Only thing I hate about my Vibe

[Craigmri]

OK we're about 4 months into our '04 Vibe and can say the only thing I really hate about the car is the fragile paint. We have the monotone Neptune and I have decided that the painted cladding has such weak paint I think if I looked at it cross eye'd it would chip right off.Other than the paint the car needs more torque but its liveable and the great mileage makes up for this shortcoming.I think GM really should focus more on Paint durablility and stop settling for mediocrity. Best way to win over shoppers and create loyal customers is to develop a good reputation for making things well. If it werent for the Toyota in the thing I'd have shopped elsewere.

[Merzbow]

(removed). "what are those paint chips from?" "Oh I looked at it cross-eyed and they just appeared". I have two-tone, not a single paint issue for me knock on wood

[Craigmri]

Merz,I'm referring to the painted cladding. The paint is extremely fragile.

[ArcsVibe]

I agree 1000% with you! I even have a hood deflector and still have a few paint chips on the hood.......I really do hope that GM/Toyota do address this problem.

[Merzbow]

Oh I knew what you mean't I was just telling you I don't have any chips on the hood or anything. Bragging

[cibomatto]

Yeah the apint in my Vibe is getting worse... Its only a year old and its looking pretty beaten up.... This is such a sore issue for me...GM if you are reading this.. do something about it.. I got a GM card for the purposes of purchasing another Vibe down the road however I have searching lately for a MAZDA Viva card ::hint hint::...

[ArcsVibe]

LOL yeah GM we are looking at the Mazda 3

[bellwilliam]

that's why I got 3M clearbra on my car.

[Stang2Vibe]

That's kinda funny, Craigmri, my paint chips are all on the steel body panels so far, no problems with my painted cladding. Yours was possibly the victim of a bad batch of paint or primer?My problems with the car have, so far, been with the "Toyota" stuff. I've had my check engine light on for about 2 weeks now and it has stalling spells every once in a while. I have a grinding/popping/squeaking sound coming from somewhere in the front suspension that I've noticed since the car had about 700 miles on it (it just turned 13,000 miles today so it's been a while). My clutch pedal makes a "squish" sound every time I press it down and a "squeak" every time I let it up---that is freakin' annoying, let me tell you. The battery in it is way underpowered for cold weather and barely starts the car, and when it does, the car makes this weird whirring/whining sound on really cold starts. My Mustang cost me about $5000 less than my Vibe and held up much better through it's first 13,000 miles. Heck my Geo Tracker didn't cause me this much grief and I traded it in when it was 7 years old and had 78,000 miles---and I bought it used for about 1/3 what the Vibe cost. I love my Vibe, but these issues are getting me really ticked off. I absolutely hate Honda, but the Acura RSX Type-S is starting to look real appealing to me now. A local Acura dealer has a leftover '03 Type S that is loaded and has a body kit added on. Last time I was there, they were willing to entertain offers considerably below sticker price on it.

[AKLGT]

hmm. i've really not had any huge issues besides the battery being a bit sluggish. my clutch does slip a little, but i have plans to upgrade it anyways. paint seems to be holding up surprisingly well for the salt, rocks, and gravel we have on our roads. i got rid of my annoying back up beep (the biggest gripe) and if gm would come out with their own aftermarket accessories, i'd be one very happy vibe gt owner.

[Stang2Vibe]

An upgraded clutch kit won't solve my clutch problem. The noises are coming from the pedal inside the car, not the clutch itself or it's immediately surrounding parts. I may have to upgrade my clutch as well for when I tow my jet ski. I have to see how bad it slips currently to justify the cost of buying and installing a performance clutch.

[Froggiegirl]

funny that you say that. I bought my 03 vibe on april 4th of last year and 2 days later my paint started PEELING, not chipping. I am a contract for GM and I have not been able to get any response to having them fix it at all. The dealer repainted the parts twice and now the regional manager for all vibe defects is calling it normal wear and tear. WHATEVER!

[Houston]

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »Yours was possibly the victim of a bad batch of paint or primer.This could be the case, for sure. I worked in Buick Quality Control for 33 years, part of that time in paint. Bad batches of primer/paint ocasionally get in there and are not caught until later when customers start complaining. Complain to your dealer, 'cause there's a good chance that others with vin numbers on both sides of you are in the same boat.

[Froggiegirl]

I have complained and the "vibe guy at GM" said that it is normal wear and tear. I have to file a complaint with the BBB and then within 45 days GM will have to talk to me about it. Funny thing is I'm a contractor for GM and you would think they would listen to someone that works for them and word of mouth is the best adverstisment. And trust me sometime I wish I would have bought the Matrix.