Folding rear seats, a plasticized cargo area and a full suite of dealer accessories mean you'll have no problem loading your Vibe up for any combination of passengers and gear required for the job at hand. No problem with safety or your pocketbook either- as Vibe boasted appreciable crash test scores and impressive highway mileage with the standard engine.
Owners online say that they love the styling, space, access, and driving dynamics of their cars- rating these aspects most highly when surveyed. Low maintenance and fuel costs are also reported by most drivers who share their experiences on the web. One owner noted that his elderly mother could get in and out with ease, thanks to big door openings and an ideal step-in height.
Things could be worse when it comes to owner complaints. Many wish for a better factory-issue cargo cover, saying the one included with the car is ineffective and awkward to use. Most drivers talk highly about the five-speed manual gearbox and its shift feel- though plenty wish their machines had more get-up-and-go. Other minor grumbles concerned rear-seat comfort levels and quick wear of the factory installed tires.
Be sure to give the paint a good inspection if you're considering a Vibe, a it's prone to premature flaking, peeling, oxidization and chipping, even on a fairly new model. If you find any of the above, use it to your advantage when hammering out a final price.
On a test-drive, note the shift quality of the automatic transmission, particularly from first to second gear. A known problem could see unwanted debris clogging up an internal mechanism, which can result in unwanted harshness during shifts.
On earlier models, some owners reported 'bearing noise' in manual transmissions before incurring an expensive repair bill to rectify the problem. On the road, listen carefully for a metallic grinding sound from under the front of the car that increases in volume as you accelerate. If this sound is apparent, you'd best look for another used Vibe.
These potential transmission issues weren't frighteningly numerous, and they're the only significant problem you're likely to come across. Less notable is a tendency for the cigarette lighter to pull out of the dashboard, and the lug-nut covers on the wheels to fall off. A bit of glue should solve either issue here.
If buying a used Vibe, it's a good idea to change the transmission fluid, engine oil and coolant if you're unsure of the vehicle's service history- just to be safe. If your used model is an AWD, have the rear differential fluid replaced as well, for added peace of mind.
That's it! Really, as far as a used car that's family-ready and wallet-conscious goes, you could do much worse.
photo:General Motors
Owners online say that they love the styling, space, access, and driving dynamics of their cars- rating these aspects most highly when surveyed. Low maintenance and fuel costs are also reported by most drivers who share their experiences on the web. One owner noted that his elderly mother could get in and out with ease, thanks to big door openings and an ideal step-in height.
Things could be worse when it comes to owner complaints. Many wish for a better factory-issue cargo cover, saying the one included with the car is ineffective and awkward to use. Most drivers talk highly about the five-speed manual gearbox and its shift feel- though plenty wish their machines had more get-up-and-go. Other minor grumbles concerned rear-seat comfort levels and quick wear of the factory installed tires.
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| 2003 Pontiac Vibe |
Be sure to give the paint a good inspection if you're considering a Vibe, a it's prone to premature flaking, peeling, oxidization and chipping, even on a fairly new model. If you find any of the above, use it to your advantage when hammering out a final price.
On a test-drive, note the shift quality of the automatic transmission, particularly from first to second gear. A known problem could see unwanted debris clogging up an internal mechanism, which can result in unwanted harshness during shifts.
On earlier models, some owners reported 'bearing noise' in manual transmissions before incurring an expensive repair bill to rectify the problem. On the road, listen carefully for a metallic grinding sound from under the front of the car that increases in volume as you accelerate. If this sound is apparent, you'd best look for another used Vibe.
These potential transmission issues weren't frighteningly numerous, and they're the only significant problem you're likely to come across. Less notable is a tendency for the cigarette lighter to pull out of the dashboard, and the lug-nut covers on the wheels to fall off. A bit of glue should solve either issue here.
If buying a used Vibe, it's a good idea to change the transmission fluid, engine oil and coolant if you're unsure of the vehicle's service history- just to be safe. If your used model is an AWD, have the rear differential fluid replaced as well, for added peace of mind.
That's it! Really, as far as a used car that's family-ready and wallet-conscious goes, you could do much worse.
photo:General Motors
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