AWD vs Base...5 speed vs 6 speed???

[Oilpatchguy444]

Thinking about another Vibe. Have found an "04" 4 speed auto AWD w/ 82,000+ miles on her and an "04" 5 speed standard Base w/ 87,000+ miles. I don't no anything about the AWD other then she weights about 176 more lbs. and has a 1.8l 1ZZ. Anyone have anything good to say about the AWD vs the Base? I have an "04" GT 6 speed and love it. How would the "04" 5 speed compare in pep?

[MacGyver]

Some of the AWD suspension components are long out of production and nearly impossible to find, even in junkyards. So the car you're buying had better have no rust on the undercarriage.

[Caretaker]

I noticed you did not mention a price point, not only for the car you wrote about but your budget in general. I'd seriously avoid a nearly 14 year old car unless you were getting it for next to nothing and if all wheel drive is that important where you live. There are lots of great small used cars out there now (Vibe, Matrix, Fit) and an even greater amount of used small SUVs that have been butting heads trying to out class one another since 2007. Don't disregard looking at a much newer car with what the current owner perceives are high miles. The Corolla engine isn't even broken in until 100,000 miles and a Fit can easily go for 300,000 miles or more.

[joatmon]

The AWD had a little less HP than the base.

While the GT's 6 speeds have been pretty reliable, the base 5 speed manual transmission, especially in the 03 and maybe o4s have an established history of bearing issues.

[Oilpatchguy444]

Thanks ever so much for the feed back. your information is greatly appreciated.