New Member, Long Time Vibe Owner

[timsdiecast]

My brother and myself both bought 2003 AWD Vibes in the late fall of 2002, and at this same time my cousin bought a FWD Vibe, so we had 3 Vibes in our family within a few weeks of each other. My Vibe was dark blue, and the thing was a warrior. I put close to 250,000 miles on it before hitting a deer and totalling it in the fall of 2011. I think within that 250,000 miles I put new tires on it 4 times, front brake pads on it 3 times, changed spark plugs twice, had the blower motor changed under warranty, changed the oil & filter every 5,000 miles, changed air filter every 25,000 miles, changed cabin filter twice, change trans fluid & filter once, had a few exhaust leaks fixed, changed the starter once, and right before I hit that deer had a set of struts put on the front end. The only time that car ever let me down is when it had about 200,000 miles on it, and we drove it about 3 hours away to attend a funeral, and came out, and it wouldn't start due to the bad starter. After trying to jump the car with no results I called a buddy of mine that's an ASE Master Mechanic, and he told me to tap on the starter which is located in the front of the engine. Worked like a charm. Got the car started, and got it home, and changed the starter the following day.
After hitting the deer I replaced that 2003 AWD Vibe with a black 2006 AWD Vibe with 95,000 miles on it. I had to put $1,200.00 with the insurance check to get a Vibe 3 years newer with 155,000 less miles on it. I actually found the 2006 AWD Vibe on eBay, and it was on Long Island, New York, and I live in Michigan, so I flew Southwest into the airport on Long Island. The owner of the Vibe picked me up at the airport. I looked at the car, and paid him, and set off to a friend's home in Woodbury, CT. Made a mini vacation out of it.
Before finding the 2006 Vibe on eBay I actually went to a used car lot in Redford, MI and looked at a black 2009 AWD Vibe, but it so obvious the car had been in a bad accident, and the front end looked like it was put back together half (removed). I didn't walk away from that used car lot, I ran away.
A few weeks ago my brother mentioned to me he was getting rid of his 2003 AWD Vibe that he bought new. His daughter, my niece, turned 16 in 2006, and he gave the car to her as a birthday present, and now that she's getting ready to graduate college she bought a newer Ford Focus, and gave the Vibe back to my brother. I jumped at the oppurtunity to buy it even though it has 235,000 miles on it. I sort of bought it as a project car. Something to tinker with. Since buying the car a few weeks ago I've put a new clutch on the A/C compressor, replaced power window regulator on passenger front door, replaced power window motor on passenger rear door, replaced a body side molding that was missing, replaced radio and radio face plate (the thing that has all the controls on it you have to unplug), replaced face plate for driver and passenger front door switch plate, changed oil & filter, changed trans fluid and filter, changed spark plugs, put a new ABS wheel speed sensor on passenger rear, steamed cleaned the interior, replaced blower motor regulator, replaced cup holder in rear of console (that item was actually $400.00 at the dealership, and I found one on eBay for $32.00), went through lug nuts, and replaced 5 bad lug nuts, changed cabin air filter (there wasn't one in the car), replaced front passenger window seal, fixed exhaust leaks, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a half dozen things, but you get the idea. The only thing I haven't tackled yet is a minor oil leak. A few drips every few days. Believe it, or not, with everything that was wrong with the car the body was in real nice condition, so it has shaped up to be a real nice looking grey 2003 AWD Vibe.
I live about 45 minutes Northeast of Detroit in Washington Township, MI, and I even noticed in the regional forums there's another GenVibe member from Washington Township, MI.
If you live in the San Jose, CA area, and see a grey 2003 Vibe running around with a Michigan plate on it that's probably the new one my cousin bought in the late fall of 2002. He gave that car to his son when his son was in high school, and now his son has graduated from the University of Michigan, and went to work for Cisco Systems in San Jose.
The other cars I've owned since 1995 are a 1995 Mustang GT, 1997 Ford Taurus V8 SHO, 2001 Saleen Mustang convertible, and a 2001 Olds Aurora 4.0 V8. Just recently sold the Oldsmobile, and now my wife drives the 2006 Vibe and I drive the 2003 Vibe I got off of my brother. No more V8s.
I really like that Buick Encore they're coming out with in 2013. That may be my next new car.
Even though I've been a Vibe owner since 2002 I just stumbled across this board recently, and want to let everybody know the fun I've had over the last few days going through old posts.

[crazytrain]

I think within that 250,000 miles I put new tires on it 4 times

Wow. I have 116,000 miles on an '06 and I'm on my third set of tires already. I'm in South Florida and I think the constant heat and whatever material they put in the asphalt down here wear the tires out quicker.

Great to know that with some routine maintenance these cars can last very long. I hope to make it to that kind of mileage.

[timsdiecast]

Whenever I buy tires I spend a little extra and buy the better quality Michelins, and it seems like I get between 60,000 to 70,000 out of a set. When it comes to buying tires I'm definately my father's son. He used to tell me tires were the one thing you didn't want to look for the best deal on.

[jkm311]

Good to see another active Metro Detroiter, Tim. Although, I don't make it up to your neck-of-the-woods that often.

Love your Vibe stories, and the limited maintenance you needed to put on that many miles. I'm about to hit 75k in my 2006,
and the list of items I have had to replace is almost non-existent. I love this car, and hope to enjoy a few more trouble
free years out of it.

[timsdiecast]

Good to see another active Metro Detroiter, Tim. Although, I don't make it up to your neck-of-the-woods that often.

I noticed you were from Royal Oak. My wife grew up on Mohawk Street in Royal Oak, and her dad still lives there. I grew up at the 9 Mile Rd. & Dequindre area. Right by Bray's and Louis Pizza. You mentioned you work at the 13 Mile Rd. & Van (removed) area. Do you at the Tech Center?

[ramenboy...]

Hey glad you finally decided to post

Welcome to the family. I'm at about 198k and the vibe is still goin like a champ!

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! Glad you finally found us after all these years ! I really enjoyed reading your family Vibe history! Every time I read things about people's Vibes having that many miles on them, it reassures me that I will have my Vibe for a very long time to come.

[tpollauf]

Nice to see another Midwesterner joining us here And another Tim ... from the looks of it! Nice intro & bio on yourself and the Vibes in your family. Glad to hear you went out and got another Vibe so you can NOW get involved here at this forum. If there are any Michigan meets do your best to make them. I'm just a couple hours to your south at the Ohio/Michigan border. Again Welcome