2003 Pontiac Vibe (The final update)

[clarkfan1979]

I purchased a 2003 Pontiac Vibe in July 2014 for $2500 with 165,000 miles from a private party. The agreed price was consistent with the Kelley Blue Book. It's the same car as a Toyota Matrix and the blue book on the Matrix was about $5,000.

After 4 years and 10 months and 56,000 miles, the engine crapped out. I guess the pistons only generate 20% power and an engine rebuild is about $4,000.

There were only two "major repairs" during the life of the car. I replaced my starter myself for $137. I had one $300 mechanic repair in 2016.

I will sell the car for $200 this week for scrap metal. My total investment was $2300 to drive a car for about 5 years and 56,000 miles. How would you score that?

Average, Good or Great?

I enjoyed driving my 2003 Pontiac Vibe. I was to get a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. Am I crazy?

[BicycleB]

I would score it great!

Depreciation $2100 over 56,000 miles? That's less than 4 cents a mile.
Repairs $437? Less than a penny per mile.

Per year, about $500/year plus gas/insurance/registration. Sounds thrifty.

Good luck with the non-crazy 2009...

[Sibley]

I had a 2007 Vibe, and I wish I still did. It got crunched for me 5 years in. But it was the biggest little car, design was really smart, and for such a small engine it did great going over the Sierra Nevada's and other mountain ranges out West.

That car went 221k miles on one engine, with minimal repairs. Very impressive. This is why I miss my Vibe :(

[ducky19]

Also own a 2007 Vibe and I can honestly say it's the best car I've ever owned. I average right around 30 mpg without even trying (have pushed it as high as 33-34 with minimal effort) yet I'm able to haul 8 foot lumber and nearly 95% of anything else I need to. Just two weeks ago, I loaded it up with nearly 1000 lbs of stone for the garden and fire pit - she rode a little low, but got the job done! I bought it in March 2015 for $7000 - at the high end of KBB, but in great condition. It was a one owner and had 98k miles on it. I'm currently at 168k miles and have literally put nothing into this car except for tires and brakes. It still runs great, and since I don't drive it hard I'm pretty certain I can get it to 250k - 300k miles before I have to worry about replacing it. By then, the 2019 Corolla Hatchback (essentially the same car, just newer) should be a few years old and I'll pick one of those us to drive for another 10-15 years.

[SunnyDays]

Huh, interesting.  I have a 2003 Matrix which I bought new and is now 16 years old.  No problems at all, at 136,000 Kms.  Love the car and very sorry it's no longer being made, because it would definitely be my next car too.

[mm1970]

Love my Matrix, it's 13 yo at 140,000 miles

Yours lived from 165,000 to + 56,000 = 221,000 miles?  I call that a win.

[carolina822]

Also own a 2007 Vibe and I can honestly say it's the best car I've ever owned. I average right around 30 mpg without even trying (have pushed it as high as 33-34 with minimal effort) yet I'm able to haul 8 foot lumber and nearly 95% of anything else I need to. Just two weeks ago, I loaded it up with nearly 1000 lbs of stone for the garden and fire pit - she rode a little low, but got the job done! I bought it in March 2015 for $7000 - at the high end of KBB, but in great condition. It was a one owner and had 98k miles on it. I'm currently at 168k miles and have literally put nothing into this car except for tires and brakes. It still runs great, and since I don't drive it hard I'm pretty certain I can get it to 250k - 300k miles before I have to worry about replacing it. By then, the 2019 Corolla Hatchback (essentially the same car, just newer) should be a few years old and I'll pick one of those us to drive for another 10-15 years.

I have a 2007 Matrix and could have written nearly this same post. I got it in 2010 so I paid a bit more, and I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off. And then I will get a used Corolla hatchback.

A friend of mine had a Vibe when I was car shopping and I really liked it, but I ended up with the Matrix instead since it was right around the time Pontiac was going belly-up and that made me nervous (it probably shouldn't have.) Great cars - I give it two snaps in a z formation.

[halftimer]

Ya'll speak my language. I'm part of this car club too. Had my 2005 Vibe for 5 years now, and added about 40,000 km during that time. Almost no maintenance costs so far, but it is starting to freckle with rust at the edges. The rust will probably be the eventual end of it, but I think there are a few years of easy driving in it yet.

[Laura Ingalls]

I had 2004 that I bought new 2-2004.  In March of this year my 17 year old crashed it. Junked it for $140 (which was about 1% of the price new).  It had 225,000 miles on it. 

[everinprogress]

Adding to the love for the Pontiac vibe!
We have a 2003 with 300,000+ km (not sure of the actual number, apparently the odometer only goes to 300k...)It may be reaching the end of it's life, but were hoping to get two more years out of it :)
We also have a 2009 that should be with us for the foreseeable future- love these cars, they're the best :)

[theSlowTurtle]

I bought a 2003 matrix this time last year with 97k for $5k. A couple months in The brake lines got jacked up and the brakes siezed (probably a crappy job done cause the guy I bought it from had just had them done) so I had to get new pads and lines. Got about 104kmiles now. Hope it will last me to 200k miles like the 1993 Corolla it's replacing

[ApacheStache]

I purchased a 2003 Pontiac Vibe in July 2014 for $2500 with 165,000 miles from a private party. The agreed price was consistent with the Kelley Blue Book. It's the same car as a Toyota Matrix and the blue book on the Matrix was about $5,000.

After 4 years and 10 months and 56,000 miles, the engine crapped out. I guess the pistons only generate 20% power and an engine rebuild is about $4,000.

There were only two "major repairs" during the life of the car. I replaced my starter myself for $137. I had one $300 mechanic repair in 2016.

I will sell the car for $200 this week for scrap metal. My total investment was $2300 to drive a car for about 5 years and 56,000 miles. How would you score that?

Average, Good or Great?

I enjoyed driving my 2003 Pontiac Vibe. I was to get a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. Am I crazy?

If you haven't already parted with the vehicle and have the time/interest/means, you should consider searching on ebay for people selling and looking for replacement parts for their Pontiac Vibe. You could strip the headlights, gear shift, floor mats, tires, wheels, brake pads, seats and other highly sought after accessories out of the vehicle and likely make a few hundreds bucks selling the parts on ebay. This goes without saying, but you would still get your $200 bucks from having the scrap yard pick up the vehicles. Who knows, there's a good chance you could break even on the initial $2300 purchase.

If this sounds interesting or if you're generally curious about what the process looks like, here's an excellent youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ECB-Nyx2bo.

[Awesomeness]

Also own a 2007 Vibe and I can honestly say it's the best car I've ever owned. I average right around 30 mpg without even trying (have pushed it as high as 33-34 with minimal effort) yet I'm able to haul 8 foot lumber and nearly 95% of anything else I need to. Just two weeks ago, I loaded it up with nearly 1000 lbs of stone for the garden and fire pit - she rode a little low, but got the job done! I bought it in March 2015 for $7000 - at the high end of KBB, but in great condition. It was a one owner and had 98k miles on it. I'm currently at 168k miles and have literally put nothing into this car except for tires and brakes. It still runs great, and since I don't drive it hard I'm pretty certain I can get it to 250k - 300k miles before I have to worry about replacing it. By then, the 2019 Corolla Hatchback (essentially the same car, just newer) should be a few years old and I'll pick one of those us to drive for another 10-15 years.

Check out the Scion iM. I think its the exact car as the corolla hatchback. I see good deals on those and I love my Scion xB, wish they still made them.

[ducky19]

Thanks for the tip, will definitely check them out!

[Not Sure]

I'd say you did well but I do expect more of my Hondas though I spend more on maintenance along the way.  I have to say that your mechanic's diagnosis sounds suspect to me.

[Reynolds531]

Why not put a wrecker engine in it? Keep her alive!

[nawhite]

Another really happy vibe owner. 2006 that currently has 180k miles on it and is going strong. Had to replace the struts and the exhaust manifold gasket but both of those repairs were really cheap ($800 total) compared to similar repairs on other cars I've had.

This car has carried a washer and dryer and two people. Has towed a whitewater raft and all the gear for a week long trip for two people. And it was a manual that we towed behind or RV for 18 months. I love it.

The biggest thing I'll miss when it dies is the fact that the back seats lay completely flat and there is no carpet in the trunk area. Why do no other hatchbacks have those features. I put wet boating gear and dogs in the back all the time and it would suck so much if it were carpet. Also the lay flat seats mean I can sleep back there and be pretty comfy.

Love this car way more than the Subaru outback it replaced and I think I'm going to need to get a cargo minivan to replace it.

[Sibley]

Thanks to this thread, I'm now in the process of arguing with myself about why I should not go buy a new car. Specifically, that Toyota Corolla hatchback. Looking online, it looks like my old Vibe. I may actually go to a dealership and look at one in person.

[Laura Ingalls]

I bought a 2003 matrix this time last year with 97k for $5k. A couple months in The brake lines got jacked up and the brakes siezed (probably a crappy job done cause the guy I bought it from had just had them done) so I had to get new pads and lines. Got about 104kmiles now. Hope it will last me to 200k miles like the 1993 Corolla it's replacing

Bummer
Mine had it’s original breaks when it met it’s demise.  I had a lot of miles of a rural commute.

[nawhite]

I've been looking at the Corolla Hatchback and it isn't comparable at all for my uses. The cargo space with the rear seats down is less than half the size of the Vibe (23.3sq ft vs 49sq ft!). The rear seats don't lay flat and the back is carpeted instead of plastic. At least it still can tow 1500 lbs (better than the Vibe's 1200lbs). Can anyone recommend a car that more closely compares on the metrics that matter to me? Am I banished to the land of minivans?

[Telecaster]

If you haven't already parted with the vehicle and have the time/interest/means, you should consider searching on ebay for people selling and looking for replacement parts for their Pontiac Vibe. You could strip the headlights, gear shift, floor mats, tires, wheels, brake pads, seats and other highly sought after accessories out of the vehicle and likely make a few hundreds bucks selling the parts on ebay. This goes without saying, but you would still get your $200 bucks from having the scrap yard pick up the vehicles. Who knows, there's a good chance you could break even on the initial $2300 purchase.

If this sounds interesting or if you're generally curious about what the process looks like, here's an excellent youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ECB-Nyx2bo.

^  This.  I don't know about the Vibe in particular, but believe it or not, headlight assemblies are often the most valuable part of a junker.  Prolly worth $50 each.   

[Bernard]

I'm a "car guy" who keeps his cars for a very long time, and when it comes time to sell, usually makes money on it. My daily driver for the past 20 years (bought it on 7/4/1999) is a 1962 Volvo. I'll drive it another 10 years, 'til I retire, perhaps even a bit longer, than sell it for more than I have in it. No repairs worth mentioning. I also have a Cummins Turbodiesel-powered '92 Dodge pickup that I bought 18 years ago for $4,500.  I'll keep that one also 'til my retirement in 10 years. If I wanted to, I could sell it today for twice what I paid for it in 2001. Also no repairs worth mentioning, just consumables and a few lil' things.

Anyway, the only reason for my post was your $4K engine repair comment. While it may indeed be time to kiss that Vibe good buy, there is still the option to buy a decent engine for $600 used and have it installed for another $400. Beats the $4K number by 1:4.

[AdrianC]

I had a 2003 Vibe GT. Got all nostalgic reading this thread and accidentally coming across this:

2003 Toyota Matrix XRS: Regular Car Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAqJoK0u0I4

Practical and fun car. First car I bought new, when kid #1 came along and the Miata wouldn't do. In 60K miles I got 29mpg and did only oil changes and one set of tires. Why did I sell it? It's been a series of money wasting clown car disasters ever since, except for the currently owned Mazda 3 hatch.

Hmm, some memories coming back: window winders, manual locks, horrible driving position, no torque below 5,000RPM...no going back.