Still on the hunt - '04 & '06

[Clynch]

I'm still on the prowl for a Vibe and wanted your opinion on the following car listed on a licensed dealer's lot where private parties can list their car. Listed at 6k, but can make an offer. What do you think? Thanks, Chris.

Based on the website's description:
"The AutoCheck Report shows 2 owners and 0 accidents! It's loaded with Auto, CD, Power Windows, Locks, Cruise, Tilt, Mirrors, and more! The car has a previously salvaged title form hail damage. We have documentation to prove this. There's still a little bit of very light hail on the car but nothing major (mainly on the hood)."

Condition: Salvage
Mileage: 131,000
Transmission: Automatic
Engine: 4Cyl Gasoline
VIN: 5Y2SL65866Z440035

http://www.inventory.theinternetcarlot. ... 28211.html



This second one appears to be in great shape for an '04, but his price is unrealistic. Depending on the CarFax and inspection, would you think $5,500 range?

"For sale is a 2004 Pontiac Vibe sedan in excellent condition with only 71K miles. This car has excellent fuel economy at City: 25-29MPG & Highway: 31-36MPG, making it suitable for both commuting and road trips. Asking price is $8450, or best offer. For inquiries, call (402) 455-8484."

71,730 Miles
Automatic Transmission
4 Cylinder V V-Ti 16 Valve Engine
Clean, Brilliantly-Maintained Interior & Exterior
4 Door Sedan
AC/Heater
CD Player
Power Windows & Door Locks
Moonroof
Brand-New Tires

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/3511345128.html

[Rayven01]

The first one seems in the right ballpark for listings I see in my area. It's not a spectacular deal with hail damage but decent for a dealer listing, especially if you can talk them down. With a salvage title it's probably even more important than normal to get a pre-sale inspection by your mechanic.

The 71k miles is the thing on the second one. A lot of people put more stock in low mileage than model year, or at least they price them that way!

[tpollauf]

Go with the red 2006 IF the only thing that justified it as a salvage title was HAIL damage, then was any "repainting" necessary? If so look over with a fine tooth comb. Mileage if OK as these cars will give us 300K + & then some. Offer somewhere in the $5k range. The Neptune 2004 is sharp & worth getting BUT nowhere near that asking price.

[robtco99]

Keep looking not a chance I'd pay anywhere near 6k for one with 130k, still some hail damage, and a salvage title.

The 2nd one is very nice, but the guy is dreaming at that price.

You'll find the best deals on craigslist from private sellers. I've seen some nice one without salvage titles in the 3-6k range.

I paid 3k for my 07 with 79k which was a steal. I got it from a women that bought it new and the only thing wrong was a dent in the fender. I was going to buy a 2nd vibe a couple months ago a 03 with 150k for 2.5k, but was literally sold in minutes....

The deals are out there you just have to have cash on hand and be the first one there.

[Clynch]

I ran a carfax and see the '06 has an open recall on the PCM module. Will GM dealers still will service the recall?

[thebarber]

Vibes must be rare where you are....I paid $6100 for my loaded 03 GT with 55k miles on it...

[Clynch]

Saw the hail damaged Vibe in person and nixed it. The damage extended past the hood area and would be noticeable once polished. Along with tires, PCM and possible alignment, it was better to pass as they wouldn't negotiate down. I may look at other hatchbacks as some car models do seem to be rare and priced high in Nebraska and western Iowa.

[zyzyix]

Saw the hail damaged Vibe in person and nixed it. The damage extended past the hood area and would be noticeable once polished. Along with tires, PCM and possible alignment, it was better to pass as they wouldn't negotiate down. I may look at other hatchbacks as some car models do seem to be rare and priced high in Nebraska and western Iowa.

That's too bad, but it is good that you found out what you needed to know. Do you mean looking from other hatchbacks from other manufacturers?

[KITT222]

Saw the hail damaged Vibe in person and nixed it. The damage extended past the hood area and would be noticeable once polished. Along with tires, PCM and possible alignment, it was better to pass as they wouldn't negotiate down. I may look at other hatchbacks as some car models do seem to be rare and priced high in Nebraska and western Iowa.

There's an 04 locally with 106,000 miles going for $6350, if you're willing to make the trek to Minneapolis:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/c ... 85884.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's been for sale for a while now, and when clean looks great.

[zyzyix]

Saw the hail damaged Vibe in person and nixed it. The damage extended past the hood area and would be noticeable once polished. Along with tires, PCM and possible alignment, it was better to pass as they wouldn't negotiate down. I may look at other hatchbacks as some car models do seem to be rare and priced high in Nebraska and western Iowa.

There's an 04 locally with 106,000 miles going for $6350, if you're willing to make the trek to Minneapolis:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/c ... 85884.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's been for sale for a while now, and when clean looks great.

There must be something wrong with it if it has been on sale for so lon.

[Clynch]

Was hopeful to make a deal on a local '09 base 2.4l with the power package, but it was not to be. It had the radio replaced, new brakes, and tires. It had a small front end wreck with minor cracked damage on the bumper cover under the right headlight which caused the bumper cover, right fender and hood to be misaligned a bit. My wife has a body shop connection, so that wouldn't be a large issue depending on the cost to repair/adjust. Lowest price they would take is $12,200 (advertised price) and wouldn't listen to any counter offers. It was going to be $9,500.

For $11,000, I would think a low mileage '09 GT might come into play.

The search continues

[Rayven01]

Wow, that's kind of insane that they wouldn't budge with body damage! Those specs with mileage in the 30s barely go for that in pristine condition around here.

[vibolista]

Good deals are out there on pretty nice Vibes... but you may have to travel to find them. Try cargurus.com and set the search for unlimited miles from your location. You can also set model year filters, transmission and other filters as well. Works well and gives you info about price... whether above, at, or below book value and by how much! That search will include any Vibe for sale in the U.S., including those in Hawaii and Alaska! I just looked around on it last weekend and found quite a few decent deals out there.

Good luck with the search! Hope you find a really good one!

[Clynch]

I'll have to read up on cargurus. It was showing that car as a good deal $1,400 below market of $13,600. Our area must have pent up demand, a low supply, or both. Most of the prices in a 200 mile area for '09-10 vibes are crazy.