Ease my buyer's remorse. Please evaluate this deal.

[Bobbyg123]

Hi everyone,We pulled the trigger and ordered a 2005 Vibe. Because it's the current model year, they didn't require a deposit to place the order which I really like. The car will be here in 6-8 weeks. Like many people, I'm suffering from a case of buyers remorse. Check out the deal and let me know what you think. 2005 Fusion Base Vibe 5-sp manualMonotoneLeatherMoon & TunesPower PackageABS / Safety Package6-disc changerAll pricing at invoice $20,500 (not incl. tax & lic)So I ask myself...What else could I have gotten for $20,000??? 2004 Subaru Forester's are being cleared out for that price, but wouldn't have leather and some of the other perks. Mazda 3's are in that range too. Matrix's are $1500 less. And obviously there are a lot of quality used cars out there for under $20K. I'm pretty confident in my purchase. My wife and I don't have kids (yet) and she'll use the car for a good 15-18K miles/year. The reliability and gas milage will help offset the over-inflated "new car markup" in 5 years, and we're the type of owners who will drive the car until at least 150K miles. On the flip side, $20K is a lot of money for what is essentially a Toyota Corolla. Since I don't HAVE the car right in front of me, I need some reassuring words from other Vibe owners. I'm thinking when the car does arrive, it'll look like a "baby lexus" with the leather seating and erase many of the second thoughts I'm having. Thanks for letting me vent.

[Jahntassa]

Words: DON'T LOOK BACK!There is NO other new car that I would buy to replace the Vibe. None..that I could afford anyway. I eyed the Pacifica for a while, but that's another $10k.The Vibe is stylish (even though you might read a lot about us griping over the new front end), it's versatile, and yes, it's basically a Toyota!I've never been a fan of the Matrix stylings, which is why I got a Vibe. Mazda3's are nice, too, but I was under the impression they're a bit smaller.When you say 6-disc changer...do you mean an in-dash? I didn't know they were offering a seperate changer. I have one seperate, but that's because I needed the Nav system.Your options were pretty spot on, nothing I would say you've gone wrong on. Be confident in your purchase! Even if you don't have a GT, you have a wagon that handles supurbly, fits comfortably, and will serve you for years to come!By the way, did I mention it's a toyota? That engine will probably last you much longer than 150k!Edit: It makes sense to be nervous after putting down for so much money and having to wait! Read through the forums, we have a LOT of information on what we've found with our Vibes. Not a lot for concern, especially compared to other vehicles. Mostly just gripes.. Once you have those keys in your hands, you'll feel much better!

[Bobbyg123]

You know the game. You start looking around at "what else" you could have bought for $20K and it kind of freaks you out. I agree with you. Once a year or two has gone by, we'll love our vehicle and it'll almost be paid for. It should serve us well for 5-7 years with a low cost of ownership. Thanks.

[03VibeGT6Spd]

I gave up my 1999 Supercharged Buick Rivera for our Vibe GT.There were a few things we gave up.#1 Power leather seat's#2 Climate control#3 The width of the interior#4 Rear air suspensionThe things we gained#1 More comfortable seating#2 Beter fuel economy ( about 5 mpg city & 2 mpg highway)#3 Faster acceration#4 Better handling#5 More headroom front and back#6 6 speed manuel transmission#7 A better layed out set of gauges#8 The Moons and tunes pkg has a much better sound system then the Bose did.#9 4 doors much easier dealing with the car seat and passengersThere was also a $14,000 sticker difference.I shouldn't say this but I think the Vibe is under priced, compared to other GM products. Don't tell GM!I would bet, this will be the best $20,000 car you will ever buy!

[jake75]

1. I have not taken the time to look at the MSRP/Invoice on those specs. If you bought at invoice (probably $1,300 or so below MSRP) AND got the $1,000 rebate you bought as low as you can expect.2. If you got a Corolla with all that equipment you probably would be looking at $19,000.3. I question that a comparably equipped Matrix costs $1,500 less. If it is, buy the Matrix for God's sake.4. In eight weeks you might be looking at a $2,000 rebate. Rebate depends on when you buy the car, not when you order it.5. IMO it is used cars that are overpriced, not new cars. A dealer is happy to make the $600 holdback on a new car, but expects to make $2,500 on a $18,000 used car. New cars depreciate a lot when driven off the lot. But used cars also depreciate a lot when driven off the lot. A use car with 15,000 miles is that much closer to needing tires, brake pads, coolant change, etc. etc. etc. A 15,000 mile used car has 21,000 miels of warrantly left - a new one 36,000 miles. I think the savings by buying late model used is a myth unless you can buy from a private owner at or near what the dealer would give that private owner in trade.

[MoonDogg]

Sounds like a good deal with the leather and everything.. but yall are making me feel realy good.. I just bought mine a week ago and got a 2004 vibe GT Fusion OrangeMoon & Tune MontonePower Pkg's Floor Mats Etc. for $21,999

[jake75]

At $21,999 (assume plus tax etc.) I guess I cease being a Vibe fan. My 2003 AT/Mono, Power pkg msrp $18,690 was $15,650 after disc and rebate less another $2,000 GM Card rebate for a net of $13,650 plus tax etc. Wonder what all those options will be worth when it comes time to sell or trade.

[Zeromus-X]

The only other car I'd consider in that price range would be a Mazda3. Before I drove the Vibe, I was set on one of those. They're gorgeous. I ended up paying $14,5 for my 2003... for a few more I could have got a Mazda3... but I really liked the way the Vibe handled, and it is indeed a bit bigger.

[MoonDogg]

Yeah I looked at the Mazda 3 before also... but that dream faded some time back.... Got the Vibe an't looking back.. and I love it..

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »At $21,999 (assume plus tax etc.) I guess I cease being a Vibe fan. My 2003 AT/Mono, Power pkg msrp $18,690 was $15,650 after disc and rebate less another $2,000 GM Card rebate for a net of $13,650 plus tax etc. Wonder what all those options will be worth when it comes time to sell or trade. Also depends if you do sell or trade. I bought the Vibe with the intention to keep it at LEAST 10 years (how long my Probe lasted). Since it's a Toyo engine, I expect the Vibe could last longer. So, in my eyes, the $21k i'm paying for it will be well paid.It depends on your level of commitment, though. I still say, don't worry! Once you get it, you'll be fine!

[MoonDogg]

Yeah I had a trade and it ate all my rebates... I would of paid like $19K for it. But, I do plan on having it a long time and love the car so its all worth it

[Reynoma]

Don't double-think your choice. My sticker was closer to $22K (GT, no leather). I've had my car for almost a year, and I don't regret it once. These days, unless you go to Hundai or Kia, you are going to pay close to $20k for a respectable car. The Vibe, is much more than just respectable.

[robodog61]

You should have buyer's remorse. I wouldn't spend that much for a Vibe. I have 2 and love the car but learned a valuable lesson. The first one I paid about 16K for a base 5 speed with moons and tunes and power. About 9 months later, I spent about 1K less and got auto buy doing homework and not becoming emotionally attatched. I even think that from now on, I will never get a new car for over 15K, I will get used. It's only a car - a good car - but only a car. Good luck.

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[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by robodog61 »You should have buyer's remorse. I wouldn't spend that much for a Vibe. I have 2 and love the car but learned a valuable lesson. The first one I paid about 16K for a base 5 speed with moons and tunes and power. About 9 months later, I spent about 1K less and got auto buy doing homework and not becoming emotionally attatched. I even think that from now on, I will never get a new car for over 15K, I will get used. It's only a car - a good car - but only a car. Good luck. Dealers make a lot more money on a late model used car than they do a new car. Factoring in the wear on tires, brake pads, even wipers, and the need to replace things like plugs, battery, antifreeze, brake fluid, tranny fluid etc that much sooner, plus the value of the warranty, I have concluded that new is the better deal. I just went through this with my daughter. She was looking at a used 4 yr old mini-van with 50,000 miles for $11,995. Got a new one for $17,995. Loan rate is less on the new car. Only expense for 3 years will be oil changes. (Dealer would have made $2,500 on the used - was lucky to make $500 on the new).

[ragingfish]

Dealers make an AMAZING profit on used cars -- sometimes 4-5 thousand in one sale...The profit margin for used cars far exceeds that for new cars...

[Jahntassa]

Not to mention what "surprises" are lurking behind that used car... I know at least four-five people (friends, or workmates) that've gotten used cars, mostly Hondas or Acuras..and they've all died at least three times in two months. Not to mention all the used cars we have coming into the roadshop to get the stereos working. It'(removed) or miss if your electronics have been completely destroyed or not. And that's another 200-300 to pay out to get the stereo fully working..