2003 - 2008 Pontiac Vibe review

Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe interior The front passenger seat folds flat resembling a table. The split rear seat folds flat offering plenty of cargo space Pontiac Vibe, introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model, is a product of joint venture between General Motors and Toyota. The Vibe is based on the Toyota Corolla platform and is powered with the Toyota engine. Pontiac Vibe doesn't precisely fit into any vehicle category. It's a four-door tall and relatively short wagon with certain attributes of a sports car (sporty styling and available 180 hp engine). It also resembles an SUV with its tall ride, available AWD system and spacious cargo area. Yet, it's one of the most fuel-efficient models in the GM line-up. Pontiac Vibe features a transversely mounted four-cylinder engine, front independent suspension with MacPherson struts and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension (independent double wishbone suspension in AWD model). Anti-lock Brake system (ABS) is standard on AWD and GT models and optional on the base Vibe model. The Vibe base and AWD models feature the 4-cylinder 1.8-liter 130-hp engine with variable timing. The Vibe GT comes with a high-performance 180-horsepower version of the same engine with variable timing and valve lift. The Vibe base model is available with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The AWD model comes only with four-speed automatic transmission. The GT offers sporty six-speed manual transmission. The Vibe interior offers plenty of space and versatility. The elevated roofline provides generous headroom for the front and rear passengers. The dashboard looks sharp and sporty with round gauges and chrome trimming. The driver's place offers tall seating position and easy to use controls. The Vibe's optional 115V power outlet could be very handy when you need to charge your laptop or a cell phone during a long trip. The split rear seat folds flat, offering extra cargo space. There is also an adjustable roof rack for extra luggage. The front passenger seat folds flat, turning into a table or providing space for extra long items. The rear hatch window opens separately for easy access. The Vibe offers stable ride and good handling. The engine is a bit noisy at acceleration. An available all-wheel drive system provides better traction on a slippery road. The seat-mounted side air bags are available as an option. In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe received five stars for both, the driver and the front passenger. The 2005-2008 model has received five stars for the driver and four stars for the front passenger in the same tests.

Engine

Pontiac Vibe 1.8 L DOHC engine

The Vibe base and AWD models come with the 1.8-liter 16-valves DOHC engine with variable timing (VVT-i) - the same engine as in the Toyota Corolla. The GT features the 180-hp VVTL-i version of the same engine with added variable valve lift. This means that at higher RPMs valves open wider, allowing the engine to breath better. This results in more high-end power. Both Vibe engines use a long-lasting timing chain; there is no timing belt. Either of these two engines is very reliable if maintained properly.

Strengths

- Good fuel economy
- Versatility
- Reliability
- Stylish sporty look
- Practical spacious interior
- Cargo room
- Rear hatch window opens separately

Weaknesses

- Interior looks a bit cheap, plastic trim around the stereo is easy to scratch
- Plastic floor in the cargo area - consider buying a cargo mat.
- The engine is a bit noisy
- Wind noise at highway speed
Problems are rare and mostly minor, like noisy serpentine belt idler, fauly battery, check engine light, and alike.

Overall

The Pontiac Vibe offers great combination of stylish sporty look, spacious interior and versatility of an SUV with excellent fuel economy of a small car. The Vibe is reliable and easy to maintain - it's essentially a Toyota with some GM components and Pontiac badge. With high gas prices, the Pontiac Vibe is a really good alternative to a thirsty SUV or minivan. The Toyota Matrix is a mechanical twin of the Pontiac Vibe and also can be considered.
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What to look for buying a used Pontiac Vibe

As a first step, check the used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, etc. Follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a dealer before buying a car - in worst cases repair might be quite expensive.
- Black soot in the exhaust may indicate excessive oil consumption.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior to purchase, have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body and chassis from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in good shape.
- Overheating can cause serious engine problems.
- Synthetic oil can provide extra protection for your engine.
- Winter tires will provide much better traction on the snow.
- Change the transmission fluid regularly using only original transmission fluid.
- Use original parts, they are not very expensive.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected during a simple visual inspection at fast lube places - the vehicle must be on the lift.
Check more Car maintenance tips

Pontiac Vibe short specifications (2005 model)

Links

Repair manual

If you need a repair manual with diagnostic procedures, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc. - follow this link: Where to find repair manual

by Vlad Samarin