Best Used Vehicles under $20,000 - Consumer Reports

[ab2cmiller]

The best used vehicles for under $20,000 per Consumer Reports April 2011 issue has all model years of the Vibe listed as recommendations. Not very many models make the cut for the consumer reports recommendation but the Vibe comes through with flying colors http://www.consumerreports.org...x.htm$4,000 to $6,000 - 03' & 04' Vibe$6,000 to $8,000 - 05' Vibe$8,000 to $10,000 - 06' & 07' Vibe$10,000 to $12,000 - 08' Vibe$12,000 to $14,000 - 09' Vibe$14,000 to $16,000 - 10' Vibe

[CAMOGIRL]

MM HMMM! When I was looking at cars, I was noticing that I could buy a newer car for about the same amout I was looking at spending on the Vibe... I took that, and the fact that at least around here, they are scarce, to mean that people loved their Vibes and werent getting rid of them, and their value holds very well!

[10vibe]

Observations of the 2011 Annual Auto Consumer Reports issue:I noticed variations in specific problem areas and used car verdicts between the Vibe, Matrix, and Corolla. Also noticed in the summary reviews that the engine and road noise in the Corolla is relatively quite, while those levels are high in the Matrix. The ride in the Corolla seems to be more settled and comfortable too.Other quick observations of the annual auto issue is that I expected the new Elantra to do better than 29mpg average overall. The Cruze in both the base ls 1.8l auto and 1lt 1.4l turbo auto getting only 26mpg average overall is really disappointing. Both engines are just evolutionary designs of engines that have their roots in the early 90's from the Opel division and heavily updated in the early to mid 2000's with variable valve technology, etc., if memory serves correctly. Both have an iron block, the 1.8l has a timing belt. They have not tested the Cruze Eco version yet, but with that you might be stuck with the eco version economy geared 6 speed manual for good gas mileage. The auto transmission seems to be a gas hog. They also rob the gas tank by 3 or so gallons to around 12.6 if memory serves. The article on the Volt is not too inspiring, especially with a dealer markup of 5 grand. Paying $48,700 is ridiculous. The winter deep freeze seems to affect the all electric range to between 23-28 miles. Some of this is due to the electric heater using energy. They are saying the electric range is good to about 33 miles. The 220 volt charge takes about 5 hours (twice that time with 110volts) and the batteries are consuming about 13kw-hours per charge. Not as rosy as some earlier tests in other magazines. They say the further you go beyond the electric range, the closer your overall energy use drops toward 30mpg.

[10vibe]

Looking closer at the Consumer Reports' recommended list, the only Pontiac recommended is the Vibe. I figured there would be at least one year with the GTO, G8, or Solstice being recommended. Those did make it to the used cars to avoid list. Included in the "to avoid" list is the 09 4 cylinder G6 that I almost got instead of the Vibe. I was really digging the 6 speed auto and that dark metallic charcoal gray paint it had. The G8 will make it back as a Chevy, unless gas prices go crazy, which it probably will. **Edit**The G6 that I liked was Carbon Black Metallic, not dark charcoal gray metallic.

[RWatters]

My father owns a G8 and it hasn't exactly been the most reliable car in the world. The exhaust smells constantly like it has a bad cat, the suspension clunks, and it's had a few check engine lights that magically disappear without resolution when he takes it into the dealership. He test drove two before this one and both of those ones had problems too. One would cut out when you hit the gas, the other the brake lights wouldn't turn on. That's pretty sad for a new car. Even worse is the wait for parts can be in the weeks sometimes to get your car fixed. My guess is that's why they aren't on there.He loves that car to death though that's for sure.

[shaeet]

Quote, originally posted by 10vibe1.8auto »The article on the Volt is not too inspiring. Not as rosy as some earlier tests in other magazines. They say the further you go beyond the electric range, the closer your overall energy use drops toward 30mpg. Yep, pretty much any doucher who buys a Volt is raping and pillaging the environment worse than almost any other vehicle choice. The cost in energy to manufacture and dispose of the batteries in cars like the Volt, Prius, etc is about 8 times greater than that of a corollas carbon footprint on the earth.And to think our idiotic government has a $7000 tax credit when you buy a Volt when it isn't even green.

[10vibe]

RWatters,I do like the G8. Some cars, because of performance and cache do merit a different standard for judgment besides absolute reliability or mpg, etc. Love and attraction is a fickle and undefinable thing sometimes. Cars are like women, they may not be particularly good in some areas, but if they can add a little spark and rev the engine while tossing around in the curves, they may be worth the trouble. Cars and women like the bling too. they both look good with diamonds, pearls, gold and silver, whether in coats of paint, flakes, plating or other. A little paint, polish and shining can really spruce up both. They both can wear bras. They both can bankrupt ya, and when it comes right down to it, I don't want anybody else driving them. Like Shania Twain says, "in my car, I'm the driver." That sulphuric rotten egg smell sometimes goes for both of em too!Shaeet,Talking of carbon footprints and such, I agree at this point. The $7500 credit has to go, along with all the ethanol subsidies. Hopefully things will get better in future. For the consumer, buying these things used is the key to our dollar cost averaging. http://www.taintedgreen.com/gr...mm-17h ... nteresting discussion that talks a little about neodymium, lithium, and carbon footprints:http://www.greenhybrid.com/dis...20736/ ... /5850/dust to dust and carbon footprint:https://secure.wikimedia.org/w...earch..."CNWMR has since added data for 2007-2008 model year cars in the June 2008 release of their "From Dust to Dust" study and the Prius cost per lifetime mile fell 23.5% to $2.191 per lifetime mile while the H3 cost rose 12.5% to $2.327 per lifetime mile.[2] The Prius and smaller hybrids in general now cost less per mile than any large SUV, according to their own data."...Can look up the energy costs per mile, etc:http://www.cnwmr.com/nss-folder/automotiveenergy/I still might buy a 3-5 year old Prius if can find one with low enough miles, but future repairs does scare me.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by ab2cmiller »The best used vehicles for under $20,000 per Consumer Reports April 2011 issue has all model years of the Vibe listed as recommendations. Not very many models make the cut for the consumer reports recommendation but the Vibe comes through with flying colors http://www.consumerreports.org...x.htm$4,000 to $6,000 - 03' & 04' Vibe$6,000 to $8,000 - 05' Vibe$8,000 to $10,000 - 06' & 07' Vibe$10,000 to $12,000 - 08' Vibe$12,000 to $14,000 - 09' Vibe$14,000 to $16,000 - 10' VibeI think these estimated used prices are low on the low end and high on the high end.

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by RWatters »My father owns a G8 and it hasn't exactly been the most reliable car in the world. Ha Ha ... My wife owns a G8 Gt and we knew when we got it that it would require more maintenance than your "average" car The suspension already needed work and the engine too. We bought it for performance & appearance, NOT reliability It will only get driven on days above freezing (will never see salt or snow). She loves it

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by tpollauf » Ha Ha ... My wife owns a G8 Gt and we knew when we got it that it would require more maintenance than your "average" car The suspension already needed work and the engine too. We bought it for performance & appearance, NOT reliability It will only get driven on days above freezing (will never see salt or snow). She loves it A "trophy wife" kind of car .

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »A "trophy wife" kind of car .I be bad!!!!!!

[10vibe]

Jake75 and Tpollauf,You guys are bad! And lucky. I am not sure which is better,... a trophy wife, or car....but either one would.......wait for it.......... complete me. I love those G8's. To have both would be Valhalla, or maybe Fólkvangr. In any case it sure would be Nirvana.

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by 10vibe1.8auto »Jake75 and Tpollauf,You guys are bad! And lucky. I am not sure which is better,... a trophy wife, or car....but either one would.......wait for it.......... complete me. I love those G8's. To have both would be Valhalla, or maybe Fólkvangr. In any case it sure would be Nirvana.Thanks for the praise of my "better half" .... the car too I plan on keeping both of them for a long time The wife I've kept for 23+ years and the car only TWO so far. When she get's tired of the G8, it becomes MINE