Possible New Vice Owner?

[cherokeexj32]

Hello everyoneMy name is Rob and I found your very informative forum on Vibes.i currently drive an 02 Subaru Forester with 145k miles. My daily commute to work just went from 80 to 120 miles per day and with my Subaru getting up in age and having so many miles, I am considering my options.I do love my Subaru but with only getting 21 MPG that is hurting my wallet. My next vehicle will have AWD as well and I know that hurts in mileage but I really live the peace of mind it gives me so I have a couple questions:1 - Are you guys seeing over 100k mileage with no major issues?2 - How are the AWD components holding up?3 - What kind of highway MPG are you guys seeing out there (especially those that drive in the 65-70 MPH range)?4 - I am 6'2" 285 pounds, am I going to be be comfortable for my long drives?5 - If you have a sunroof and are over 6' tall - are you having any head clearance issues?Any info you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.Thank you and I will keep on checking out the site!

[cherokeexj32]

Oops - cannot believe put VICE in the subject, sorry about that, bad typing! VIBE

[rAERRK]

which gen are you considering?

[Zimm]

Rob,good luck with your upgrade. my girlfriend has an '01 forrester and there isn't a thing on that car that i would trade for the one on my Vibe. i even prefer my FWD to her AWD.i can't comment on the AWD Vibe questions you have, but i'm 6''1" 250 and the vibe is a hell of a lot more comfortable for me than the forrester is. much higher quality seat and interior materials and generally a better interior design. while i'd like a couple more inches of legroom in the driver's seat, it's already better and more comfortable than the forrester is. there is a ton of headroom in my sunroof-free '10, although anything will be a bit of a downgrade from the forrester. you could wear a cowboy hat inside those things without ever hitting it on the headliner! good luck shopping. i hope you haven't had your head gaskets go out yet. it's epidemic in those massively overrated boxer engines and because of the wacky design, it's about $2500 to have them fixed. my gf is limping along with a slow leak in hers.

[wt2ga]

[kostby]

Welcome to GenVibe! You've found the right place for Vibe conversation and info!

[epcIII]

Well, I don't have the AWD, but I have a 140 mile round trip commute, so just thought I would put my two cents in:- I'm over 250 pounds and still find the seats comfy after my long commute (not Lexus, etc... comfy but still good).- I have an '03 and am about to replace the cat converter--only major issue so far.- Head room is great even with my sunroof. I'm only 5'10"(and a quater!) but should still be plenty of room for you. Besides the seats, at least in the '03, can move up and down with the turn of a knob.- It will be different in the AWD, but I drive the 70-80mph range and am still getting ~30mph.Good luck. It's a great car and think you will be happy if you purchase one (this is coming from someone who also likes the Forrester).

[ponta2147]

Welcome!1 - Many members have over 100,000 miles on their vibes, there is one member who has already rolled over 400,000 miles!!2-5 What year Vibe are you thinking of getting? There have been some redesigns along the way (including a huge redesign for the 2009+ model years) so that will affect the answers!

[tpollauf]

Welcome Rob. I can't comment too much but Scott (musicmanmu) on this forum, who is probably at around 84000 miles on his 09 Vibe GT, would be one to contact about dependability issues as he sounds like an owner of the 3rd generation Vibes with the most mileage I'm almost half your size (5'-7" & 155lbs) so obviously I have plenty of room The reliability & dependability of these cars I can't speak highly enough about. Besides, what other forums have this much friendly support to all it's members I'd say find yourself a low mileage 09-10 and start turning over the odometer

[cherokeexj32]

I have not yet decided on the generation to purchase. I need to start checking them out and get myself better prepared so if the right deal comes along I will have as much info as I need.I do like the look of the newer generation more, and having a sunroof is not mandatory, but AWD will be. I am trying to get one with mileage under 50K since I will be pilling them on pretty quickly. I wish the newer generation had some sort of molding on the side to help prevent door dings from other doors.What are the pluses and minuses of each generation (besides price)? Was the AWD system better in either generation or are they pretty much the same? How is drivers compartment area room in either generation?

[epcIII]

I don't like the rear window in the newer gens--much too small for my liking and they don't open up independently from the hatch door. I carry longer objects quite a bit and the ability to pop open the rear window is great.

[rAERRK]

Quote, originally posted by cherokeexj32 »I have not yet decided on the generation to purchase. I need to start checking them out and get myself better prepared so if the right deal comes along I will have as much info as I need.I do like the look of the newer generation more, and having a sunroof is not mandatory, but AWD will be. I am trying to get one with mileage under 50K since I will be pilling them on pretty quickly. I wish the newer generation had some sort of molding on the side to help prevent door dings from other doors.What are the pluses and minuses of each generation (besides price)? Was the AWD system better in either generation or are they pretty much the same? How is drivers compartment area room in either generation?GT and AWD models were discontinued in 2007 and brought back in 2009 with the second gen, as well as new motors including a more powerful 2.4L IMO the only downsides of the second gen are the appearance and the fact that the GT model only offers a few cosmetic changes.

[jake75]

I think I used that rear window opening feature once in the 6 years I owned my 2003. As a practical matter, I have not found seeing out the smaller rear door and hatch windows to be an issue. The major benefits of the 09-10 models are that stability control, abs brakes and 6 airbags were made standard at no extra cost. I also think my 09 is quieter than my 03. I wouldn't rule out a new Matrix - what's 50,000 miles worth - at least $5,000 I think especially for an AWD. Toyota has been discounting aggressively recently and new car loan rates are lower than for used.

[09vGT]

I have an 09 GT with a little over 67K miles on it. No major issues with mechanical components. I'm 5'11 and don't have any problems with head room, I mean, theres not an over abundance of it either; I also have a sunroof, so that takes away quite a bit of room. As far as comfort, my Vibe doesn't take bumps well at all, but its not a bad riding car at all. All highway driving I get around 28 MPG with speeds of 75+ mph.

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome to GenVibe!

[AllWheelVibe]

Hi Rob ! Welcome to this really helpful forum! Depending on which AWD Vibe you select, not sure you are going to get way more MPG than your Subie. My 2009 AWD 2.4L is getting routinely 25 MPG but my commute is 17 miles each way with about 10 stoplights. The original AWD Vibes had the 1.8L engine and their mileage will be significantly higher. My mileage is a bit better than the car it replaces, a 1995 Mitsubishi GSX (AWD 2.0L turbo manual). I've had my car for a bit more than a year now and put on 16,000 miles and really do like it a lot. No troubles at all so far except that the tuning knob on the radio broke. (Not a big deal because with the up/down button I don't need the tuning knob). The AWD has been working great in the snow last winter and this winter. Better than the Mitsu because it also has traction control that really works well to augment the AWD. I was surprised that the traction control worked this well -- unless you switch it off (which is easily done but you have to do it each time you start the car) then it makes it real hard to purposely slide too much!! Anyway, good luck with the car search and let us know what you decide to buy ! (We won't disown you if you go non-Vibe. But if you do get a Vibe you Must Post Pics immediately!

[silverbullet]

welcome!