newb; high mileage vibe matrix - is 200,000 KM or 125 000 Miles a lot for thsi car?

[bongoyvr]

Co-worker has a '03 vibe for sale - other then 200,000 KM or 125 000 Miles the car really checks out well. What more "life" can I expect reasonably from this car? I'm not unrealistic and there are a fair number of variables - but is it really fair to expect much higher mileage from a 1.8 litre engine vibe? Same goes for the transmission (automatic) - do these just keep going or are the expen$$$ive to replace? the owner says he did 75% of driving on hwy - I believe him on that.I'd really appreciate any advice...and any ideas on how much would be a reasonable offering price...He is asking $7000.Thanks!ps..I'm in the pacific Northwest so rust is really not an issue...

[prathman]

Hard to say. There have been some serious engine and trans. problems at under 100 kmiles, but also a number of owners who have had no major issues at all well past the odometer limit of 300 kmiles (Mm in Ca). Have it checked out by a trusted mechanic - but I don't know of any particular reason why it shouldn't still have lots of life left, especially if it's been well cared for and the mileage is mainly highway.$7000 seems high for that mileage and age, but I think prices are higher in Ca than the US.

[ou.grizzly]

$4,000 dollars tops.

[Caretaker]

NADA value on a 2003 with automatic and 125,000 miles is right at $6,000. I hate to tell you this, but since you are posting with a Vancouver or any Pacific NW address, you are very much suseptible to rust. All your weather comes from the ocean, making your rain and therefore soil/dust very salty. If you live close to the cost, you probably don't have snow since the ocean moderates your air temperature, so you won't have salt thrown on the streets during the winter; that's a plus. But rest assured, the ocean is equally hazardous on cars. I own a 2003 and can tell you on the positive side, the corolla engine is a proven 200,000 mile engine. Mine burns oil, although no one can find out why. My wife has 107,000 miles on hers and we have virtually NO highway miles on the car; so beware of that fact. Our 2003 has had all hard miles put on the engine and will wear out sooner than normal. If indeed the Vibe you are looking at does have all highway miles, then the car's engine has been pampered compared to mine, and should easily make the 200,000 or more mile mark.

[wyatt89]

Way too much for the miles...I find them for sale down here for 7k with less than 50k miles...

[jake75]

A lot? Yes - way to much. Unless it were super bottom basement priced I would never consider a car with over 60,000 miles, let alone 125,000. A used car dealer explained it to me this way - cars today don't rust so they still look good at over 100,000 miles but they are still worn out.

[rareorange1]

Um thanks MAXX, but WE KNOW what kind of weather we have. What are you, a meteorologist?? And no, the vibes won't rust. There's something called a zinc coating, which all manufacturers have been dipping their cars in for the past, i don't know, 8 YEARS!!!, but anyway $7000 is too much to offer. Even if it is a Toyoter engine, I wouldn't go for it.Rick Ross the Boss

[rareorange1]

Um thanks MAXX, but WE KNOW what kind of weather we have. What are you, a meteorologist?? And no, the vibes won't rust. There's something called a zinc coating, which all manufacturers have been dipping their cars in for the past, i don't know, 8 YEARS!!!, but anyway $7000 is too much to offer. Even if it is a Toyoter engine, I wouldn't go for it. Yipeee another Vancouverite!!!Rick Ross the Boss

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by rareorange1 »And no, the vibes won't rust. There's something called a zinc coating, which all manufacturers have been dipping their cars in for the past, i don't know, 8 YEARS!!!,You should search the forum about that topic. Our Vibe is weeping rust from all 4 door handles and it is a 2003.

[kunkstyle]

Yeah, even galvanized cars can rust. They might be less susceptible to it, but the second you get a dent, scrape, rock chip, anything you're vulnerable. Saying a new(er) car won't rust is just naive no matter what it's coated in. Unless it stays on the showroom floor it's entire life. Or has no metal components. There's no way I'd pay $7k for a vibe with 200k on it. Toss out an offer of $4k and see if he'll come back at $5k.

[joejoev]

RE: "life"My '04 Vibe w/ auto trans now has 325,000+ miles. I'm the original owner. Thus far its been regular maintenance stuff, tires, replaced the battery, replaced the blower motor, replaced the instrument panel (since they lock at 299,999), and replaced the front wheel bearings. I still have a P0420 check engine code from 75,000 miles ago to take care.Can't contribute much about the '03s, other than I have two co-workers, one with an '03 Vibe and the other with an '03 Matrix. Both have manual transmissions, both have had frequent tranny problems, both bought 'em used, both have fewer miles than me.