Potentially buying another Vibe.

[p3pto]

I've had my 2003 black monochrome Vibe for 4 years now and still love it.

However, after 150 000 miles, my Vibe starts to need more and more repairs every month and its gas mileage has increased a lot in the last 2 years. Plus I'll have to change both my winter and summer tires next summer.

I feel like it's time to let it go while it still has resale value. While looking for a potential new car with very low milleage, I've found that the only car that could replace my Vibe is... the 2nd generation of Vibe!

I've found a 2009 1.8L Vibe with 42k miles, automatic transmission, a sunroof, mags, a/c and 2 sets of tires for CAD10,000$. Should I pull the trigger? What will I miss from my 2003 Vibe? What about gas mileage?

All opinions welcome!

[zythr]

Keep what you have. The adage it is cheaper to fix what you have then buy something else new (or used) applies. Plus, the 2009 though better, is cheaply made with squeaks, rattles and the like occurring earlier than the 1st Gen, as well as the bigger rear blind spot.


Also, ask yourself this, why is the owner selling this car with only 42,000 miles in 5 years, other than wanting to get the most for it, before its resale tanks?

[zythr]

Keep what you have. The adage it is cheaper to fix what you have then buy something else new (or used) applies. Plus, the 2009 though better, is cheaply made with squeaks, rattles and the like occurring earlier than the 1st Gen, as well as the bigger rear blind spot.


Also, ask yourself this, why is the owner selling this car with only 42,000 miles in 5 years, other than wanting to get the most for it, before its resale tanks?

One more thing you may not know, the PCV is located under the intake manifold, making it harder to change.

[jake75]

Several posts here about differences - see "Torn".
I sold my 2003 and bought a 2009 1.8L base in Jan. 2009. I think it is less noisy - a real plus.
Negatives - In the -'09 base 1.8L the passenger seat does not fold flat. No roof rack. The rear window is fixed - doesn't open separately.
On the plus side the '09 has as standard 4 wheel abs brakes, multiple airbags, stability/traction control.
Some say the seats and handling in the '09 are improved vs earlier years.
Some also say the hatchback area is smaller - but not by much I don't think.
'09 mpg should be as good as or better than the '03 but is still just a 4 speed in the 1.8L base. The roof rack probably adds to drag on the '03.
US MSRP for the 2009 1.8L at ac with power package was $19,480. The sunroof package and mag wheels would probably have added nearly $1,500.
$10,000 seems reasonable especially for those low miles.
For comparison I sold my 6 year old 2003 with 33,000 miles for $9,500 in Jan. 2009. You would be buying a 4-5 year old better equipped 2009 with 42,000 miles for $10,000.
If money is not an issue I'd recommend buying new - e.g. the 2014 Subaru Forrester.
Selling your 2003 privately will probably get you at least $1,500 more than what a dealer would offer.

[creekhed1]

Id buy a 2nd Gen in a heartbeat! My Ex just bought one (09) and I love it

[zythr]

Id buy a 2nd Gen in a heartbeat! My Ex just bought one (09) and I love it

If it is the one with the 1.8 you may not love it as much, especially if you have to replace the PCV,

[Kincaid]

Id buy a 2nd Gen in a heartbeat! My Ex just bought one (09) and I love it

Even without lift? Gasp!

Just kidding. I love my '09 but I have never driven a 1st gen GT with that engine, so I don't know what I'm missing.

[p3pto]

Thank you everyone! I think I'll go ahead and buy it. I tried it yesterday and I thought it was great. The only thing I will definitely miss is the back window hatch, but I seldom used this feature.

I'll have a new Abyss Vibe in the family on saturday!

[Mazzy21]

Looks like you've made your decision and I hope you really like the new car. They are definitely "prettier" than the 1st gens. I also went from a 1st gen (a Frosty) to an '09 Abyss. The GT. For me, I wish I would have thought more about how I used the 1st gen. In hindsight, I would have picked another 1st gen, but all I was thinking was "I love my old Vibe, this one's newer, and therefore I'll likely just like it even better." While had I thought about the way I actually utilized my 1st gen I would have recognized the many differences.

I packed my 1st gen with any number of things on a very regular basis. The cargo area of the 2nd gen is more than a little smaller. It might have only slightly less floor space on paper, but the roof is not as high and the hatch door is not as big, and both of those things have a big impact on what you can haul and how full you can stuff that cargo area. Car camping now requires using the backseat floor space AND the passenger seat and floor space. And I'm only one person! (the back seat is taken up by a large dog) A family would have a real time of getting everything packed in for a camping trip in the 2nd gens.

I used the window. Not as regularly, but I did use it. Not having it is another, smaller, annoyance.

The GT doesn't come with roof rails, and although I think the 2nd gens look better without them, they are a pricey add-on when you are already loosing space in the cargo area so the roof becomes the only alternative if you still need to use that car for hauling anything.

And there are the cosmetic issues too. Pontiac's signature red dashboard is gone in the 2nd gens. There's a splash of red, but it's an overall more generic look and just doesn't have that standout Pontiac styling of their traditional red dash. The radio is hideous. Nuff said on that. On the Bases, you aren't getting anything special in the cloth interior either where as at least on the GT there's a little flare there.

But bottom line, if you just really like the 2nd gens then I hope you really enjoy this new Vibe. But I would take a moment to think about how you used your 1st gen, and if you utilized the "utility" aspect of the Vibe in your 1st gen, the 2nd gen is going to fall far short. However, if mostly you just used the Vibe to do your daily commutes and after-work errands then the 2nd gen is probably going to be more fun.

[mrbravo2000]

Looks like you've made your decision and I hope you really like the new car. They are definitely "prettier" than the 1st gens. I also went from a 1st gen (a Frosty) to an '09 Abyss. The GT. For me, I wish I would have thought more about how I used the 1st gen. In hindsight, I would have picked another 1st gen, but all I was thinking was "I love my old Vibe, this one's newer, and therefore I'll likely just like it even better." While had I thought about the way I actually utilized my 1st gen I would have recognized the many differences.

I packed my 1st gen with any number of things on a very regular basis. The cargo area of the 2nd gen is more than a little smaller. It might have only slightly less floor space on paper, but the roof is not as high and the hatch door is not as big, and both of those things have a big impact on what you can haul and how full you can stuff that cargo area. Car camping now requires using the backseat floor space AND the passenger seat and floor space. And I'm only one person! (the back seat is taken up by a large dog) A family would have a real time of getting everything packed in for a camping trip in the 2nd gens.

I used the window. Not as regularly, but I did use it. Not having it is another, smaller, annoyance.

The GT doesn't come with roof rails, and although I think the 2nd gens look better without them, they are a pricey add-on when you are already loosing space in the cargo area so the roof becomes the only alternative if you still need to use that car for hauling anything.

And there are the cosmetic issues too. Pontiac's signature red dashboard is gone in the 2nd gens. There's a splash of red, but it's an overall more generic look and just doesn't have that standout Pontiac styling of their traditional red dash. The radio is hideous. Nuff said on that. On the Bases, you aren't getting anything special in the cloth interior either where as at least on the GT there's a little flare there.

But bottom line, if you just really like the 2nd gens then I hope you really enjoy this new Vibe. But I would take a moment to think about how you used your 1st gen, and if you utilized the "utility" aspect of the Vibe in your 1st gen, the 2nd gen is going to fall far short. However, if mostly you just used the Vibe to do your daily commutes and after-work errands then the 2nd gen is probably going to be more fun.

Great comparison, I think this should be a sticky, because I see these issues pop up on several threads. Perhaps a sticky called "1st Gen vs. 2nd Gen" or something like that... anyways, great insight...

[Kincaid]

What's wrong with the 2nd gen radio (other than if you have a 2010 model you might have the volume knob bust off in your hand)?

Regarding the GT seats, they are different but IMO less desirable than base seats. The leather trim adds some "flash", but I'd say it just draw attention to the regrettable pattern of the fabric. If I was intending to keep my Vibe for 300k miles, I'd invest in Katzkin leather and recover them.

BTW, the official interior cargo volume:

1st Gen - 19.3 cu. ft seats up, 54.1 seats down

2nd Gen - 20.1 cu. ft seats up, 49.4 seats down

Losing nearly 5 cubic feet is a lot.

[Mazzy21]

I just mean the cosmetics of the radio. Very generic. Incredibly so. The 1st gens not only have the red - Pontiac signature - but also just have a more unique look to the whole thing. Ad yeah, on my '09 the knob was broken when I bought it.

I also love the fabric design on the GT. It's my only "favorite part" about my new car.

[Kincaid]

I suppose seat fabric falls under the "personal taste" part! lol

I will have to look closely the next time I see a pic of the 1st gen instrument panel - I always thought they looked very similar. I can appreciate the lack of red lighting.

[Mazzy21]

Just found another difference in the 1st vs. 2nd gens. In the old 1st gen, at night, the positioning of the interior lighting still allowed for full view/lighted cargo area. The 2nd gen is completely dark in the cargo area. It was not fun to unload a whole car full of groceries by feeling around for the little plastic bags and anything that may have rolled out of them last night.

[vibenvy]

Just found another difference in the 1st vs. 2nd gens. In the old 1st gen, at night, the positioning of the interior lighting still allowed for full view/lighted cargo area. The 2nd gen is completely dark in the cargo area. It was not fun to unload a whole car full of groceries by feeling around for the little plastic bags and anything that may have rolled out of them last night.

This is easily remedied by adding some quality LED bulbs to the interior lights .

[tpollauf]

A two week post & counting. Did you end up getting this 2nd gen Vibe. If not ... you till have time

[Kincaid]

Just found another difference in the 1st vs. 2nd gens. In the old 1st gen, at night, the positioning of the interior lighting still allowed for full view/lighted cargo area. The 2nd gen is completely dark in the cargo area. It was not fun to unload a whole car full of groceries by feeling around for the little plastic bags and anything that may have rolled out of them last night.

Mine has a light right at the top of the hatch opening that fully lights the cargo area. Doesn't yours?

[Mazzy21]

Okay, found it Thought it was broken (once I saw it) but realized today that it has a switch. Turned it on - all set.

[SeattleJeremy]

Okay, found it Thought it was broken (once I saw it) but realized today that it has a switch. Turned it on - all set.

If you leave it "ON", it will stay on (and drain your battery). Set it to Door, and it will only turn on when a door is open (any of the five).

Edit: I realize after reading that again you likely already know this, or maybe the 2nd gen is different.
Glad you found the light