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'03 Vibe - Rare!

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:28 pm
by RA03Vibe
Just bought this 2003 Vibe today.It's the AWD version, but it's also a special edition.Minnesota Wild - Special Edition - Which I was told that the "special edition" meant it was the DVD/Navigation. Not sure though. Ontop of this, it didn't come with a CD for the Nav system. Looks like it has a factory installed Body kit, but don't know about that either. Awesome car to drive!

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:41 pm
by damronjr
Nice find! Welcome to the forums and Vibe-ownership!

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:12 pm
by keithvibe
Nice... FYI... the nav system hasn't been updated since 03-04 model so you will find that a lot of roads are missing... spend the money on a Tom-Tom they update their maps.

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:27 pm
by WaveAction
nice vibe man, welcome to the club and never knew theirs a minnesota wild edition of the vibe?? musta been a dealer thing they did or something, any interior shots?

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:16 am
by lovemyraffe
Welcome! I didn't know they did a "special-edition." You should post more pics!

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:21 am
by WaveAction
i think it's just the dealership messin with him, or maybe they did like a custom theme for the car to sell it or something..i know some dealerships around my area do that sometimes..they add like a skirt package and tint to get the car sold faster

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:47 am
by northvibe
welcome! yeah its the "sports" m/t package, i love the lip kit though! looks like a awesome vibe and awd!! more pics!!

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:20 am
by AKLGT
LOL. I love how dealerships make up "special editions" on cars... i think someone had posted up a long time ago, one that they put the SS logo on it and just slapped the sport appearance body kit on. oh, with a racing stripe! anyways, welcome! thanks for sharing!

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:30 am
by RA03Vibe
I had been researching this car for over 2 weeks, knew everything about it, blew the dealer out of the water.. HE was asking ME specs on the car, lol.I do have a few more pictures, i'm pretty sure i'll be taking tons later in an open parking lot, the ones in the garage do it NO justice whatsoever.It does come with the Appearance package, which is the Body Kit.This car was a Courier business car, so it has 92,000 miles on it. Which doesn't bother me that much, it's mostly Hwy miles.It was traded in about 2 months ago for $8,999.. They try to market it as $12,999.. With a $9,999 internet price. My dad got them back to $8,999, haha. So they made no money off of us, or so they say.Are there any CD's (for other cars) out there that work for the current Nav. System or should I really just go for a TomTom? Was in sorta a hurry, don't mind the crappy pics..

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:40 am
by AKLGT
that's a good price. According to NADA, the trade in for an 03 AWD Vibe with 92000 miles, nav, wheels in Apple Valley, MN is $8950. Retail is $11,100. So $9K is a good price for the car.

Re: (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:41 am
by lovemyraffe
Either way, the Nav won't be up to date. My Garmin system doesn't have my new house in it. My house was built4 yrs ago and Garmin seems to think I live in a giant field. Nice pics!

Re: (AKLGT)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:43 am
by RA03Vibe
I just moved from Alaska a few months ago, which part you in.. HAS to be Anchorage, that's like the only sane place to live there. Thats where I was anyways. Dealers are only successful on stupid people around here, well anywhere.. with their overpriced cars.

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:45 am
by RA03Vibe
It was obvious they tried to wax it while we were making the sale.. I can see wax remnants left behind in between doors and around the emblems, they used cheap stuff too, and scratched it up. so I have to redo it, too cold though.

Re: (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:47 am
by AKLGT
Quote, originally posted by RA03Vibe »I just moved from Alaska a few months ago, which part you in.. HAS to be Anchorage, that's like the only sane place to live there. Thats where I was anyways. Dealers are only successful on stupid people around here, well anywhere.. with their overpriced cars. I'm in Anchorage. lots of MN/AK folks up here....

Re: (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:48 am
by AKLGT
Quote, originally posted by RA03Vibe »It was obvious they tried to wax it while we were making the sale.. I can see wax remnants left behind in between doors and around the emblems, they used cheap stuff too, and scratched it up. so I have to redo it, too cold though.at least they detailed the car. I would take those silly MN Wild Edition sticker off though, unless you really like them.

Re: (AKLGT)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:37 am
by RA03Vibe
Yea, it was pretty nice inside/outside.. It had moisture on the inside due to the cleaning.. frost everywhere. There's a huge hole in the tailgate on the -inside- plastic just under the window though. I'd guess since it was a business car, I didn't like that. Needs a good under carriage cleaning.I forget what the tires were called, but they're not made for ice/snow, they do fine.. They're in nice condition, but maybe I should get some winter tires. Spendy spendy.My mom took it today with a whole bunch of cats in it.. Hope there's not fur everywhere. =/ "I wanna test drive it! Then let the cats test drive it.. and throwup all over the seats" As for the emblems, my dad likes the MN Wild, so i'll keep them for him.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 5:22 am
by keithvibe
nice billboard you got there..... def de-badge that bad boy...

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:54 am
by BlueCrush
Welcome to GenVibe! Congrats on getting a great deal for it! The "Special Edition" is a dealer add-on. Looks good though.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (BlueCrush)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:06 am
by RA03Vibe
I was under the impression that DVD actually meant that I could watch Movies in there. I get in there, tells me I need the Map DVD, so i'm like.. How do I watch a DVD if that Map disc is in there.. then it clicked in my head.. but then tried pulling out the 6 disc and putting it in there. So no DVD player.I officially hate that navigation system Tried to get out today for some pics, got out too late as the sun went down right when I pulled into a parking lot to take pictures..I'll just have to get it washed then do it tomorrow.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (BlueCrush)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:31 am
by ramenboy...
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Welcome to GenVibe! Congrats on getting a great deal for it!Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »nice billboard you got there....well its official! you've been welcomed by genvibe's premier awd vibe guys!suweet vibe, but the rear has more stickers than my uncle's old buick after a few years of roadtrips.like keith said, debadge it!welcome to the family.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (ramenboy...)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:07 am
by RA03Vibe
Haha thanks!Sounds good, but i'm gonna keep 'em for awhile, for the sake of my dad I guess Then i'll take 'em off when he's not looking and give it to him for Christmas, haha.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:33 pm
by kunkstyle
Hello from another AWD'er. Although I hate the Wild

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (kunkstyle)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:14 pm
by Kamikaze
Nice ride! welcome to the site....

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:48 pm
by AKLGT
Quote, originally posted by RA03Vibe »Haha thanks!Sounds good, but i'm gonna keep 'em for awhile, for the sake of my dad I guess Then i'll take 'em off when he's not looking and give it to him for Christmas, haha.LOL. funny, you went from the home of the Alaska Wild Arena Football team to the Minnesota Wild Hockey team.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:49 am
by Atomic
Nice looking Vibe!Maybe you're not into a total de-badging, then how about just peeling off the "Ford" dealership label.

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:38 am
by ajflan
Welcome!

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (Atomic)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:08 am
by RA03Vibe
I'll get right to that Ford badge, don't need that there.. hummAnyways.. I got out to get a few more pictures! Some guy was watching me from his truck.. he was jealous. haha.This is before I got it washed and cleaned under the hood! I see a few usual rust spots on some small support parts under the hood, no big deal.Felt really good driving out there, made myself think everyone wanted to race me

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:35 am
by bull77
Looks great -- love the ground effects packageAny plans to tint -- black cars with tinted windows rock

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:39 am
by keithvibe
(removed)... it's even got special edition stickers on the sides of the car... man somebody went sticker happy.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (keithvibe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:08 am
by RA03Vibe
Yea, I forgot to mention that about the stickers on every side but the front I'm going out right now to get the Ford stickers off. Edit: Actually, help me out here, what's a good way to get stickers off, a razor blade? Or do you guys have a better idea?

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:14 am
by kunkstyle
A hair dryer and some goo gone works wonders. Saves your paint and glass from razorblade marks too

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (kunkstyle)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:22 am
by RA03Vibe
Sounds good, what's the Hair Dryer for though, just to speed up the process or what?

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:41 am
by lovemyraffe
Don't use a razor blade on the paint. Heat it up, peel it off and use something to get the gunk off.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (lovemyraffe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:04 am
by kunkstyle
As the gum warms up it's a lot easier to take off, and won't leave as much behind on the surface.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (kunkstyle)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:19 am
by RA03Vibe
Thanks guys, i'll attempt it tomorrow or something.. Gotta get some Goo first. Edit: Alright I got the Ford Sticker off! Easy easy.The hard part was that the courier company that had it before me, they had their stickers on there.. no matter how much pressure I use, I can't get the remains of their sticker off. I could only see it when the car is dirty, or if I put water on it.. so maybe nobody will see it. I could just barely see it too, you won't see it unless your looking for it.That Hair dryer idea worked great though! Recommend any good Wax for the car? I've had my share of Waxes but, it'd be nice to have another opinion.Also does it need to be in direct sunlight or is this just to help dry it faster. Also also, would it be Ok to use the Hair dryer method again to speed up the process of drying the wax?

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:39 pm
by Sublimewind
Quote, originally posted by RA03Vibe »Haha thanks!Sounds good, but i'm gonna keep 'em for awhile, for the sake of my dad I guess Then i'll take 'em off when he's not looking and give it to him for Christmas, haha.Welcome,Take the badges off and put them on HIS car.... that way they never go away...!!!

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (Sublimewind)

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:51 am
by hskater26
Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Welcome,Take the badges off and put them on HIS car.... that way they never go away...!!!haha i like that idea

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (hskater26)

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:56 am
by kunkstyle
Quote, originally posted by RA03Vibe »Recommend any good Wax for the car? I've had my share of Waxes but, it'd be nice to have another opinion.Where's Whelan for this one? I used the Meguire's NXT Tech wax and had some good results.

Re: '03 Vibe - Rare! (kunkstyle)

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:13 am
by RA03Vibe
"I used the Meguire's NXT Tech wax and had some good results. "Sounds good, always heard Maguire's was top of the line Wax.That Turtle Wax ICE isn't the way to go, it works Ok but it's not THAT good.

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:53 am
by AKLGT
i usually use a hairdryer and fishing line to take off badges.

Re: (AKLGT)

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:46 am
by RA03Vibe
Had to break out the old finger nails, good thing I didn't chew them off this week.

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:04 am
by breezd
Welcome to the forum. Thats a great Abyss! I wish I had the body kit and spoilers

Re: (breezd)

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:42 am
by RA03Vibe
My dad mentioned to me that the AWD's are going for more than the GT's nowadays, heard that?It does make sense though. Got a good deal.The front part of the kit, the previous owner or dealer scraped the hell out of it on the bottom (front of bumper underside), like they scraped a curb big time. 2 pieces came apart from it, they're not hanging, but they're loose enough to move, don't really know what I could do though.

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:08 pm
by yotatrix
late welcome and nice VIBE! I hear that dealers have hard time reselling and don't want to trade/sell Vibe GT or Matrix XRS due to Premium gas and resale value does lower. sucks,huh

Re: (yotatrix)

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:01 am
by RA03Vibe
Me and my dad were discussing a paint job..I looked over the car after I cleaned it, noticed some paint chips on the hood, and one of them was starting to rust.Anyways, i'm in search of a color now! I really like that firey orange color, but thats just me, what color would you paint your car if you were to do it?

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:23 am
by Raivis
welcome!!and as for the paint job i use to work at a body shop so i can say this and know what im talking about... it will be easier and cheaper to stay black looks good too id say stay with the black man.

Re: (Raivis)

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:30 am
by kunkstyle
Quote, originally posted by Raivis »welcome!!and as for the paint job i use to work at a body shop so i can say this and know what im talking about... it will be easier and cheaper to stay black looks good too id say stay with the black man.+1Redoing the original colour always turns out better.

Re: (kunkstyle)

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:05 pm
by RA03Vibe
I agree, if you look close it's Graphite, giving off a little bit of a sparkly silver/gray inside of the black.Really it just needs touch ups, the car looks overall really good, but the chips are visible pretty well. But I saw that touch ups are more expensive because of the blending with the color already on it and the steps it takes to get to the original finish.Was looking at Maaco, always liked them, never used them though.. Wonder if they can match duo tone paint or single tone with 'sparkles'.

Re: (RA03Vibe)

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:12 pm
by ArcsVibe
Welcome to the family!

Re: (ArcsVibe)

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:16 pm
by RA03Vibe
Thanks I looked all over for Tail lights for the Vibe, haven't found anything but replacements, don't really need them, just going for a sportier look. Know any place that does?Was also looking at Bras, that is if I get the paint done.Edit: Found some (Lights), but they were for the Toyota Matrix, I know they're the same cars, would they fit the Vibe? Just so I don't make a mistake.