Topic: 03 Vibe

[Breeze-E]

Hey there guys,  I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice. 
My mother is looking at an 03 Vibe to buy.  While I believe they are pretty decent cars because of thier partnership with Toyota, I have questons about the particular car she is looking at. I have not seen it,  I just know what she has told me.
As stated it is a 2003 with @86000 kms, 5 spd manual, pretty much a loaded model but not a GT,(does that make sense?). 
It has also been in an accident worth $4000 in 2003, but they did not have the information on where and what exactly was damaged.  I told my mother to find that out first before proceeding.
Anyways they are asking $17000 at a dealership. I said if she really likes it, and it checks out then offer $14000.
Do you think this is a good deal or to stay away?  Thank you for you comments and info.

[articsteve]

Hey there guys,  I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice. 
My mother is looking at an 03 Vibe to buy.  While I believe they are pretty decent cars because of thier partnership with Toyota, I have questons about the particular car she is looking at. I have not seen it,  I just know what she has told me.
As stated it is a 2003 with @86000 kms, 5 spd manual, pretty much a loaded model but not a GT,(does that make sense?). 
It has also been in an accident worth $4000 in 2003, but they did not have the information on where and what exactly was damaged.  I told my mother to find that out first before proceeding.
Anyways they are asking $17000 at a dealership. I said if she really likes it, and it checks out then offer $14000.
Do you think this is a good deal or to stay away?  Thank you for you comments and info.

The Vibe is worth 9K wholesale and with an accident even lower.  Your mother is about to make a horrible mistake.  How is she paying for this car?  I assume she does not have the cash.  Does she have a trade?  Where are you; Whitehorse?

This particular car will need a litany of repairs by the time she pays it off and is ready for a complete brake job and numerous fluid changes; no much to mention.  Consider this car run into the ground.  Is this a GM dealer?

Good thing you came here.

[ovr50]

That is way too much money for that car, even if it was pristine. The accident only makes it worse.

Walk away very fast from that Vibe and probably that dealership as I don't think you can trust them. 

[The Mighty Duck]

Agreed.  90 000 km is a lot for a 2003, I'd be wary on that ground alone.  The accident doesn't help matters.  I'd run the other way...

As for the Vibe as a car...  nice enough looks, if it takes after the Matrix probably not the most fun to drive, but that may well be irrelevent.  I assume it to be dependable enough thanks to Toyota's input.  For a fraction of the price of a used Matrix, why not look at one?

[articsteve]

Go buy a brand new Hyunda @ 0% financing.  Try an Elantra.  Your mom doesn't need a used car.

[jamie1]

Knowing that the car was in an accident I would steer clear of this car. But the price is not out of line. A quick check on canadatrader brings many vibes with similar km's selling for about the same. Even canadian black book puts this car in the $12,300 to $14,500 range.

[articsteve]

I suppose markets outside of Ontario are higher but here is a private sale Vibe in the 613 area code (Ottawa region)

Year: 2003
Make: PONTIAC
Model: VIBE
Model Detail:
Price: $12,500
Mileage: 63,000 km
Date: 11/16/2005
Ad Type: Private
Comment: EXCELLENT GAS MILAGE, 4 dr., 4 cyl, Front Wheel Drive, Blue exterior, Grey interior, Fog Lights, Alloy Wheels, Roof Rack, Bucket Seats, Power features, cruise, AM/FM/CD. 63,000 km. $12,500


This example is from a Suzuki dealer in Oakville near Toronto:

Year 2003
Make PONTIAC
Model VIBE
 Price $13,900.00
Mileage 95,000 km
Date 11/16/2005
Ad Code CRTFSK
Web Ad ID 4786563
 
  Note: Information and availability subject to change. Please contact the dealer for complete information.
  Mileage recorded at time of listing. 
 
DESCRIPTION:   
4 cyl., 1.8L, 5 spd., full power options, A/C, sunroof and more w/ 95,000 km.

Hopefully the poster will talk some sense into the mom.  I'd still think a brand new Elantra at 0% would be the way to go rather than a used car that will require repair.
 

[articsteve]

Even canadian black book puts this car in the $12,300 to $14,500 range.

I am not seeing those numbers:  more like $9175 to $11425 less reconditioning costs which will be above normal on a car with 86000 km.  In addition, those numbers include automatic but exclude sunroof.  So 8K wholesale with that mileage would not be out of the question.  The accident drives it down further which they are required to divulge.

[The Mighty Duck]

To be fair, it is (apparently) "loaded".  Whatever that means. 

That said, $17 000 for a 2003 Vibe with 90k seems way overpriced...  your mother's money is better spent elsewhere, imho.

[jamie1]

2003 PONTIAC VIBE 4dr 4drPrice: $14,900.00   
 
 
Uncle Ben`s RV and Auto Center
Phone 1: 1-403-347-5546
Fax: 1-403-346-1055
Gasoline Alley, Highway #2 South, Red Deer (Alberta)
 
Visit this dealer's Showroom


 
 
   
 
 
 Contact By Email:

 
Name
 Your email address
 
City
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Phone(123) 456-7890
   
 
 
 
  Price $14,900.00
   
Year 2003
Stock Number 4336a
Transmission Manual
KMs 125,000
Doors 4
Drive Train FWD
Engine 1.8L
Cylinders 4
Fuel Gas
   
 
 
2003 PONTIAC VIBE BASE BASEPrice: $17,900.00   
 
 
Grove Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd.
Toll Free: 1-800-582-3319
Phone 1: 1-780-962-5893
Fax: 1-780-962-0117
Hwy 16A West, Spruce Grove (Alberta)
 
Visit this dealer's Showroom


 
 
   
 
 
 Contact By Email:

 
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Phone(123) 456-7890
   
 
 
 
  Price $17,900.00
   
Year 2003
VIN 5Y2SL62803Z477016
Stock Number 4162
Transmission Manual
KMs 73,100
Doors 4
Cylinders 4
Fuel Gas
 
 
2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT GTPrice: $20,710.00   
 
 
Capital Pontiac Buick Cadillac GMC
Phone 1: 1-306-525-5211
1350 Albert Street, Regina (Saskatchewan)
 
Visit this dealer's Showroom


 
 
   
 
 
 Contact By Email:

 
Name
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Phone(123) 456-7890
   
 
 
 
  Price $20,710.00
   
Year 2003
Stock Number 74831A
Transmission Manual
KMs 48,512
Doors 4
Passengers 5
Drive Train FWD
Engine 1.8
Cylinders 4
Fuel Gas

Those black book numbers I got off their web site tonight,accessed through GM canadas web site. You are correct,it was with an auto. They did not give me the delect auto trans option. Edit: My mistake. I was reading that it was a GT,when in fact it is NOT a GT. Still in example #2 I gave is it's a base Vibe with 73,100km asking $17,900.

[swishguy]

I owned a 03 5 speed Vibe. I put 50,000k in 9 months. Great little car & lotsa pep with the standard tranny. Gas mileage was very dissapointing for a small car tho! The best hi-way mileage I ever got was 37 mpg & window stick said 47! I am usually with in 3-4 of the window sticker but that sucked. Other then that great car but A/C performed mediocrely also.

[articsteve]

Those black book numbers I got off their web site tonight,accessed through GM canadas web site. You are correct,it was with an auto. They did not give me the delect auto trans option. Edit: My mistake. I was reading that it was a GT,when in fact it is NOT a GT. Still in example #2 I gave is it's a base Vibe with 73,100km asking $17,900.

Well I look in my son's Ontario book and obviously they reflect the difference in the two markets.  Get one's self a  used car transporter that holds 6 cars and make a run to Toronto every few weeks from the west.  Good for $18K minus expenses.  The price for used stuff in the west is amazing.

[JD]

It's supply and demand out here... We just have a greater demand for cars... Case in point, Calgary has the highest number of cars per capita in North America (could even be the world, be a while since I've seen the stat published).

Also, eastern cars loose their value quicker due to rust concerns. Alberta, for example, does not salt its roads AFAIK, and that has resulted in many older cars remaining rust free.

[articsteve]

Salt is not the same issue it was years ago in the GTA.  On a 2 or 3 year car I think it's a non issue.  What GTA cars don't experience is the extreme cold.  Coldest it might get in the GTA is -25C for a few nights.  Usually around -10 to -15C.  I wouldn't want a car that experienced -35 to -40C regularily.  That's got to really hurt a vehicle.  I know when the temp dipped below -25C the tractors didn't do well at all.

[Wetson]

Your Mom will be making a big mistake if she purchases this vehicle for what they are asking.  Way over priced.  For that price she should be able to look at Hyundais or the new Civic.  It all depends on what she wants.  She should also consider finding another automotive dealer. 

[Breeze-E]

Hey there guys,
just an update here, I talked to my mother and she is not getting the car after all.
Good thing, I was a little suspcious about my self and you guys confirmed them.  thanks for the help, advice, and info.  I still think Vibes in general are good cars, just not that one.
I told here though that she should look at the Yaris, I'm a big fan of them.
Thanks again.

[AVToller]

Good decision. BTW, I have a Yaris RS and really like it a lot. It's an excellent car if you like them small, well built, and agile. 

[articsteve]

Good decision. BTW, I have a Yaris RS and really like it a lot. It's an excellent car if you like them small, well built, and agile. 

Read the "getting out of lease - leaving country" thread 

[dentIMPRESSIONS]

WALK AWAY FROM THE DEAL!