My poor '04 Vibe GT rear ended! Help!

[josueska]

So I'm doing a ton of research to find out what I should do about my car. I LOVE MY 04 VIBE GT!!! I don't care that it has 232,500 mi on it. I've had no major repairs on it only maintenance stuff since I bought it off craigslist 7 yrs ago from the original buyer with 102,000 mi on it. Yes, I drive a lot and so did the guy who owned it first! SO I got rear ended on Jan 3rd, 2013 (great way to start the new year). So far the insurance co. of the lady who hit me is offering $2300 for the visual damages and if I want to bring it to a collision center then I have to agree to get it repaired if they tear into it and find more damage. Of course they'll send me another check to cover those additional damages that I pay directly to collision center and only if damages get too high (80% of value) will total out my car (50/50 chance cuz adjuster, collision center and even my mechanic is saying repairable) but I can't take that chance to have it fixed... so you're wondering, "What's the question?" Well, There's moderate wear inside the poor car at this point from my lovely children, a couple rust spots showing up, a few scratches/dents and now the clutch is definitely slipping so that will be my next repair. Kelly Blue Book is $4000 I believe and it really won't go for much more even though we in Mpls/St. Paul tend to go over that value in our market. Not as many will buy a 6 speed and it's a very tough market right now...oh, my poor car! So take the money ($2300). I was offered $1500 from a private small dealer so he can bring it to an auction for damaged vehicles so he could possibly make $500 off it. This guy is also selling an automatic 2003 Vibe red, sunroof and I test drove it and it's great! It does have 143,000 mi on it but it's $5000 and maybe I could talk him down a couple hundred, eh?

Anyone who was willing to dive into my difficult ordeal, please give me your advice and if you have a carfax membership, would you be willing to look up the VIN number for the car that I was thinking of getting and your opinion on the 03 vibe automatic transmission??? VIN 5y2sl62813z468681

Thanks and I'm looking forward to reading all that's on this board. I LOVE MY VIBE AND WANT ANOTHER...no matter what my mechanic says about broadening my horizons! HA!

[josueska]

Also, I'm a new member on this forum and so excited to join! Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself first before my long boo-hoo story! I have owned my '04 vibe gt for 7 yrs and it's the best car I've ever owned. I've hauled so much stuff in that car!!! Love that besides the cool factor cuz it's black with two spoilers on the back, ground effects and tinted windows. Don't know what else people say for intro. I guess mine was also my PLEASE HELP ME story above.

I've pretty much decided to get the 03 vibe after my mechanic looks at it. I bought the full car history report thru vin.alert.com.

but I've been worried since reading online about the "cluster shaft bearing" in the transmission that can come loose and seize the tranny while driving.if bearing noise heard, caught before severe damage, it can still be a tranny rebuild situation.

should I not worry so much since I can trade out my damaged 04 for $2000 and the insurance $2500 for the 03 with 80,000 less mi on it?

[trb]

Welcome and sorry to hear about your poor GT. The bearing problem is with the manual base models, not the automatics, so if the 03 is an auto, then the bearings should not be a problem. Good luck on your situation!

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!!

Going with the '03? Are you prepared for the power difference and the lack of rowing your own gears?

[lannvouivre]

with two spoilers on the back, ground effects

I think you should take those off the old one and keep them, especially the ground effects since those are really hard to come by.

[josueska]

Yes. I have a 15 yr old starting to learn to drive. Ready for the switch. I'll miss it somewhat. Not keeping ground effects. Too much trouble. Switching out the wheels. Thx for the replies! Buying it now.

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! So sorry to hear about your beloved Vibe, but glad to hear you're getting another one! That's awesome that your first one had 232,500 miles! These little vehicles are darn near bulletproof! I am not too familiar with the 2003-2008 Vibes as my mom and I both own 2009s, but from what I have seen on here, the automatic transmissions in the 2003-2008 Vibes are very strong and aren't known for any major issues, so I'm sure your "new" Vibe will be just fine in the transmission department. What a great vehicle for a 15 year old to learn to drive in. Please post some pictures of your old and "new" Vibes when you get a chance .

[lannvouivre]

Yes. I have a 15 yr old starting to learn to drive. Ready for the switch. I'll miss it somewhat. Not keeping ground effects. Too much trouble. Switching out the wheels. Thx for the replies! Buying it now.

Uh, uh! But I wanted them!

[josueska]

Well, I could ask the guy who is selling my vibe in an auction but if I take off the spoilers and ground effects it will look obvious? Never thought of taking those off and selling them. They are black. You will buy them from me? You're right that I should. Still can cuz I'm going back today to switch out the wheels cuz I want the ones I had with my sweet winter tires!

so I'll google how to take the spoilers off. Are the ground effect just on the side? Or are the pieces in the front included? I'll have to do some research. But do help me out if you can.

[lannvouivre]

so I'll google how to take the spoilers off. Are the ground effect just on the side? Or are the pieces in the front included? I'll have to do some research. But do help me out if you can.

They are all the black parts on mac99d's vibe:
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=37677&p=428488#p427812" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JEEBUS his vibe is so awesome. Anyway, sometimes they'll refer to just the extended rocker panels as ground effects, but I don't think any 03-04s have them.

I was kinda-sorta teasing, I DO want them, but I'm a college student so I probably lack the funds, but I know there's someone who broke his front ones on this site.