Pontiac Vibe

touareg88

I just got my Vibe GT today. I am not expecting much but it meets my expectation (not exceed) esp on the performance of a Toyota Celica Engine (which won the International Engine Awards this year in the 1.8L category). I love the revs which makes it even more fun to drive. You can feel the umphh once you reach the treshhold.

When I was first looking at the Vibe/Matrix, I had to compare it to other sports wagons equivalent to this in terms of PRICE range, utility and which category it falls under just to be fair. Anyways, I am having a blast and it sure is a head turner. On the highway, someone was honking at me...guess what...it's another VibeR GT ...wooohooo. Then I also saw a blue Matrix XRS on the other side of the traffic...wooohooo.

btw, the Grey Metallic color is nice since the shade kinda changes when it gets lotsa sunshine .

Vibe GT
180HP V4
Shadow Monotone
Power Sunroof
Security System
Tinted Windows
6-disc CD Premium Stereo
and lotsa lovin'

I am fine with the gauges (Pontiac trademark in terms of styling). I can see it with my Oakley polarized sunglasses...no problemo. I am perfectly fine with the manual shifting too.

Cheers everyone.

dvd9

Hi,
I see a lot of Vibes on Pontiac lot but hardly any Matrixes on Toyota lot. Why!! Right now Pontiac has special financing for Vibes. It is 4.9% for 60mos. However, the list price on Vibes seem to be higher than comparable Matrixes. A dealer in Mpls, Minnesota also add $499 paint sealer on all of their Vibes. I saw a AWD Vibe with list price up to 23k. WOW! that is MUCHO MULA...

I want a Vibe or Matrix with ABS, Moonroof, Auto. Can I get one under 18K...Please help...I need one to replace my '90 Celicat GT with 192k miles.

Thanks

1matrix

Don't know why, but I've noticed Vibes are typically priced $1,000 more than Matrixes for comparable models. However, there are no special incentives for the Matrix right now, other than a $400 recent-graduate bonus. Others have suggested offering 3% over invoice will often be acceptable to a dealer, so that should tell you if you can get a Vibe or Matrix for under $18K (probably yes). If you end up special ordering one, though, be prepared to wait up to 3 months or longer.

dvd9

Hi 1matrix,

I assume that you have a Matrix. If you do what model do you have and how much did you pay for it?? Any problem yet!

I drove an XR and like it a lot. It has enough power for me.

I think Vibe cost more than Matrix b/c it has more std part on it. It has std roof rack. I like the look of Matrix better. It is more aggrassive looking. But Vibe has side molding.

DVD9

1matrix

Hi DVD9,

Don't have a Matrix yet. It's on order and scheduled to arrive in August. I ordered an XR 4WD model with the Navigation system, so price was over $20K (about 4.5% above invoice). Matrix is brand new, and I think demand for the popular model grades XR and XRS are still high.

I chose the Matrix because I'm a big Toyota fan, although Vibe is technically a Toyota, too!

revka

and congrats on your new Vibe! Thanks for sharing the details. We look forward to hearing more.... Happy motoring!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

1matrix

For an interesting review of Toyota's 4WD/AWD systems currently in production in North America (including the Vibe's V-Flex AWD system), check out:

http://www.cartrackers.com/Buyers_Guide/Consumer_Advice/Features/PID.21096.22139413102.1.html

dindak

If the solid color bumpers are available now? I still have not seen any Vibes like this.

drivinisfun

"If the solid color bumpers are available now? I still have not seen any Vibes like this."

Yes I have seen at least 1, a white Base Vibe. I personally don't care about body color bumpers, prefer the cladding = no paint chipping/peeling and better durability.

Here in the US you can order a new Vibe with the optional "Monochromatic paint package" and it tackles an extra $500 to the final purchase price.

A white Vibe with its bumpers and side cladding painted is not a pretty sight...

Oddly enough, the 2003 Vibe sales brochure does not make mention anywhere about the Monochromatic paint option. However, GMBuypower does.

montanafan

The second edition of the Vibe brochure as a Satellite Mono on the cover and all 8 monos pictured in the back.

markregel

This is my first Toyota product. Although I am generally happy with my new Vibe, wish I would have stuck with my original plan to get a P.T Cruiser. I choose the Vibe for Toyota's reputation, but it is over rated. The Toyota 1.8L engine growls worse than a Neon even under moderate acceleration, and the sound is not very plesent The P.T. Cruiser's engine is quiter and feels more refined. Even the Ford Zetec engine in my Focus holds it's own without so called VVT technolodgy. I would love to hear Consumer Reports explain their horrible review of the Cruiser (they called it noisy and unrefined), while all Toyota products get top ratings. Next time I'll leave Consumer Reports on the shelf, there information is useless.

drivinisfun

Did you test drive the car before signing in the dotted line??

When Americans are going to start accepting responsability for their own actions and stop playing the blaming game?

Sure, CR forced you to buy the Vibe over the PT Cruiser....

Have you ever heard about something called "Common Sense" and "Capacity to Judge by ourselves"????

samsvr6

Anyone knows where is the fusebox located? In the manual, it says under the instrument panel on the driver side but I can't seem to find it.
Thanks in advance.

vibeinseattle

As you all may know, at the beginning of July Pontiac initiated a $500 cash rebate on all Vibes. (You can choose 4.9% GM financing or the rebate.)...

That would have been great news for me ... except that I had taken delivery of my new factory-ordered Vibe the week before! (Satellite, base, auto trans; paid about 3% over invoice; ordered it on 4/30)....

Anyone think I'd have a shot of getting that $500 if I contacted GM and complained?...

The twist is that we took delivery under some duress -- the dealer had screwed up on the order (wrong color - we had ordered Shadow), but we needed the car in July, not 2+ months later. If we knew of the $500 rebate, we could have reordered (and used some of the anticipated cash for rental car expenses, etc., while we waited for the new car).

Sorry if I rambled. Thanks for any responses.

montanafan

Rebates are date of delivery. You will have no luck going back to Pontiac to get the rebate. Dealers rarely know what is happening next. My cousin was buying an Aztek and the dealer found out at 10:30pm EDT on July 2nd what the July 3rd forward rebates were. Also the Vibe rebate program requires you to finance through GMAC at 4.9% APR. ($500 AND 4.9%).

zircon2

The toyo engine should last forever, whereas the PT'S will be smoking the day yhe (extended) warrenty expires. When I drove the 180HP vibe , my first impression was...damn, is this thing noisy...go figure

vibeinseattle

Thanks, Montanafan...I'm glad to hear that I shouldn't be even more upset with the dealer.


However, I think you are at least partly wrong on one thing: the Pontiac Web site states that in the U.S. you get either the $500 rebate or the 4.9% financing. Perhaps you can get both perks if you want them.... See http://www.pontiac.com/pontiacjsp/vibe/pricing.jsp?source=lnav

1matrix

Note that the Toyota engine in the Vibe is quite refined. It's the same 1.8L used in the new Corolla, which is pretty quiet. The only reason it appears louder in the Matrix/Vibe is because Toyota/GM decided to give it a more pronounced exhaust note, for sportier appeal. Also, this engine has much better fuel economy than those used in comparable vehicles from Ford or Chrysler.

touareg88

It is not overrated since it won the 2002 International Engine award for the 1.8L category where it was examined and voted by "independent" professionals. It beat out the other engines. 1matrix is correct about the exhaust note which makes a difference on the sound level.

dlh3

I have a Vibe produced in Feb 2002. My sun visors will not stay in position in the range from slightly tilted back toward the driver to fully forward. If I set the visor to the vertical position (with relation to the roof), it will snap to the fully forward position as the car vibrates during driving.

I was wondering if anyone with a more recently produced Vibe had noticed the same problem.

montanafan

Pontiac's web site is incorrect. It is $500 and 4.9% GMAC.

montanafan

What did the dealer do for you because of their error in ordering and you willingness to accept it?

lesterb

Well, well, after much research thinking and deciding back and forth, I took the Vibe plunge. I just put down my $500 deposit and ordered the FWD 2SL26 sport and power package, in Salsa with a 5 speed . Apparently, my local dealership says that I'm in for a 12 to 14 week wait! Oh well, that's what you get for buying a car whose demand is building rapidly.
I should mention that I'm somewhat disappointed. In the month it took me to decide to go for it, costs from Pontiac(MRSP)as risen another $700 Cdn!I can't believe it! I complained to the dealership three times about this increase, only to fall on deaf ears.(I had priced out the vehicle on June 6th on GM's web site and compared the costs with the dealership. I made the deposit on July 15th/02, only to find the $700 Cdn increase)

I ended up getting the vehicle for $24,039 instead of the $23,339 we had discussed in June. BTW, the price includes extras such as rear cargo mat, bumper rubber protector, and cargo net.
The mistake I made, was not putting the deposit down at that time.
My message for potential Vibe buyers out there, is not to wait too long before deciding. Prices are going up fast!
In the meantime I'm looking forward to the Vibe's arrival date but it may take until October for me to get delivery.

I'll keep you posted during the wait time, right up to the Vibe's delivery.

vibeinseattle

Dealer did squat, despite our initial protest that we weren't interested in taking the car. Dealer offered to loan a car for part of the time it would have taken to reorder, but even suggested that the invoice price had gone higher than when we had ordered the car in April. Ultimately, we decided that whatever we might have won through hard-line negotiation was going to be less than useful, considering our needs. (We wanted a different feature set than was being generally ordered -- we wanted ABS, side airbags, alarm but no moon/tunes or big wheels.)

vonnyvonce

Love this site but why is a very long subscription list loading when all I want is my bookmarks. Has REALLY slowed down Edmunds even with cable modem. Any help?

Vibe update. No complaints at 3500 miles except dash squeaking is back. May need the permanent cure although without explanation noise disappeared for a few weeks.

detroitdriver

I had posted inquiries about a stalling problem with my Vibe GT. It was looking as if it was an isolated problem. Turns out that it is happening with the Matrix XRS as well. Take a look at the link

http://www.matrixvibe.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=450

sputnikvibe

I was really lucky when I put a deposit on my Vibe. I went in the day before the price increase and put a depost down on a base Vibe. The salesman called me the next day to tell me Pontiac had increased the price, but I was price protected. Guess I got doubly lucky because the Vibe I ordered was actually already on order but someone was sick of waiting and cancelled so I got that order and the car has apparently been built! I'm just waiting for it to arrive at the dealer and hoping I can get GM to let me out of my lease one or two payments early.

shadowsurfer

Lester,

No offense but I refuse to believe that the prices for the Vibe are actually going up especially when it is already pricier than the Matrix. Plus with the competition from other cars in this category. It's all a sales gimick just to make you feel good. I am pretty sure if you check the other dealers..the prices are MSRP or less.

sputnikvibe

Pontiac raised the price $700, not the dealers. So MSRP has gone up $700. If you go to gmcanada's website and then to Pontiac's website and look at the Vibe, they have not updated the base price yet on the main page (it still says $19100). But if you use that build your own feature on the site you will see the price increase.

lesterb

Yes, indeed, folks the price has gone up by $700. I have been trying to pin down GM as to why the price increase. They gave me the following reasons:
(a) Product Improvements
(b) Equipment added to the basic vehicle
(c) Increases in basic production costs
(d) Modernization and/or maintenance of production facility

I indicated that I was not satisfied with the above answer and I wanted specifics. The GM rep then told me the following:

As indicated on our website, below is the information in our legal portion
and
may be the reason for the increase at your Pontiac Dealership.

Pricing:

"Unless otherwise specified, all prices are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail
Prices (MSRP) and do not include air conditioning excise tax, retail sales
taxes, other applicable taxes, freight charges or license fees. Individual
dealers/retailers are responsible for setting their own selling prices. A
dealer may agree to pool inventory with other dealers to enhance
availability
of vehicles."

I think GM is not taking responsibility for this increase and is clouding the issue.

kroegert

I have a base 5-speed Vibe with the Continental all weather touring tires. Here in SE Michigan, many or the expressways are concrete, with traction grooves cut in. Driving on these roads causes the car to squirm over the grooves, almost as if driving in slippery weather. Anybody else notice a similar problem? Very disconcerting, having the car want to shift off center.

johnclineii

The seller sets a price. The buyer either pays it or haggles a lower one or walks away. The seller tries to get the most money possible. The buyer to pay as little as possible.

What is to understand? Why should GM accept "responsibility" for the price increase? You either pays it or you doesn't....If enough buyers doesn't pay it, the price drops, either temporarily through incentives, through added equipment or even a permanent price drop. If enough people DO pay the higher price, GM was leaving profits on the table that should have gone to the shareholders. None of this is rocket science. Instead it is Economics 101, Suppy and Demand. Absent allegations of price-fixing, collusion, or fraud, GM doesn't owe ANY nonshareholder an explanation for its pricing decisions. And you don't have ANY obligation to buy any car GM, or anyone else, makes.

lesterb

I understand to what your saying,to some degree,about supply and demand. But I don't agree with GM not freely admitting that there has been a price increase and the reason for it. That is all I'm asking of them as a consumer. By the way the price has been set by GM and not the seller(i.e. dealer). The GM Canadian website indicates the increase in their, "build your Vibe", website, eventhough their title page site indicates the price as $700 lower. Figure that one out.

Anyway, I'm not here to gripe, I'm still planning to purchase the Vibe despite the price increase. I also wanted to make future buyers aware of GM's increase, at least here in Canada.

snivman

Just ordered my Vibe. Base model w/ 5 speed, Moon & Tunes, Power Package, 16" Alum. wheels, ABS, Side Impact Airbags, and rear cargo mat. According to Edmunds, MSRP is and was at 19,250. We ended up paying 18,650. Exactly 4% over invoice. However, the long wait times that I'm seeing here in the discussion group is nothing like we have. We were told vehicle will be delivered in 4 to 6 weeks. Should I be a bit more concerned?

aygold

I got my base Vibe last week and still can't believe my good fortune after reading all the posts here and on other sites about paying close to MSRP. I got an automatic trans with the power package, moons and tunes, and ABS. I would have liked side air bags but the dealer didn't have one in stock and I didn't want to wait. In any case, I got the car at about $10 over invoice. Granted they didn't give me a great price on my trade-in, but the dealer I purchased from gave me both the best deal on the vehicle and the trade-in from any of the dealers that I dealt with. I started the negotiations using the GM Buy Power site and then finished up in person. That narrowed it to the places that gave me even a relatively reasonable initial offer.

In terms of the car itself, I'm loving it. The higher seating position is great and I love all the various storage spaces. The red instrument panel takes a little getting used to but isn't such a big deal, even in sunlight. A/C is not incredibly cold but has done the job well enough, even in a current heat wave. I'm no audiophile but the premium stereo is disappointing. The bass is really weak. However, I didn't really care about the moons and tunes package so I can easily live with it.

I can hardly wait to take it out for a drive each day.

vixter

After learning of the price increase why didn't you at least check out the Matrix as their prices have been left untouched since intro? The wait would be similar but it would end up costing less.
????

fgaydos

Right here on Edmunds site it states;
Restrictions: Cash and APR can be combined. Incentives may vary; contact your local dealer for details.

As a ZX3 Focus owner I was curious about the Vibe. Went to a dealers lot on Sunday when they are closed and had the run of the place. Could poke and prod and kick tires to my hearts content.
Only had a half dozen Vibes but got the general idea. Looks like the ZX3 but on steroids.
Will go back to test drive this weekend. Interested in the higher HP with Auto. Maybe.
Saw LOTS of AZTECs on the lot. My gosh, what were they thinking??

fgaydos

This is the Internet quote from a local dealer for the GT:

2) 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT, equipped with the moon and tunes package including (power moon roof and 200 watt premium audio system including cd player), 6 speed manual transmission is standard, 4.53 axle ratio, 1.8 liter 4 cylinder SFI-DOHC with 180 horsepower, 16 inch aluminum wheels and tires, power package including (power windows, locks and mirrors, keyless entry and cruise control) height adjustment on the drivers seat, up level seat design with cloth interior, reading & courtesy lamps, and much much more!!

4 DOOR SEDAN : MSRP = $21000 FACTORY INVOICE = $19996.10 INTERNET NO HASSLE PRICE = $20095.10 (plus tax and tag)!

I just think it odd they do not offer an automatic shifter in the GT trim.

I'm going back and forth with this and a Forester.
Help.
Frank

lesterb

I can't help it but I like the look of the Vibe better. Also there are options on the Vibe that the Toyota doesn't have. So, I'm going to have to live with the price increase.

jimxo

My local Pontiac dealer quoted me invoice plus $1000 cash back in leu of the special 4.9% financing or 4.9% and $500.00 cash back.

rookie34

Hey fgaydos, I agree totally with your assesment that the Vibe looks like a ZX3 on steroids. That was one of the reasons I was attracted to the car when I began car shopping one month ago. After a test drive, I was hooked. Knowing there is a Toyota engine underneath the hood added to my good feeling. My ZX3 was a fun car to drive but was not very reliable (needed two fuel pumps before it ever reached 30,000 miles!!) Yes, the Vibe is more expensive than the ZX3 (or even its twin the Matrix), but it has more to offer than the ZX3 (better quality, more storage room, rear seats that actually fold flat, a true 60/40 back seat, I can go on and on) and it looks sportier than the Matrix. I was happy about the $1,000 rebate. I have the base 5-speed (tough to find in my area, the dealer had to bring one in from way outside the area), charcoal gray color (I think they call it Shadow) and no extras (I'm of the mind that all those bells and whistles are just more things that can fall apart). I look forward to the next 4, 5, 6 years or more. (Couldn't say that with the ZX3). First major road test will be over Labor Day weekend - heading up to Darlington, South Carolina for the Southern 500 NASCAR race. Should put roughly 1500 miles on the machine (round trip). Will let you know how it goes.

5679

Picking up my new, loaded, base 5 spd. Vibe next Wednesday morning. My maxed GM points rebate was the deciding factor. Loved the fit and feel better than the Saturn VUE. And it was quieter!

Does anyone know if the $ rebate applies here in Ontario as well?

fgaydos

It remains to be seem if the Vibe is a quality auto or not. The first six months of the Zx3 board was full of Yahoo's and grins also, till the trouble started. I'll check back in a year. Good luck.
I hope to test drive it today but, think I learned my lesson with the Focus and will not purchase a new, first year model.
CU Frank

dogtrainer

You're right of course. Purchasing any new design in the first year is a risk. However, Toyota has a far, far better track record than Ford, GM, or D/C. This makes for a much lower risk. Just to be belt and suspenders safe, I purchased an extended warranty when I bought my Matrix.

5679

What's the concensus on extended warranties? Rip off?

howardpm

1. Does anyone elses paint on there vibe seem to chip very easily? I've got the silver one and there are already a lot of chips on the paint, you can actually see the black (I guess orignal color) underneath the silver.

2. The inside walls around the trunk area seems to scratch very easily, I was moving a few things and they ended up rubbing against the sides of inside of the car and now there are these huge, I guess you can call them smudges. of the plastic.

Anyone notice these problems?

cfilkins

Anyone figured out how to reinstall the clip for the little pocket under the shifter? The local dealership won't even look at my car for 4 weeks for such a simple little thing. I've still got the clip, but can't figure out how it goes in there for the life of me.

nippononly

how GM can justify a $700 price increase on a model in its FIRST YEAR. I would like to know if they have modified the vehicle in any way, in terms of increased standard amenities, or some such thing. I suspect the answer is NO. This vehicle was only introduced less than six months ago!

extended warranties can be nice both for peace of mind and as an incentive to a potential buyer if you go to sell the car after the normal warranty has expired. Just make sure to check in the fine print that the warranty does actually transfer to subsequent owners - some do and some don't.

dogtrainer

I routinely reject extended warranties on any product I buy, because I agree with Consumer's Union that you can generally pay for a lot of repairs with the cost of the warranty. This is especially true of tested technology like refrigerators which tend to be good if the make it past the "infant mortality" stage. The single exception I make is a new design car with no track record. I paid $799 for a 7/100,000 warranty. That gives me 4 years beyond the factory warranty. With the cost of car repairs, it wouldn't take much of a problem to eat up $800. As a bonus, if I haven't used it, and decide I no longer want it, I can get a pro-rata refund on the warranty.

newvibeowner

When it comes down to it, Both the Matrix and the Vibe are pretty ugly cars. I've had my Vibe GT for 3 months now and I have not had a single issue other than the fact that the Gear Box is about worthless. If you set it up and put stuff into it the dividers or sides fall out or off.And yes it was put together right. It Has plenty of power, 6 gears are not too many. 90mph @4200 rpm is great also.. The only thing bad I can say is: I'm a smoker, and I like to have a window down when I smoke.. I can't smoke when it's raining or I'll get wet. I've checked every window and the moonroof. Yup.. ATTN SMOKERS: YOU WILL GET WET IN THIS RIDE.