Vibe Question

[Philosopher]

I want to buy a used vibe. I've found one for a pretty good price from an indy dealer. But I am little worried about the Vehicle History. Here it is from carfax:05/01/2003 56 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 05/14/2003 Dealer InventoryArizona Vehicle sold 05/28/2003 ArizonaMotor Vehicle Dept.Mesa, AZ Registered aspersonal vehicle 05/29/2003 60 ArizonaMotor Vehicle Dept.Mesa, AZTitle #258M003148063 Title or registration issuedFirst owner reported 07/01/2003 3,541 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 09/05/2003 7,192 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 11/06/2003 10,700 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 01/09/2004 14,530 Service Facility Vehicle servicedLubed oil and filter changed 03/03/2004 19,001 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 11/03/2004 29,029 Auto Auction Sold at auctionin Desert Southwest RegionListed asa manufacturer vehicle 11/05/2004 29,030 CaliforniaInspection Station Passed emissions inspection 12/13/2005 49,191 CaliforniaInspection Station Passed emissions inspection There is a lot of service reports. They could be oil changes. But, the last one says oil change, so why don't the others? Also, it was sold at an auction as a "manufacturer vehicle". Is this bad? Does this mean that it was a buyback?

[joatmon]

I'd read the various service reports as meaning "regularly serviced at a dealer" and not much more. THe carfaax glossary of terms at http://www.carfax.com/Definitions/Glossary.cfm saysQuote »Manufacturer Vehicle - Manufacturer vehicles are vehicles put up for sale by the manufacturer. These vehicles are typically only available to dealers at special auctions. These vehicles have generally been registered as lease or rental vehicles.I don't know how that ties in to the intial registration as a personal vehicle, but I don't know about the various steps a car goes through. Maybe it was a trade in, and the record didn't get updated untilt he dealer who took it as a trade put it up for auction, but that is only an uninformed guess.So welcome to genvibe! Good luck in the purchase. Philospher? What is the meaning of life?

[mcgusto82]

there's no report of damage... so there isn't anything i see to be worried about.carfax does report a car being a fleet vehicle. it doesn't say so. maybe arizona requires dealers or service stations to report them to dmv. which is maybe why the service is listed.either the car is a repo or very high mileage. dealers won't auction a car unless it's over 10 years old or over 100k miles. banks always auction repos. leasing agencies that manage corporate fleets also auction the vehicle. most rental places sells their vehicles tothe public, not auction.i'd put my money on repo.either way, doesn't seem like a bad car.if you don't mind me asking, how many miles and price?

[ColonelPanic]

Doesn't look that bad to me... I looked my car up on Carfax when I had an account last month, it was scary. This is only up to ~42,000 mi despite the report being run when I had 64K. Looks like every time it has been to the dealer, it shows up on the Carfax report. Many of the "vehicle serviced" entries were from oil changes, but a lot of the others were from who knows what that has broken over time.Whereas, I found plenty of '05 model ex-rental cars that only showed where they were initially titled and registered, then sold at auction, and finally showing up on a dealer's lot. Nothing in between for service records, so I assume that is because the maintenance was done by the rental place and not a dealer/etc. that would send this info back to Carfax.

Attached files

[Philosopher]

Thanks for all the helpful comments. This is a 2003 Vibe with 49000 miles on it. An independent dealer is asking 9000 cash which doesn't include taxes and fees. It sounds like a good deal to me!What do you all think?

[joholste]

probably just oil changes and tire rotations from the mileage difference on each of them. i'd pick it up if i were looking for a car right now.

[viberationz]

I've never even heard of Carfax before - But now that I've checked it out it looks pretty sweet. I think just out of curiousty I will pay to check up on my Vibe! Although since I have owned my Vibe (bought at 18,000KM) I have never once taken it to the dealership. I change my own oil, everything tires is done at the tire shop, and I haven't had to go in for any repairs or warranty work yet - and I am at 50,000KM. Although you guys worry me - I guess Canadian and American prices are quite different but I paid an even $20,000 for my Vibe - I believe it was initially sold for $32,000!! Hard to believe? I bet you are all thinking - YOU GOT RIPPED!!

[joholste]

i don't see where you got the $32,000... according to carfax report it was sold at 29,000 miles at a dealer auction

[viberationz]

Uhhh... my car.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Philosopher »Thanks for all the helpful comments. This is a 2003 Vibe with 49000 miles on it. An independent dealer is asking 9000 cash which doesn't include taxes and fees. It sounds like a good deal to me!What do you all think?You can get an idea of what the market is at kbb.com, edmunds.com etc. A lot depends on equipment and condition. 3 model years, 2.67 calendar years, 49,000 miles. What would a new one cost you? I fugure that 20 cents a mile is a good ballpark depreciation number. So if a new one similarly equipped costs 18,800 plus tax etc. that $9,000 is about right. I have always preferred new myself as it seems to me that when you factor in the cost of maintaining and repairing a car with 49,000 miles the monthly outlay is likely to be close to what a new one costs. A 2006 base Vibe with AT and power package should cost about 17,500 to 18,000 plus tax after dealer discount.

[Philosopher]

Hey I'd prefer new...that is if I had the money. I don't so I am looking for the best deal possible. I understand that up keep cost will go up. But, I figure that the Vibe's Corolla motor and transmission ought to get at least another 40-50,000 care free miles. For those of you with higher mileage on your vibes, Have you had significant problems?

[viberationz]

I'm at 50,000KM - still no problems. I dread the day something goes wrong... Although I still have 50,000KM left under warranty. You can only do so much worrying - as with any vehicle, in time you will need to replace or repair something down the road. I'm in the midst of purchasing a better winter vehicle - it's tough getting used vehicles, you never know what you are getting into. If you do chose to get the Vibe I wish you the best of luck - I am sure everything will be fine. But they say it's better to be safe than sorry, just don't stress yourself out over it too much!

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Philosopher »Hey I'd prefer new...that is if I had the money. I don't so I am looking for the best deal possible. I understand that up keep cost will go up. But, I figure that the Vibe's Corolla motor and transmission ought to get at least another 40-50,000 care free miles. It's all a matter of running the numbers. About the only incentive on New Vibes is subsidized financing. I think it may be 4.9% for 6 years. On $18,000 that would be a monthly payment of approximately $287. A 3 year loan on a used car is probably 7% apr. On $9,000 that would be approximately $277 a month.Granted you are facing 6 years lof payments instead of 3 but at the end of each scenario you end up with a 6 year old Vibe. In the first scenario you have the benefit of enjoying a new fully warranted car for 3 years.Of course those rates depend on having a good credit history.

[northvibe]

if your super worried take it to your mechanic for a once over. I do that to every car ive bought (only 2) and the ones the mechanic said might have issues i never touch, just bring them back to the seller and say mmmmm no, next car! other wise that car looks good. My vibe was from a rental fleet and they had the service record and it looked like that, but it was all basic inspections and oil changes , nothing problematic.

[Philosopher]

Update!I went out to look at the car today. It was piece of crap...to put it mildly . It obviously was in an accident that was not reported on Carfax. The back fender was badly repainted and there were like 20 or more dings. Inside it smelled like smoke, the passenger seat was stained, all the buttons were worn out, the previous owner had a cover on the dash and they left the Velcro tabs stuck on, etc. Also, in the front it was missing a fog light and there was more bad paint. Lesson learned...Carfax doesn't tell the whole story. Now I am looking at one for 10,000 its a private seller with less miles. Hopefully this one is a keeper.Regarding the new vs used issue. You make a good point. However, right now the 3 year option is best for me. In three years, I am expecting a mortgage payment and another car payment for my wife's new car. Thanks again for all the great advice!

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Philosopher »Update!Now I am looking at one for 10,000 its a private seller with less miles. Hopefully this one is a keeper."Less miles" is always good. In my humble opinion, the only time it is smart to buy used is from a private seller. As a general rule, car dealers make a lot more markup on used cars than new ones. A used car also drops significantly in value the moment you drive it off the lot.