Good price for a LM 2005 Vibe?

[Squashdog]

A private seller near me has a 2005 FWD base Vibe (a nice blue) with only 32500 miles. It seems to be in very good condition, with the power package. He's asking $8500 but I'm thinking of offering less. The values I got on KBB and Edmund's were pretty divergent, so I thought I'd ask some real world people what they think would be a good price for this. Any ideas?

[ou.grizzly]

That is a great deal... Ask for maintenance receipts, if the coolant was ever changed, and make sure check how much tire tread is left. I say offer him $8200 to cover the price difference for new tires if needed.

[star_deceiver]

Yeah... about $8000!

[vibolista]

When you check it out, and its a good car, no crashes, engine doesn't smoke, look under the hood to see how clean it has been kept, no leaks(no runny wet looking areas on the engine below the gaskets), drive it to see how much clutch is left (if manual) or shifts well (if automatic).A private seller should get higher than trade in value if it's a clean car and lower than retail. $8000 would be a very good deal for both parties.

[jake75]

In Feb. 2009 I sold my 2003 Vibe 1.8L AT, Power Package Monotone with about 32,000 miles for $9,500. [I was asking $9,750 but even though the buyer said they would take it at that I reduced it to $9,500 because I would have taken a $9,500 offer in a heartbeat.] The tires had been replaced under warranty at 20,000 miles so they were in excellent shape. Coolant had been changed, and had a new 600+ CCA battery in the past year. So taking into consideration the time that has passed, you are getting a one year newer car with similar miles for $1,000 less than I got for mine. For a reality check, look at CarMax.com. You can search all similar Vibes nationwide. I bet you will see that a 2005 with 32,000 miles is priced at about $11,000 at CarMax - and those are characterized as "no haggle" prices. It is also a good deal for the seller as I bet a dealer would only pay 7,000 for that car.

[Vibe4us]

I just bought a 2004 base (all white, super clean, all power, Pioneer nav/CD, new tires and battery, local trade-in w/92K) from a dealer last month for $6800, so I'd say you're looking at a smokin' deal, Squashdog. We love ours!

[2Dogs]

I'd say a good deal too!!! - I looked and looked - very limited budget - I did end up with my sweet little base 2003, clean, new tires, all white, NOT all power, with 89 K for $5,300. Pleased as punch. Now to print off the mod lists and get going!

[jkm311]

I would also ask if the PCM was replaced. I think the 2005 models joined my 2006 in having the stalling/not starting problem related to that module (I stalled out at 50 mph in rush hour). There weren't many affected, but I got hit/lucky with having to deal with that. Even after babying it for the first 25k. Other than that, you are getting a great deal if all the fluids/items mentioned by everyone else have been addressed. Especially if you are thinking of doing a mod or two or ten.