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I got one!!

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:14 pm
by eskimos44
After 6 months of research, looking, and saving money, I finally found one. A 2007 base, with 98k miles, paid $7500 for it...


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Re: I got one!!

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:18 pm
by eskimos44
Probably going to upgrade the radio and put a little tint on the windows. Love it so far... But I don't think it has ABS brakes, at least no light comes on to indicate it when I start the car.

Also, what is the nipple looking thing on the top of the dash? Top left of the dash...

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:25 pm
by KITT222
Yay! It looks great. The little thing on the dash is the light sensor for the automatic headlights. If you Vibe doesn't have the ABS controller and lines in the engine bay (pictured below) then you don't have ABS.

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Re: I got one!!

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:27 pm
by Derf
eskimos44 wrote:But I don't think it has ABS brakes, at least no light comes on to indicate it when I start the car.
ABS was an option in the 07, so it may not have ABS
eskimos44 wrote: Also, what is the nipple looking thing on the top of the dash? Top left of the dash...
Daylight sensor to turn on the headlights

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:39 pm
by eskimos44
Ahh, thanks for the quick responses...Will check tomorrow for the wires like in the diagram...

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:27 pm
by Chiadog
That's a great price for such a clean low mileage car. Congrats! Did you find it at a dealer? What part of the country?

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:08 am
by vibenvy
Congratulations on finally finding a Vibe! It sounds like you got a great deal on a very clean looking, low mileage two-tone Frosty! Thanks for posting pictures of it right away! Enjoy your "new" Vibe ;)!

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:36 am
by eskimos44
Chiadog wrote:That's a great price for such a clean low mileage car. Congrats! Did you find it at a dealer? What part of the country?
Bought it from a private party here in Minnesota. Really clean car.

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 6:08 am
by Doug14
Yay! Good find, looks clean! Welcome to genvibe

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 6:22 am
by ColonelPanic
Welcome! Looks great, you did good. 8-)

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:23 pm
by vibolista
Good purchase... especially in white. Looks nicely kept, too. Auto or Manual? Polish the paint. Keep it going. Vibes can last a long time! Those rusty steel wheels can be easily cleaned up, too. My son's '06 were really rusted, I just cleaned them, sanded and put a light coat of Rustoleum rusty metal primer and then another light coat of shiny black Rustoleum. Took about an hour or so, the first day to clean, sand and primer. Then a few minutes then next day to put a light coat of black on the wheels.

The steel wheels ended up like new and no rust formed on them for the 7 years he used those wheels for snow tire mounts. I didn't think it would last that long, but it did and looked great while he owned the car. Traded it in last Summer with almost 200,000 miles on the clock, for a Ford Fiesta. He misses the cargo room he had with the seats down, but I have to admit that the Fiesta gets better mpg (around 42) and is more of a driver's car. It's strange that Ford couldn't design the Fiesta's rear seats to fold flat. That really eats up some of the load space. Vibe did the load area right.

Enjoy that car. Versatility and utility, plus it drives pretty nicely too. Check into quiet rated summer tires or all seasons, which are really just good 3 season tires. Will help keep the noise level down inside the car. If you live where it snows, there's not substitute for good snow tires in Winter... they really can keep you out of trouble in the slick stuff.

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:14 pm
by eskimos44
vibolista wrote:Good purchase... especially in white. Looks nicely kept, too. Auto or Manual? Polish the paint. Keep it going. Vibes can last a long time! Those rusty steel wheels can be easily cleaned up, too. My son's '06 were really rusted, I just cleaned them, sanded and put a light coat of Rustoleum rusty metal primer and then another light coat of shiny black Rustoleum. Took about an hour or so, the first day to clean, sand and primer. Then a few minutes then next day to put a light coat of black on the wheels.

The steel wheels ended up like new and no rust formed on them for the 7 years he used those wheels for snow tire mounts. I didn't think it would last that long, but it did and looked great while he owned the car. Traded it in last Summer with almost 200,000 miles on the clock, for a Ford Fiesta. He misses the cargo room he had with the seats down, but I have to admit that the Fiesta gets better mpg (around 42) and is more of a driver's car. It's strange that Ford couldn't design the Fiesta's rear seats to fold flat. That really eats up some of the load space. Vibe did the load area right.

Enjoy that car. Versatility and utility, plus it drives pretty nicely too. Check into quiet rated summer tires or all seasons, which are really just good 3 season tires. Will help keep the noise level down inside the car. If you live where it snows, there's not substitute for good snow tires in Winter... they really can keep you out of trouble in the slick stuff.
Thanks for all the tips...It's an automatic...I haven't really had a car of my own in nearly a decade. I have driven a company provided truck for the last 15 years...The wife drives a mini-van that we purchased 7 years ago and she's basically the only one who drives it...Also have a old pickup that was handed down to me from my grandpa, but I only use it to haul stuff.

Going to take good care of this and make it "my own", you could say. Will definitely follow your tips on the rusty wheels and snow tires. Looked this morning and I don't have ABS on this. Bummed about that, I just assumed all cars had this standard. Have a few small rock chips on the hood and a few rusty spots on the top above the windshield. Will do some research into how to repair those...And I'm not a big fan of the radio, hope to replace that this summer as well...Other than that, this Vibe can pretty much drive itself down the road. Very comfy ride, albeit, a little noisier than I would prefer...Oh, and the armrest is a little too low...

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 4:22 pm
by KITT222
eskimos44 wrote:
Chiadog wrote:That's a great price for such a clean low mileage car. Congrats! Did you find it at a dealer? What part of the country?
Bought it from a private party here in Minnesota. Really clean car.
Minnesota you say? Anywhere near the Twin Cities?


Not having ABS doesn't hinder me in these winters (if that's what worries you). The armrest on the 05-08s are different than the 03/04s, but I've heard that the scion TC one would fit. Or you could find one from an 03/04 Vibe.

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:58 pm
by eskimos44
The previous owner was from Hennepin County... I'm out in Wright County... Are the 03-04 consoles higher up as compared to the 07 model? Could use an extra 3 inches in height...

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 7:03 pm
by KITT222
Here's some pictures for comparison from the Everything You Need to Know thread in my sig.

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Scott County here. I generally feel like the lone MN Viber way up here.

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 7:09 pm
by tpollauf
Welcome to GenVibe and congrats on the purchase ;) Update your profile showing your location (yeah we know you're from Minnesota but will forget it soon) Great condition and price. Visit her often and keep us informed of any mods you perform to the Vibe.

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:11 am
by Nasmfell
Hi, Welcome.

Re: I got one!!

Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 5:38 pm
by kc6yot
The Vibe is a good car, you will not be sorry, I have three and I am looking for another one. Do go to a GM dealer and have the vin checked for recalls, the repairs are free.