Pontiac Vibe

charlesh

Will the toyota VIP RS 3200 Plus security system fit in Pontiac Vibe ?

steine13

Learned Friends:

I wash my car every six months, whether it needs it or not. So today I took my monochrome silver '04 Vibe to the car wash, invested a few bucks, and really went after it with the high-pressure soap&water wand.

When I was done, I had peeled several pieces of paint off the cladding, ranging in size from tiny to quarter size.

In retrospect, what was I thinking? Of course the paint ain't gonna stick to the tupperware the way it sticks to the metal... but I'm still pretty steamed... they might have told me about this, no?

To put everything right, worst case, requires replacement of the pass rear door molding and the trim pieces below the rocker panels, both sides. Probably many $100 and less than $1k, so it's not the end of the world.

Still, I'm fairly steamed.

If y'all have advice or comments, please let me know. If you don't, be careful with your own cars.

-Mathias

dudleyr

One word. Warrenty! Is it still under bumper to bumper warrenty?

steine13

"One word. Warranty"

Two words: Fine print.

First up, it's trim and therefore, purely cosmetic.
Secondly, I either did it myself, or there were chips in it to begin with. This is unlikely on the door molding, but quite possible on the sills.

My guess is it'll come down to goodwill, or lack thereof.

Yeah, I'm under b2b warranty: 5,300 miles, 7 months old.
-Mathias

clarks

I peeled the paint on my Vibe in exactly the way you did. My dealership had it repaired free with no questions asked. Perhaps this was at least partly due to it being a small town dealership from whom I've bought several cars.

I now use only the brush on the cladding part of the body and am hoping for the best.

dudleyr

A dealer should stand behind the paint even on trim, especially on a 7 month old vehicle. It shouldn't matter if you did it yourself. If you pull on your door handle and it falls off they will still repair it even though you did it yourself. If the paint comes off that easily, then there is something wrong, and they should fix it. My plastic bumpers are painted and no peeling in nearly 15 years.

It sure wont't hurt to ask anyway. Good luck.

steine13

Good news. Took it to the dealer, they didn't quibble. Yep, it's under warranty, no, it shouldn't be happening, yes, we've seen it before.

I'll get the spots fixed (sand/prime/paint) and we'll see how things develop... I've got 2 yrs and 5 months of warranty left...

I still think it's pretty lousy paint, but I'm very happy with the dealership.

-Mathias

5679

My Vibe isn't yet two years old. I've never had a car, new or used, with so many small chips in its paint.
I don't have a cottage so rarely drive on gravel roads. My wife and I have retired so we don't drive it to work.
It's sad when the exoskeletons of insects can chip paint off the hood.

jimmcknight

- Has anyone purchased a rear seat cover for the Vibe? I have a 2003 AWD and I've been using some gray fabric. My kids keep messing it up and it pulls out of place. I don't think Pontiac had anything available when I bought the vehicle.

graphicguy

Just curious...why do you need a back seat cover. The material on all the seats in my Vibe seems pretty sturdy.

debi5475

I have been reading since last Saturday, when I found this forum. I am up to message 1451.
 
I am currently driving a Saturn SW1, 1993. I think it has 85 hp. I am looking at an AWD Vibe. I have been reading that people think it is underpowered. I know that my car is lighter, but am I right in assuming that I will still find it a step up?

And Cladding, it doesn't bother me, and I keep my cars a long time, so I shouldn't get it painted, from what I see here?

I saw a 2005 yesterday. I liked it. Does the back have more room? Could have been my imagination.

I am thinking. AWD, Moon and tunes, leather interior, power door locks, etc., no premium paint, theft prevention, xm satalite system.

Color? Well, not so important. The color of the mud that the cats leave on my hood would be nice. Any suggestions are appreciated.

I am not in a hurry, is there a good time of the year, when GM offers are better? I am assuming I will have to order mine. To get leather, and unpainted cladding.

I have the gm card. $2000 currently available on it.

My husband is all for this, but says, it is my car, I can buy what I want. So help is appreciated. I have learned alot just reading here the past 5 days. I don't want painted cladding, and I do want the cargo hatch rug. Now back 500 post, still trying to get into the 2004 model year with my reading.

bporter1

I can't believe how expensive the 05 Vibe is getting! There are so many options now available, like leather seats,and Stabilitrak?. It's almost like they are pricing themselves out of the market for whom the car was originally intended for. Does anyone else feel this way or am I in the minority?

maxx4me

Debi: the Vibe is a good car. It is a Corolla afterall. I own the AWD version, and while the youngsters will say it is underpowered, I say it is just fine. The AWD system is outstanding in the snow. Apparently the '05 version has different cloth seats, which is a good thing. I think the cloth seats on the '03-'04 are very weak, and will not hold up in time. Some other negatives about the Vibe are: no telescoping steering, poor visibility out the back window, the worst paint job in the history of car making, and rear drum brakes which I hate. Otherwise, the car is a Corolla and should last a long time. For more info on the Vibe, check out www.genvibe.com
Otherwise, I recommend the Maxx (as you can tell from my name) over the Vibe. I now own both, and the Maxx is a substantially better car, AND I got it for $1,000 less than I bought the Vibe 2.5 years ago. As long as the Chevy holds up, it is a steal. You certainly won't go wrong buying a Vibe; however, I think GM now makes a substantially better alternative. I'd check it out. Good luck Debi.

debi5475

I understand what you are saying, but I was thrilled when I saw the leather option.

I bought my husband a 2000 Buick Regal, new, a few years ago, and said then, that my next car would also have leather, power windows and power door locks. I am spoiled. I can drive stick. I prefer not to. The 2005 Vibe has hooked me by having the leather option available.

I am also not what they were aiming at in their ads. Let us say that 50 is not far off. And I am female. And the people at the dealership I saw picking up their Lava Vibe yesterday (retirees) were not either. So the new options are perhaps reaching out to other demographics.

dudleyr

I know 2 people in my small town who drive vibes, and they are both in their 60's.

montanafan

They are not pricing it out of the market it was intended for, they are now equiping it for the market that is buying it.

graphicguy

I think the General's pricing scheme is to price it a little high and then rebate it to death.

The '04s have what I think is a $3K rebate on it. You can get an automatic base Vibe with A/C and power package advertised in the OH area for under $15K. To me, that's a pretty good deal for what amounts to a Corolla station wagon.

I'm in my 40s. I don't care what the intended market is, but I use it for general runs to Costco, Lowes, hauling stuff around. I thought I wanted a pick-up truck until I saw how much I could fit in the Vibe. Plus, I'm getting 31 MPG in all around driving (35 MPG on the highway).

I originally thought a Scion xB would do the trick. But, after driving one of those, noticing it lacked some of the Vibe's equipment, xB felt tinny in comparison, and finding I'd have to pay over $1,000 more for one when compared to the Vibe deals, it was a "no brainer".

thel

Over the last 8 months or so I would've really liked to have had a truck maybe a handful of times. The rest of the time, I really liked the butt-kicking XRS engine with a 6-speed and the 27 mpg!

bporter1

You all have made good points, and now that I am thinking about it, most people who I see driving a Vibe or a Matrix are over 35 at least. Montanafan you have probably made the best point about equipping the Vibe to the people who actually are buying it.

graphicguy

Just a guess, but I bet Scion's average age of those who will buy isn't nearly as low as who they marketed them to (except for maybe the hot coupe they just brought out.

I see the Scion going, not to teens (as they are still enamored with the Civic fat exhaust pipe crowd), but to those who are looking for an ecnomical "quasi" station wagon or a commuter car. I think where the xB and xA miss the mark is that the intended audience doesn't want small an practical. That's the province of a more mature generation.

Unfortunately, the Vibe will be priced, after GM's current rebate scheme, below the Scion xB. Plus, it offers more practicality. Even when I tried to price out the Matrix twin, with the GM rebates, the Vibe still came in less expensive when doing "like for like" comparisons and trying to make a deal at the dealership.

mojorisin1

I am considering buying a 2004 Vibe. But I am concerned about some of the problems I am reading in the forums. I plan on putting kayaks/ small sailboats on the roof racks using Thule or Yakima carriers. Has anyone done this? What about the antenna, can it be removed? Is it flexible. Also, is the paint chipping problem a universal problem on all 2004 Vibes?

sb55

My wife drove it up to Vermont, not as fast as me, and she went 420 miles and it took 11.2 gallons, 37.5 miles per gallon!!

malibu_jack

Anyone know the tow capacity of the vibe? Can it be used to tow small trailers or even tent trailers?

lumbar

This message indicates that it's 1500 lbs.

montanafan "Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe - Compare Notes" Jan 23, 2003 11:05am

I'm surprised it's that high. I would think anything over 1000 would need trailer breaks at a minimum.

maxx4me

yep: page 4-37 of the Vibe owner's manual says no more than 1500 pounds

graphicguy

I've only had my Vibe for a couple of months, but am very pleased with it.

I drove the GT and felt the constant "hi rev" nature of the engine would get tiresome. Standard engine isn't going to win any drag races, but is adequate for what I use it for.

It does fine on the highway and in-town. I get about 30 MPG for all around driving...hit 35 MPG for one all highway sprint.

I fit a patio set from Costco inside (quite a feat) and have hauled numerous pieces of furniture as well as mowers and mulch.

In short, it does everything I ask it to and does so without complaint.

Build quality is top notch. I didn't expect it to be upscale in anyway in the interior, but it seems to be durable. No squeaks/rattles. No rotten egg smell as had been reported.

No paint problems....all panels aligned with care.

It has some "upscale" features I didn't exepect like auto headlights.

Generally, it rides nice. Big bumps will toss you around a bit, but aside from that, it rides better than I expected.

While not quiet under acceleration, the standard engine is quieter than the GT. Transmission mostly shifts imperceptibly (automatic).

Stereo is better than I expected (moons & tunes) from the typical Toyota/GM fare.

Fold down the rear seats and the back end is just short of "cavernous".

With rebates, these are a very good deal.

takbodan

My wife and I are interested in the Vibe, but are concerned about the rear hatch when lifted open. My wife is only 4'-11" and shrinking. Will
she be able to reach up and close the rear hatch when it is open? We have not had a chance to go to the Pontiac dealer yet to check it out.

thel

Well, if she can't reach the liftgate in the Vibe, I'm not sure what else in the segment she would be able to reach. Your best bet is simply to go to the dealer and try it yourself (well, er, herself).

dudleyr

You can always attach a strap to the pull down handle. I do think she could probably reach it though. They tend to be just over 6' off of the ground to clear most peoples heads when up.

My kids just climb on the bumper then jump up/out and grab the handle, and let their weight bring it down. She may not want to try that though. : ^ )

maxx4me

yeah, thel is right. My Maxx's hatch opens higher than my Vibe. The Vibe's hatch door is lighter than my Maxx's, therefore easier, should a person have to raise their arms all the way up to grab the hatch.

sb55

I'm only 5'7 and wish that my hatch opened higher. Once when a had a load of tile ang grout in the back I hit my head when it was opened.

richardb2

I have a 2005 Vibe...the outside temp. indicator shows about 4-6 degrees hotter than outside temperature. Dealer says this is normal. I thought perhaps it has a faulty sensor. Anyone have any experience with this problem?

KCRam

Hi Rich

Depends on where the sensor is. If it's located someplace susceptible to engine heat, then it will always read a few degrees hot. If it's right behind the grille, it may read cool from the airflow.

kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards

mikus

Why would one need it? Only for those who lives in a car for several of days (unlikely, unless it is RV). This is a pure gimmick.

maxx4me

actually not. The reason for the sensor is to let people know when icing conditions may be present. In cold climates, black icing continues to fool even the most seasoned driver. Also, with states puting down chemicals, drivers are lured into thinking that the road is "just wet". The temp guage provides us with a reality check to ensure we don't overdrive the conditions.

richardb2

One of the reasons I posted the question was to determine if other VIBE owners are experiencing inacurracies in the outside temperature reporting device or whether it is a bad sensor in my vehicle. I do not know where they place this sensor in the Vibe. The dealer seemed uninterested in even looking into it. My feeling is, "if they installed it at the factory, I should expect that it would be reasonably accurate". I had a similar guage on a 2002 Buick Rendezvous and it was very accurate. Any information or thoughts that can be provided will be appreciated.

steine13

I just drove by a bank that showed 82 deg, and the car showed, you guessed it, 82.
Overall, my feeling is it's "fairly" accurate, and it stays that way even if the car idles for a while.

-Mathias

richardb2

Thanks....I'm fairly certain I have a bad sensor. It consistantly reports 5 or 6 degrees warmer than the bank signs and radio reports. I guess I will have to "push" the dealer a bit.

                  richard

me_at_edmunds

Hi All, I'm considering buying a 2005 base vibe, 5-spd with moon/tune, all power options, 16" alum wheel and possibly abs+side impact airbags. A dealer told me I would have to order from the factory and may get the invoice price. I'm not qualified for any GM incentives other than the current $1000 cash allowance or the GM financing. This is my first time in the market for a new car.. Does the invoice sound ok for a 2005 base model? Thanks a million!

Btw, I feel the comparably equipped Matrix is way less pricey than the Vibe. I'm talking about $2000 - $2500... Is it just me?

stillageek

The Matrix was cheaper for me. The Vibes around the Dallas,TX area are constantly advertised for $3000 off MSRP (including $2000 rebate and $1000 dealer discount). Even with that I still bought the Matrix. This was due to the bad treatment at the Pontiac dealer and that the Matrix holds a much higher value than the Vibe. Pontiac is already flooding rental fleets with Vibes. The same thing happened with the Toyota Corolla and the twin Chevy/Geo Prizm. If you are going to keep it a while, then resale doesn't matter. Also Toyota built the engine....they know how to fix it....if it ever breaks.

me_at_edmunds

Thanks stillageek.. I got a Matrix XR instead. Following is a post I cut and pasted from the Toyota pricing forum.

I really wanted a Vibe because Vibe's styling makes a lot more sense to me. But a comparably equipped Vibe costs about 2,500 - 3k more than a Matrix before any cash rebate. So I went to a Toyota dealership today.. Placed an order for an XR 5-spd, Package #2 plus side airbags and ABS for $110 over invoice. Then there's the $199 doc fee, $89 tag fee, and paid an optional $199 for window etching program at the dealership(dealer said it would help with insurance, maybe a stupid move of mine) and 6% sales tax..

orangelebaron

with the Toyota don't you get a longer warranty? Another odd difference is that the Matrix has a driver's door that unlocks just by pulling the inside handle (like in Chrysler, VW and Ford products). The Pontiac version (Vibe) does not... typical of all GM cars. Hhhhmmm... maybe GM wants to make it more difficult for people to jump out of the car while driving?

thel

Toyota has a 3yr/36,000 mile warranty just like the Vibe...at least my 04 does.

maxx4me

WOW, when did Toyota abandon the 3yr/50,000 mile factory warranty?

steine13

At least on my '03 Sienna, the warranty is 3/36 b2b and 5/60 pwrtrain. I think that is standard for all Toyotas. -Mathias

orangelebaron

According to Yahoo Autos:

Toyota Matrix powertrain warranty is 5 years / 60,000 miles:
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/toyota_matrix_standard4x2_2005/149- - - 80/style_warranty.html

Pontiac Vibe powertrain warranty is 3 years / 36,000 miles:
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/pontiac_vibe_base_2004/12536/style- - - _warranty.html

nippononly

never had a 3/50 warranty. Matrix has the standard Toyota warranty - same as GM for bumper to bumper, 24K miles longer for powertrain only (the really expensive stuff).

eoghan1

The price has apparently risen $300. Does anyone know what changes were made for 2005? An extra speaker in the moon and tunes package? Suspension changes? Upholstery improved? Perhaps some of these were running changes one might get on a late model 2004. The availability of side curtain airbags on the 2005 is the most significant thing I see. Please add anything I missed.

eoghan1

Thanks for the summary. Am I current on the rebates?
2004 - $2000 + $1000 Conquest for a total of $3000
2005 - $1000 + $1000 Conquest for a total of $2000
One Salesperson speculated they would raise the 2005 rebate as soon as most 2004's are sold. Also when the 2004 rebates expire does GM award(credit) the dealership the rebate amount on any units still in inventory? Then at that time the dealer could sell at a discounted price and the buyer would not be paying sales tax on the rebate? Are you aware of any dealer incentive?

melfitz

lucky you then. My car runs pretty good. I have a 2003 vibe. I have the rotten egg smell also. I also have the steering column locking up, the automatic trans shifting into low on declines, the musty smelling air conditioning, the air conditioner that is cool but not cold, and the cheap plastic covers that they put on things keep falling off all the time. I would never buy an American made car again. ALthough the chassis is Toyota the car itself is not Toyota quality at all. What a rip. I also have 2 case in the better business bureau and 1 is for the lemon law on my car which has been in the shop about 16 times since I bought it in Dec. of 2002. Plus have you heard of ever changing an air conditioning filter? Its not on the vibe maintenance schedule at all or in the manual? Email me if you have any new info. Mfit3426@aol.com