Quick Advice needed- re:2005 AWD or FWD

[Unique Witty Name]

Hi there,Just found this site after a few weeks of researching used cars. Wish I had found it sooner as I have already decided on getting a vibe and have a couple to choose from this weekend (need a car by monday).I tried a search for AWD but because it is 3 letters, there were no results. WIth typing out the words in full, I got 4 results that were irrelevant to my needs. I dont have time to sift through all the posts at present, so hoping some of you are on here regularly enough to provide at least a little feedback for me before I jump in to the world of vibe ownership.I am looking at 2- 2005 vibes this weekend. One is AWD and one is FWD. BOth basically the same price (about 6500 Canadian). The AWD has 150000 km on it that are all highway (one owner commuter), and the FWD has 140000 of mostly highway as well (but 2 owners).I live in Canada with a harsh snowy winter, so I like the idea of the AWD, though I wonder about the reliabiluity and cost of fixing an AWD should something happen. The ownere says he is getting really good fuel mileage of almost 40 if he drives the speed limit.FWD owner has been getting about 40 as well, so if they are both telling the truth, then mileage is not a determinig factor.Basically, if both cars are equal in everything but the colour and drive train, I would like to hear what some owners opinions are to help me decide which way to go.Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions .uwn

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe! You've come to the right place for the Vibe. I would have a mechanic look at them both, if possible. Does Canada CarFax to look up VIN's for accidents or other things? I don't know if you are talking about LPK or MPG but the FWD can get 40+mpg the AWD maxes out around 36-38mpg. On a 1300 mile round trip to Indy and back I averaged 32mpg with A/C on and averaging 75mph. Which ever one you choose I would get all the fluids changed if the previous owner didn't keep records. For the AWD you'd probably want to change the rear differential fluid. I'm partial to the AWD since mine is an '05 AWD as well. I love it!! Just picked up some snow tires today so I'm all ready for some winter fun! Either one you choose you'll need to get snow tires to get around decently if your winters are as bad as you say. Let us know what you choose and be sure to post pics when you get it.

[AKLGT]

welcome! and fantastic user name. I recommend AWD due to the area you live, but it is a bit gutless. as long as you're find with it, great car!

[Gandalf]

AWD would be better in the winter. But, if you live in a metro area where the streets are well plowed, you may find you never need it.I'm in Minnesota, I have an '05 FWD, and I've only wished I had AWD about twice.I have the auto transmission. You won't come CLOSE to 40 MPG with EITHER car if it's an auto transmission. EPA highway for the FWD and AT is only 26mpg city (four quart, USA gallon) 31MPG highway, for the '05. That's in the summer, on clear roads, driving at 55 MPH.And yes: you will NEED a good set of winter tires, if you drive in snow.Get narrower ones than what came on the car, P205 55R16, and it will do better than the stock width tires.I made the mistake of getting the same size tires as the stock ones, and even though they are snow tires, they are CRAP on packed snow. Narrower tires have more lbs./sq. in., and get a better bite on a slippery surface, than the wide tires that come on a Vibe.

[star_deceiver]

Bargain them both down...especially the fwd.Quote, originally posted by Unique Witty Name » I wonder about the reliabiluity and cost of fixing an AWD should something happen. The more options, addons, features the car has, the more it will cost to repair. That being said, get yourself a good set of winter tires and either one of them will do just fine!!!

[ou.grizzly]

Rear Diff if it goes out (kinda of a hit and miss issue) will cost around $2500 to replace.

[Unique Witty Name]

Hi all,Thanks for the replies....ended up buying the awd and so far i am diggin it.....looks to be in pretty good shape and the only problem so far is that it is red...haha

[star_deceiver]

Red's a problem??? Well... I guess it can be tiring having people go "Wow, I love your car, that colour is amazing!!!"

[jake75]

Both times I bought a Vibe I was hoping to get a red one - but none in stock. Dealer that had one was not offering anywhere near the deals I got. So in 2003 I settled for Neptune Blue (wife's choice anyway) and in 2009 Carbon Gray (passed up white and black).P.S. I did have a red 1977 Buick Estate Wagon. One day we were in a funeral procession and I heard a small boy ask his mother, "is that the fire chief?".

[Unique Witty Name]

grey/charcoal would be my ideal choice, but the ones that were available were nowhere near as gooda shape as the red one...at least its not a bright sports car red but a bit more maroony or whatever it is.....its startin to grow on me already tho....

[ramenboy...]

hey your name is witty... and kinda unique.welcome to the family.and why don't you post pics of your vibe and we'll decide how much you should love the red!

[ponta2147]

LOVE THE RED!!!!!!...ok, my two cents are in.

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »LOVE THE RED!!!!!!...ok, my two cents are in. Two different colour reds were offered that year I do believe, one darker, and another like your 2009. The darker coloured red was so beautiful!

[ramenboy...]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »LOVE THE RED!!!!!!hahahaha michelle... new tee shirt tagline project for ya!

[Zimm]

deep red cars are awesome!my '98 Sonoma came in a color called "dark cherry metallic" or something to that effect and with the aid of a nice clearcoat, it looked dam good even at 11 years old. at that age, from a distance and after a wash and wax i would put it up against any factory color. up close, it was riddled with little stone chips from our fine michigan roads...i always preferred this to the ferrari-reds and bright cherry colors.speaking of which, i saw a 60's vintage ferrari convertible on woodward today in a deep maroon-ish color and it was sweet!

[kostby]

Welcome to GenVibe!The darker red was called 'Salsa', the brighter red was 'Lava'And the red colour/color will help you find it amongst the snow drifts! LOL

[03VibeOttawa]

Quote, originally posted by Unique Witty Name »grey/charcoal would be my ideal choice, but the ones that were available were nowhere near as gooda shape as the red one...Me too, but fortunately for me dark red has always been my g/f of 3 yrs' favorite color, so my Salsa has worked out for me despite not being my ideal color choice.