Buying a 2003 Vibe AWD and need advice

[Yooper]

I'm looking at buying a 03 Vibe AWD and curious about what to look for when test driving or inspecting the vehicle. The car appears to be in great condition for it's year and having 92000 miles on it.My second question is regarding tips on what I should replace or check once I do buy it. The owner states that they have only put 15000 miles on it and never had any trouble with it. Of course she would say that though.Any advice would be appreciated greatly.

[zionzr2]

WELCOME!! Before you buy:have the entire vehicle checked and inspected by a 3rd party.After Purchase:I would replace ALL Fluids in it with new. Replace the belt. You might check the spark plugs and replace if necessary. How old are the tires? (check the date code on tire itself)I'm sure there are other things but these are a start.Also, Genvibe, as you may have already found out, is a great resource for anything Vibe/Matrix related.

[NibCrom]

Get a Carfax, look for fishy things. Inspect the tires. Get an experienced mechanic to look it over.

[Jeremy_K]

I bought mine with 99K on it and the only issues I've had were warped brake rotors. They were the original rotors so they didn't owe me anything. I've put a lot of miles on this car and I'm very pleased with it. Winter will be the true test for me since I have a long commute through a area known for nasty snow. The only thing I don't like is that it's a little gutless but that's the price you pay for MPGs I guess. Why they put the weakest engine in the car that's driving 4 wheels is beyond me.

[Whelan]

I have an 05 Trix XR AWD with 78,000 on it. Bought it with 29k two years ago. I have changed the oil, tires, brakes, and filters. That's about it. In the next few months I will be flushing the coolant and tranny just for sake. But the car has given me no problems and the AWD system works flawlessly still.

[Blueridge9]

Welcome to GenVibe!Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »Before you buy:have the entire vehicle checked and inspected by a 3rd party. +2 ABSOLUTELY!It's a great car but you are wise to do your homework. Have the mechanic price out what it will cost to repair and use that to negotiate a lower price from the buyer cause they may not know that these things need to be repaired. Also the mechanic should put it on a lift and check the underside and waterpump should be checked in an 03 and the battery tested, HVAC tested. And get the owners maintenance records in case any repair work has a warranty you can use in the future. Also if a private seller get them to verify that the car is clear of any liens $.In response to your second question for after you get the car....buy a digital camera so you can post Vibe pictures in the Genvibe garage forum.Good luck I hope it's as good under the hood as it sounds.