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A Couple of Tips To Save $$$
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:04 pm
by zoomie
Hello Vibers
Been away for a while (not a taxpayers expense), and have found out a couple of things regarding parts. It pays to go to Toyota before you buy at GM.
1) Windshield Wiper Blades - They will sell the just rubber strip if you like, you change it out cost $10
2) Block Heater - GM $160 Toyota $90, you can do the math and what's more is GM does not provide the conductive grease so the element on this non-immersed heater stands a good chance of premature burnout as is what likely happened in my dealer installed instance.
Re: A Couple of Tips To Save $$$
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:41 pm
by star_deceiver
Block heater.... I've contemplated getting the proper one for the Vibe. Add it to the list...
Re: A Couple of Tips To Save $$$
Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 4:12 pm
by zyzyix
zoomie wrote:Hello Vibers
Been away for a while (not a taxpayers expense), and have found out a couple of things regarding parts. It pays to go to Toyota before you buy at GM.
1) Windshield Wiper Blades - They will sell the just rubber strip if you like, you change it out cost $10
2) Block Heater - GM $160 Toyota $90, you can do the math and what's more is GM does not provide the conductive grease so the element on this non-immersed heater stands a good chance of premature burnout as is what likely happened in my dealer installed instance.
You're finding out what happens when a model and make are discontinued. As far as GM is concerned, Pontiac and the Vibe are the past, since the Vibe is majority a Toyota, GM can "brush it off" and let Toyota handle it.
Re: A Couple of Tips To Save $$$
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:39 pm
by zoomie
zyzyix wrote:
You're finding out what happens when a model and make are discontinued. As far as GM is concerned, Pontiac and the Vibe are the past, since the Vibe is majority a Toyota, GM can "brush it off" and let Toyota handle it.
When I bought the car in Alberta (AB) in '09, I compared it with one's sold in the neighboring province of BC. I found that in AB the car comes with a block heater (likely part of PDI inspection) and in BC they didn't, which is typical (non-sarcastically), and was surprised that the front licence plate mount cost $80
, which I knew I would soon need as I was to be moving back to BC. In AB front licence plates are not issued so there is no licence plate mount if you purchase the car there. I inquired about the cost of a block heater and found they cost $80 so that made sense. But GM has doubled that price of block heaters since then.
I bought the car on frugal values and I liked the features GM included in the base model that Toyota was not in their Matrix. I wish GM didn't start changing the sheet metal that year though but oh well. When this car has anything go wrong not covered by warranty and I don't feel like DIY'ing it its going to Toyota, sure engine codes are different but I'm sure there's ways around that
