Which Vibe would you choose?

[RedorGray]

Hello all. Not currently a Vibe owner, but might be soon!Choice A is a 2006 Vibe base with 60,000 miles, so it's out of warranty. It's being sold privately in Florida on Craigslist. Two owners -- first was a commercial lease/fleet who put almost 50k miles on it the first two+ years. Second owner was a college girl who has driven it about 10k miles the last year+.One thing that's bugging me is that it was offered for sale as a fleet vehicle in October 2008 but wasn't bought by the girl until June 2009; only a few hundred miles were put on it during that time.There are supposed to be maintenance records for the time she owned it; I doubt there are any from the fleet days. Has anti lock brakes, which is nice since I'll be driving it up north.Clean CarFax and Autocheck.Oh yeah, it's red.Choice B is a 2007 Vibe with 26,000 miles, so it's still under warranty for two months bumper to bumper and two years powertrain. It's being sold by a dealer in Florida. Two owners -- both for personal use. (But Autocheck says one owner.)What bugs me here is that it's been sold twice already, and the dealer has been very willing to knock down the price to an almost suspicious level.Some maintenance records in CarFax -- oil changed a few times, other routine maintenance, then a pre-delivery inspection and recommended maintenance at the dealer.The 2007 has the PCM issue, of course.Clean CarFax and Autocheck.It's gray.I can get Red for 8k plus tax. Gray for 10k plus tax. An extended warranty for Red would be well over $2,000.So... A or B? Red or gray?Thanks! Looking forward to the replies.--RedorGray (Mark)

[kostby]

For me, $2000 for a one-year-newer car, with or without factory warranty, is NOT a great deal.How much of the 'factory' bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage can you use in 2 months?The probably reason the 'fleet' car sat there for a year is that a 1-year old car with 50,000 miles seems pretty 'used', 50K all in one year, but in 2-years, 25K a year average, in 3-years , 17K a year average. Dealers make 'deals' when they want to move a car that's been sitting there a long time, they're tired of the color, their ex had one just that color, it makes the cars on either side of it look 'cheap', and especially if they 'stole' it from the person who traded it in. Give the previous owner $5,000 trade-in-value for it on the purchase of another car with a high profit margin, and they can afford to 'deal'. Most new-car dealers make their profits on repairs, warranty contracts, and used cars.Dealers also make 'deals' on non-dealership makes (e.g. Ford dealer selling a GM used car) discontinued makes, repaired cars with damage that didn't make CarFax, and cars with a recent bad reputation in national news media (Toyota).I'd go for the higher-mileage, older car, and bank the $2,000 for possible repairs and/or mods!But that's me.What about tires? Many original owners replaced the OEM tires between 20K & 30K miles, so the 2007 could be due for new tires soon. The 2006 is likely on it's first set of replacement tires. If they were no better quality than the OEM tires, it could be on it's second set.Enjoy 'the hunt'!

[ou.grizzly]

What brand dealer is selling the 2007 Vibe? If it is a GM dealer and it is GM Certified, that means there is an additional 12 month / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty on the vehicle. Check and see if it isKostby makes some valid points.

[jammies]

Bradford? Sheesh, I would think you would be looking for an AWD model...One thing to watch out for is the Car from Florida may not have the same heating/cooling package IF it was originally delivered to a southern dealer. I do not know the specific differences, but I know there is one within the Vibes/Matrix. Common sense would dictate a better heater in the northern version, and a stronger AC in the southern version. I do not know for sure, but I have seen the option codes.But then again, potentially less underbody issues from years of PennDot's winterly salt attacks.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by jammies »Bradford? Sheesh, I would think you would be looking for an AWD model...One thing to watch out for is the Car from Florida may not have the same heating/cooling package IF it was originally delivered to a southern dealer. I do not know the specific differences, but I know there is one within the Vibes/Matrix. Common sense would dictate a better heater in the northern version, and a stronger AC in the southern version. I do not know for sure, but I have seen the option codes.But then again, potentially less underbody issues from years of PennDot's winterly salt attacks.Never heard of that one. My guess is parts is parts and they all have the same parts.

[RedorGray]

kostby, thanks.ou.grizzly, thanks, but it's not certified.jammies, thanks. And hey the weather's not as bad up north as advertised.jake75, too.Anyway, the deal on the 2006 fell through.Today along comes a 2003 with over 80k miles. Can get it for a little less than $7,000.Any reason not to take a leap at the even cheaper alternative?

[keithvibe]

i'm sure you know about http://www.kkb.com right?I would suggest you check there. Check the trade in and retail. See what the dealer is paying for the car and see what they should be selling it for...

[Zer0VIBE03]

my 03 with 90+K is running top solid AND has an aggressiver-front (IMO) Body has a few dings or chips in the paint, but I wouldn't love any other Vibe more

[jammies]

Quote, originally posted by RedorGray »kostby, thanks.ou.grizzly, thanks, but it's not certified.jammies, thanks. And hey the weather's not as bad up north as advertised.jake75, too.Anyway, the deal on the 2006 fell through.Today along comes a 2003 with over 80k miles. Can get it for a little less than $7,000.Any reason not to take a leap at the even cheaper alternative?Have you checked autotrader.com. I did a quick search for vibes under $10,000 within 100 miles of zip 16701 and found 26 cars...like this onehttp://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...falseummm, I think is it chilly in Bradford. I've been through there many times on my way skiing in Salamanca, NY...

[jake75]

18 months ago I sold my 2003 Neptune Blue Base 1.8L AT , Power package and monotone with 33,000 miles for $9,500. Had replaced tires at 20,000 miles, and had a cargo mat and a new battery. Only flaws were a couple of minor door dings from thoughtless parkers. I thought I was getting pretty close to top dollar. IMO $7,000 is a bit high 18 months later with 80,000 miles.

[RedorGray]

I like to look at Edmunds' True Market Value, and the price is pretty spot on. Also, this dealer has no dealer fees, so that helps a lot.

[RedorGray]

Quote, originally posted by jammies »ummm, I think is it chilly in Bradford. I've been through there many times on my way skiing in Salamanca, NY...Thanks for the tip.Was it balmy in Salamanca? It's a long story, but Bradford has gotten an unfair reputation when it comes to the temperature. When you see Bradford's temperature on the news, it comes from the airport about 15 miles away on top of a mountain.

[jake75]

I took a quick look at Craigslist - in Buffalo there is a 2006 47,500 miles $9880 by owner.

[jake75]

One other thought from an old guy - in addition to the virtually identical Matrix, there are a lot of other alternatives to the Vibe. I bought both of my Vibes (2003, 2009) at what I think were spectacular deals combining dealer discounts, rebates, and GM Card earnings rebates. (My '09 msrp 19,480 was 11,917 plus tax etc.) Both times I really did not "need" a new car, it was just that the economics made sense. Also, I am a proponent of buying new instead of used - unless you can get a smoking deal from a private owner or have a dealer buy you one at auction for a modest fee. Dealers are lucky to make $500 on new cars but they often make $2,500 on used cars. When I replaced my 2004 T&C the dealer offered me $7,000 in trade. CarMax offered $8,000 to buy it outright, saying they could get all they wanted at auction for $7,000. Yet, they were asking $13,500 for similar ones on their lots. I sold it myself for $11,500. And if you drive a used car around the block and ask the dealer what they will buy it back for you will be amazed. Even routine maintenance on a used car can add up - tires, brakes, fluid changes, filters battery etc. etc. You can drive a new car for 3 years without nothing more than oil changes and tire rotations. For those who finance, the rate on new cars is much less than on new cars.

[Blueridge9]

Quote, originally posted by jammies »Have you checked autotrader.com. I did a quick search for vibes under $10,000 within 100 miles of zip 16701 and found 26 cars...like this onehttp://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...false..I also like the one above that "Jammies" found for you on AutoTrader. It's a good price, moderate mileage. I'm not sure how many miles a year you drive or how long you keep your cars. Anyway you seemed to like the Lava Red Color more but you can always add some pinstriping or decals to add some color.

[RedorGray]

Thanks Jake and Blueridge.Jake, you need to negotiate for me! Or go broker peace in the Middle East.I just noticed on the CarFax for the 2007 Vibe that not longer before the second owner got rid of it (a little more than a year after buying it), the fuel injection system was flushed/serviced.Was the system flushed because the car wasn't running right?

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by RedorGray »Thanks Jake and Blueridge.Jake, you need to negotiate for me! Or go broker peace in the Middle East.Actually, neither deal required any negotiation. 2003 was at a $49 over invoice dealer and all the extras came from $2,000 GM rebate and GM Card points (upped to $2,003 in a limited time GM offer).2009 was just the result of always reading the car ads on Saturday morning - for whatever reason a Dealer was advertising four 1.8L AT Vibes at $2,000 under invoice. I suspect GM gave the dealer a $2,000 incentive to take those four off their hands. The rest was GM rebates and GM Card points (upped to $3,000 in a limited time GM offer). When I read that ad I called to make sure it wasn't a mistake, and then was at the dealer within an hour. Not having a trade-in or needing financing also simplifies the process.I still use my GM MasterCard some - there might be a January in the future when GM is hurting and offers to up my $1,300 in points to $3,000 creating a new car purchase opportunity.

[jake75]

For what it's worth, to buy or for comparision, Miracle Motor Mart in Columbus, OH is advertising a 2009 1.8L Vibe AT with 25,000 miles for $12, 995. 888-796-8559.crownjeepdublin.com today advertised a 2009 Vibe AT for $11,983. website says it has 43,000 miles. 866-526-8004

[RedorGray]

Well, the 2006 is back in play. We had it checked out today and the only thing that came up is a leaky valve cover gasket. The oil has been leaking enough to force the owner to add oil between changes. Is this a big enough concern to walk away from the car?I want to thank everyone again for contributing to this thread. I'm not really married to the idea of buying a Vibe, but it really fits the bit on several fronts. I hope it works out. It would be pretty cool to become a part of a "car community."