Pontiac Vibe

johnclineii

and don't forget the Toyota warranty is longer...but dealers fewer...

dindak

Warranties are identical in Canada and you get roadside assist with the Vibe.

kratas101

My local Pontiac dealer is offering a silver Vibe GT for $17,970(4000 off the original MSRP). It includes: the power package, 17" wheels, In-dash 6-Disc changer and side impact air bags and the monotone package. My grandfather also owns a Buick so I can also get the GM Loyalty discount of $1000. Is this a good deal? Note that I haven't started negotiating yet as the 4000 off the original MSRP is labeled on the windshield.

montanafan

Edmunds TMV on this car is $20,792 for my zip code. Or about $1,200 off. The $4,000 should include the $2,000 rebate. So it looks like it is a fair deal for you and the dealer. Some rebates can only be transfered in the same house, so your grandfather and you should have the same address. Dealer will explain. Good luck and post back with your impressions of the car. Remember full GT power comes above 6,200 RPM and when the Vibe is cold RPM's are limited, so don't take just a short test drive.

Luzer

The $4000 off probably includes the $2000 rebate.
Do you have GM Card credits?
If not, check the Matrix XRS pricing.

Current incentives in two area
- $650 incentive to dealers in NE, like NY/NJ (you do not pay taxes on this if you negotiated it out)

- $500 rebate to customer in SE, like Florida.
Here you pay taxes on the $500.

Moons and Tunes package is $525 with Sunroof and better audio ($300 discount off the $825)

The 6-CD changer is so-so and quite pricy at $350, and it's a GM (Delphi).

You can search dealer's inventory at gmbuypower.com

Net -
test drive over rough roads.
check 'trix pricing
lose the 6-CD
get the moons and tunes

$4000 off MSRP is good. I think it's below their list invoice (with advertising and holdback etc)- which is higher than net price they pay.

kratas101

I took it for a test drive when I saw it yesterday and I think the ride and power was pretty good. A friend of mine owns a Matrix and he said that the Vibe's shifter is actually slightly smoother than his car. I don't think I have any GM Card Credits(not exactly sure what those are?), and my grandfather does live in the same household so I can get the loyalty discount. I haven't gotten a chance to check out a Toyota dealer yet but I will definitely make sure what the lowest price I can get is for a Matrix XRS. Well the 6-disc changer is already in it, so is it even possible to get the moons and tunes?

celticbhoy

Thanks for all the comments.

Test drove an '04 Impreza today (as they'd sold the last '03 and there's little difference) which looked like it had been dropped off the transporter an hour before. Liked the drivability and the seats but I'd agree getting in and out the back was not easy (and I'm only avg height). Some of the interior trim didn't look like they'd changed since the '88 Justy (carpets, trunk carpet), though it was neat and functional. No Pontiac dealers open on a Sunday so I'll take out a Vibe early in the week.

maxx4me

Wow: $2,000 cash back , plus a $1,000 GM loyalty bonus! I'm thinking of dumping my 626 right now and buying my second Vibe!

matthew525

Yes, moonroof and tunes are possible in the XRS. Difficult to find an XRS in the SE VA area. When I checked, the VA, DC, MA region had four XRS total all with moon and the 6 disk CD. Check with your dealer and have them to an inventory search. Thinking you ought to be able to give no more than 18,500 (depending on the accessories). Love my moons and tunes - - especially when I crank a little Wagner or Bach. Good luck.

jay108

Looks, like I'm going to pick up a new vibe MSRP $20,500 for only $14,500. I have $2000 GM credit card dollars, plus $3000 in GM rebates and loyalty, plus $1000 dealer discount. That's $6000 of MSRP!

Replacing a 95 Prizm which the Vibe is the replacement there of.

Test drove new Saab 9-3, and used IS 300 & TL3.2's, at the end of the day, I would rather pocket the $10,000 difference in cost.

Happy motoring.

Luzer

Check dealer inventory at gmbuypower.com - it's updated about once a week.

Jay - go for $1300 to $1500 dealer discount towards the end of the month.
Settle for no less than $1200, and have them include the cargo mat.

bgabel1260

It's nearly impossible to find a 5spd Vibe base around here that isn't a stripper. Searched GMBuyPower and found only 3 manual models between 5 dealerships. One model had the moon/tunes and power package but it didn't have ABS. Showstopper in my book. The obvious "solution" is to get the 6spd GT but buying an engine that requires premium fuel seems foolhardy for a low-priced vehicle. I want that 36mpg highway rating that the base 1.8L achieves on 87 octane.

This is another reason why I prefer Japanese cars: they are easier to buy! When you buy an Accord you pick LX or EX trim. None of this 12 option ala carte crap and good luck finding the right combination of engine, tranny, color and options.

I'll probably have to do a statewide dealer search or order the darn thing (Neptune Vibe base with slate interior, 5spd, moon/tunes, power pak, ABS, 16" alloys, side airbags, monotone, security and 6CD). So much for a good deal then...you never get a break when you have to order a car.

montanafan

You don't say what state your in but here is what I can recall from posts over the last year. Manual Transmission is only about 10-15% of base models. ABS 15-20%. Side Bags 10-15% 16" Aluminums about 50%. Moon & Tunes 50-60%. Power Group Over 80%. Neptune about 15%.

I also have read lots of posts from Toyota Matix buyers who have had problems getting exact matchs to their needs also.

I have never understood why dealers give a better dealer on cars that they have on the lot that they have been paying interest on and other expenses, then a car that comes off the truck goes into the wash bay and goes out the door. The only problem is incentives are time of delivery not time of order, so there is th ehitch to the buyer.

Oh, by the way, have heard it is too late to order a 2003 Vibe.

Don't get too frustrated. Most people who have posted love their Vibe/Matrix, so keep on looking.

focuserror

Has anyone heard what will be new for 2004?

Will they offer new colors or options this fall?

montanafan

What I have read at the Vibe sites, Fusion Orange is the new color, possible MP3 radio, should also have XM radio option, and tire changes so you can get Sunroof with 17" tire/wheels. And don't have to wait til fall, 2004 start production first week of May. Remember the 2003 has been in production since last January (2002).

clyde2000

Anyone have any idea of how long it takes from order to the delivery of the car? I ordered a Vibe late December, and it hasn't arrived yet (almost 14 weeks).

Also, anyone know how long it takes after the car is built for it to be delivered to the dealer? My dealer doesn't really know when it will arrive, and from what I gather they have no way of "tracking" it on the way here (Ontario), or so they say.

Thanks in advance.

maxx4me

Clyde: I ordered mine (one of the first AWD built) on Jan 4, 2002. My car arrived at the dealer on March 29, 2002. I think that is 11 weeks, right?

bobpays

I picked up my GM accessory roof racks yesterday and then mounted them to the Vibe's roofrack. Lo and behold the hatchback will not open if they are installed with the fork mounts facing forward.
I went to the local bike shop that sells Thule racks, which the GM is, and Thule doesn't have a fir kit for a 2003 Vibe. Anyone else run into this problem? Possible solutions? I'm going back to the dealership tomorrow and see if they van enlighten me as to a solution. I find it hard to believe that GM would have a picture in the accessories catalog knowing that the hatch wouldn't open all the way with the bicycle racks installed.
              thanks,
                       Bob

pika8347

Does anyone suggest purchasing the extended GM warranty for the 03 Vibe? i.e. the one beyond the standard 36K? I'm concerned since this is the first year model. Any thoughts?

breakthrough

Does anyone have the navigation package?
Can you recomend it?

nippononly

mechanically this car is the current Toyota Corolla, which is only a minor revision of the previous corolla, which has been running around since 1998, so you probably do not have to worry too much about major first year problems.

maxx4me

I definitely WOULD NOT buy the GM warranty. While it is very sound on paper, it costs an arm and a leg, and is not worth that much money. I suggest 3 excellent on-line warranties, all AM Best rated. they are: www.warrantybynet.com
www.warrantywizard.com and Warranty Gold (I forgot the net address). All the reps I spoke to were terrific. Does anyone out there have any experience with these 3? I plan on buying a 10 year warranty once my GM basic expires. I think this Vibe (corolla) should be in my driveway a long time. Happy shopping.

ab348

Can someone explain why the Matrix lists for about $3000 less in Canada than the base Vibe? Are the equipment levels different or is GM just padding its prices?

maxx4me

Yes, it was a mystery to me too. After I factored in all the extras on my Vibe compared to what I would have needed to order on a Matrix, the closest I could get the prices was $1,200. Nonetheless, I think not having a roof rack on the car is a huge oversight, so I went with the Vibe (not to mention I hate the dented in side door look of the Matrix).

montanafan

Could some of the Canadian price difference perhaps have something to do with the Vibe being imported and the Matrix being built in Canada?

nippononly

is basically comparable to the Matrix XR...the base Matrix is pretty stripped...they even take away the height adjustment for the driver's seat, which seems pretty chintzy to me.

So that is why Vibe seems to be priced higher...if you think of the base Vibe as equivalent to Matrix XR, you find they are pretty evenly matched for price, and GM has better cash incentives (although shorter warranty in U.S.)

5679

I chose not to purchase the extended warranty. The rep knocked $100 off the original quoted price.
The Cdn Vibe has 100,000 km powertrain coverage.
I'm finding some of the materials just don't stand up well—i.e. inner plastic liftgate panel has cracked and I can understand why-it's so thin.

nippononly

to keep this car light, and it shows all over the place. Considering its size, a base weight of 2767 is very light. That is a good thing, but thin metal and thin plastic all over is not so good.

lcowherd

GT, 6 speed, moon/tune, side airbags, power package, lava. I started looking at the Matrix but the 0% financing expired. I'd rather have a 5-speed base, but no dealer in 30 miles has one! I noticed that the GT engine gets lower mpg than the base and mileage is one of my big selling points. Is an auto base going to get better mpg than the GT's 6?

nippononly

gets 28/33 EPA rating - significantly above the mileage figures for GT manual.

dudleyr

Does anybody with a Vibe/Matrix know what the engine rpm is at 60 mph with the manual tranny.

stillageek

I have a Matrix XRS and in 6th at 70 is about 2900 RPMS, high yes, loud no.

dudleyr

Thanks - stillageek! Anybody have any idea about the 5-speed. Lower or higher than the 6-speed, or about the same?

jay108

Just got mine a few days ago. Base w/auto, moon and tunes, power package and monotone paint. Never paid extra for paint before.

Thing runs great, may get American Racing wheels and the Toyota supercharger once it available if power doesn't please; but so far it seem fine.

They should stock more units with ABS, side airbags. and 6 disc CD.

Maybe its more price sensitive than I am.

revka

We look forward to hearing more about your ownership experience.... Happy motoring!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

lcowherd

Why is it so hard to find the five speed base? I've checked the inventory at dealers in a 250 mile radius and can only find a couple!

Luzer

I think GM can special order, vs Toyota's "Preference". But you have to wait a few months - from what I read.

samwiseinky

OK, I'm really psyched for buying a Vibe. Right now (til 4/30) there's a 2,000 cash back. Does anyone know if that is being extended every month lately, or is 4/30 really the end of it?

Also, what month is the end of the 2003 year, and what sort of additional discount should I shoot for on a 2003 model at the end of the year?

Thanks

montanafan

The Vibe has pretty much been at the $2,000 rebate level from GM since last fall. Last month there was a bonus for GM owners and on the west coast a bonus for non-GM owners. So it would be reasonable to assume same level into May. 2004 production starts in May. It would be hard to predict what additional rebates might come on 2003 Vibes, but there is an additional $1,000 on 2003 Grand Prixs now that the 2004s are out. What deals the dealers may be giving will depend on what you want and what the inventory levels are. Seek out the equipment you want, and see what your local dealer might think about how long that combo may last on the lot. Good luck, good choice and keep us updated.

samwiseinky

Thanks, Montana. I'm also assuming the TMV prices on Edmunds do not include any subtraction for cash back, right?

5679

It bugs me to read that Canadians aren't offered rebates or preferred finacing on Vibes.

haulsalot

Bobpays, will all need to be mounted in "reverse," e.g. with the fork mount to the rear, if you want the rear hatch to open fully. This is true with Thule, Yakima, Saris, or any other fork mount rack. There simply is not enough distance between the front of the factory rack and the rear of the car for the wheelbase of a typical road (or mtn, for that matter) bike.

On the other hand, by having the fork cross bar to the rear, the racks are much quieter than mounted the other way, negating the need for a fairing. I had the Thule's on my prior Audi A4 and they made a HUGE amount of wind noise. On the Vibe, I switched to Performace factory mount racks ($135 currently, www.performancebike.com), mounted "backwards" and they work great with virtually no additional noise. And I still get about 30mph with AWD.... And it actually doesn't even look very odd when the bikes are up there - you just think, "oh, the bikes are facing the rear."

oleterrywallac

Does anyone actually have one of these installed? I have a Vibe on order. When I test drove the base Vibe with Automatic, I found acceleration acceptable around town, but around 40-50 mph, there wasn't much "punch" when I stomped it, so I figure a supercharger might be the remedy for this. Any idea how this addition might effect reliability? Mileage (if not constantly stomping it)?

usaf52

Shopped (by phone/e-mail) with several Pontiac dealers in the state (NC). One dealer insisted that the rebate was 3K, not 2K. I e-mailed him twice to double check, both times he e-mailed me back verifying the 3K. Finally I phoned the dealership and spoke with the owner. He assured me that the rebate was 3K and that's what I would get when I got there. The dealer is about 90 miles away, is a long time reputable dealer, but I'm still hesitant about driving there, as I'm sure the bubble will burst. Comments please.

regfootball

maybe he's including the dealer discount as part of the 3k rebate?

could be a sales tactic.

usaf52

Is this over and above any rebates by GM? I know the dealer gets holdback, but is this what you're talking about?

regfootball

typically a dealer will discount some of their own profit off of list price. some ads in papers will stretch the truth a bit and call it a 'dealer rebate' or 'additional rebate' when really its a 'dealer discount'.

dindak

There is a good size difference in pricing between the Matrix and Vibe but the Vibe has a few features the Matrix does not and with the current $1000 A/C credit and 0% financing it all comes out in the wash.

usaf52

Called Pontiac in Michigan and the gal who answered was very helpful. She just about said what you did. GM is giving 2K rebate, but some dealers, if they are large enough, will give an extra 1K to close the deal. She said it is not an uncommon practice.

Not a very big price difference between Matrix and Vibe here. Dealer I spoke of will sell the base Vibe with automatic and Mono package for $14550. Local Toyota selling base Matrix also with automatic for $14880.

Luzer

usaf - look up their inventory at gmbuypower.com
and get a price on that specific car.

If it's really $3000 back, then it should be about $4200 to $4500 off the sticker.

Right now, it's $2000 back + $1000 owners loyalty (if you have a GM car now).

About Base Vibe vs 'trix; the base Vibe has a few more things standard, I think these are some of them:

Roof rack
Fog lights
Rear wiper (you really need this thing as the back window gets real dirty)
115v plug
Seat Height adjuster
Floor mats