About to buy a vibe, if I can find the right one...

[JayC]

I am new to the forum and am about to buy a vibe. I am having a hard time finding a vibe with ABS and side airbags. I can understand about ABS since I live in southern california, and we don't get a lot of rain. But, I don't understand why it's so hard to find a vibe with side airbag. Did other southern californians have same problem?

[joatmon]

I can't help with the availability of side air bags and ABS in southern california, but can say ...Welcome to genvibe, and congratulations on deciding to buy a vibe!

[huy397]

you're having trouble finding a car in California ? try Canada... hehe.Anyway, my Vibe's got ABS and side-airbag.

[18stars]

Right there with you JayC...I wanted a Vibe with side air bags and ABS as well....the local dealer was cool...he had none on his lot but he told me not to compromise on what I wanted and I made up a laundry list of everything I wanted in the car....including ABS, side airbags, 17 in wheels, Fusion Orange etc... he went out and located the car at another dealership a good distance away and traded them for it .....car dealers swap cars between each other all the time....I ended up with exactly what I wanted plus some graphic stripes on the side of the car that the other dealer installed which I would not have requested but I'm starting to really like.. (my dealer offered to remove them but I decided to leave them)....good luck....

[AKLGT]

cool. any pics?

[dsegundo]

Finding one with side airbags is harder than crap. There was none to be had in Michigan or any of the neighboring states. That's allright, Once I got Valerie, I was in love....

[Kari]

Valerie? LOL Cute name

[dsegundo]

thanks..it fits her....and she is pretty cute!

[Craigmri]

Interesting.....I was hell bent on getting navigation....None to be had so I settle for one that had the "Protection Package"(side airbags), 17 inch alloys, moon and toons and in dash 6-cd...all with the 5-speed I had to have.

[michaelgt]

Did you try using GMbuypower.com to search different dealers, or contact a dealer to do a search? I have both ABS and side air bags, and discovered that my insurance was almost $200 cheaper because of them. I had done a quote prior to purchase to determine whether I could afford a Vibe. The quote was for a Vibe without them. I was glad that I got them since it saved me money and for increased safety.

[JayC]

Yes I did try GMbuypower.com and was able to find one about 60miles away. It has side airbags and ABS. It also has 6 cd changer which I don't care to pay extra for, and it comes with steelies instead of alloy wheels which I do want. I guess this is as close as I will get. I am planning to take a drive this weekend and check it out.I was beginning to rethink whether I really need the safety features, I (and my wife more so) decided not to compromise.It just seems strange that almost all the Vibes in Southern California does not have side airbags. Seems like it is a worthwhile option (at least to me).

[dsegundo]

Yeah, I kinda wanted the side airbags for the insurance discount but I needed a new car pretty quickly. It just seems like they didn't make alot of the cars w/ the protection package....what a shame.

[JayC]

Yes, it is a shame. Pontiac (or the dealers who order the car) must think that Vibe buyers are not safety concious. I see a lot more Vibes with 6 cd changer(although they are nice) than side airbags or antilock brakes.

[pmh013]

quote:you're having trouble finding a car in California ? try Canada... hehe.Anyway, my Vibe's got ABS and side-airbag.Finding a custom Vibe in Canada (or any Vibe for that matter) is close to impossible. However, side airbags are standard equipment here.