Looking at 06 Vibe today - questions

[abigbadzebra]

I'm going to go take a look at a 2006 Vibe (base) today. 27,000 miles. Been looking for versatile car for a while that still gets good MPG. A friend owns a Vibe and recommended it to me. The Vibe I am going to look at is an automatic. While reading consumer reviews on Edmunds I read a few things about transmission problems. I'm curious if anyone can give me a review of where the Vibes weak spots are as far as reliability goes. I know it's Toyota but if there are lots of drive train issues I don't want to invest in the car.Thanks,Kirk

[lovemyraffe]

The biggest weak point that I know of is in the tranny. The pressure solenoid can become a problem. It is much more prevalent in the Corolla for some bizarre reason. Many members here have driven 150,000 + with no issues at all. I'm at 86,000 and the only problem that I have experienced is the MAF (and problems I caused).

[bull77]

the only issues have been cosmetic on my 06 w/ 80000.

[sgp2012]

i recently had to replace the powertrain control module (PCM) on my '06.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by sgp2012 »i recently had to replace the powertrain control module (PCM) on my '06. What does it cost to replace a PCM? Pressure solenoid? MAF?All cars can have a problem or two or three as they age. I guess that's why used cars cost less than new cars. An '06 with only 27,000 miles ought to be a good choice for over all reliability. An '06 might have some of the drive train 5 yr warranty left. You can always buy an extended warranty - genuine GM or Warranty Direct. Used Vibes ought to be a good deal as orphan car brands seem to unduly suffer on resale values. Also I think low mileage cars do not get the price premium they deserve compared to higher mileage cars. Just my 10 cents worth.For comparison - today's Cols paper - new 2010 Matrix with AT and power pkg advertised at $16,995 incl. 2 years free maintenance. I think a 4 year old similar Vibe with 27,000 miles ought to come in at no more than $11,995. I personally would pay the extra $5,000 for a new Matrix but everyone has their own bias and opinion on new vs. used.

[808 Vibes]

2- 2006 base auto's here, @ 42k+ miles and 30K+ miles, no problems whatsoever.

[djkeev]

The PCM COULD be covered by an extended warranty, I've heard there is a TSB out on it, ask at the dealer.I have an 07 with an automatic. Mine has been trouble free but the trans oil change is recommended at 100,000 miles. IGNORE IT!! The trans oil lives a hard life and mine was black and smelly at about 40,000 miles, I'd suggest you change it at 40,000 or so. I'd do one as soon as I purchased it and then change it twice more by just pulling the drain plug and you will have statistically replaced virtually all the oil in the unit. You can Flush......DON'T !!! No good comes of such a procedure. You can do a fluid exchange, this is ok but spendy.$$$Out side of that, they are prone to rock chips on the paint. I've done front brake pads once and am due for rotors.I've gotten as poor as 23 MPG, and I've gotten about 37 MPG, just depends upon my driving techniques. Over all I can count on 28 and most often get 30 -32 highway.Easy to work on, they are Toyota Matrix's which in turn are Toyota Corolla's. Parts are available almost everywhere.Choose wisely,Dave

[vibolista]

That's low miles on an '06... so do the trans oil change as an insurance policy, as stated above. Vibes are really a very good car, with few problems. Paint is ok, but it chips easily, just like most cars do anyway. A good nose bra, hood protector or lots of touch up paint take care of that. Staying back, far enough away from anyone spitting rocks is always good, too. I'm not a fan of automatics, but that's not a deal breaker for me in this type of car. djkeev can get very good mileage from his, so if you drive conservatively, you'll do ok. Just as an example, I usually average 36 to 40 with my manual, but I've never been below 34 mpg.Show us a picture if you get this Vibe. Good luck.

[abigbadzebra]

Well, I bought it last night. Don't usually buy from dealerships but the salesperson wasn't a bull****ter and I didn't mind paying more for something in this condition. This was a certified pre-owned so I get another year bumper to bumper warranty. Didn't buy (never buy) the extended warranty. Here she is: Wish they wouldn't have but a front license plate bracket on it. Hoping I can find some body-colored plugs to put in the holes.This car replaces the red CRX in the background, but I recently sold my 05 Mini Cooper S so it really replaces both of them. Needed something more practical, something with a little utility, but something that still got decent gas mileage. This fits the bill very well. Very comfy compared to both the CRX and Mini.I won't be doing much to the car. Maybe tint the windows, get some rain guards, plug those holes on the front bumper. Then maybe some stereo upgrades (though the stock stereo isn't bad and I haven't played with it too much, but I'd like the ability to play MP3 CD's or even move up to data sticks).My wife has a Scion TC, so I guess we are a Toyota family now, masked in other brands I'll be around for the info and when/if things go wrong.Thanks,Kirk

[lovemyraffe]

Congrats on the new addition!

[star_deceiver]

Nice wheels!!! And welcome to GenVibe!!!

[vibolista]

Nice Vibe. Looks new. Great pictures! You'll really like the car.Watch out for one thing though. Those are the OE RS-As. Goodyear named them right... Reall Suck-Ash tires (Sorry, hope no children see this thread!), especially in the rain. So don't go exploring the limits in the wet if you're in a crowd! They will do fine if you don't press them too much. But, you're not getting rid of that CRX, are you?????

[abigbadzebra]

CRX is going to be sold. I was first looking ag picking up a late 90's Cherokee, then the CRX would have been kept for a DD to save on gas. Now that I got the utility and MPG in one package, no need for it. They are fun cars but it's an 87 (first gen) and parts are getting harder to find. I've had 4 of them. I guess I'm getting old.. I don't really feel safe in it anymore and that bothers me now

[jake75]

If I may inquire - how far off was I on the price? I suppose certified preowned with the year bumper to bumper warranty is worth something.

[abigbadzebra]

Don't mind.Car was listed at 11,998. Wasn't a whole lot of wiggle room on their side. The max I wanted to pay was the list, and eventually we came to that deal. No tax, no tag, no $399 document fee. Well, the price of the car itself was dropped to account for all those things.. I think around $11,3xx.I could have spent more time haggling but 1)I'm not good at that stuff and 2) I was exhausted. I knew the car was good to go and I've been searching for something for about 3 months. I was just sick and tired of looking for a car and I planned to walk away with this one as soon as I got done with the test drive.I said I wasn't going to spend money on upgrades.. just bought a new Pioneer FH-P8000BT.. doh!!! But come on.. a 2006 that won't play MP3 cd's.. I'm not going back to regular old cd's!

[djkeev]

Congrats! You will enjoy the car. Now, if you don't know what service has been done by the dealer, go change all the oils so you have a base line on service.Why the front plate mount? Probably came from another State. Was most likely traded in to a lot that didn't want it so they sold it to a wholesaler who in turn sold it to the car lot you got it from. I doubt that a car lot in a non front plate State would go through the expense and hassle of putting a front plate mount on a car to be sold in the State.dave

[808 Vibes]

Congrats!! you will love the car the more and more each day and as you make use of that practical cargo area (hauling doggies, appliances, grills, furniture, etc!) And +1 on the Goodyear RSA's...I'd like to replace mine but the governator is holding on to our state tax refunds until July! (BOOOoooo!!)

[jake75]

From time to time there are people on here looking for that front plate bracket - it is expensive to buy. So - don't toss it in the trash!

[abigbadzebra]

The car spent the first 3000 miles of its life in New York, then promptly made its way down here to NC. So New York must have front plate laws.Thanks Jake, I won't throw it away.. just hoping I can find something to cover the holes before I take it off. I really hate how front plates ruin the appearance of a car.I'll keep the tires in mind. It's a shame, the tires are at least 90% all around. Oil will be changed this coming weekend. Pretty sure it's new but I shouldn't assume things. That reminds me.. I wonder if the Vibe will clear the ramps I have.. was aobut to get rid of them since neither the CRX or Scion can make it up without scraping the bumper.I'm moving to Indianapolis in 2 months. Part of the reason I wanted cargo area was because there is a lot of stuff that I do not want the movers moving. Now I shouldn't have any problem at all.. yay!!Thanks guys/gals,Kirk

[djkeev]

I have family in Greenfield, just East of Indy.I've visited there for almost 20 years. We go about once a year at least at various time periods, It is either blazingly HOT, Amazingly COLD or a Tornado is coming!! I think the weather was actually nice twice.Enjoy!You'll be happy with your car and yes, New York does indeed have a front plate.Indiana has what appears to be a plastic plate that flops in the wind! (rear only)Dave

[abigbadzebra]

That's funny. We are actually looking at some places in Greenfield. Also, Greenwood. I was born in Richmond but no way I am going back there to live.. there is nothing there! Indiana is basically home for me and both the wife and myself have family there. We will be renting for 6 months but when/if we buy a house, it will have a basement

[djkeev]

Small world!They live on the family farm just outside of town, SW, out near the Radar Tower (highest point in the county......it's a small bump in a field). In the summer the summer sun sets up a breeze coming off of the fields (soybeans seem worse than corn) that just roars into their house. It feels quite similar to opening an oven door and immediately sticking your face into the heat wave that comes out!!!Dave

[sgp2012]

Just letting you know, since I live in Indianapolis, Greenwood and Greenfield are very nice choices to live. However, Greenwood has terrible traffic at some points but there is a lot of shopping and restaurants close by.Greenfield is really nice. I actually live about 5 minutes from Greenfield. It's a quiet, very quaint small town.

[djkeev]

That area has changed a LOT in the past 2 decades. Many new housing development, new shopping meca's, etc.I do enjoy traveling the back roads, straight as an arrow and flat as a table top when suddenly the road take a jog to the left or right about 20 feet! No reason at all to turn the steering wheel and the Left/Right!!Something about the county laying out a grid of highways and errors during layout and making up the "mistake" around a farmers field.Down right dangerous, its proven so, more than one serious accident at these "corrections". My family lives near one of these corrections.On the plus side, the highways are laid out in a grid with roads numbered and geographical designations radiating out from the County Courthouse. Very hard to get lost and easy to find your way back if need be.Dave

[DeClerq]

As far as covering the holes - I've used nylon hole plugs (don't know if that's the official description). I found them at Lowe's (probably be a Home Depot out east) in the misc. hardware aisle (the one with all the drawers with random nuts, bolts, screws, etc...). Just find the size you need and use some touch-up paint if you have some. I've seen them in white and black.Look something like this: