New to Vibe, new to the Forum...Opening questions

[SkullTrain]

Good day all, I have always had an interest for the Vibe or even the Matrix because I love small cars. Currently I own a couple Mini Coopers and recently a couple Jeeps ( last year selling my Wrangler and last week my wife's car accident totaling her Liberty) and many others through the years. But my wife and I have been looking at the Vibe in part because my mother worked at GM for a little over 30yrs before retiring herself.

Here is my dilemma, her Jeep Liberty was perfect and she feels a Vibe can replace it. I had her Liberty modified only a couple minor but made a major change to how well it drove during the winter weather here in Ohio and her visiting her family in Michigan. From the day of new purchase I had Body Glove seat covers installed and Lowered 2" (1-3/4" actually) and 2 sets of wheels and tires for the winter I would put on alloy wheels with winter tires and spring/summer/fall I put on her chrome wheels with all-season tires. So for her she had a rock solid ride and traction heaven in the winter.

We have been looking up reviews and ratings of the different years and models. So many articles say DO NOT buy the 2003 no matter what, not to buy the 2004, 2005 or the 2006 still had too many issues pass on it along with you shouldn't buy the 2009 and to stick with finding the 2007, 2008 & 2010 ONLY. With more make sure NOT to get a vibe with he original 1ZZ motor, get the 2ZZ or others. Unaware how to really tell which a car may have.

We want real owners opinions and thoughts, our goal is 2 cars, I prefer the GT, were she prefers the AWD but even a base would probably be fine. But any and all comments are appreciated.

Budget, this is what's hurting us at the moment. we can put all our eggs into 1 basket at 6000-7000 dollars for 1 or try to find 2 at a cost of 3000-3500 dollars each. That's not counting possible money needed for Timing Chain or Water Pump or Oil Pump. We don't honestly know whats the best things to look for like how many miles with a preferred powertrain or drivetrain.

We are totally new to the Vibe literally, we've always loved seeing them on the road and feel it could fill our needs more than most. Yes we are an older couple (I'm in my 50s) with younger children 12 & 9. Please any advise on years, motor, transmission, 2wd/awd, how many miles, what repairs to do asap, how long it should last, should I get a second set of wheels with winters like I did for her Jeep and Mini and anything else you feel we should know because we've made the decision to go the Vibe or even the Matrix route but have no idea where to start.

Thank you now to any and all who help us on this journey.

[joatmon]

There is a lot of information in this thread -> viewtopic.php?t=40003

Everyone wants something different, and that's fine I have had 3 03's, two vibes and a matrix all with the 1ZZ. For me, the 2ZZ offered in the 03-06 GTs/XRS wasn't worth it. The 2ZZ takes premium gas, and the extra power only kicks in when lift hits at 6000 RPMs. I can't remember the last time I needed to rev a car that high, but as I said, we're all different. Also the GT is manual tranny only, if that's an issue. Very limited quantity made, but Toyota did offer a 2ZZ XRS with auto tranny in 03

My first Vibe was a 5 speed manual, and I was a victim on the premature bearing failures in that tranny, so I don't recommend them, although others haven't had issues. My other vibe and the Matrix have auto trannies, and those trannies have been issue free.

I prefer the nose on the 03/04 over the 05/08s, but that's token.

The only time I got my FWDs stuck was in deep dry sand in the Jersey pine barrens, but I don't get a lot of snow where I live

Some have had great reliability with their AWDs, but some who had problems have run into some parts availability issues.

That's a problem for all Vibes, though, at this point, GM has pretty much dropped all parts support. A lot of parts are still available from Toyota, since the Vibe is almost all matrix, but there are some GM unique bits in the Vibe

You're effectively looking at 20 +/- year old car, so anything can go bad. Haven't really seen much if any reports here over the years of timing chain or oil pump issues, some water pumps though, but nothing systemic. It would be really important to pay attention to body/underbody rust though, especially if the car lived anytime with corrosive snow chemicals or other salty environments. Nothing lasts forever, but that's not a problem to willingly buy into

[andrewclaus]

I'll attest to the goodness of the '07 Base model. I've had mine for eight years and 80K miles (now at 230K) and it's been utterly reliable. Maintenance has been minor, expected stuff, easy to get parts, never got stranded. But as mentioned above, it'll be twenty years old soon and nothing lasts forever. I notice plastic and rubber parts are starting to get brittle--interior switches breaking off, trim coming loose, weatherstripping problems, etc.

The 1.8L engine and 4AT transmission have worked flawlessly with minimal maintenance. Most problems have been with suspension and exhaust, but they've been minor.

I wish newer models were available for a replacement. It's a good body style and engine size for my needs. I often top 40 mpg on highway trips.

I think the fact that there are so many millions of old Corollas on the road, owned by the kind of people that work on their own cars, leads to ready availability and low cost of parts. I can shop three parts stores in my town for the best deal. And the Toyota dealer is nearby if I need OEM, all in walking distance.

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe. Not sure what part of Ohio you're from BUT you're probably not too far from me. 09-10 Vibes are identical. The only drawback for them is the possibility of the larger 2.4l engine burning oil. Personally, my 2004 Vibe Gt is one of the best models ever made. I purchased it used 6 years ago from Tampa Florida and drove it home. ZERO rust/corrosion on it ! Now sitting at 190K I've done very little to it and it still delivers flawless performance every time I drive it. Definitely look for a southern car if going that old. Keep us posted as to what you get.

[SkullTrain]

Not sure what part of Ohio you're from BUT you're probably not too far from me. 09-10 Vibes are identical. The only drawback for them is the possibility of the larger 2.4l engine burning oil. ZERO rust/corrosion on it! Definitely look for a southern car if going that old. Keep us posted as to what you get.

We live exact opposite corners, but I do pass through every visit to my hometown in Michigan since my wife prefers the scenic view from taking 2 over 90 - LOL. I'm so happy to hear from real owners and not just reviews because everything I've read and watched have been so sterile or generic.

Do you think the 2.4l oil burning/consumption is an issues to avoid the 09-10 models? And do you have any thoughts on the AWD series? Yes I did read the everything you need to know about the Vibe page from top to bottom, but you would agree it has numerous corrections from comments but more importantly it only gives me the technical data of each model and by asking you and the others that have responded I get real feedback not a manual. I greatly appreciate your response and everyone else. To be honest I haven't bought a used car since I was in my teens & early twenties and knowing what or where to look is my serious issue because I've been lucky to own only new cars since I was 24 and I drive them till they die and I mean DIE or like my wife first accident is totaled (Yes she is fine, sad more about her Liberty) and NO ACCIDENTS for me thank you very much.

Like the everything you want to know about the Vibe Page, I am very much that because I was given the nickname LOTUS 'Lots Of Technical Useless Sh!t'. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that info is useless but I am saying I'm like that page, if you ask me about what computer to buy or tablet or phone or even before I retired what server to buy for your business and you needed support for it because of my vast knowledge I can help BUT was I sterile and generic in my delivery just like that page. Anyways, sorry for my life story. Where do you suggest I began when looking for rust or other types of issues?

Apologies for the length...

This is my baby a 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible, I baby her (I know I know she needs a bath really bad and just pulled her cover off from almost 6 years untouched with lots of prep to put her back on the road again with plans to give to my 9 year old daughter as her first car), she has less than 12k miles and the wife like my 2007 300 Mopar Edition wants me to get rid of my toys and personally I love and have always loved Pontiac my first new car was the Pontiac Grand Am which was awesome in the winter, great style, can't beat the red interior lighting and my mother worked for GM in Pontiac, Michigan for 30+ years.

[SkullTrain]

My first Vibe was a 5 speed manual, and I was a victim on the premature bearing failures in that tranny, so I don't recommend them, although others haven't had issues. My other vibe and the Matrix have auto trannies, and those trannies have been issue free.

I prefer the nose on the 03/04 over the 05/08s, but that's token.

The only time I got my FWDs stuck was in deep dry sand in the Jersey pine barrens, but I don't get a lot of snow where I live

Some have had great reliability with their AWDs, but some who had problems have run into some parts availability issues.

That's a problem for all Vibes, though, at this point, GM has pretty much dropped all parts support. A lot of parts are still available from Toyota, since the Vibe is almost all matrix, but there are some GM unique bits in the Vibe

You're effectively looking at 20 +/- year old car, so anything can go bad. Haven't really seen much if any reports here over the years of timing chain or oil pump issues, some water pumps though, but nothing systemic. It would be really important to pay attention to body/underbody rust though, especially if the car lived anytime with corrosive snow chemicals or other salty environments. Nothing lasts forever, but that's not a problem to willingly buy into

What year was that failing 5-speed tranny? But maybe I should just go with Automatics! Having a heart attack in early 2019, moving to Florida for 1 school semester and back to Ohio for my kids (pandemic happened and my kids fell in love with the weather we got stuck there for 5 years) and finding a couple friends in the Orlando area I might be able to find a southern Vibe or Matrix and go get it. Rust seems to be what a really want to pay attention to since 2 of the responses bring that issue up and makes me think the Vibe/Matrix is a super reliable car but yes with the age rust is what I need to watch out for.

Where on the Vibe/Matrix do I want to look for rust? Under obviously, but can you point out things like my example I have my MINI cooper which are known to rust out in the front strut towers. If you could give me that kinda detail would be greatly apprecaited. Thank you.

[SkullTrain]

I'll attest to the goodness of the '07 Base model. I've had mine for eight years and 80K miles (now at 230K) and it's been utterly reliable. Maintenance has been minor, expected stuff, easy to get parts, never got stranded. But as mentioned above, it'll be twenty years old soon and nothing lasts forever. I notice plastic and rubber parts are starting to get brittle--interior switches breaking off, trim coming loose, weatherstripping problems, etc.

The 1.8L engine and 4AT transmission have worked flawlessly with minimal maintenance. Most problems have been with suspension and exhaust, but they've been minor.

I wish newer models were available for a replacement. It's a good body style and engine size for my needs. I often top 40 mpg on highway trips.

I think the fact that there are so many millions of old Corollas on the road, owned by the kind of people that work on their own cars, leads to ready availability and low cost of parts. I can shop three parts stores in my town for the best deal. And the Toyota dealer is nearby if I need OEM, all in walking distance.

And again, It looks as I might have picked a good car to replace ours. Thank you for the info on the 1.8l/4AT, makes me want to stick to the 1.8l over the 2.4l at this point and definitely sticking with the automatic tranny. And thank you so much for lifting my confidence in the knowledge I should still be able to find parts. The mileage is a great point for my wife she loves to drive and visit her family in Michigan so if she can get anything around 30 she'll be so happy.

Thank you again, your input has been helpful.

[tpollauf]

finding a couple friends in the Orlando area I might be able to find a southern Vibe or Matrix and go get it.

The fact that you're familiar with the area AND have connections down there, DEFINITELY consider that option if/when a decent Vibe comes up for sale.
I had business conferences down there in the Orlando area and my dad is a snowbird who stays in the Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach area. So almost seven years ago when a member here on GenVibe was selling their 2004 Vibe Gt, I jumped on it! They picked me up at the Tampa airport (one wat ticket flight), spent the day with me, and when it was time to leave, I was off driving the Vibe GT over to the Atlantic coast. I'd do it all over again if another opportunity came up!