Considering buying a Vibe

[spamnomaam]

My beloved '98 RAV4 was totaled and I haven't found anything comparable after looking a month. I have seen and driven a couple of Vibes, but they were automatics and I will only have a manual transmission. A manual tranny Vibe has just appeared here on craigslist. I have seen something somewhere indicating there is a problem with Vibes with a manual transmission. Can anyone provide the details or links on this. Does it only apply to certain years? Thanks.

[trb]

It is generally the 03-04 base Vibes that have weak manual transmissions. It appears that the 05+ cars have improved bearings and don't fail as often. All of the GT models have the 6 speed transmission which is a better one also and is often swapped in place of the 5 speed ones in 03-04 cars.

[spamnomaam]

The one on Craigslist is a 2003 GT 6 speed, 144k miles, asking $3990. Was thinking of looking at it until I saw on here that these require premium fuel. I'm looking for economy, so I guess you would have to look carefully at the mpg relative to other cars that do not require premium fuel. My RAV got close to 30 mpg because she was so tiny for an AWD SUV (rare 2 door w rear convertible top-tried to upload photo but said file was too big.) What I like about the Vibes I looked at were the rubber bumpers & sides, which my car had & you can't find any more.

[Nasmfell]

The one on Craigslist is a 2003 GT 6 speed, 144k miles, asking $3990. Was thinking of looking at it until I saw on here that these require premium fuel. I'm looking for economy, so I guess you would have to look carefully at the mpg relative to other cars that do not require premium fuel. My RAV got close to 30 mpg because she was so tiny for an AWD SUV (rare 2 door w rear convertible top-tried to upload photo but said file was too big.) What I like about the Vibes I looked at were the rubber bumpers & sides, which my car had & you can't find any more.

2008 is the way to go, if you can afford it.

[spamnomaam]

Why a 2008? Is there something specific that changed in the manual transmission model that year? Per KBB, a manual would be about the same amt I got for my totaled RAV if I buy from a private party, but a bit more than I want to pay if bought from a dealer. In any case, I have never seen a 2008 in Indianapolis on craigslist or autotrader. Do you know of other places to look? Since I currently have no car and have to borrow one, it is hard to look too far from Indianapolis. Plus I have an excellent mechanic here who I would want to check it. Doubt if anyone would let me test drive their car from Chicago or Cincinnati to Indpls for my mechanic to look.

[trb]

Since a 2008 is the last year of the older body style, it has all of the bugs worked out of it, even though there were not that many to begin with. Plus it might have fewer miles on it and it is the newest year, so many people suggest getting it.

I know the GTs say they require premium, but I have been running mid grade (89) gas in mine and don't experience any issues/detonation that I can tell. But if you are going for economy, a base model 05-08 manual would be your best bet. The lift on GTs is pretty fun, and I tend to hit it at least 5 or 6 times a day getting on the freeway or cruising down the feeder roads to the tollway. And my gas mileage reflects it, averaging about 23 in my commute. I've only driven it on one highway trip, home from San Antonio, and I got about 29 averaging around 65-70 mph. So it is not the most economical Vibe, but it is a bit more fun.

FWIW, that is a decent price on the GT. I paid $2,900 for mine, with 207K miles on it! But it was pretty well maintained, highway miles driven by an insurance salesman.

Good luck on your search!

[Nasmfell]

Why a 2008? Is there something specific that changed in the manual transmission model that year? Per KBB, a manual would be about the same amt I got for my totaled RAV if I buy from a private party, but a bit more than I want to pay if bought from a dealer. In any case, I have never seen a 2008 in Indianapolis on craigslist or autotrader. Do you know of other places to look? Since I currently have no car and have to borrow one, it is hard to look too far from Indianapolis. Plus I have an excellent mechanic here who I would want to check it. Doubt if anyone would let me test drive their car from Chicago or Cincinnati to Indpls for my mechanic to look.

trb explained it I think others have figured that out as well, since as you have mentioned and noticed, 2008s are either harder to find, or the owners are rightfully holding on to them longer. There was a 2008 in my area (Cleveland area), but it has 238K miles. Good luck as well in your search.

[lannvouivre]

Since a 2008 is the last year of the older body style, it has all of the bugs worked out of it, even though there were not that many to begin with. Plus it might have fewer miles on it and it is the newest year, so many people suggest getting it.

Honestly, I'd say 05+. Worst case scenario it will "need" the dealership ECM update for slow start on heat-soaked engine. That's about the only thing they had to change. Mine has that issue, it just takes half a second longer to turn over when the engine is warmed up sometime. Since Toyota hardly does any innovating beyond what's necessary to stay afloat, they don't really make many mistakes in their designs.

That bearing problem from 03 to 4 manual trans and piston ring wear/lubrication were really the only issues I've heard consistently. Oh, and the GM recirc door motor. And the GM A/C compressor clutch or bearing or w/e.

[vibrologist]

I had a recall for the ECM on my regular 05 Vibe. I expect a recall for the airbag when Takata sobers up and does them all.

Anyway, which ever you buy, have a dealer check the recall history using the VIN number.

[spamnomaam]

Hey, I'm back. Still haven't found a car. The one I found on cl a month ago was sold. I had called the guy & he told me to call him after noon next day. He never answered & car was removed from cl so I guess he sold it. I drove 2 Saturday & am having a hard time deciding. Both are GTs. 1st one is a red 2005 w 167k miles, 1 owner who religiously followed maintenance recommendations at same dealer. I assume the dealer detailed it but it is absolutely spotless, looks like a new car. Dealer wants $5995, a bit higher than KBB. 2nd one is a black 2009 w 97k miles, also 1 owner & well maintained. This dealer wants $8495, which is $1500 BELOW KBB price, I'm guessing because this is a new Porsche dealer who took it on trade & they just want to get rid of it.Didn't have time to look at it as carefully because had to keep an appointment.

For some reason I like the older high mileage car better, but am afraid of the high mileage (although I don't drive many miles, so it may not matter.) Other than price and obvious mileage difference, what are the pros and cons of these 2 Vibes? The '05 is 6 speed with a smaller engine than the '09 5 spd 2.4 L, so should get better gas mileage. Do I have to use premium gas for both? Please advise, since I better decide right away or these cars will be gone. Thanks.

[trb]

I get about the same city gas mileage on my 03 GT as I got on my 10 GT - 24 mpg, unless I'm driving it hard and then I get about 22-23 mpg. I got about the same on the highway for both, around 29 or so. And the 09 does not require premium fuel, so that is a plus. I've been running mid range 89 octane in my 03 GT, and even some 87, but I drive it carefully when I've run the regular gas.

Really either one is a decent deal. One thing is the insurance on the newer one was a good bit more than on the older one for me, about $35 a month more. I was paying $112 a month for the 10, and now on the 03 I'm paying about $56, but that is without collision which would run about $20 a month. So that is something to consider.

FWIW, 167K is barely broken in. If it was well maintained, it should have plenty of life remaining. I would inquire about the clutch though. The one in my 03 was replaced at 40K, and again at 190K. If it does need replacement, it can be expensive if you have it done by a shop. You should be able to get that 05 down a bit, probably into the low $5K range.

Good luck!

[Mark]

1st one is a red 2005 w 167k miles, 1 owner who religiously followed maintenance recommendations at same dealer. I assume the dealer detailed it but it is absolutely spotless, looks like a new car. Dealer wants $5995, a bit higher than KBB. 2nd one is a black 2009 w 97k miles, also 1 owner & well maintained. This dealer wants $8495, which is $1500 BELOW KBB price, I'm guessing because this is a new Porsche dealer who took it on trade & they just want to get rid of it.Didn't have time to look at it as carefully because had to keep an appointment.

For some reason I like the older high mileage car better, but am afraid of the high mileage (although I don't drive many miles, so it may not matter.) Other than price and obvious mileage difference, what are the pros and cons of these 2 Vibes? The '05 is 6 speed with a smaller engine than the '09 5 spd 2.4 L, so should get better gas mileage. Do I have to use premium gas for both? Please advise, since I better decide right away or these cars will be gone. Thanks.

Grab that '05 while you can. It's a dealer so maybe you can come in $1k less and negotiate from there and wind up a little less, but for a one-owner with maint history I don't think $6k is too much. You can post here to thank me later.

[tpar1220]

if you are still looking i spotted an older vibe at small car lot in cloverdale saturday. i don't think he has had it very long as i go past there quite a bit and never spotted it before. i don't know what year/model/mileage as i didn't stop to check it out.

i don't remember the car lot name but is on south side of town on left. from indy just run 70 west to 231. cloverdale is at that intersection, then run 231 south all way thru town to sr42. there will be 2 car lots on 231/42 intersection. the lot with the vibe in on north east corner of the intersection.

the other car lot is carson motors, i spose you could call them and ask for number of other place.

and the 09 with 2.4 you are looking at does not require premium.

[tpar1220]

and even closer to you is valley motors just south of mooresville on 67. they have 3 03's in stock. one gt and 2 base models..

http://www.valley-motors.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[spamnomaam]

I went to the site and saw that the manual has 168k miles. I have looked at a 2005 with that many miles and have decided against it even though it is 1 owner with unbelievable maintenance records. Just too many miles. The other 2 are automatics and I will not drive an automatic. Thanks, though. Let me know if you ever find out more about that other one you saw.