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Comments
I just purchased a used 2003 Vibe AWD for $6000. Afterwards I noticed a noise that is caused by the Viscous Coupling that attaches to the differencial and drive shaft. The cost to purchase this part is a whopping $2,800. I am not really interested in spending this much money for this small part so I am wondering if the car can operate with the VC and drive shaft can be removed from the vehicle?
Thanks!!1
Gary
I have one front tire (passenger side) that is down to the wear bars. Probably because of a low inflation problem I did not immediately spot. The driver side is still fine... probably half worn. Can I get away with replacing just one tire on the axle or will I have handling, etc problems? Also the tires I'm looking at have two narrow, solid center tread strips that circle the tire, then decent aggressive tread left and right. Tires are directional. Tires are from China (Haida?) but dealer says most tires are from China... like it or not. My question is... will the two center strips help with noise or create even more road noise. I test drove a 09 with GY RS-A's and they were unbelievably loud! What creates the noise... more tread (rubber) on the road?, more air space?, uninterrupted solid tread, or tread pattern that is less uniform with lots of direction changes? Thanks.
Brock
I guess that the sound that I am hearing can be described as a whinning noise as well. My mechanic told me that he thinks the noise is coming from the coupling housing. I am also getting very poor gas mileage. I have two vibes one is AWD and the other is 2wd. My AWD is the one with the noise. The AWD gets 30% less gas mileage versus my 2wd so I am thinking that perhaps the noise problem is attributing to my poor gas mileage.
Gary
Thanks,
Gary
Good luck on your Vibe!
Take advantage of the fears of others and get a good price.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Also in the market for a newer, primary car. If we buy the civic, we may opt for small suv -- like Rav4 or Forester. Forester would be handy in our Michigan winters. If we buy vibe, we may opt for Camry. We'd like one car with hatchback versatility. It would be nice to have one with AWD, but we've done okay so far without that.
What do you think?
1. are you looking for good gas mileage since you are only using the car for short trips?
2. are you looking for a standard or automatic?
3. have you totally ruled out AWD?
I have both a 2003 AWD and 2009 Vibe. I think AWD is virtually a waste of money.
I want to make sure that you know that the 2003-2010 models are all Corolla, with the exception of the 2009-2010 AWD model which has Rav4 components and Camry engine, or the GT which has a Camry engine. The newest generation Vibe is far superior to the old one, but again, the Camry engine or AWD with Rav4 components/engines will get you much worse gas mileage than the 2009-2010 base model Corolla engine. I mention this because I think you should also throw the newest generation Vibe into your "new" car mix. With Pontiac out of business and these cars being all Toyota, the values of them will soon tank, making it easy to get a used "virtually new" 2009-2010 model for a song, knowing your car is a reliable Toyota in a GM outer skin. The Camry is a great car, but just a grocery getter since you can't haul anything in it. The Forrester is a gas pig, and is not comfortable for rear passengers. Both the Camry and Forrester however are bullet proof and will last you a long time; but if gas goes back up...........you may regret that decision.
Getting back to your 2005, the miles you site are low and of no concern since it is a Corolla engine and is a proven 200,000 mile engine. On cars.com, I did a nationwide search and found only about 5 2005 Vibes around your $8900 price or less; most were priced A LOT higher, so your price seems like a good deal, especially if you can talk them down a bit.
The new Forester is bigger than the old, more comfortable in back, and fuel economy not bad. We're considering the manual version and many people get close to 30mpg with this on hwy, which is great for AWD SUV. Also looking at Rav4 but costs about $2k more (if 4wd, about same if 2wd). Forester drives better (unless v6 Rav4) but Rav4 a little more comfortable and not as cheap looking inside.
My wife really likes the Camry. So far we've only driven an 09 but willing to consider slightly older ones. This would be automatic. Manuals very hard to find. Most Hondas are uncomfortable for me -- bad lumbar that pushes into my back -- but I find that Civics and Fits are somehow better. Accords the worst, CR-V not great. I think Accords perform better than Camrys -- which are boring -- but I cannot sit in an Accord for a long drive. I can get a great deal here on a CR-V, but it's not comfortable for either of us. (Sigh.)
I've driven an 08 automatic Vibe that I liked -- although I'd prefer manual for this type of car. We're not interested in AWD Vibes.
AWD would be nice in winter, but we're in Southern MI. This winter, we got a lot of snow, and our Saturn had trouble with it. Some winters, we don't get much at all. Can we survive without AWD? Probably. But occasionally it would help.
If we rule out AWD, then we could go with Vibe + Civic/Corolla/Camry. Or maybe even two Vibes. We need to get two cars, and we need to get them soon. I don't really like the new Matrix/Vibe design. Do you really think it is better? Although I haven't driven one yet. So far I have not seen great deals on either one. Although I have seen a very low miles 08 for $13k.
Personally I'd take a 5sp Forester over an automatic Vibe AWD any day of the week, but that's me. In this economy, in this state, at this time, I'm glad to be driving a GM product, though.
Cheers, -Mathias
I'm certainly not seeing Vibes at the prices you mention. In fact, used Vibes around here are pretty rare, and low miles ones are always $12 or higher. Not considering a new one because they're no cheaper than the Matrix, and the Toyota will hold value better. But I see even less of those used.
I did take a look at Ford. Tried to contact three different dealerships, even went to one and tested a Fusion. They only had souped up models with sunroofs, and those didn't give me enough headroom. No one would give me info on how to get one without. Kind of hard to sell a car when you don't even try. In this economy, I don't understand only stocking the higher priced trims and packages.
Pilgrimjs: as for the current generation Vibe, yes, it is far superior. Again I own the first and second generation. The only issue I have with the 2009 is that the Corolla engine has a horizontally positioned oil cannister covering a paper oil filter. I'd rather be changing my oil with a filter that is vertical and a hard/traditional screw on filter. Other than that, the car is far superior. I drive my Corolla-Vibes very hard, so in short: Electric steering, much better cornering, ABS, traction AND stabillity control standard, better seats and fabric, XM radio, dual level glove compartment, map lights in ceiling (not on the mirror), dual VVTi engine, better wipers, better and collapsable mirrors, better collapsable rear storage area cover, no more stupid body cladding, (and if you dare to go with the worse gas mileage) the choice of a Camry engine. Again, check on cars.com. There are a lot of good priced used 2009's out there already, and surely a lot more to come with Pontiac gone.
As for the new Forrester, I'll have to take your word for it. I get 30 mpg in big city/suburban driving on my 2009 Corolla-Vibe automatic, so 30 on the highway would not sway me. Almost any sedan does that now. In fact, my old Malibu Maxx got 35 on the highway due to the old style GM pushrod engine and was a whole lot more roomy/functional than the Forrester. With gas prices heading back over $3 soon, I am not willling to get in a vehicle that only gets 20 mpg in town. Good luck with your choice. You have obviously done some homework since the models you are looking at are very reliable.
I'm not looking to buy... I've got one of those, and a few months ago learned that that's what they're worth... that was Manheim information, so no, you can't buy a low-mile '07 $10, but you also can't trade it for more than $9.
$8.9 for a miley '04 is not good; I'd rather buy new. But that's me.
-Mathias
We're also new to this area and not sure where to take it. There's a local mechanic that friends recommend. He's done a good job with their high mileage Camrys (200k+).
I believe the Transmissions are solid...
I would probably have someone check the A/C...
A/C problems are always expensive to repair.
Also check for recalls not completed...
A small thing... Get the NEW flexible wiper blades front & back.
Vibes have a long front wiper stroke, good blades are critical.
Another tip: Listen to the inside defrost fan... they can be NOISY at low speeds.
Remember the Vibe is a Toyota Matrix in Pontiac clothing...
I would look for a good local Toyota dealer....
especially with the Pontiac brand disappearing !
As for the checkup, you are right on..........have your new mechanic do the tranny flush (BG machine). Replace the air filter and cabin filter yourself and change the oil yourself if you are so inclined. The cabin filters should be replaced twice a year if you live in a high pollen (lots of trees) area. The filter housing is behind the glove box (which you need to unhinge to get to the two plastic snaps that lower the cabin filter housing). I buy regular furnace filters at the hardware store and cut them to size; works great and saves you a ton of money.
Don't worry about the color of your radiator fluid. It started out Toyota pink, and if a flush was done every 24,000 miles as scheduled, green fluid may have been used which then mixes in with the pink, turning it all kinds of merky colors. Nevertheless, I would suggest a radiator fluid flush/drain at the time you are getting the tranny flushed.
So how little will this car be worth in a year? Will I be able to get $5k for it?
Enjoy your Corolla-Vibe. I think you made the right decision, and I know you got a great price to say the least; just go to cars.com and check your price in comparison to what's out there in the US.
Thanks,
Bill
I appreciate all the advice, especially about the difference between the 1.8L and 2.4L engines and their relative MPG.
I bought a 2009 1.8L with the Preferred Package, A/C, A/T, and the sound system with the MP3 playback. I got the Steel Blue Metallic.
I am looking forwatd to contributing with future posts.
The "drive the thing into the ground" thing is really old school, especially if you are financing for 5 years. One really should try to expend as much as one can for 3 year loan. Obviouslly a 72 month loan, (unless a great otherwise unobtainable benefit) is moot.
Purchase the car properly, so one's 1st year depreciation for the avg car in this range is around $4000 or so (from previous years kbb trade in) and buy new cars every 5 years or 7 years, especially with cash or good credit. Nice new cars with new safety and convenience features, much of the ownership under warranty, especially if you can buy a factory 7/100kmi factory extended warranty for the $800 range or so. Not $2000 in the finance office. (shop around at dealerships)
The obsessive compulsive bit trying to squeeze the last few micro-ounces from the tube, hanging your dental floss on the shower rod to reuse, and squeezing the last 3 years out of a 10 or 13 year ownership is a loser, possibly putting 3000 or more in different repairs, or one big "clunk" at 130000 miles, learning that you sadly won't be driving your Toyota absolutely trouble free for 200000 miles like your wife's friend's Ex's cousin Milty did. You also get to drive a piece of crap an extra 3 years.
I believe the average 35 year old has a 1 in 270 chance of not being with us in 3 years.
If you use it as a 3rd car beater to have around and junk when significant trouble arises that may be a winner. I guess if you have 3 dui's and your rates are through the roof would be a factor for holding onto an old car also.
Good luck
--jjf
Noted and Toyota Matrix, felt it was two wheel drive of to the side of the snow covered road.
Slept in it with front passenger seat folded down it can even fit eight foot timbers.
In remote areas OnStar will work off satellite where cell phones will not. Can buy minutes for voice activated internal cell. GM dealers are found in rural areas. If you are a cross country skier in remote areas as apposed to a downhill skied it is better to have an AWD Vibe than an AWD Subaru. Note I use a Nokian (made in Finland) all season with a symbol of a snowflake/mountain which shows a winter rating a tire.
If I buy a 2009 Vibe and Pontiac doesn't build it anymore and I need a body or mechanical part, what will happen over the years?
Will I be stuck with a car with no replacement parts?
I always keep my cars 5 to 7 years before trading them.
What else should I buy that equals the Vibe.
I'm not interested in the Toyota Matrix. I want to stay with G.M. because i've been with G.M. since 1977.
One with a 1.8 L. engine 132 h/p with 4 speed automatic transmission and one with a 2.4 L. engine 158 h/p with 5 speed automatic transmission with manual mode.
What bothers me is that manual mode thing.
What is it and really and how does it work?
Is it really good or useful?
If I decide on the automatic with manual mode can I only drive it like an ordinary automatic transmission?
Since 1974 I have been driving manuals. So I considered the base 1.8 L manual, it would have as much power an speed if shifted properly as my 2.4 L AWD, but and would get far better fuel economy.
But I wanted to use it on snow for cross country skiing, and on gravel for the Navajo Nation, and also to sleep in at a trail head. The base model front passenger seat did not fold flat. Reading information from others the AWD would be better with a five speed auto, but someone came out with info the AWD may not have been able to fit the five speed auto.
Have tested the ABS (Automotive Braking System) it worked smoothly, the electronic steering adjustment system has work both on gravel and snow, and the AWD kicks in automatically something unique to smaller vehicle. The 2 wheel drive Vibe/Matrix is compared with a AWD Subaru in April 2009 Consumer reports.
Though in the past when a Toyota is sister to a GM vehicle the Toyota is preferred, but in Consumer Reports it is the Vibe people are happier with over the Matrix.
I hope this helps.
I was more interested in the 2.4 L. than the 1.8 L. being afraid that it wouldn't be powerful enough.
Since you told me that I could drive it like a regular automatic transmission it will probably be a 2.4 L.
Thanks again.
As mentioned by someone else, the GenVibe.com site is a great board for getting any info you want about Pontiac Vibes of all years.