Vibe GT Update

idaho03vibe · Post by **idaho03vibe** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:36 am

Well, I would like to thank everyone who gave me advice and posted manual pages. I wanted to give an update on my car that I bought that had the Cat missing.Problems-Cat cut out with an exhaust leak-wiring harness that had been hacked upToyota Dealership's solution; buy a new wiring harness ($1200 parts + $960 in labor) to troubleshoot further.GM Dealership's solution; we will solder the harness back together to save some money and we will figure it out.I went with the GM Dealership. It took them a month to finish my car, but they soldered the wiring harness back together ($400 in labor + $50 in parts). They isolated the misfiring to the PCU ($420 in parts + 100 in labor). Still misfiring on cylinder 1. The O2 sensor I installed myself was bad. I called Checker Auto and it had a 1 year warranty, the dealership removed the O2 sensor and my wife picked it up to get it exchanged for a new one at Checker. Replaced O2 sensor ($0 in parts + $60 in labor). total bill; just over $1k for it running like new.Total cost:$8560 - 03' Vibe GT, 58k miles, limo tinted windows, carbon fiber ext. trim$1000 - Fix harness and PCU$300 - Tires$300 - MAFS, O2 Sensor, plugs, wipers, Catco Catalytic Converter$10,160 total cost of the car.It has been a pain in the (removed), but man it is a cool car. Tomorrow in the light I will take some pictures and post them.So for the rest of the Vibers; give it to me straight, am I a sucker or did I get a decent deal?

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:51 pm

I'm surprised there isn't some sort of law that requires the dealer to have the cats on the car when sold. The price for the car itself is pretty damn good imo.

jimincalif · Post by **jimincalif** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:01 am

Did you buy it from a dealer? You should ask them for some money back. Removing the catalytic converter violates federal law. http://autoparts.lifetips.com/...trol/ If they are not forthcoming you should file a complaint with the federal EPA. Here is a story of a dealer getting whacked to the tune of $7,700 by the feds. http://www.epa.gov/NE/pr/2000/060600a.html Even if the dealer did not remove it themselves they sold it in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.You might also sue them in small claims court.

idaho03vibe · Post by **idaho03vibe** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:28 am

I bought it from a Used Car Dealer. Thanks for the info, I will try to contact them again and if I don't get any action, I'll flie a complaint with the BBB, Idaho Attorney General and EPA.I may be able to get them to pay for the wiring too, because the wiring caused it to not comply with the clean air act....I will contact them next week. Thanks,

idaho03vibe · Post by **idaho03vibe** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:25 am

Here is a picture of my Vibe.

Attached files

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:36 am

didnt the GT have 17" rims? nice vibe though, even has the top spoiler! update us on what happens

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:03 am

I think in that year the 17" rims were an option. Still looks good though. And I want that top wing!

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:52 am

Quote, originally posted by ~MRVIBE2006~ Â»I think in that year the 17" rims were an option. Still looks good though. And I want that top wing!16" mags were standard on the GTs I believe. 17" were an option, but only without the moonroof. Something about too much body flexing could theoretically shatter the roof. I never heard of an actual instance of this though.

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:16 am

Quote, originally posted by idaho03vibe Â»Well, I would like to thank everyone who gave me advice and posted manual pages. I wanted to give an update on my car that I bought that had the Cat missing.Problems-Cat cut out with an exhaust leak-wiring harness that had been hacked upToyota Dealership's solution; buy a new wiring harness ($1200 parts + $960 in labor) to troubleshoot further.GM Dealership's solution; we will solder the harness back together to save some money and we will figure it out.I went with the GM Dealership. It took them a month to finish my car, but they soldered the wiring harness back together ($400 in labor + $50 in parts). They isolated the misfiring to the PCU ($420 in parts + 100 in labor). Still misfiring on cylinder 1. The O2 sensor I installed myself was bad. I called Checker Auto and it had a 1 year warranty, the dealership removed the O2 sensor and my wife picked it up to get it exchanged for a new one at Checker. Replaced O2 sensor ($0 in parts + $60 in labor). total bill; just over $1k for it running like new.Total cost:$8560 - 03' Vibe GT, 58k miles, limo tinted windows, carbon fiber ext. trim$1000 - Fix harness and PCU$300 - Tires$300 - MAFS, O2 Sensor, plugs, wipers, Catco Catalytic Converter$10,160 total cost of the car.It has been a pain in the (removed), but man it is a cool car. Tomorrow in the light I will take some pictures and post them.So for the rest of the Vibers; give it to me straight, am I a sucker or did I get a decent deal?Why you didn't fight the car dealer on this is totally beyond me.

Kamikaze · Post by **Kamikaze** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:23 am

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 Â»Why you didn't fight the car dealer on this is totally beyond me.Isn't there a Lemon law or something like that?? I would have fought it too.

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:30 am

Quote, originally posted by Kamikaze Â»Isn't there a Lemon law or something like that?? I would have fought it too.I'm not sure if that applies to used cars, though. There's at least Better Business Bureau. I would think that the used car dealership would have to inspect vehicles prior to selling. If push came to shove, I would have informed the bank, revoked the loan, and brought the car back to him. He didn't inform you of those issues.

idaho03vibe · Post by **idaho03vibe** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:36 am

It doesn't apply to used cars. I checked in the state of idaho. When they have the as is paper in the window of a used car, it is just that....Once you drive it off the lot, there is no turning back.

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:56 am

Quote, originally posted by idaho03vibe Â»It doesn't apply to used cars. I checked in the state of idaho. When they have the as is paper in the window of a used car, it is just that....Once you drive it off the lot, there is no turning back.Sorry, man. Still not buying it. Should have at least contacted the Better Business Bureau. You still could.

idaho03vibe · Post by **idaho03vibe** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:10 am

I will contact the BBB, and Idaho Attorney General, and the EPA. I have been working so much I haven't been able to write the letter.

Vibe GT Update

Vibe GT Update

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