 either.I'm not worried at all about GM. They are never going to just disappear. Not gonna happen.
1997 Civic EX sedan w/auto trans2001 Accord EX sedan w/5-spd manual2009 Vibe 2.4L w/5-spd manual, sunroof, monsoon, GT spoiler, Magnaflow muffler and rolled SS tip, lowered on H-Tech springs, window tint, debadged (save the red arrow!).
jake75
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (Scooter Dave)

Post by jake75 »

Quote, originally posted by Scooter Dave »The potential problem is body panels and other parts specific to the '09/10 vibe (which was only made for a year +). I think they are supposed to have parts available for 10 years but not so sure the reality of that especially now that GM is Government Motors.Having said that, I bought a 2009 Vibe [4k off sticker] and will take my chances. In my opinion, the Vibe looks better than the Matrix, is less money, and has a longer warranty.Are not Insurance Companies pushing aftermarket sheet metal anyway?
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
iucu
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:13 am

Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (jake75)

Post by iucu »

NO, do not buy a Vibe !Wait until Monday at 8 PM when the cash for clunkers program ends.Then jump to buy one !!!A brand new "Toyota" car at around 12,000 now, and you ask if it is a good ideea to buy one !?!?
Scooter Dave
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (GoLowDrew)

Post by Scooter Dave »

If you buy a Vibe (or a Matrix, Camry, XB, TC, w/ a 2.4) just know that you need to check (and adjust if necessary) the valves every 60k miles or 48 months. D'OH!
TONY TAT2
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (joatmon)

Post by TONY TAT2 »

Bought a new olds in 97 when thay were droppen the line,kept it 10 years & "NEVER" had it back to the dealer until we traded it in on the G6,mater of fact our salesman rebought it for his son & is still driven it.
09 VIBE08 G694 GRAND AM93 GRAND AM85 VETTE78 VETTE
jake75
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (Scooter Dave)

Post by jake75 »

Quote, originally posted by Scooter Dave »If you buy a Vibe (or a Matrix, Camry, XB, TC, w/ a 2.4) just know that you need to check (and adjust if necessary) the valves every 60k miles or 48 months. D'OH!I'll put that on my calendar for January 2019.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
Scooter Dave
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (jake75)

Post by Scooter Dave »

or Jan 2013 [48 months]
ou.grizzly
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Re: Still a good idea to buy a new Vibe? (Vibe17)

Post by ou.grizzly »

Quote, originally posted by Vibe17 »This is something I worried about as well. Maybe in ten years or so it may be hard to find some parts.But there really is not anything that can be compared to the vibe. The matrix does not look as good to me. Other hatchbacks are either too expensive or just don't have what I'm looking for in a small car.The others are right though, get one soon! In metro detroit only one dealer had the color and options I was looking for. There are not too many left and I don't think they will last.The vibe is just about perfect - for me. Vibe17,Post some pictures of your Vibe. Always good to see MI Vibers!
2009 Jet Black 2.4L Auto / Fogs / 17" Alum / Clear Bra / Camry Leather Shift Knob / GT Rear Spoiler
2013 Polished Metallic Honda CR-V EX-L Navi
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