GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi,
I love Vibes and I am currently looking for one. What would be your advice concerning the trim and year? I do not know what the differences are.
I am in Brookings SD
Thanks



Update: I got a 2005, 450,000 miles for $3200. I hope it serves me well for a couple of years.

Hello and welcome to GenVibe! For details on trim and such, check out the Everything You Need to Know about the Vibe thread here or in my signature. Basically, it breaks down like this:

03-08:
Base - 130hp, 5-spd manual or 4-spd auto
GT - 180hp, 6-spd manual
AWD - 120hp (And all-wheel-drive), 4-spd auto

09/10:
Base - 130hp (1.8l) or 150hp (2.4l) and 5-spd auto/manual
AWD - 150hp 2.4l and 4-spd auto (and all-wheel-drive)
GT - 150hp 2.4l and 5-spd auto/manual with upgraded suspension and wheels

03-08s will be cheaper, and the 03/04 5-speeds have bearing problems, so if there's been a transmission replacement it was likely to replace a broken unit. 03-08 5-spd base models will also be the best on fuel.

Hi: Welcome.

2008 will be your best bet, all things considered.

KITT222 wrote:Hello and welcome to GenVibe! For details on trim and such, check out the Everything You Need to Know about the Vibe thread here or in my signature. Basically, it breaks down like this:

03-08:
Base - 130hp, 5-spd manual or 4-spd auto
GT - 180hp, 6-spd manual
AWD - 120hp (And all-wheel-drive), 4-spd auto

09/10:
Base - 130hp (1.8l) or 150hp (2.4l) and 5-spd auto/manual
AWD - 150hp 2.4l and 4-spd auto (and all-wheel-drive)
GT - 150hp 2.4l and 5-spd auto/manual with upgraded suspension and wheels

03-08s will be cheaper, and the 03/04 5-speeds have bearing problems, so if there's been a transmission replacement it was likely to replace a broken unit. 03-08 5-spd base models will also be the best on fuel.

Thank you for the info!

Nasmfell wrote:Hi: Welcome.

2008 will be your best bet, all things considered.

Thank you, I am now focusing my search to a 2008.Anything special to consider in the 2008s? Thanks

tagvibe wrote:

Nasmfell wrote:Hi: Welcome.

2008 will be your best bet, all things considered.

Thank you, I am now focusing my search to a 2008.Anything special to consider in the 2008s? Thanks

You're welcome. Nothing special to consider which is the appeal of the 2008. There is no AWD, or GT version, just the base with its standard features, and options. Only feature added was standard tire pressure monitoring.

tagvibe wrote:Hi,
I love Vibes and I am currently looking for one.

Don't know which way to steer you BUT as long as you get a Vibe then you'll fit in with the rest of us here. Good luck and keep us posted

I have heard that these cars last for a long time, would you be comfortable with buying one with high miles on it? 190k?

tagvibe wrote:I have heard that these cars last for a long time, would you be comfortable with buying one with high miles on it? 190k?

No. There's a good chance that it may have a big problem and the owner wants to sell it instead of getting it fixed. There are other in good shape Vibes with a lot less miles, that should be good buys.

tagvibe wrote:I have heard that these cars last for a long time, would you be comfortable with buying one with high miles on it? 190k?

I would say it all depends on how it was maintained. If it is a private sale with some maintenance records and it is in good, well maintained shape, possibly. But if it is from a car lot with no way to check it, probably not unless a Carfax has a lot of maintenance records on it.

I did almost buy a Vibe from a new car dealer with 224K miles for $2,500. The Carfax had about 50 records as the prior owner had every maintenance performed at the dealer. But the car sold before I could get there to look at it.

I bought my 2003 GT with 207K miles from a private seller, but it was well maintained. Mobil 1 every 5-6K miles per the owner and it was obvious it was well taken care of, so I didn't have any issues. The pre purchase inspection gave it a very high rating and agreed on the condition. Hopefully it will last another 100K. Plus it was only $2,900, so it was not a huge price to pay.

Good luck on your search!

I agree with trb on this.

If you give us some more information about yourself and the car we can help you better. We don't know if this is going to be your first car, how old you are, how many miles per year you will drive, if this is going to be your only vehicle or an additional one, how many years you expect to keep it and how your transportation budget looks like. Your budgeting is very important in regards of being happy or disappointed with a vehicle. This is your expectations expressed in US$.

About the car in question all we know is its mileage. We don't even know if it is being sold by a private party or a dealer.
Do you feel confident to judge the car in person? I think if you don't have experience have it inspected by a mechanic of your choice before purchase. If it turns out it will need some repairs you have a good argument in negotiating the price a bit lower.

Look at NADA, KBB and Edmund's TMV prices. I like to purchase below KBB and a little above TMV within the car's apparent condition. Make sure you have some money left for maintenance and repairs.

Welcome to Genvibe!