A Couple of Tips To Save $$$

[zoomie]

Hello Vibers

Been away for a while (not a taxpayers expense), and have found out a couple of things regarding parts. It pays to go to Toyota before you buy at GM.

1) Windshield Wiper Blades - They will sell the just rubber strip if you like, you change it out cost $10

2) Block Heater - GM $160 Toyota $90, you can do the math and what's more is GM does not provide the conductive grease so the element on this non-immersed heater stands a good chance of premature burnout as is what likely happened in my dealer installed instance.

[star_deceiver]

Block heater.... I've contemplated getting the proper one for the Vibe. Add it to the list...

[zyzyix]

Hello Vibers

Been away for a while (not a taxpayers expense), and have found out a couple of things regarding parts. It pays to go to Toyota before you buy at GM.

1) Windshield Wiper Blades - They will sell the just rubber strip if you like, you change it out cost $10

2) Block Heater - GM $160 Toyota $90, you can do the math and what's more is GM does not provide the conductive grease so the element on this non-immersed heater stands a good chance of premature burnout as is what likely happened in my dealer installed instance.

You're finding out what happens when a model and make are discontinued. As far as GM is concerned, Pontiac and the Vibe are the past, since the Vibe is majority a Toyota, GM can "brush it off" and let Toyota handle it.

[zoomie]

You're finding out what happens when a model and make are discontinued. As far as GM is concerned, Pontiac and the Vibe are the past, since the Vibe is majority a Toyota, GM can "brush it off" and let Toyota handle it.

When I bought the car in Alberta (AB) in '09, I compared it with one's sold in the neighboring province of BC. I found that in AB the car comes with a block heater (likely part of PDI inspection) and in BC they didn't, which is typical (non-sarcastically), and was surprised that the front licence plate mount cost $80 , which I knew I would soon need as I was to be moving back to BC. In AB front licence plates are not issued so there is no licence plate mount if you purchase the car there. I inquired about the cost of a block heater and found they cost $80 so that made sense. But GM has doubled that price of block heaters since then.

I bought the car on frugal values and I liked the features GM included in the base model that Toyota was not in their Matrix. I wish GM didn't start changing the sheet metal that year though but oh well. When this car has anything go wrong not covered by warranty and I don't feel like DIY'ing it its going to Toyota, sure engine codes are different but I'm sure there's ways around that