Is 500km OK?

[vibegirl]

It looks like my factory order will not be delievered in time for the "ring in to win" special and the 0% financing. My dealer has found an identical car for me (with $1300 more options!), and I could get it within 2 weeks. The dilemma is that the car he found has 500 km (approx 300 miles I think)on it. Is 500 km OK? I have read in other threads, the impotance of babying the vehicle for the first few months. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Fast Eddie]

I think with the new engines and computers, there is less a 'breaking in' period for cars these day. It use to be you were supposed to keep the speed under 80kph and change the oil after 750K. Going through the Vibe manual, none of this was advised. I guess you should find out whelther the car was a demo, which should mean the car is fine, or if the cars has been returned because the customer was unsatified with the car for some reason or another.

[vibegirl]

Thanks, I never thought to ask that!

[NSimkins]

quote:Going through the Vibe manual, none of this was advised.Actually, it is. Go into your Vibe manual, or click the link below to view the manual online in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) form:http://www.mygmlink.com/pdf/go2content/ ... vibe.pdfGo to Section 2-17 for New Vehicle "Break-In"quote:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate "break-in." But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:* Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km). Don't make full-throttle starts.* Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings aren't yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings.* Don't tow a trailer during break-in. See "Towing a Trailer" in the Index for more information.I had about 200 miles on my Vibe when I bought it from the lot. Have not had any problems with any aspects of the vehicle and I am now pushing 5000 miles. I would have preferred a brand new (under 10 miles), but it wasn't a big deal to me nor a deal-breaker. As suggested, definately see what the miles came from particularly if it was a dealer demo, etc.

[d_m_kolb]

I have also been told this by my service department manager. We had a long talk one afternoon and he said that back in the 70s the same car could be 20 to 30 HP higher or lower than the car next to it because of the way things were made and assembled back then. The tolorences and the way vehicles are made today pretty much illeminates the need for a break in. Hell he was saying at the factory when the vehicle it put together before going out and being parked in the parking to sit and wait until it's delivered to a dealer, it goes through a few tests. Someone goes over the whole thing and one thing they do is start the vehicle and run it wide open for about 2 minutes. If it brakes (which normally doesn't happen) it's taken back in and replaced but this is done to make sure everything is going to hold together. I personally didn't do any kind of break in on my car. I drove the (removed) outta of it on the way home. LOL I wouldn't worry about 300 miles.

[moondawg]

I wouldn't think it's a problem......

[viBert]

Use it to negotiate the price down! Make sure they give you the extra 500Km to add onto your warranty. Instead of 60,000 Km, get 60,500.

[vibegirl]

Excellent idea about the warranty!Thanks everyone, I think I may go for it so I can ring in to win!!!

[JayAyeEm]

Check it over real carefully for dings. My vibe had about 250 miles on it when I got it, and there was a small ding in one of the front quarter panels. It was noted before I left the lot, so the dealer had it fixed for nothing the following week. Amazing what body guys can do these days... never even know it was there.

[camthecanuck]

Hi Vwgirl.. I would be more concerned about getting roped into taking options that I didn't want at a higher price than I would the mileage. Maybe they will give you a better deal or something or throw in aftermarket accessories? Not likely, methinks. If you have a substantial amount of GM VISA money I would grab it and run probably as I indicated in an earlier post as of 2003 GM VISA earning application will be severely limited. Have you tried searching GM Canada internet site for yourself? I used various postal codes and dealer names to chase my car to ground. I knew exactly what was where and with what options before I jumped. Note that it is better to check early in the week as the dealers often don't keep their inventories up to date on a daily basis.

[Chris]

The only advice I could give is to make sure it was not a demo. I usualy find demos are driven pretty hard and not fully warmed up.That said, it still should not be a huge prob but maybe allow you to negotiate a better discount.

[vibegirl]

Thanks again! I have ordered this one and will recieve it in 10 days, rather than ????? weeks!

[vibegirl]

Also, the dealer ensured that it was never purchased or leased before and stated that the 500 km was due to a sales guy driving it from one dealer to another. I am also trying to get the warranty to 60,500, apparently there may be a limit to that.

[MadBill]

Re: "...drove the (removed) out of it on the way home...", I used to hear the expression: "Break it in fast and it will go fast" a lot. Someone would usually add: "...but not for long!" Almost every day on the local freeway, I see young guys blowing by at 150 KPH plus ( 94 MPH) with a dealer plate flapping in their slipstream: another vehicle soon to be tenderly broken in by its indulgent new owner...With the improved machining precision of modern engine plants, it's pretty hard to hurt one but it makes sense to follow the manual, just to play it safe.

[vibegirl]

After all this they were unable to trade for it!

[vibegirl]

They found me another though with only 18km. I picked it up on Friday, and am now a pround new owner.

[rubberman]

if you ever seen a new car come off the line if it is going to break it will break there i seen empylees doing burnouts race acrooss the parking lot all that stuff

[Shadow Realm]

Congratulations on getting your Vibe!!!! I think that there is definatley less break in periods now anyway. I am an impatient person and don't usually get much past the 200 -300 mile marker before guning my car. I haven't had any problems so far, but I also buy imports and they seem to have better engines and they will take alot more abuse as well.