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2003 - 2008 Pontiac Vibe review

Overall rating:

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 by the Toyota engine.

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 is a tall and relatively short sporty wagon with available AWD system and spacious cargo area. The Vibe is one of the most fuel-efficient models in the GM line-up. The 2006 Pontiac Vibe with an automatic transmission is rated by the EPA at 25/31 mpg or 9.4/7.6 L/100 km; with the annual fuel cost estimated at $1,900.
The Vibe base and AWD models come with the 130-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable timing; it's the same engine as in the Toyota Corolla. The Vibe GT comes with a high-performance 180-horsepower version of the same engine with variable timing and valve lift. 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.
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.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on AWD and GT models and optional on the base Vibe model.
Inside, the Vibe is roomy and versatile. 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. An adjustable roof rack for extra luggage is available. 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 cargo 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 slippery roads.
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.

Pros

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

Cons

- Interior materials could be better
- 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, faulty 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. It's also available with AWD, although the AWD models are rare to find. The Vibe is reliable and easy to maintain; it's essentially Toyota Matrix with some GM components and a Pontiac badge. With high gas prices, the Pontiac Vibe is a really good alternative to a thirsty SUV or minivan.

What to look for buying a used Pontiac Vibe

Before buying a used car, check the used car history, read more. A history report can save your time and money; A quick check may reveal that the car was involved in an accident, or had some other issues in the past.
- Low oil level or black soot in the exhaust could indicate excessive oil consumption, which is a fairly common problem for the 1.8L engine. Watch out for leaks. Test the heater and the air conditioner.
- If the 'Check Engine' light stays on, have it checked out. Intake leaks and air flow sensor issues often cause the "Check Engine" light with the code P0171 (lean mixture).
- Lack of power, rough idle, misfiring, could also be caused by intake leaks or a dirty air flow sensor.
- During the test drive, see if the automatic transmission shifts smoothly and the car holds the road well. Watch our for noises and vibration. Read our illustrated used car checklist for more info.
- Paying a $50-$100 for a mechanical inspection may also save you money. Have the car inspected before buying it. If you have doubts about the vehicle, check a couple of other similar cars to compare. A well-maintained car in good condition certainly worth to pay a little extra.

Maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the car body and paint. Repair paint chips before they get corroded. If you live in the area with high humidity, rust proofing will help to protect the car body and chassis from corrosion. Read more Car body care tips.
- Overheating can cause serious engine problems; keep the coolant topped up. The owner's manual for a 2005 Pontiac Vibe recommends to change engine oil every 5,000 miles or 8,000 kilometers. I'd personally change it a little more often. Also, synthetic oil can provide extra protection for your engine.
- Pontiac Vibe is a light car. If you want better traction on the snowy roads, consider installing winter tires for a snow season. Check your tire pressure regularly, in an AWD model, unequal tire pressure will cause increased wear of the AWD system components.
- Change the transmission fluid regularly using only original transmission fluid. Use original parts, they are not very expensive.
- 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. If your Check Engine light stays on, read What the Check Engine light means.
More on maintenance:

Pontiac Vibe short specifications (2005 model)

Dimensions:
Overall length: Overall width: Overall height: -with 16" wheels: -with 17" wheels: Wheelbase:	171.9 (4365 mm) 69.9 (1775 mm) 62.2 (1580 mm) 62.5 (1590 mm) 102.4 (2600 mm)
Seating Capacity:	5
Cargo volume:
behind 2nd seat: behind driver:	19.3 cu. ft (547 liters) 54.1 cu. ft (1532 liters)
Engine:
Pontiac Vibe base: Pontiac Vibe GT:	1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, in-line twin-cam, 16-valve DOHC with variable timing, aluminum alloy block and head 130/123 hp (2WD/4WD) @ 6,000 rpm 125/118 lb-ft (2WD/4WD) @ 4,200 rpm 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, in-line twin-cam, 16-valve DOHC with variable timing and lift, aluminum alloy block and head 170 hp @ 7,600 rpm, 127 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
EPA Fuel Economy (US mpg, L/100 km):
Pontiac Vibe base 2WD Manual: Pontiac Vibe base 2WD Automatic: Pontiac Vibe AWD Automatic: Pontiac Vibe GT 6-speed Manual:	city: 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) hwy: 36 mpg (6.5 L/100 km) city: 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) hwy: 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) city: 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km) hwy: 31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km) city: 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) hwy: 32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km)
Recommended Fuel:
Pontiac Vibe base: Pontiac Vibe GT:	87-octane unleaded 92-octane unleaded
Fuel Tank Capacity:
2WD: AWD:	13.2 US gal (50 liters) 11.9 US gal (45 liters)
Engine Oil capacity:
Pontiac Vibe base: Pontiac Vibe GT:	3.7 quart (3.5 liters) 4.4 quart (4.2 liters)