new to me 04 GT

[tgsnellg75]

Picked up a 2004 Vibe GT with 86k miles awhile back. Saw it sitting in a used car lot in Tyler Tx. Super clean. Made him an offer he didn't like. Watched it sit for a few weeks, went back an got it for $6300. He wanted $8650 originally. I think the 6-speed manual turns a lot of people away. And it would not start most of the time due to a faulty clutch safety switch. (bypassed that first thing). He had the carfax on it. Spent its life in Longview, one owner car. I am enjoying it alot. I have a 120 mile round trip commute to work every day, all highway, and it is getting a steady 32mpg. I had a 2007 base vibe before and put 200k on it before I sold it. Picked up a mazda B2300 truck, but never really liked it much. When I saw this vibe I just had to have it. I have named it the OT (orange throbber)

[vibrologist]

Congratulations! what a find!

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! That is indeed a pretty rare Fusion monotone GT you've got there! Thanks for posting pictures right away. It's gorgeous!

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe Awesome color and glad you found us here.

[ImUrOBGYN]

Nice find. It's shocking how much these things sell for. How's the interior and mileage?

[trb]

Congrats on a nice looking Vibe GT! I do like Fusion ones, it is a very unique color. Sounds like a good one there with the mileage and one owner.

[tgsnellg75]

Thanks everybody.
One of the reasons I jumped on it was how good the interior was. No tears, stains, or wear. Extremely good shape. Only issue was the previous owner was a smoker. Took forever to get the smell out. Best way found was sprinkling baking soda all over the mats and seats, then left it sit in the sun for a couple of days. Everything in it looks to be original. The cabin filter was real bad too. I was a little worried about the age but knowing how well my 2007 lasted I figured it was worth the risk. Sure is peppier than the base model. I don't like paying for the premium gas though. I have been alternating the premium and midgrade with out any ill effects. I never hotdog it around either. I ran mobil 1 oil at 8000 mile change intervals on the 2007, doing the same with this one. Clutch is fine, brake pads almost new, I really don't understand why nobody else jumped on it. The fusion color does seem rare, never see any around here.

[trb]

Oh yes, the interiors can hold up well if taken care of. Mine had 207K on it when I bought it, and it looked as good as my son's car with about 70K on it. The prior owner was an insurance salesman in central Texas, so he drove a lot between the small towns. I had to battle the smoke smell in the 2010 GT I had also, but luckily bowls of vinegar and shampooing the interior helped a lot with that.

As for fuel, I've used mostly 89 octane in my 03 GT and it runs OK on it. But since gas is now much cheaper, I've been blending 1/2 and 1/2 - 89 and 93 octane for an average fuel price of $2.16. 89 was $2.05 and 93 was $2.27. I've noticed my MPG is a bit higher in the city, like 25.5+ vs 23.5 on only 89 octane, so it is probably a break even on the cost vs the additional MPG. I'm on my third blended tank now so I'll keep checking the MPG.

And it is a lot more fun then a base model for sure!

[Nasmfell]

Thanks everybody.
One of the reasons I jumped on it was how good the interior was. No tears, stains, or wear. Extremely good shape. Only issue was the previous owner was a smoker. Took forever to get the smell out. Best way found was sprinkling baking soda all over the mats and seats, then left it sit in the sun for a couple of days. Everything in it looks to be original. The cabin filter was real bad too. I was a little worried about the age but knowing how well my 2007 lasted I figured it was worth the risk. Sure is peppier than the base model. I don't like paying for the premium gas though. I have been alternating the premium and midgrade with out any ill effects. I never hotdog it around either. I ran mobil 1 oil at 8000 mile change intervals on the 2007, doing the same with this one. Clutch is fine, brake pads almost new, I really don't understand why nobody else jumped on it. The fusion color does seem rare, never see any around here.

Good luck, hope you don't have tranny issues with it.

[ImUrOBGYN]

I hate getting on my soapbox but here it goes anyway :

People, stop filling your tanks with anything other than what the manufacturer calls for. If you don't want to pay for premium, sale the car to someone who will care for it properly and buy a car that you can fill with the minimum octane.

[thebarber]

If you're too cheap to buy 91, you should've bought a base. $2-3/tank is cheaper than an engine.

[vibrologist]

If you're too cheap to buy 91, you should've bought a base. $2-3/tank is cheaper than an engine.

+1

also most of it you save back anyway because of the better fuel mileage.

Penny-wise, dollar-foolish.

[thebarber]

If you're too cheap to buy 91, you should've bought a base. $2-3/tank is cheaper than an engine.

+1

also most of it you save back anyway because of the better fuel mileage.

Penny-wise, dollar-foolish.

**pound foolish