Sold my 2009 Vibe

[finebead]

I bought a 2025 Chevy Equinox EV base LT model, sticker was 34,995. Got the 7,500 federal tax credit, 1,500 "conquest rebate" because I owned an Acura also.

I won't be hanging with y'all anymore, but I wanted to say thanks for the help over the years. You all have been a big help!!!

Happy Trails!

[tpollauf]

Good timing on the purchase! There's talk that some of the federal rebates/incentives may go away with the new administration next year. Curious how your Vibe was handed off? Trade in or sell to private buyer? $$$$$$ & mileage/condition. Good luck with the new EV

[finebead]

I traded in the Vibe for $2,000. It was in great running shape. Kelly blue book said 3,500 was fair trade value, 5,000 - 5500 for private sale, 126,000 miles on it. I got 3,000 dealer discount on the Equinox EV, so with all the discounts it was 12,000 off MSRP. I caved a bit on the trade, but don't have to deal with selling it myself. Out the door price was a tad under 24k. I will have to install a home level 2 charger, 500 for the device, up to 1,000 to run a 240 v line and install it. It feels good driving by all of the gas stations, or idling in traffic without polluting.

[VibeNation2024]

Appreciate the farewell post! You are right in line with my thoughts on a Vibe replacement. I have been closely following EV's (options, price, range, charging, models, etc) and think the Equinox is the best overall choice in my situation. I wanted to wait until it was released and start reading the reviews since it was delayed release. As far as my Vibe, I'm going to be handing off my 2007 Vibe to my daughter once she gets her license in a year. Best to you!

[finebead]

Chevy came out with the high end trim levels of the Equinox EV first and delayed the base model till fall 2024 (a 2025 model). That got the sticker down to 35K. I got one with no add-ons. The approached me with Lojack, ceramic coat and something else for 2K, I said no, salesman said OK. That was easy at Mac Haik Chevy in Houston. I love the vehicle. Wife and I are both retired, need two cars for convenience and we didn't want to spend a lot. We have the other vehicle for long trips, so I don't plan to take an hour to charge on the road. Musk and Trump have talked about killing the 7.5K tax credit, but even if they do, if you buy your vehicle before it is killed, you should get the credit. Chevy made it easy, I got the credit in the dealership, filled out a paper and the dealer will apply for and get the rebate later. Super easy. There is an equinox ev forum.

[VibeNation2024]

Not sure if you are monitoring the forum anymore but if you are and could provide a 1+ month review so far on the Equinox EV, I would greatly appreciate it! I'm considering one and would love the feedback from a former Vibe owner!

[finebead]

I love the Equinox EV! Even the base model has lots of features like adaptive cruise control. Acceleration is good, there is a sport driving mode with low gear type pickup and more aggressive regenerative breaking. I am fine with the standard drive mode, I'm 72. The vehicle is quiet and handles bumps well. The more expensive models have a heads up display for speed (I don't need), better radio (I don't need), leather interior (I can do without). The more expensive models come with 21" wheels, more expensive to replace. I pay .17 per KWH for electricity, and my calculation shows it costs me half what gas would cost at 2.50 a gallon. The vehicle comes with a "mobile charger" that can charge with 110v or there is another pigtail for a certain type of 240v plug (level 2 charging). The 110v charger kept us going until we got our own level 2 charger, but we charged every day, the 110 is SSSSSSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. It only charges about 10% overnight. The level 2 charger can give you a full charge to 80% overnight.

The regenerative breaking is a hoot. You ease up on the accelerator and the vehicle begins to slow and it uses the energy to produce electricity to charge the main battery, improving the range. It takes about 15 minutes to get used to "one foot driving" and you only use the conventional brake pedal in an emergency fast stop situation. I guess your break pads should last longer. The vehicle is heavy, 5,000 pounds.

I bought a better level 2 charger for the garage, Chargepoint, for $500. It's faster than the cheaper models, and I may not need it often, but if I do I have it over the next 10 - 15 years, if I'm still driving. My master electrician who is a one man LLC charged $3,000 to do the install. My main breaker had capacity so that was good, house is 40 years old. He had to trench 70 feet from my breaker box on one end of the house (outside wall) to the detached garage, plus 8 foot standups on either end, 2" PVC conduit buried 18" down, ran 3 strands of #4 wire from the main breaker box to a subpanel in the garage (my choice, could have run #6 wire all the way to the charger, but no flexibility after that). He ran #6 wire from the subpanel to the charger, about 40 feet counting the up and down. A bigger company bid $4,000 for the same thing. If the breaker box is next to the charger in a modern home, my guy said he charges 500-600 dollars to install. That may be more than you wanted to know, but I would not want you to surprised. We don't know the electrician, but my son knows "of him" since he was the electrician for the school district my son teaches in before he went on his own, and I verified his license on the TX license website, TDLR.COM .

Vehicle has no spare tire. You get an air pump (cig. lighter connection in the trunk) and a can a black goop flat fix for bad leaks. If the tire is destroyed, its call the tow truck. We don't plan on taking trips in this thing, so its ok for us. There is no jack, and no jacking points on the side of the vehicle. To rotate tires, go to discount tire and they pick it up using the whole under frame.

No oil changes, no oil or air filter changes, no transmission drain and fill, no spark plug changes, no radiator drains and fill. I did all that myself on the Vibe. I figure if I went to the dealer, my annual maintenance would come down 500 per year. You have break pads, and break fluid. There is a coolant for the battery, they said it changes at 10 years. There is a 12 volt battery that runs the dashboard, that has to be changed occasionally (4 or 5 years?). I don't think it is powerful enough to jump a car, check it out.

I'll check back once more if you have a question. I am a happy camper, and taking it easy on the environment. I smile every time I pass a gas station.

[tpollauf]

Glad to hear things are going well for you and are very pleased so far with the vehicle. Seeing where you're located, you'll do great with the EV. Up here where it gets real cold and snowy, we may not fare as well. Definitely check in every six months or so and keep us updated. I know I plan on being on this forum until my dooms day comes or till the admins drop it

[finebead]

The thing that caused me to do the deal now is the $7,500 tax credit. The Vibe ran incredibly solid, and it jumped to accelerate taking off from stop lights. I planned to keep it until it became unreliable and then buy an EV, hoping the prices would come down. With the tax credit, gm rebate, dealer discount, I decided the time was now.