New Member, new to these cars.

bpcrally · Post by **bpcrally** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:23 pm

Hi from Ontario! My girlfriend and I are looking at getting a Vibe. It would be her car as her current car is a 2000 Sunfire and needs to be replace. We found one we may go take a look at. Its a 2007 Grey vibe with power windows etc, steel wheels and no sunroof. I was reading reviews and I saw that a lot of the safety equipment is optional - so we'll have to see what exactly it has. right now her Sunfire has trac control and ABS, so i'd like her to at least have those. Is there anything else we should be looking for on these cars? any typical issues I should be concerned about? I know my way around cars a bit but mostly Subaru

vibenvy · Post by **vibenvy** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:30 pm

Welcome to GenVibe! You're definitely in the right place to learn any and everything about Vibes .I have a 2009 GT so I can't really comment on what to look for with a 2007, but I did come from driving Sunfires and I can say the Vibe is a very nice step up. Don't get me wrong, I love Sunfires, but the Vibe has more room, more cargo space, etc. compared to Sunfires and is still fun to drive, sporty and very good on gas. They also have a Toyota engine which means reliability. Many owners here have 100,000, 200,000, even 300,000+ miles on their Vibes with little to no major repairs.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:15 am

Welcome to GenVibe!I have almost 120,000 miles on mine and have had a few minor issues with it. They are a great little car.

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:28 am

I'd guess you'll have a hard time finding 2007 Vibes with ABS and Traction Control. ABS is probably more common than Traction Control. Starting in 2009 those became standard as well as 6 airbags.

09vGT · Post by **09vGT** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:42 am

If safety is your concern you're best to go with an '09 or '10. Like mentioned above they have 6 airbags, ABS, Traction control, VSC, and brake assist.

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:02 am

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT Â»If safety is your concern you're best to go with an '09 or '10. Like mentioned above they have 6 airbags, ABS, Traction control, VSC, and brake assist. Plus you might be able to find the slightly bigger engine introduced in '09 to retain some of that "sporty" feel!

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:07 am

The '09 has a slightly bigger engine?

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:53 am

Welcome to Genvibe!!! (traction control is overrated...)

KITT222 · Post by **KITT222** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:13 pm

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»(traction control is overrated...)I agree with this statementWelcome! My Vibe has no ABS or traction control, and I TRY to spin it in the winter. It never does. This is a very capable car in the snow, and can drive out of sow piles which other cars get stuck in as if they were just dense air. But the AWD came standard with ABS, and those things are BRILLIANT in the winter. I'd say they rival most 4wd SUVs out there.

808 Vibes · Post by **808 Vibes** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:16 pm

welcome

tpollauf · Post by **tpollauf** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:21 pm

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 Â» Plus you might be able to find the slightly bigger engine introduced in '09 to retain some of that "sporty" feel!x2 If money is no issue definitely go with an 09/10

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:46 pm

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»The '09 has a slightly bigger engine?Some of them do- the base model retained the 1.8L (and the old wheel sizes as well), but there was an available 2.4L as well (which came standard on the GT, and an option on the base). I have the 2.4L engine on my Vibe base (which is as far from a base as I could get w/o getting a GT, due to all the upgrades)

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:56 pm

It's a completly different 1.8 though... and you can get some pretty kickass wheels out there!!!Quote, originally posted by bpcrally Â»Is there anything else we should be looking for on these cars? any typical issues I should be concerned about? I know my way around cars a bit but mostly Subaru Maintenace records, the ECU/PCM recall, Crawl underneath and have a look for rust. How much did they want for it?

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:09 pm

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»It's a completely different 1.8 though... Completely different? Are you sure?I guess I never thought that the 1.8L in my '09 was significantly different than the 1.8L in my '03.The 2.4L was not anything I wanted due to mpg. Plus the dealer had four 1.8L's that GM gave him a $2m incentive to move so the 2.4L would have been a whole lot more $$$.

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:14 pm

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»Completely different? Are you sure?I guess I never thought that the 1.8L in my '09 was significantly different than the 1.8L in my '03.The 2.4L was not anything I wanted due to mpg. Plus the dealer had four 1.8L's that GM gave him a $2m incentive to move so the 2.4L would have been a whole lot more $$$.I think it *was* redesigned slightly... I recall that they got a couple more horsepower out of it. Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»and you can get some pretty kickass wheels out there!!!Well of course- but you have to buy them in the older bolt pattern size! The 2.4L engine for some reason got a different bolt pattern *shrug*

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:14 pm

Same size yes, but new block, head, internals, ect! We'll see how they last over time!

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:26 pm

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»Same size yes, but new block, head, internals, ect! We'll see how they last over time!ect = what?

(Double D) · Post by **(Double D)** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:32 pm

Welcome

TONY TAT2 · Post by **TONY TAT2** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 6:56 pm

Hi !

kostby · Post by **kostby** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 11:47 pm

Welcome to GenVibe!

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:10 am

1zz-fe: Bore/Stroke 79/91.5, VVTI on exhaust.2zr-fe: Bore/Stroke 80.5/88.3, VVTI on the intake and exhaust, cartrige oil filterAll I know is that it get's good gas mileage given the speed I drive! http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/06/0613.htmlI'm sure there's a lot of technical stuff that's different as well

KITT222 · Post by **KITT222** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:15 am

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»1zz-fe: Bore/Stroke 79/91.5, VVTI on exhaust.2zr-fe: Bore/Stroke 80.5/88.3, VVTI on the intake and exhaust, cartrige oil filterAll I know is that it get's good gas mileage given the speed I drive! http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/06/0613.htmlI'm sure there's a lot of technical stuff that's different as well Newer, better, faster, stronger...

bpcrally · Post by **bpcrally** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:23 pm

Holy Replies!Thanks everyone!Unfortunately money is an issue, hence why we are looking at the prev body style Vibes. It doesn't have to be an 07, but that was one I was looking at. I ended up calling the dealer and started getting fishy numbers from him so I think I'll pass. The hunt is back on!This will be my girlfriend's car, so power isn't really a concern. I don't really see her Sunfire has "Sporty" and nor does she care about sporty, she wants practical. Plus, we already have one fast car I'm the only one that cares about sportiness..So yeah we're basically just looking at a practical car. something good on gas, stable on the highway, lots of room, reliable, safe, etc etc. And that narrowed it down to the vibe/matrix. She likes the look of the vibe more than the matrix so the hunt began that way!She has her heart set on a grey one.

cythraul · Post by **cythraul** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 3:53 am

I'm also a new Vibe owner (2007) and before finding it, I let a lot of good deals pass because we absolutely wanted automatic, ABS and power windows.Checking automatic trims 70% of the offers. Power windows; remove another 10-25% and ABS... could not find one! If you absolutely want ABS, check of an AWD, ABS is standard on those. About ABS. My previous ride is an 98 MPV 4WD. These beasts are heavy and ABS kicked-in almost at every stops during a winter storm.Remembering now, I can't recall having the ABS kick in on my previous-previous ride, an 2000 Altima.Reading posts about ABS in this and other forums, I figured that I could do without.

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:57 am

Of the 57,088 units built in the 2009 model year, 50,226 were Automatic Transmission. I suspect that was the norm in other years. So selecting AT should not remove 70% of the used inventory. 50,337 of the build year had the convenience package. Assuming those were proportionately divided, that means 44,349 of the 2009's had both AT and the Conv. pkg.32,058 (56.2%) were 1.8L. So finding a Vibe with AT and Power Pkg ought not be too difficult.As for ABS, Stability Control etc., that is a safety benefit, but on the other hand also something else to go wrong.

bpcrally · Post by **bpcrally** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:26 am

I went and took a look at a Versa tonight as well. it's not a bad little car. For the same price its a year newer and comes with 6 airbags.. but she doesn't like the look of it vs. the vibe. I have to agree with her there..Hopefully we can find one tomorrow to test drive. Then we'll at least know if the vibe is the car for her!

Beer Belly · Post by **Beer Belly** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:12 pm

Welcome, we also upgraded from a 2003 Sunfire to a 2007 Vibe (back in 2007). Couldn't be happier. Way more cargo room, more comfortable seating and very reliable. Much more economical for traveling with a child and / or pets.

bpcrally · Post by **bpcrally** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:17 pm

Going to look at one tonight It's grey and they said it has ABS (althought it doesnt say so in the online description). and the power package (windows,locks etc)I see here in canada ABS and TPM were packaged together as an option, so i'll have to make sure it has both!Excited, wish us luck!

cythraul · Post by **cythraul** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:24 am

Check for code JM4 in the glove box for ABS. I had someone swearing to me that his car had ABS. I drove an hour to confirm it did not.

bpcrally · Post by **bpcrally** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:13 am

that 07 sold before we could even get to the dealer found a great deal on a 2008 black one, going to look at it tonight. Not that big on black, it looks really good but it will mean lots of upkeep!fingers crossed... again.

crash21 · Post by **crash21** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:44 am

I won a 2006 black vibe and bought it new in '06. I really like the color looks very nice, but is hard to keep clean as it shows dirt very well. My car has ABS...I did not want to get one without it and neither did my dad haha. I had the local dealer here search for one and he only came back with two within a certain distance. Finding those in ABS was not easy as many people don't care and want the cheaper price. What's it matter with the cost of ABS when it helps you drive better in winter conditions and plus you get the 17" wheels. Once I got new tires on my car a year and a half ago my car goes so well in the winter, have not had one problem and we get tons and tons of snow here in Iowa!!!Hope that black '07 works out for you!

bpcrally · Post by **bpcrally** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:55 am

Yeah it sort of sucks that they made ABS an option. Same with the side airbags. Not many people will dish out the money for safety features. Thanks! this one is actually an 08 so im hoping its in great shape.

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