Considering 09 Vibe High Miles

[SconnieVibe]

Hello, I am new to the forum and will hopefully be joining the vibe community officially in the coming days. One of the Vibes I am considering is a 2009 Vibe AWD with 159k on it. The CarFax is below (remember that the CarFax probably doesn't have all the maintenance but this is one of the best I have seen). It is a one owner vehicle and I actually called the GM service center listed on the report. The service tech told me he knew this vehicle and it belonged to a lady who worked for the state and had to drive all over WI (thus the high mileage). He said she was in there routinely and it is a good car. The weirdest thing he said was Dec 13 when there was a rattle and they found out it was a walnut stuck underneath the hood! He also said that they never performed a tranny drain or coolant drain (but that doesn't mean someone else didn't, as there are a couple gaps in the CarFax service report). So, edmunds, Kelly, etc says that this car is worth 89-9800 from the dealer. My offer from the dealer is 7250. They have replaced the back left rear control arm and done all recall work. What is your thoughts? Good deal? Too many miles?

Vehicle Information:
2009 PONTIAC VIBE AWD
VIN: I have taken this out
HATCHBACK 4 DR
2.4L I4 SFI DOHC 16V
ALL WHEEL DRIVE
Standard Equipment | Safety Options


No accident / damage reported to CARFAX

CARFAX 1-Owner vehicle

At least 1 open recall

35 Service records available

159,583 Last reported odometer reading

Year purchased 2009
Type of owner Personal
Estimated length of ownership 5 years
Owned in the following states/provinces Wisconsin
Estimated miles driven per year 31,564/yr
Last reported odometer reading 159,583

Title History
CARFAX guarantees the information in this section Owner 1

Salvage | Junk | Rebuilt | Fire | Flood | Hail | Lemon Guaranteed
No Problem
Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits Guaranteed
No Problem
GUARANTEED - None of these major title problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you find that any of these title problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. View Certificate
Additional History
Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX Owner 1

Total Loss
No total loss reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Structural Damage
No structural damage reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Odometer Check
No indication of an odometer rollback.

No Issues Indicated
Accident / Damage
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Manufacturer Recall
At least 1 manufacturer recall requires service. Locate an authorized General Motors dealer to obtain more information about this recall.
Recall
Reported
Basic Warranty
Original warranty estimated to have expired.

Glossary
Detailed History


Owner 1
Purchased: 2009
Type: Personal
Where: Wisconsin
Est. miles/year: 31,564/yr
Est. length owned: 1/16/09 - 2/1/14
(5 years)

[09vGT]

Welcome to the forum!

See viewtopic.php?f=12&t=43046" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's not to say it happens to all as there is a member here with an 09 and 200,000 miles.

[SconnieVibe]

Hmm, so those engines seem to consume oil. Do you think this would be a reason not to buy? There are some 06/07 etc available but no esc or abs (this car is for my wife/future child). Those other years available are lower miles, 80-105.

[Nasmfell]

Yes, the earlier ones did have that issue, not affecting all, but enough. I believe it was solved in late 2010 and later versions. It's a good reason not to buy, unless you don't mind checking the oil often and adding when necessary. Another red flag, the open recall that was not addressed, even though the car was taken to a GM dealer. Methinks, the buyer would probably have to take it to a Toyota dealer to get the recall done, since Pontiac is gone.

[SconnieVibe]

Thanks, the recall doesn't phase me much, as it is a window operation hazard, etc. Any information on what models/production runs were effected by the oil consumption? For example, if I find this vibe was produced in November of 2008 am I good to go?

[Nasmfell]

YW. A Google Search may net you more information, but from what I gather it was most prevalent in the 2008 and 2009 versions. It affected any model this engine was installed in, be it Camry, Vibe, Matrix, Xb maybe even the TC as well, the Rav4, etc.

[SeattleJeremy]

Methinks, the buyer would probably have to take it to a Toyota dealer to get the recall done, since Pontiac is gone.

Yes, Pontiac is gone, but all recalls must be completed at any GM dealer (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac).

Toyota dealers will not do recall work on Vibes because Toyota dealers will not be reimbursed by Toyota for that work. However, you can have your normal maintenance and repair work done at Toyota dealers.

[SeattleJeremy]

Thanks, the recall doesn't phase me much, as it is a window operation hazard, etc. Any information on what models/production runs were effected by the oil consumption? For example, if I find this vibe was produced in November of 2008 am I good to go?

The window switch issue was for all model year Vibes 2009. A Vibe produced in November 2008 was a Model Year 2009.

[SconnieVibe]

The car fax says the vehicle went through pre delivery inspection in 8/28/2008 where could I check to see a production date on the Vibe? Any idea of when the oil consumption issue ran from?

[SeattleJeremy]

The car fax says the vehicle went through pre delivery inspection in 8/28/2008 where could I check to see a production date on the Vibe? Any idea of when the oil consumption issue ran from?

If the car is shaped like this, then it's a 2009 car, it doesn't matter that is was sold in 2008.


Here's some more information on identifying differences between Vibes
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=40003" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Nasmfell]

Methinks, the buyer would probably have to take it to a Toyota dealer to get the recall done, since Pontiac is gone.

Yes, Pontiac is gone, but all recalls must be completed at any GM dealer (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac).

Toyota dealers will not do recall work on Vibes because Toyota dealers will not be reimbursed by Toyota for that work. However, you can have your normal maintenance and repair work done at Toyota dealers.

That's interesting. Would not GM dealers have to get the parts from Toyota, unless the window switch is a GM one.

[SconnieVibe]

Yep, definitely a 09

[09vGT]

Early productions models seem to be the most likely culprits. My car's date is April of 08. I didn't have the oil consumption issue until a couple of months ago when the oil level was so low it was causing the "oil pressure" light to illuminate. I also have over 121,000 miles.

If you can find a '10, I'd go with that.

Any warranty work will be done at a GM dealer. I still have my car serviced at the local GM dealer.

[SconnieVibe]

Any oil consumption issue with first gen (before 08)?

[09vGT]

I don't think the 1.8 liters have the problem. You could check on that, too. Then you get all of the safety features, but a smaller motor.

[Caretaker]

when I was reading this thread in regards to the oil consumption, I thought you were talking about the Corolla Vibe, but then I saw it was the Camry Vibe you were thinking of buying. Regarding the 1.8 liter Corolla engines, both first and second generation follow the same family traits of the Corolla; they all are oil burners. I have had 3 Corollas (one wagon, and two Vibes); all consumed oil like I consume wine. As long as you don't mind feeding the car's habits, the cars are 200,000 mile proven vehicles. I don't have any information on the Camry Vibes, other than the opinion that your gas mileage will suffer significantly with the larger Camry engine. Best of luck with your decision. I would not hesitate for a moment to buy a high mileage '09 or '10 Vibe no matter what engine was stuffed inside.

[tpollauf]

I would not hesitate for a moment to buy a high mileage '09 or '10 Vibe no matter what engine was stuffed inside.

I couldn't agree more One of the 2009 Vibes in my family DOES burn oil, BUT you'd never know looking at the car. It burns clean! No smoke, no carbon, no oils leaks, no residue of any type, yet after1500 miles or so it may need a quart to bring the level back up. If your driving needs aren't going to be too bad (say 12000-15000 miles/year) then you'll likely pop the hood and do basic checks & maintenance anyways and top it off if it were to be low. It's very possible that this particular Vibe does NOT have this issue. Don't get too worked up over it and don't let it stop you from getting it. Keep us posted

[Rayven01]

I'd go for it. I bought mine for $8900 a little over a year ago with 98k miles and haven't regretted it a second. I've put 17k more miles on it without a single issue, other than having to add a quart between oil changes.

[SconnieVibe]

Thanks guys. Your comments have made me keep the 09 on the table. We are looking at a 07 base 94k, 06 base 104k, and a 09 159k tomorrow. Wish us luck in our negotiations. We will keep you posted.

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! FWIW we have not had any issues with either one of our 2009 GTs using oil so far *knocks on wood*. They both just turned over 48,000 miles and were built in late October and mid November of 2008.

You can look up the VIN on CompNine and it should tell you the build date.

Looking forward to an update from you...

[SconnieVibe]

Not going to make any friends with this post but we decided to go with a 2009 Honda Fit. Another good car. Now I am off looking for a Fit forum to join. Best of luck everyone. Bye.

[09vGT]

Was it something I said?

[vibenvy]

Not going to make any friends with this post but we decided to go with a 2009 Honda Fit. Another good car. Now I am off looking for a Fit forum to join. Best of luck everyone. Bye.

Best of luck with the Fit .

[Caretaker]

PM sent Sconnie. Outstanding choice on the Fit.

[Nasmfell]

Not going to make any friends with this post but we decided to go with a 2009 Honda Fit. Another good car. Now I am off looking for a Fit forum to join. Best of luck everyone. Bye.

Good for you, Congratulations on the Fit. Hope it serves you well for many years.

[Nasmfell]

Was it something I said?

Probably not. May have more to do with the Vibe still being a GM.