GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello all,
I am a Toyota loyalist so given the Vibe is basically a Toyota I feel comfortable purchasing one, or at least inquiring about one! I have been going back and forth between the Vibe and the Matrix for quite some time now. The requirements in my Vibe hunt are the following: 2008 white base model with a 1.8 liter. I want the base because it has the gray trim on the bottom what will hold up to gravel better than paint (live on gravel road). The one I am looking at has 71,000mi a 1.8 liter and an auto trans. What should I be looking for at this kind of mileage? Is there anything that the Vibes are notorious for i.e. mechanical issues? I am plenty mechanically inclined and have always meticulously done all of my own maintenance at home minus AC work and mounting/balancing tires so maintenance will always be done to it. Also, are OEM parts still available?

Thanks in advance for any and all input!

welcome to genvibe.



Various people have had things go bad, the only things that seems in any way common failure items are a gear in the motor that controls the HVAC flap that selects fresh air/recirculate, and then there's the glass 5 speed manual transmissions from hell that make me want to never own another Toyota. The auto trannies have been pretty good though, and not much is likely to be wrong on one with 71K miles, but you'd probably want to do all the 60K mile maintenance on it to be sure, including changing coolant and tranny fluid.

If you don't get an owners manual with the car, or if you want to look at one before you buy, you can get a PDF version from viewtopic.php?t=755

2008's only came in base and AWD, the unpainted lower plastic cladding is the lower cost trim option available on both. I have the unpainted cladding, and it's ok I suppose, but looks bad if you ever get wax on it, so watch for that if you buy it.

Catalytic converter failures are not uncommon, but I blame that on ethanol in fuel and don't see it as more common in Vibes than other cars.

I have both a Vibe and a Matrix, and I think the visibility out the back is better in the trix, but not enough to offset the price difference people are willing to pay to get a Toyota instead of a Pontiac.

Parts are still available

Thank you for the information.

So I take it the manual trans are not very reliable? Can you explain? I am interested in this because I would prefer a manual trans but the Ms. would like an auto.

Thanks in advance.

xcmtb83 wrote:Thank you for the information.

So I take it the manual trans are not very reliable? Can you explain? I am interested in this because I would prefer a manual trans but the Ms. would like an auto.

Thanks in advance.

2008 should be fine as far as transmission goes. The problem years were 2003-04 (early to mid 04). I feel the car would be better all around with a 6 speed (Japanese, not American) as the gears are a tad long for my tastes.

Hi and Welcome


You may be better off with the Matrix, only reason being if you want to resell, you may not get any buyers, since Pontiac and the Vibe name are gone (sad but true) Also, for maintenance you can't do, if you go to the dealer, it would probably be Toyota, since GM has all but abandoned anything dealing with Pontiac or its models (same can be said of Saturn and the other discontinued models GM owned as well) only dealing with ones with warranty left.

As for other things, 05 and later models have Drive By Wire, instead of cable like the 03-04 models have. The jury is still out on whether this is better or not. Also, tire pressure monitoring was standard beginning in 08, I recall that adding air to the tires in vehicles so equipped is different. At the mileage you stated on the car, ask if the valve clearance has been checked (supposed to be done at 60K). Good luck

Welcome to GenVibe! You've definitely come to the right place to research Vibes ! I hope you find one of your own soon as they are great vehicles !

xcmtb83 wrote:I want the base because it has the gray trim on the bottom what will hold up to gravel better than paint (live on gravel road).

joatmon wrote:2008's only came in base and AWD, the unpainted lower plastic cladding is the lower cost trim option available on both. I have the unpainted cladding, and it's ok I suppose, but looks bad if you ever get wax on it, so watch for that if you buy it.

Two words... Refinish Restorer .

I have an 04' vibe base 5 speed and mine is doing just fine since the day I bought it, (except for a new clutch and fly wheel) but that is expected at 140,000 miles.

Definitely get the Vibe over the Matrix. Don't worry about resale. Once you get one you'll love it so much you won't want to ever part with it Welcome to this great informative site