GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Well, so far I've had the 3 since Tuesday while my car's getting fixed, got rear ended a few weeks back. Enterprise gave me two choices, it was the 3 and a ford focus. I chose the 3 =]At first, I couldn't get comfortable due to the lack of lumbar support on the seats but I think I'm kind of used to it now. The seats are pretty comfortable now lol I was pretty surprise to see the interior. The dash was soft plastic or rubber but it was not hard plastic like our cars and even the center arm rest is slightly padded haha Also like to mention that the a/c in this car is icy cold! It was in the mid to upper 90's the past few days and this car had no tint and I only had to turn it to 2nd to lowest setting. I kind of have a feeling my black vibe, or any black cars in general, absorb more heat than other colors Compared to my vibe gt, the mazda3 handles so much better and the ride is quite a bit more smoother. Maybe that's due to the smaller rims and slightly longer wheelbase. The 2.0L engine seems quite good and have plenty of torque around town. However, the first time I drove onto the freeway, the car took its sweet time getting up to speed while I had my foot to the pedal all the way to the floor. It was quite scary since there was a big rig coming from behind quite fast and he had to change lanes =/Overall, it was kind of nice to drive a car that's smoother and more fun to drive than my car. Part of me can't wait to get my car back because I know I'll fall back in love with the vibe once I get it back but the other part of me wants to keep this 3 lolThe mazda3 will be on the top of my list of cars to get next, but with the 2.5L engine. Probably get the hatch but the sedan is not bad too. Oh well, have to wait a year or two before I get another car

Thanks for the mini review, I am also looking for an eventual replacement for the Vibe and the Mazda3 seems to have alot of the things I want in a replacement except maybe cargo room. I am really interested in seeing the new CX-5 diesel version (Mazda 3) when it shows up maybe next year?http://www.autoweek.com/articl...39982

Quote, originally posted by trask » Thanks for the mini review, I am also looking for an eventual replacement for the Vibe and the Mazda3 seems to have alot of the things I want in a replacement except maybe cargo room. I am really interested in seeing the new CX-5 diesel version (Mazda 3) when it shows up maybe next year?http://www.autoweek.com/articl...39982Will a diesel EVER hit the US Market?I have been waiting for a diesel for 6 years now in some models.

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Will a diesel EVER hit the US Market?I have been waiting for a diesel for 6 years now in some models. Cruze diesel is confirmed to be coming for 2014, and there's the Jetta TDI

Damn that cx5 looks sick! I think I can wait for that and see how well it does.As for diesel, right now I've only seen the new golf, jetta and audi a3 with diesel options. Would be nice but I don't see many diesel stations around my area.

Quote, originally posted by KITT222 »Cruze diesel is confirmed to be coming for 2014, and there's the Jetta TDIFor the Cruze, that is still a a year or so away... I should of added, something from the Chrysler/Ford/GM/Toyota/Honda in a Cross Over or Midsize TruckAnd also should of added NO VW/Audi as they are problematic in my eyes

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »For the Cruze, that is still a a year or so away... I should of added, something from the Chrysler/Ford/GM/Toyota/Honda in a Cross Over or Midsize TruckAnd also should of added NO VW/Audi as they are problematic in my eyesYeah, but it is only a year. Maybe even sooner. I guess it is all up to your perception of a year.Ohh, I got it... Yeah, it is beyond angering that the US, the biggest market for trucks, has no diesel compact-midsized trucks or crossovers.

if you get a mazda 3 get the 2.3l or the speed 3. You'll want that extra umph The MS3 was soooo amazing as a DD I miss it. Fantastic interior, smooth ride, good build quality.

the new 3's have the 2.5L, that's the one I'm most likely going to get. No ms3 for me tho, don't know how to drive stick haha

Good to see that remodeled CX-5 is not going to adopt the trademark Mazda grinning LOL face.

Quote, originally posted by lowincash »the new 3's have the 2.5L, that's the one I'm most likely going to get. No ms3 for me tho, don't know how to drive stick hahaThe 2.5 is only on the GT models though right? I priced one out a few weeks ago and even looked into the MS3 and WRX. But the interior of the WRX was not very comfortable and the MS3 had that weird reddish mesh stuff and you can't get one in white. Plus it smiles at me.

0% 84 months... hard to beat..btw, lowincash.. could you tell me how to adjust the low beam level with a 09+ vibe.. you know there is a big knob at the back, is that level the headlight?

Quote, originally posted by cq358 »0% 84 months... hard to beat..You really want to be paying for a car for 7 years??? They're nice cars. And if I was car shopping today, I'd be taking a test drive or two BUT only a fool negotiates a car price by payment!!!

Let me tell you that having my Mazda3 now for a year the car is a blast to drive, great on gas, and very comfortable on long drives. I don't regard getting it at all Plus metallic gray paint is so the way to go lol!! low maintenance

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »The 2.5 is only on the GT models though right? I priced one out a few weeks ago and even looked into the MS3 and WRX. But the interior of the WRX was not very comfortable and the MS3 had that weird reddish mesh stuff and you can't get one in white. Plus it smiles at me.the 2.5L option is for the sport models, the touring models get the base 2.0L engine. Only the hatchback has the 2.5L standard, sedans get choice between the 2.0L (base touring?) and 2.5L (sport).After driving the mazda 3 for over a week, I do miss my vibe a lot lol hopefully I'll be getting it back some time tomorrow or saturday =/

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »You really want to be paying for a car for 7 years??? They're nice cars. And if I was car shopping today, I'd be taking a test drive or two BUT only a fool negotiates a car price by payment!!!What I would do is take the 0% for 84 months for the lowest possible payment (in case something comes up and you need extra money for a month or two), then pay extra every month and all would go straight to principle. I'd have it paid off in 3 years max. My last 5 yr car loan with 1.9% interest I paid off in just over 2 years

Quote, originally posted by cq358 »0% 84 months... hard to beat..btw, lowincash.. could you tell me how to adjust the low beam level with a 09+ vibe.. you know there is a big knob at the back, is that level the headlight?Sometimes the choices are (1) low rate financing or (2) a nice rebate. Was that the case here or was it the same price cash or credit? Certainly if someone wants to give you 7 years to pay at no extra charge that makes sense even if you have the money.

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Sometimes the choices are (1) low rate financing or (2) a nice rebate. Was that the case here or was it the same price cash or credit? Certainly if someone wants to give you 7 years to pay at no extra charge that makes sense even if you have the money. I think so too.. if you covert a future worth of that lump sum with 1.75%(nominal rate for saving acct.) interest compounded daily you actually could make a save a lot of money.. instead of paying lump sum, you should take financing.. it is like a $3500 rebate right thereAlso it give you a much better credit score too.

LOW IN CASH. CAN YOU TEACH ME HOW TO LEVEL YOUR 09 VIBE HEAD LIGHT???

Quote, originally posted by cq358 »I think so too.. if you covert a future worth of that lump sum with 1.75%(nominal rate for saving acct.) interest compounded daily you actually could make a save a lot of money.. instead of paying lump sum, you should take financing.. it is like a $3500 rebate right thereAlso it give you a much better credit score too.Tell me where you can get 1.75% on a savings account today. Every time I have ever calculated the value of the cash rebate compared to the cut rate financing taking the rebate was the better option. But at 0% with no rebate option obviously 0% is best. When interest rates were better I used to take advantage of some of those 12 months same as cash deal. But at 1% interest (0.7% after fed and state taxes) it's not worth the bother.Example 20,000 car, average loan balance 10,000; 1% 5 years = $500 interest earned - net after taxed $350. Even a $500 rebate beats that.

Quote, originally posted by cq358 »LOW IN CASH. CAN YOU TEACH ME HOW TO LEVEL YOUR 09 VIBE HEAD LIGHT???I replied to your IM