Purchasing questions...HELP!

[Bobbyg123]

Hi everyone,We're in the process of purchasing a new Vibe for my wife. For starters you should know that this is going to be our "second" vehicle, meaning that we're looking for gas milage and some cargo options. I drive a Saab 9.3, so we don't really need any of the performance features that the GT Vibe offers. Because it's the last day of the month, dealerships are calling me and thowing some great offers around. The thing is, none of the offers have exactly what I'm looking for. I'll show you the deal and follow it up with my questions.2005 Base Vibe 5-sp (Offered at inv of $18,502)Monotone Platinum (we wanted fusion, but oh well)Moon & TunesPower PackageGraphite ClothIt doesn't have the ABS/Safety Canopy features that I would have liked, nor does it have the 16" wheels. I've made some calls and learned that ABS isn't critical in a car of this size and limited power, so I may be able to live without that. Also, the standard crash test ratings are very good. Is there any way for me to upgrade the wheels/tires after market? With the $1500 I'll save on the car, this may be a very good way to go. Thoughts???

[dsegundo]

You can do alot in the Shoe department for the vibe w/ 1500...darnit I wish I had that much for Valerie!

[Vibewatcher]

Take the offer to buy at invoice and order the car with the equipment and color you want. Your post dosen't indicate an immediate need. Get the safety features, and consider the onstar. I would even drop the aluminum wheels to cover some of the safety features.Take a 24hour test drive from the dealer, have them list you as not buying. You may receive a follow up call with an offer of an additional rebate. Also it is possible the 2005 rebate may go up as the summer comes along. You could even get a GM card if you do not have one and earn some additional rebates before the car arrives.Enjoy which ever way you go.

[cohocarl]

Just for the hell of it, I checked the gm employee cost and for a 2005 5-speed, monotone, moons & tunes, and power pkg totals $17,125. without destination or tax, or rebate. Know any relatives who work for GM? I didn't order ABS on mine, mainly because I really don't like abs, and it's another $500. I sold mine a couple months ago, and I only had one person ask if it had ABS, so I don't know if would be a resale concern or not. You will get a couple dollar discount on your insurance if you have them though.

[jake75]

I am in the camp that unless you have an immediate need for a car I'd wait until you can get exactly what you want. Typical deals are $200-300 over invoice so an at invoice offer isn't that great of a deal. Rebate is now $1,000 on '05's, $2,000 on '04's. Some of us think that when the '04's are cleared out that the rebate will jump to $2,000 on the '05's. [Whether right or wrong I have avoided ABS becasue it is one complkcted thing to go wrong.]

[ragingfish]

Last I checked safety canopy is not an option at all.

[Vibewatcher]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Last I checked safety canopy is not an option at all.I think "Head Curtain Air Bags & Seat Mounted Side AIr Bags" is what was the idea.

[Jahntassa]

I'll agree with the general concensus. Since you're going for a 2005 and not an 03/04, get them to give you what you want. Especially if you can afford the wait.When I got my 03, it was approx 10 days from now last year (I've had it a year?! Whoa!), and I had searched the entire state of NJ for a Vibe GT with a Navigation system, there were only 10 at the time (in the whole STATE), so my pickin's were slim.I ended up getting Lava instead of Satellite, Security instead of nothing, 17" wheels intead of 16" (which I don't regret), Power Package, Nav System. The whole thing after rebates, trade-in, blahblah, ended up being around $22k. I can't say it was a bad deal, even though I didn't get -exactly- what I want..I can deal with it.But..I was looking for an 03 well into the 04 season. So that made it tougher. You're looking for an 05, so your options are higher. Use Pontiac.com to search around your area for the exact stuff you're looking for. There's no reason to not get what you want on a newer model year!

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Vibewatcher »I think "Head Curtain Air Bags & Seat Mounted Side AIr Bags" is what was the idea.I realize what he meant, but I was originally under the impression there were no head curtain airbags...I went back to my information though, turns out I was wrong.

[vibeman1]

buy something else

[debi5475]

Why are you so down on them?

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by debi5475 »Why are you so down on them?He's a leech. There're usually a few on every forum on the internet. They kvetch about issues they've had that nobody else has had, or everyone else has dealt with it in a civilized manner. My reccoemendation is to largely ignore negative posts that don't offer explanations, or any "facts". Plus, you can check out how many posts that user has directly under their name, the higher the number, generally the more trustworthy.You've probably seen, the Vibe has it's share of start-up issues, but it's only been around two-three years. No car is perfect, and the issues with the Vibe are lackluster at best. I still wouldn't trade it for anything new on the road. At least..not in the same price range.

[AKLGT]

well, there are lemons to everything. you never know. but the general consensus is that there aren't any probs w/ most. and the gm guys seem to be really trying hard to do something about it. they can't reply back, but i was assured by them at the michigan meet that they do read all of the threads regarding these issues.you can't base everything you hear off the 1%. you have to look at the other 99% to get the more accurate whole picture. no car is perfect, or nothing really is ever perfect. but as long as you are made aware of the reality, then it's not a big deal.