2009 Vibe purchase advice

[VibeCurious]

I joined this forum to get some purchasing advice hence the name VibeCurious. If I buy the car I may have to see if I can get the name changed.

I started out looking at used Camry's and Accords. A family member heard that I was looking for a second vehicle and mentioned that his father inlaw has a 2009 Vibe that he is considering selling as he is now housebound. In fact he purchased it after he had a stroke and has never really recovered.

It only has 6000 KM on it. (Yes, I'm Canadian - in Ontario.)
It is the base model with preferred equipment package 1SC which has the 2.4 engine and the 17" wheels plus all the other power goodies and cruise and fog lights etc.
It has the 5 speed auto transmission with the manual shift mode.
Options that were mentioned were a sunroof and roof rack.
It is black which I love the look of but I'm not the best at washing my vehicles.
I was concerned about the vehicle sitting for long periods. As it turns out he pesters his wife to start it every other day or so and there is someone who helps them out and drives them in the car for shopping etc. every few weeks.
The car is located 5.5 hours away so I have not seen it but based on the family relationships I am 100% confident about the validity of what I have been told.

The owner would like to get $12,000 CAD. for it. He paid $25-26 K for it new before taxes. He would not have ordered a sunroof so I think he bought a model off the showroom floor and it may have other options that were not mentioned.

So my main question is do you think $12,000 is a fair price? It seems like it to me since it is in almost new condition. It is not the GT model but has many of the options.

The concerns I have are about the 2.4l engine. My son will start driving this year and he would get occasional use of this car. This engine seems powerful for a small car and even if I tell him not to use the manual shifting he will of course use it. Will it encourage unsafe driving?

For a small car the mpg rating seems low with the 2.4. Are the real world results similar?

21 City 24 Combined 29 Highway

I got this from: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/ ... Vibe.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


This car was not under my radar but people that own them seem to really like them. (Especially in this forum.) In the car reviews the main complaints seem to be the reduced visibility because of the rear pillars and the HVN (Harshness, Vibration, and Noise) factor.

I did drive a 2009 vibe a couple of days ago and I noticed stiffness and "thumping" over bumps but that may have been the tires. I don't know if they are the stock ties, they were Potenza's.

Thanks in advance for any advice given!


** edited to correct a typo.

[Rayven01]

That would definitely be a good price for around here with those options and mileage, especially since you know the history.

I wouldn't say the 2.4l is too much for the car, it does weigh over 3000 pounds. The 1.8l honestly feels under-powered, although the gas mileage is nicer. I test drove a couple of the 1.8l and I never really felt comfortable passing. The 2.4l just feels solid no matter what. The EPA estimate for the 2.4l is pretty close, you can get up to 30 or so but you really have to take it easy. 60/40 city/hwy driving like a grandma I get 28-29mpg. 24-25 is probably more realistic for normal driving.

I haven't found the visibility to be a bother as long as you have the side mirrors adjusted looking out more to the side rather than straight back. The ride is definitely harsher than average. You can soften it up a bit with the right tires but even then it's not the best. I get the thump you're talking about over speed bumps etc, especially the rear wheels. I consider it an ok trade-off for the reliability, cargo room and price point.

[kowell]

I have a 2009 1SC automatic and here's my 2¢ on some on your questions.

12,000$ seems good for the level of equipment but 6000km is low... make sure the car was driven a little and didn't just rust in place.
I have an 09 (actually bought in february 08) and I just passed the 60,000km and I consider that it's low mileage for my car.... 6,000km is...something else entirely.
For comparison I would probably also ask around 12,000$ for mine right now (in Quebec) and it doesn't have the sunroof and it has more mileage so the price is good.

The car is plenty powerful. Passing on the highway is no problem and it has plenty of torque.
The gaz pedal is really touchy, just slightly put your foot down and the car launches forward.
It takes some getting used to but after a while you forget about it.

One drawback of the 1SC model is that you have the engine of the GT but not the suspension.
The car is great in a straight line but it is NOT a car to launch into a corner.
I tried it once.... and never again, Too scary.
If your son is gonna drive it, make sure he doesn't push it into corners.
(Then again if he wants to drive sporty, he will do it regardless of the car..... I used to push my dad's 94 Grand Voyager....)
Torsion beam at the rear and thin tires of the Vibe 1SC means it can get a little bumpy a times on bad roads but nothing below the average for a compact.

As for fuel economy, this is a Rav4/Camry engine so expect Rav4/Camry fuel numbers.
I usually average 10L/100km in mixted city/highway driving.
Highway only I usually get around 8L/100km and only city I can reach 12L/100km
Dissapointing numbers for a compact but it's the price to pay for decent passing power.
I never once got close to Toyota's official numbers but I never expected to since I tend to have a heavy foot.

I've had the car for 5 years and I love it.
Very low maintenance cost, zero breakdown, agile in a tight spot and plenty powerful.
Rear, 3/4 visibility could be better though.

[trask]

Having owned the 2.4l 2009 GT, I certainly would not be concerned about the 2.4L engine. I think it is one of the nice things about the 09 Vibe It is very dependable and low maintenance. I was getting 25mpg U.S. average. Should you decide to purchase the vehicle, I would definitely get some paint guard protection for the front of the Vibe, the paint is one of its weak points.

[Caretaker]

Well, while the car's performance nor dependability is not the issue here, as one also looking for a vehicle for a brand new driver I can say that I would be concerned about the Camry engine in a Toyota Corolla. I for one would prefer a new driver to have the smaller Corolla engine in a Vibe for my new driver to help ensure that money hungry cops do not pull him/her over, thus driving insurance rates through the roof and, as you said it, to dissuade any thoughts of over aggressive driving. My current focus is on a first gen Vibe or a first gen Fit. If I can find a Vibe with both ABS and side airbags, then I will get it. If not, I will go with the Fit since they all were built with those safety features. I think your idea about the Accord is also a good one. Not only are there a ton of them on the road for sale, but the insurance companies seem to like them due to the low death rate. For me, I don't buy cars to survive accidents; I buy cars so I can steer out of ever getting in one in the first place. Small cars have always provided me the ability to steer around idiots, so I don't intend on ever going BIG on my vehicles just because everybody else thinks driving an Expedition is somehow safe. Survivable yes; safe no.
Best wishes with your decision. The Camry engine in the Vibe equals a great car. It doesn't produce great gas mileage, which is also a priority in this day/age. I know used car buying is never easy since you are always buying someone else's problems. In this case, you won't incur many problems if you decide to buy the Vibe in question. Given the IIHS crash test data on the Vibe, I'd buy it, but I'd also put some "caring considerations" into my new driver's head about the performance of such a large engine and the consequences should his/her judgement falter while "experiencing" their new car.

[trb]

The car sounds like a good deal to me. I paid $12,400 US for my 10 GT with 36K miles on it over a year ago. It was owned by a high school student and his mom took it away from him after almost a year. Both of my older kids have driven our two Vibes, but they neither have a hot rod tendency. And IMO the 2.4L is not really a hot rod motor. 158 HP is nothing. The traction control really kills it and the stability control does a great job of keeping the car in line. I do drive mine more spirited than most drivers, coming from driving a 5.0 Mustang for over 23 years. Maybe even disconnect or remove & hide the traction control button so it can not be turned off.

Since the car does have Onstar, you can always tell your kid(s) that it gives you the ability to monitor their driving. I told mine that!

I would check on the insurance though. Even for me, the insurance on my GT is the highest of all our cars. But then again, my daughter is insured on my 87 Mustang w/o any collision, and my son is insured on our SUV as an away at college student, so maybe you can try the different drivers/vehicles for the lowest rates if they let you do that up there.

Edit: Oh, and I get right at 24mpg in my daily drive, 36 mile round trip mostly freeway with some stop & go traffic, and up to 29mpg on the highway, so for me the EPA numbers are right on. And that is with my driving style too.

Good luck on it!

[jake75]

Do a nationwide CarMax search for a similar 2009 Vibe and see what their "no haggle" prices are. You will be convinced you are buying wholesale - probably about auction price.
I got an 1.8L '09 because at the time (Jan. 2009) GM gave my dealer a $2,000 each dealer incentive to take 4 1.8L Vibes off their hands and the dealer passed that on to the buyers. The 2.4L would have been well over $3,000 more. I think I could sell my $19,480 msrp 1.8L Vibe 4 speed AT with power package 23,500 miles for $12,000 today. Thanks in part to a $3,000 GM Card rebate and GM rebates that's about what I paid in 2009 plus sales tax. Jan 2009 was a tough time for car sales. We buyers may never see those kinds of deals again.

[VibeCurious]

What a great forum. Thanks to everyone for the great advice!
I have pretty well all the info I need so now I just have to make the decision on whether to pull the trigger.

My wife only gave the Vibe a 5/10 (she gave a Camry a 7/10) but she is used to driving a Toyota Sienna XLE so she has been spoiled.

[kowell]

My wife only gave the Vibe a 5/10 (she gave a Camry a 7/10) but she is used to driving a Toyota Sienna XLE so she has been spoiled.

Well if your wife drives a Sienna XLE I can understand her doubt.
I bought a Sienna last year and the Vibe is now my wife's car.
Her biggest pet peaves with the vibe will be space and softness of the ride.

After living with the Sienna I always feel a little cramped in the Vibe.
Steering wheel is minuscule too.

The ride is the other big difference. The 1SC with rear torsion beam and thin 45 tires can be a little hard on bad roads.
The Sienna is the complete opposite.
It's like Toyota somehow got their hands on the stay puft marshmallow man's body and used it to make the Sienna's suspension.
This thing rides smoooooooooth.
...
Well until you hit a really bad roads... it's also a rear torsion beam afterall.

Power and performance is where the Vibe shines.
The Sienna may have 100 extra HP but it's also double the weight so the Vibe is much quicker off the line.
Passing power is good in both car but the VIbes takes the crown.
The 2.4L also makes a pretty nice noise when passing.

Steering on the Sienna is also very light, almost too much.
The Vibe feels much more connected to its wheels and corners better (even if not by much)

The Sienna has you sitting high and straight, giving you an excellent view on the road but even if lower, the Vibe is one of the compact with the highest seating position.

As for cargo space well the Vibe 1SC has the optional folding front passenger seat wich means you can safely fit long objects up to 8 feet long and the optional cargo organizer is great for grocery bags but...nothing beats a minivan in that regard.

The Vibe will of course be much more nimble and easier to maneover in a tight spot than a Sienna but I must admit that, to my surprise, the Sienna actually has better rear 3/4 visibility than the Vibe because of the Vibe's large C pillar.

Both cars are good but both are also pretty different.
Space and comfort points go to the Sienna
Speed and agility go to the Vibe.

[tpollauf]

Welcome Vibe Curious to GenVibe. The Blue 2009 Gt in my signature belongs to my 18 year old son. He liked my Red 2009 Gt so much but refused to learn to drive stick-shift ... thus we found one for him ... an automatic Anyways "pull the trigger" and get this Vibe. It will not be too powerful for Junior to drive and actually may help him where he may need to "quickly" accelerate & maneuver to avoid an accident. Mileage will stem on driving behavior. My worst was 22mpg (wife drove it & all city, plus winter blend fuel), my best was 37mpg (I drove it, summer blend). Keep in mind that I have the 5-speed manual tranny. Also make sure the tires do not have any flat spots if it truly sat there for very long periods of time. Then when you purchase it, have the moderators here change your name & post pics & get involved! Again Welcome

[VibeCurious]

It's both good and bad that it is a relative who hasn't advertised the vehicle yet.
Good that I have no immediate time pressure.
Bad that I have no immediate time pressure.

I think the only thing I have to get over is the rear visibility. Since I've been thinking about this car I've seen a few people start to cut in to the lane with another vehicle beside them and cut back in the last second. funny i think they were all Matrix's though.

I see backing up being the main issue though. Maybe I can invest in a backup camera if I determine it is an issue for my son.

Thanks tpollauf. I think it's Tim?

I like your "GT Vibe" brakelight!

[jake75]

I got used to the visibility - one accident avoidance practice I have learned in my 54 years of driving is never make quick lane changes - signal and change slowly - if there is someone there they will honk .

[kowell]

Blind spot mirrors are like 5$ a pair and will solve the lane changing visibility.
Also great when backing the Vibe into a tight spot as I can see the yellow lines of the ground on each side of the car.

[tpollauf]

Thanks tpollauf. I think it's Tim?

You are correct ................... Tim

I like your "GT Vibe" brakelight!

I believe I still have 2 that say "Vibe GT" and 2 that say "PONTIAC". Let me know if interested!

[vibenvy]

Blind spot mirrors will solve any blind spot issues and also make backing up even easier.

We average 26-28 MPG with 50/50 driving in our 2009 GTs (with the same 2.4L engine). I have seen as high as 33.9 MPG with 100% highway driving.

This Vibe sounds like it is in excellent shape and is an excellent deal. I say go for it !