GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

After much research, I just bought myself a 2003 Vibe - not much done to it other than routine maintenance, 90k miles, clean and with new tires. Anything you all can tell me that I need to check/watch for? thanks!

well if you have two dogs you will need to make the pet barrierwelcomehttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=7302

truth be told, I have 4 dogs, all rescues. We shall share space happily!!!

You got a great car for dog duty. Just try to find a thick rubber mat to keep the pups from skittering around the back, when seats are down. That plastic surface is pretty slick! What kind of dogs did you rescue?

yes, I was thinking about what kind of mat - and then of course the dog cushions LOL. I have a spaniel-bassett type, a corgi-beagle type, a totally who knows WHAT terrier type and one that is pretty true to a breed - a little Jack Russell with a bad underbite

I use a thick rubber mat to prevent sliding with a heavy blanket on top to collect dog hair and dirt. We want pictures!

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »What kind of dogs did you rescue? x2... photos... photos of the car and the doggies

Welcome!Pictures are a must, of both the dogs and the car.

car not in hand yet - dog pics can be arranged LOL - can you post pics here? hmm

photobucket.com upload the photos there then copy and paste the [img} tagged photo line in the thread and it will show the photothere is an upload option to the forum but it's limited to size

Welcome to GenVibe!!!

Welcome and congrats...what color did you get? We wuvs doggies by the way!

White - is that really the "frosty"? Pretty basic but then, that's me - basic! I have a big diesel truck - with a long bed - and I got tired driving that big momma around town.Here are the kids:thanks all - glad I found this forum!!!

Yes, Frosty is white. Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute puppers!!

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »...dog duty.heh heh. You said, "dog doodie".

Quote, originally posted by Kincaid »heh heh. You said, "dog doodie".But nothing can top the classic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqMBmfIpbpM

HPL - you made my night! Caddyshack - swoon

oh hey, this is your grandson, eh? Oh a lovely boy...(I tell ya, now I know why tigers eat their young)

Great classic! Caddyshack , but I really did say "dog duty". That big rubber mat over the plastic load floor will make it easy to contain and clean up any doggy doodie incident. Your pups look like a fun group. When do you expect to have car in hand?

HPL - you are way too obtuse for me Here she is:and made comfy for the passengers:

Quote, originally posted by 2Dogs »Those dogs have it good!!! "To the Dog park, Jeeves!!!"

LOL - indeed - I am their driver!!But Vibe folks, I bought this pretty much on faith, and a carfax report. With 88,000 miles on this baby, what SHOULD I be asking my mechanic to take a look at?? Meaning, what weaknesses are their that I should be proactive about??

Wow...what plush accomodations

Hmm. Does this mean I should have taken mine to a mechanic? I bought it at 75,000 miles, have put 2,400 on... and haven't bothered taking it any to see anyone. I also haven't been to the dentist in a while. Sigh.

Quote, originally posted by DCViber »I also haven't been to the dentist in a while. Sigh.Me either, but I think nothing of spending $1,000 on dental work for the *****DOG*****.

at that mileage, trans service, coolant service, have the front and rear brakes checked, If it's a standard(clutch) if it's an awd front transfer case, rear axle fluids. Might want them to clean the maf, and change the spark plugs.

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »at that mileage, trans service, coolant service, have the front and rear brakes checked, If it's a standard(clutch) if it's an awd front transfer case, rear axle fluids. Might want them to clean the maf, and change the spark plugs.+1 for all of the above. Maybe a new air filter if you decide to clean the MAF sensor. And maybe an alignment. Looking nice and clean, though. Enjoy!

Frosty, my first choice that was not available when I bought mine. I call mine, way off frosty. Anyway, very nice looking car, and I'd do all the fluid changes mentioned, filters, maybe check spark plug condition, too. Interior air filter check wouldn't hurt. Man, that load deck looks like the ultimate lap(dog) of luxury now.

PERFECT - thanks guys! I have made my list. Now for the second question - you don't take these babies to Toyota dealers for work or DO you???

Quote, originally posted by 2Dogs »PERFECT - thanks guys! I have made my list. Now for the second question - you don't take these babies to Toyota dealers for work or DO you???mine hasn't seen the dealership since the day i drove it off the lot... only reason I would take it back would be for warranty work. I've done all the other work myself.

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »mine hasn't seen the dealership since the day i drove it off the lot... only reason I would take it back would be for warranty work. I've done all the other work myself.Same here... No need for the dealer to charge me up the yingyang for something I can do myself!!!

Most of these checks and fluid changes you can do yourself. The only time I would take a car in to a mechanic is for stuff that requires specialized equipment. Like wheel alignment or engine repair. Oil, plugs, plug wires, filters, brake pads, wheel/tire rotations and coolant changes I do myself. I would let a mechanic do the transmission, rear axle and front transfer case fluids or a coolant system flush, if it was called for. It just depends how confident you feel about taking on some of the routine maintenance chores, and how much money you are willing to spend on it. The Vibe is actually a pretty easy car to work on.

thanks again - time to break out my tool kit! Wish one of you was err, around the corner though LOL

Quote, originally posted by 2Dogs »thanks again - time to break out my tool kit! Wish one of you was err, around the corner though LOLwe are only a post away or an IM away... if you run in to issues one of us usually can help sort it out for you or point you in the right direction.

fluids changed, new spark plugs and she is good to GOOOO! Brakes look terrif. Only other problem is the weather/rubber strip around driver side door (frame) opening - looks like someone tried to jimmy in the car from the side - rubber all torn up.