Hey I had someone offer to sell me a Vibe 2 weeks ago and Ive done alot of research on the vehicle. I wasnt sure about it at first until i came across your video. You convinced me to go ahead and get one. So far I love it. Great video!
I have a 2006 Vibe. I love it. I had a 2005 Corolla before. Same engine. Went just shy of 300,000 miles. Was still running when I junked her, but drinking about a gallon of oil a week. Great engine, great car!
One very important feature you failed to mention is that the window in the tailgate can be opened independently allowing you to leave the tailgate down while hauling very long items through the window opening with the seats folded down like 12’ 2x4s, pipes or even your kayak.
Thanks for the tour of your Vibe. I own a 2005 & 2006 Vibe. Never selling them. Best cars I've ever owned. Can't wait for the day the odometer turns 300,000 as I've heard it stops working at 299,999. Still have a ways to go as the the 2005 is at 180K and the 2006 is only at 135K.
Mines at 156,000 , thinking of giving to nephew. Though, clear coat is peeling + some paint issues. All too pricey to fix? Curious, did u have any repair issues, or parts that gave out from 156,000 miles to 180,000 ? Nephew is in a small town & would likely put on just 7,000 miles a year. Thanxs in advance!
@@Speedslip-bq2gk The paint on my orange 2005 is really bad. The Florida sun killed it 😥 The white paint on our 2006 held up better but the clear coat is starting to fade like yours. I plan on getting the 2005 painted sometime this year. It's far less expensive than me buying another used car. Believe it or not the radiator fan crapped out on both of our Vibes within 200 miles of each other. I think they were both at around 125,000 miles when the fan was replaced. If you haven't already replaced the Starter or Alternator that will be next for the car in no particular order. I've replaced the spark plugs and had the throttle body cleaned on both Vibes which really made a difference in how well the motor runs. Honestly, other than stuff it's just been oil changes, brakes, and tires to keep them running smooth. I will look through my service receipts and see if I find anything I'm forgetting but I think that's it. Wait, I did forget one thing on the 2006. Had to replace the air conditioner. I think it was more my fault though because we were not driving the car and it just sat unused for months. I think if you just run the A/C every couple of weeks wether you need to or not it will hold up just fine. The A/C in my 2005 is perfectly fine and it gets used 90% of the year here in Florida. Hope this info helps.
Great info...I'm now gonna glance the radiator fan lol Yea, I've heard a bit about changing the starter etc eventually, that's no biggie. Replace a few things to get many future miles. Appreciate the input!
Today I was about to change my Matrix03 for a Kia Soul2019 1L with turbo. 6 times more expensive. Smell like new, few miles, low quality, 18" tires. I kept the Matrix and the money for my business.
I bought a 2003 AWD Vibe in 2017 that only had 30,000 miles on it. It's now at about 76,000 miles. I love this car and I will NEVER get rid of it until it finally dies. I also had a 1998 Toyota RAV 4 with the same motor that lasted 260,000 mile. the motor still ran great, but the rest of the RAV started falling apart. Thanks for the video.
I have a 2009 vibe(2.4) ,manual transmission got it 3 years ago with 140000kms but I recently saw a 2006(1.8) vibe awd in our local autotrader . I was wondering how is the fuel economy ?
Bought one new in 2006.... im 38 still drive everyday in and out of job sites lol. Mid 2000s Toyota stuff was almost perfect. Blend of reliability and function that i have yet to see replicated again. Mine has 208,000 km so like 130,000 miles. I was able to buy my first house and start a family on this cars back. Id say its made me millions in getting me to work and back for 20 years or more. Never once didnt start. 1 wheel bearing. Few batteries. Few brake jobs (you can do yourself lol) I ended up getting the "moonsoon" system when i bought for free upgrade. I put in a touch screen double din alpine head unit... Sounds pretty good still. If you fold the front passenger seat down flat theres a eating/laptop tray built into the back of the front seat. Also if you take the front wheel off a ktm 450 exc you can slide it into the back and shock all your riding friends :)
You''ve done a lot more work to your Vibe than I've done to mine. It just goes and goes. I recently put new headlights on my Vibe just because I felt like I should do something to it. I also replaced all transmission fluid at 200,000 and it brought the shifting and general ride back to feeling like a new car.
@@paulcoenen7918 well apparently Scotty kilmer was correct on it, because he said Toyota's are different cars then others ( Vibe is a Matrix.) And the transmissions are stronger, & you can change fluid for the first time at 150-200K miles. Scotty is correct on this one. I drive a 2006 Matrix, 150K miles, and it is an automatic, and it shifts like a dream. No overhauls ever. It has zero rust, & it's in amazing condition. The interior looks like it has 50K miles. It even has roll-up windows
Our Pontiac Vibe lasted 20 years, with over 838,000 kms (pulled from obd2 port, as the odometer freezes at 299,999). If you have the foldable front seat, you can transport full sheets of 2x8 cut plywood, or 2x4x8 lumber, or 2 feet x 8 feet long rigid insulation. It had a class 2 hitch, so slapping on a medium sized trailer to transport drywall was needed. A few things: - The rear wiper motor can seize up if it is not used much; which we did not - getting into the habit of turning it on every now and again helped. - a half-height radio was great, as it freed up an empty space in the front for small objects - something the vibe lacks. The front passenger wheel bearing was the first to go around 450,000 kms. MAKE SURE YOU BUY OEM BEARINGS. When the front driver wore out, we replaced it with a cheaper alternative, and that only lasted 60,000 kms. The starter petered out around the 600,000 kms. The starter in the vibe is not the same as a Toyota Matrix - but they are interchangeable. We swapped it out for an OEM toyota one and it had a lot more power fir those -40 deg C cold starts. The fact that it did not have power doors or windows was a godsend - one less electronic thing to break. The clutch gave out around 700,000. It was a manual, so having it replaced set us back about 425$ CDN. We replaced the stock 205/55/r17 tires with (weight rated) 195/70/r16's for winter. The vibe has a stiff suspension, so having more "mushy" tires in winter made it a bit more comfortable. Its no honda civic, but it does drift well if handbrake turns are your thing for those quick 180 deg u turns in winter. All in all, that car just would not die. Ended up donating it to charity.
The inside of the Vibe is like Dr. Who's Tardis. It makes absolutely no sense that such a diminutive vehicle can carry so much stuff. The fact that the rear hatch window can open independently only makes the hauling capabilities that much better. Such a well-thought out car.
A few ago I strapped in 2 kayaks using the cleats that are located throughout the rear hatch area. I don't think a car will be this practical ever again.
I’m just sending mine to the scrappers. She has 365K miles. I put 2 engines in it due to rear seals. But she is wonderful condition for an 18 year old car. So sad to let her go. Tires and brakes!! Mostly. Small issue with transmission in 2007, under warranty. Alternator, radiator fan, we’re only replacements. At very high mileage !! RIP Scarlett!!!
I have 2006 Vibe it has 172k. It was recently banged up when parked by a drunk driver so I had to replace bumper and hatchback door from a salvage yard. I loved the Vibe so much I’ve picked up a second 2006 Vibe with 170k. Easily most dependable and best car I’ve ever had.
My 2004 Vibe has 242,000 miles and runs like a dream. Changed oil every 3000 miles religiously. Paint is fading but the interior is great. Just love my Vibe!
Wow...I have the deeper red 04 with just 156,000./clearcoat peeling, some paint. I guess too pricey to paint, so giving to nephew! Do you recall any repairs from say 156,000 mile mark to 180,000 miles? Or suggestion what to look for ,or preventative repairs ? The age of vibe makes me kinda nervous.
I just had to replace my crankshaft sensor, water pump and radiator at 208,000 miles. Otherwise the engine and transmission is still going strong.@@Speedslip-bq2gk
Wife owns a 05 Vibe since new 190,000 miles. MPG Average 30 around town, slightly higher on interstate. Oil change twice a year and scheduled maintenance. Oil always seems clean unlike other cars I’ve owned. Less than $900 in repairs since new not counting scheduled maintenance, brakes and tires.
Agree with everyone, fantastic video Sir, so glad this came up. I have a 2005 Matrix TRD Trim, bought it brand new in ‘05. It’s a Canadian market unit with 190k Km or just under 117k miles, tons of life in it yet, I love my Matrix. I have an new Corolla so the Matrix is pretty much my around town car. Thanks for the post, well done.
I enjoyed your video and learned a lot. I have an '06 with 206k miles and still doing routine maintenance on it. Its dry here in AZ, so i replaced all the door handles after the kids broke them one-by-one. I eventually replaced the front bumper and hood after a small accident. Thanks again for the detailed video, really nice!
Hey, glad to see a Vibe from Michigan. I'm checking these out for my niece as she will need a first car and I hear these are reliable. Great video, thanks! I'm north of Detroit and she will be 25 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge, so I need a car I will not have to fix as she will be 250 miles away. 8-)
Nice Video/ Vibe!.. I have a White 2007 Vibe, bought brand new with the GM family employee discount.. best car I've ever owned.. and it has only 89,700 miles on it.. it's an automatic because it was bought for my now ex-wife..I made sure I got it in the divorce 😁.. just last week I changed all of the fluids, oil, transmission, power steering. It has never given me any problems whatsoever.. just preemptive maintenance.. There was a recall years ago for the transmission so I took it in and it was replaced with a new one from the dealership.. It wasn't giving any problems but hey, new transmission under warranty..why not?.. great car and it handles really well. Thanks for the video.👍
I have a 2007 Vibe. Someone rear-ended me in 2022. They totaled my Vibe, but I refused to give her up. I fixed the busted rear wheel and she drives like a champ. She has 230,000 miles on her. I'm going to have the body repaired because she's the best car I've ever owned and I know she'll give me at lest 100K
I'm in love with this sedan that is crossed with japanese and americanan. Pretty nice toyota corolla 1zz "general motor". I have one 2008 it costed me arround $6,000 dollars here in El Salvador,Centro América. I'm very happy with it...
I've driven 260000km on my '09 Vibe. Aside from oil changes, breaks, and an air conditioner condenser ($300. ) and tires I've spent nothing....yet. I is an awesome RV too.
My 06 vibe has probably got over 600, 000 kms on it. We just put another 2000 kms on it driving to the US and back. No major issues like yourself. No lifter noise like on some other cars. It's my favorite car.
Thanks lots of detail I have a 2008 120000, l had a water pump leak repair , cd stopped working , airbag issues no dealer could ever get the warning light off, covered as a recall Otherwise great car
Thanks for the detailed tour of this Vibe. Tomorrow I am picking up the 2005 Vibe, moon and tune, with 102,000 miles I bought. Perfect condition. Price $6, 800. Go Vibes!
You definitely need to change the brake fluid if it's original. It absorbs moisture and starts to rust your brake system from the inside out. You need to check it about once a year with a moisture meter to make sure it's safe.
Great video man! I have one myself, ive got a basket on the rooftop to store even more stuff in it. The thing is amazing here in Canada where we get snow pretty frequently. Actually my brother has a Matrix and my sister has a vibe. I'm an HVAC tech so i haul tools everywhere I go. Solid car. Can't think of anything better for the money.
I've put 272,000 miles on my 08 matrix and all I've done is replace the alternator at 252,000 everything else is original and everything works doesn't use oil and it's used off-road every day most reliable car I've ever seen
I drove a Vibe GT until I totaled it. (lucky no injuries) But the car was fun and practical. My biggest gripe was that 1st gear in the 6speed manual was SUPER high geared. Maybe was my unfamiliarity with a sport manual. But other than that, I loved that little car.
You should also change your power steering fluid once in a while too because dirty fluid will act as a cutting agent and it'll cut it's way through the high pressure line.
I'm digging all the custom mods! I've got a 04 Toyota Matrix XRS with 350k miles and it's still running strong, and it's faster than it needs to be! How did you wire your DRL switch if you don't mind me asking?
My 05 vibe got hit by a deer and its messed up. Hood Grill Can't open the hood I really like this car. I never had any problems. Starts up everytime. Don't know what I'm going to do
I followed the instructions here web.archive.org/web/20090207102717/dalenet.com/matrixvibe the photos don't load anymore but if you buy the part number in the text it's pretty self explanatory.
Striker, do you have a video review of your Vibe camping/sleeper setup? WOW and Thank you for this informative look at the Vibe. I am looking at a 90K mile 2007 on Tuesday and want to know if a 6 foot juy can sleep in it on weekend road trips. I will now press Subscribe.
A 6 ft person can definitely sleep comfortably in it as long as you have a clear space from the hatch to the passenger side dash. Fill the void between the backseat foot area with cargo, lay down the passenger seat, and lay a foam bed down and yours good to go. We slept two people, one 6 ft and one 5 ft 8 for a weekend once but we didn't have much cargo and we stacked it on the drivers seat.
The gen 1 2003 -2008 vibe and Toyota matrix are an amazing car that will run 200-500k miles with basic maintenance. Do not get the gen 2 2009 and newer those are junk. I have a matrix as well as more expensive cars . But the matrix is my everyday car that i drive to work , run around, mpg long trips to save $, towed 1500lbs with it. It has never let me down.
I saw couple for 6000$ CAD , with 150k kilometres. Do you think it’ll be good to buy it now after getting checked by a mechanic or is it too old in 2022?
I daily drive a 2005 Vibe AWD. Mileage isn't stellar, but just try to get this little beast stuck in Wisconsin snow!? EXCELLENT fire road camper. 181K BEAST!
Great video! One question? These Pontiac vibes/ Toyota Matrix, on their automatic transmissions versions have only 4 gears? Didn’t they have automatic transmission 5 gears options? I imagine how having only 4 gears would increase the fuel efficiency
You got taken on a what's called a spill and fill on your transmission fluid, $230 WOW!!!!!! Most complete flushes are around $150. My advice find a fair price shop and get it done every 40,000 or so miles because you are only changing about half of the fluid.. I would get those plugs and wires changed ASAP. Spark plugs have a way of not wanting to come out very easy after 80,000 and can even break off when attempting to remove after being in that long. Easy job on that little 4 cylinder. Congrats on the great car, hope you and my daughter who has one gets 400,000 miles.
Thanks for watching :) At the time a flush was in fact cheaper than the spill and fill but I paid more after heavily researching the aisin transmission and reading horror stories about people flushing and then having issues. One of these days I'll replace the plugs... One of the days. My F-150 keeps me pretty busy with repairs :)
I have a 2008 bought in 2010 Now at 137000 Head gasket leak , rack n pinion leak 2024 now My 2 window motors getting weak Other than that really great car I love it
We have an 03 Matrix with 80,000. Dead reliable; little boring though. For a host of reasons it will always be in our possession. My daily driver is a 2020 Ranger FX4 Lariat. But my commute recently got about 4 times longer. So need something a little better on gas… a Vibe GT is the next addition to the garage when I find a decent one closer than 500 miles.
awesome car i just bought one with 170. runs great and extremey quite, but did notice oil light on. seller said it was due for an oil change, oil looked in decent shape. seem to be lacking power at high speeds unless its just how the engine is. has anyone ever had the oil light come on their vibe? really hoping its not oil pressure but there is no knocking
It's always been a rough ride. I imagine it's time for shocks but the springs aren't broken and it doesn't "bounce. I just replaced my tires and they wore perfectly.
I had a heater problem. Dealer installed a new heater core and distill have the same heating issue. They claim it's a head gasket issue, yet I have no antifreeze leaks whatsoever. Any suggestions of what it could be. Toyota dealer said I had air in system,they bleed the and it worked for about ten minutes and then went cold again. Please help me solve thi issue. I really love this little car.
I had a Ford with a blown head gasket and you could see exhaust smoke coming out of the coolant reservoir when you took the cap off. Maybe check that to vet their head gasket claim. For what it's worth though even with the blown gasket it had heat. Is the vehicle blowing white smoke at all? You can perform a leak down test of the cooling system to make 100 percent sure. Try parking on a very steep hill so that the front of the car is higher, like maybe a loading dock ramp, and see if the heat comes back. Also, is the temp guage perfectly in the middle after driving a while?
I got my matrix 2009 1.8L for only $3,500 on craigs which i found out the owner was a friend of my coworker who works at toyota dealership as mechanic. It is a very nice car and very reliable if you change oil religiously
I have a 05' Vibe wandering with sided wind gusts on highway at speeds higher than 60 mph. Had changed 4 struts, wheel alignment, 2 sway bar links. Any thoughts?
@@striker1211 It looks like there's a clunking noise when passing through potholes noticeable at low speeds only, maybe the sway bar link bushings. Would it be related to the issue or it's due to another part like a failed lower control arm or ball joint?
I need my pick up for work . I do remodeling , but thinking about a Vibe as my gas saver . However does the cost of owning another car save me that much gas and money , to justify paying for another car??
It does for me, I net about $200 a year by commuting with the vibe and owning a truck for towing. This is the gas savings minus insurance minus registration. However repairs and oil changes on the truck have brought me down to breaking even this year. It is really nice having 2 vehicles though since I always have a backup. If your job requires a truck and you don't drive 200 miles a week commuting then I don't believe it would make sense to have another car just to save gas money. You'll have to run your own numbers in a spreadsheet to be sure though.
@@striker1211 I'm sure I drive over 200 miles per week. My truck gets about 15mpg. There is a low mileage Vibe locally can probably get for $4k. I will have to run some numbers like you say . great review . It looks like a work horse the way its designed . It could carry most of my tools , but then certain days I may need a ladder and large items, so the back and forth on tool set up just might not be worth it.
Always conventional, never synthetic. I don't know what brand oil the quick-lube place uses but it is 5w-30. I get it changed every 5000 miles. At 242,000 now.
@@1writegirl1 If u want to know the Differences between how Conventional vs Synthetic Blend(Synthetic mixed with Conventional) vs Synthetic vs Ultra Synthetic, chk out Project Farm's testing of each oil th-cam.com/video/D3qFfAEp9AU/w-d-xo.html
I'm looking for a small reliable suv and I just found a 2009 vibe with 127,000 miles asking price 6,500 because he just put new tires and alignment...do u think its worth it if well maintained? Would appreciate your opinion, thanks....is the 2009 still Toyota?
How new are the tires? Check the date code. New new tires are worth $600. 2009 and 2010 are still Toyota. I paid $10k for my 2008 in 2012 private party... a 2009 is now a 12 year old car so I think it's a little high but I haven't been used vibe shopping lately. Also, the vibe is not an SUV by any mean, it's a crossover.
It has gps built into the android head unit but I never use it. It's much easier just to use Google maps and throw my phone onto the magnetic mount before taking off.
I too have heard this claim but have not experienced issues personally. I had them drain and fill the transmission fluid around 100k. One thing I know is to not do a flush on a high mileage transmission. If your fluid is still cherry red I wouldn't even worry about a drain/refill.
It's pretty easy as most door panels are plastic and not fabric, but if you scratch the plastic it shows. The seats are fabric and I've cleaned them with a carpet shampooer before when I transported a push mower and got oil on them.
Hey I had someone offer to sell me a Vibe 2 weeks ago and Ive done alot of research on the vehicle. I wasnt sure about it at first until i came across your video. You convinced me to go ahead and get one. So far I love it. Great video!
Star Mechanic Scotty Kilmer just did a video praising the Vibe. You won't be disappointed with that car.
Can't go wrong with a Toyota twin
love mine too! At times I want to buy things for it because i dont do enough work on it lol (cus it hasnt been needed lol)
😅
I have a 2005 Pontiac Vibe manual trans and I absolutely love it!
same!
2008 manual here. There's just nothing like manual shifting. Love it
I have a 2006 Vibe. I love it. I had a 2005 Corolla before. Same engine. Went just shy of 300,000 miles. Was still running when I junked her, but drinking about a gallon of oil a week. Great engine, great car!
One very important feature you failed to mention is that the window in the tailgate can be opened independently allowing you to leave the tailgate down while hauling very long items through the window opening with the seats folded down like 12’ 2x4s, pipes or even your kayak.
That's awesome. I've put 8 foot 2x4s in mine, but I never thought of opening the hatch window. Great tip!
came back from Oregon at about 60-62 mph and touched 40 miles per gallon, should have never stopped making them , perfect car ......
Thanks for the tour of your Vibe.
I own a 2005 & 2006 Vibe. Never selling them. Best cars I've ever owned. Can't wait for the day the odometer turns 300,000 as I've heard it stops working at 299,999. Still have a ways to go as the the 2005 is at 180K and the 2006 is only at 135K.
Mines at 156,000 , thinking of giving to nephew. Though, clear coat is peeling + some paint issues. All too pricey to fix? Curious, did u have any repair issues, or parts that gave out from 156,000 miles to 180,000 ? Nephew is in a small town & would likely put on just 7,000 miles a year. Thanxs in advance!
@@Speedslip-bq2gk The paint on my orange 2005 is really bad. The Florida sun killed it 😥 The white paint on our 2006 held up better but the clear coat is starting to fade like yours. I plan on getting the 2005 painted sometime this year. It's far less expensive than me buying another used car. Believe it or not the radiator fan crapped out on both of our Vibes within 200 miles of each other. I think they were both at around 125,000 miles when the fan was replaced. If you haven't already replaced the Starter or Alternator that will be next for the car in no particular order. I've replaced the spark plugs and had the throttle body cleaned on both Vibes which really made a difference in how well the motor runs. Honestly, other than stuff it's just been oil changes, brakes, and tires to keep them running smooth. I will look through my service receipts and see if I find anything I'm forgetting but I think that's it. Wait, I did forget one thing on the 2006. Had to replace the air conditioner. I think it was more my fault though because we were not driving the car and it just sat unused for months. I think if you just run the A/C every couple of weeks wether you need to or not it will hold up just fine. The A/C in my 2005 is perfectly fine and it gets used 90% of the year here in Florida. Hope this info helps.
Great info...I'm now gonna glance the radiator fan lol Yea, I've heard a bit about changing the starter etc eventually, that's no biggie. Replace a few things to get many future miles. Appreciate the input!
Today I was about to change my Matrix03 for a Kia Soul2019 1L with turbo. 6 times more expensive. Smell like new, few miles, low quality, 18" tires. I kept the Matrix and the money for my business.
Was looking at a Soul to replace my 2003 Vibe. Came to the same conclusion
Love how he clarifies that it didn’t break. It’s like you know “It’s me not the car”
I bought a 2003 AWD Vibe in 2017 that only had 30,000 miles on it. It's now at about 76,000 miles. I love this car and I will NEVER get rid of it until it finally dies. I also had a 1998 Toyota RAV 4 with the same motor that lasted 260,000 mile. the motor still ran great, but the rest of the RAV started falling apart. Thanks for the video.
I have a 2009 vibe(2.4) ,manual transmission got it 3 years ago with 140000kms but I recently saw a 2006(1.8) vibe awd in our local autotrader . I was wondering how is the fuel economy ?
@John Caulifield what do you mean the rest of the RAV4 fell apart?
Bro that vibe ain't ever going to die
Bought one new in 2006.... im 38 still drive everyday in and out of job sites lol. Mid 2000s Toyota stuff was almost perfect. Blend of reliability and function that i have yet to see replicated again. Mine has 208,000 km so like 130,000 miles. I was able to buy my first house and start a family on this cars back. Id say its made me millions in getting me to work and back for 20 years or more. Never once didnt start. 1 wheel bearing. Few batteries. Few brake jobs (you can do yourself lol) I ended up getting the "moonsoon" system when i bought for free upgrade. I put in a touch screen double din alpine head unit... Sounds pretty good still. If you fold the front passenger seat down flat theres a eating/laptop tray built into the back of the front seat. Also if you take the front wheel off a ktm 450 exc you can slide it into the back and shock all your riding friends :)
You''ve done a lot more work to your Vibe than I've done to mine. It just goes and goes. I recently put new headlights on my Vibe just because I felt like I should do something to it. I also replaced all transmission fluid at 200,000 and it brought the shifting and general ride back to feeling like a new car.
200,000 on tranny fluid.
You are a naughty one. Glad to hear you got away with it, most cars you probably would not have.
@@paulcoenen7918 well apparently Scotty kilmer was correct on it, because he said Toyota's are different cars then others ( Vibe is a Matrix.) And the transmissions are stronger, & you can change fluid for the first time at 150-200K miles. Scotty is correct on this one. I drive a 2006 Matrix, 150K miles, and it is an automatic, and it shifts like a dream. No overhauls ever. It has zero rust, & it's in amazing condition. The interior looks like it has 50K miles. It even has roll-up windows
Headlamps and trans fluid changed the ride?
Our Pontiac Vibe lasted 20 years, with over 838,000 kms (pulled from obd2 port, as the odometer freezes at 299,999).
If you have the foldable front seat, you can transport full sheets of 2x8 cut plywood, or 2x4x8 lumber, or 2 feet x 8 feet long rigid insulation. It had a class 2 hitch, so slapping on a medium sized trailer to transport drywall was needed.
A few things:
- The rear wiper motor can seize up if it is not used much; which we did not - getting into the habit of turning it on every now and again helped.
- a half-height radio was great, as it freed up an empty space in the front for small objects - something the vibe lacks.
The front passenger wheel bearing was the first to go around 450,000 kms. MAKE SURE YOU BUY OEM BEARINGS. When the front driver wore out, we replaced it with a cheaper alternative, and that only lasted 60,000 kms.
The starter petered out around the 600,000 kms. The starter in the vibe is not the same as a Toyota Matrix - but they are interchangeable. We swapped it out for an OEM toyota one and it had a lot more power fir those -40 deg C cold starts.
The fact that it did not have power doors or windows was a godsend - one less electronic thing to break.
The clutch gave out around 700,000. It was a manual, so having it replaced set us back about 425$ CDN.
We replaced the stock 205/55/r17 tires with (weight rated) 195/70/r16's for winter. The vibe has a stiff suspension, so having more "mushy" tires in winter made it a bit more comfortable.
Its no honda civic, but it does drift well if handbrake turns are your thing for those quick 180 deg u turns in winter.
All in all, that car just would not die. Ended up donating it to charity.
The inside of the Vibe is like Dr. Who's Tardis. It makes absolutely no sense that such a diminutive vehicle can carry so much stuff. The fact that the rear hatch window can open independently only makes the hauling capabilities that much better. Such a well-thought out car.
A few ago I strapped in 2 kayaks using the cleats that are located throughout the rear hatch area. I don't think a car will be this practical ever again.
I’m just sending mine to the scrappers. She has 365K miles. I put 2 engines in it due to rear seals. But she is wonderful condition for an 18 year old car. So sad to let her go. Tires and brakes!! Mostly. Small issue with transmission in 2007, under warranty. Alternator, radiator fan, we’re only replacements. At very high mileage !! RIP Scarlett!!!
I have 2006 Vibe it has 172k. It was recently banged up when parked by a drunk driver so I had to replace bumper and hatchback door from a salvage yard.
I loved the Vibe so much I’ve picked up a second 2006 Vibe with 170k.
Easily most dependable and best car I’ve ever had.
My 2004 Vibe has 242,000 miles and runs like a dream. Changed oil every 3000 miles religiously. Paint is fading but the interior is great. Just love my Vibe!
Wow...I have the deeper red 04 with just 156,000./clearcoat peeling, some paint. I guess too pricey to paint, so giving to nephew! Do you recall any repairs from say 156,000 mile mark to 180,000 miles? Or suggestion what to look for ,or preventative repairs ? The age of vibe makes me kinda nervous.
I just had to replace my crankshaft sensor, water pump and radiator at 208,000 miles. Otherwise the engine and transmission is still going strong.@@Speedslip-bq2gk
man this was exactly the video i needed to see! appreciate all the work, You use that car like a champ!
Great video. Love that you show all the practicality of the Vibe/Matrix
We just bought a 2007 Matrix XR with 137,000
Wife owns a 05 Vibe since new 190,000 miles. MPG Average 30 around town, slightly higher on interstate. Oil change twice a year and scheduled maintenance. Oil always seems clean unlike other cars I’ve owned. Less than $900 in repairs since new not counting scheduled maintenance, brakes and tires.
Best review about Pontiac vibe. Tank you buddy
Agree with everyone, fantastic video Sir, so glad this came up. I have a 2005 Matrix TRD Trim, bought it brand new in ‘05. It’s a Canadian market unit with 190k Km or just under 117k miles, tons of life in it yet, I love my Matrix. I have an new Corolla so the Matrix is pretty much my around town car. Thanks for the post, well done.
I'm just considering a 2009. This frank and detailed, boots-on-the-ground review is super-helpful!
I enjoyed your video and learned a lot. I have an '06 with 206k miles and still doing routine maintenance on it.
Its dry here in AZ, so i replaced all the door handles after the kids broke them one-by-one. I eventually replaced the front bumper and hood after a small accident. Thanks again for the detailed video, really nice!
Hey, glad to see a Vibe from Michigan. I'm checking these out for my niece as she will need a first car and I hear these are reliable. Great video, thanks! I'm north of Detroit and she will be 25 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge, so I need a car I will not have to fix as she will be 250 miles away. 8-)
Dude thank you so much for your detailed review here, I’ll be purchasing one of these tomorrow and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
I just snagged one. Love it already
You will LOVE your Vibe.
Just found one 186000 runs perfect love it
Nice Video/ Vibe!.. I have a White 2007 Vibe, bought brand new with the GM family employee discount.. best car I've ever owned.. and it has only 89,700 miles on it.. it's an automatic because it was bought for my now ex-wife..I made sure I got it in the divorce 😁.. just last week I changed all of the fluids, oil, transmission, power steering. It has never given me any problems whatsoever.. just preemptive maintenance.. There was a recall years ago for the transmission so I took it in and it was replaced with a new one from the dealership.. It wasn't giving any problems but hey, new transmission under warranty..why not?.. great car and it handles really well.
Thanks for the video.👍
LOL almost my story exactly right down to the divorce 😅. White 2003, 90,000 miles, best car I have ever had
I have a 2007 Vibe. Someone rear-ended me in 2022. They totaled my Vibe, but I refused to give her up. I fixed the busted rear wheel and she drives like a champ. She has 230,000 miles on her. I'm going to have the body repaired because she's the best car I've ever owned and I know she'll give me at lest 100K
I have a 03 matrix xr 95k mi I'm happy with the ONLY thing that bugs me the headlights i can't turn off
That sucks but at least it is better than dead headlights.
Thanks for sharing ALL of this !! I basically want to add all of that (except for the rims & horn), GREAT work !! Love my new 2005 used vibe.
I'm in love with this sedan that is crossed with japanese and americanan. Pretty nice toyota corolla 1zz "general motor". I have one 2008 it costed me arround $6,000 dollars here in El Salvador,Centro América. I'm very happy with it...
I've driven 260000km on my '09 Vibe. Aside from oil changes, breaks, and an air conditioner condenser ($300. ) and tires I've spent nothing....yet. I is an awesome RV too.
Cool. I have a 2006 Matrix 4WD with over 208,000 miles. I really love this car.
My 06 vibe has probably got over 600, 000 kms on it. We just put another 2000 kms on it driving to the US and back. No major issues like yourself. No lifter noise like on some other cars. It's my favorite car.
Saw one a few weeks ago at the market first one in many years. Looked in good condition for whatever the year was. Faded paint but still going...
The moment you were measuring from dash to trunk and it was over 8 feet I was sold
Just the other day I loaded 20 ft of 6ft cedar fencing, concrete, and 8ft 4x4 posts in it. Its still going.
Thanks lots of detail
I have a 2008 120000, l had a water pump leak repair , cd stopped working , airbag issues no dealer could ever get the warning light off, covered as a recall
Otherwise great car
I had one for 17 years. I’m thinking of getting another.
Thanks for the detailed tour of this Vibe.
Tomorrow I am picking up the 2005 Vibe, moon and tune, with 102,000 miles I bought. Perfect condition. Price $6, 800.
Go Vibes!
I got same. 168k 4200
I've had my 2003 since new...still daily driven. Only 85000 miles though
I have a 2004 Pontiac vibe and it has 176000 miles on it and I never had a issue with it and I drive it every day
The best car review so far seen
You definitely need to change the brake fluid if it's original. It absorbs moisture and starts to rust your brake system from the inside out. You need to check it about once a year with a moisture meter to make sure it's safe.
Holy moly , this video is incredibly helpful -- Thank you! 😀
Great video man! I have one myself, ive got a basket on the rooftop to store even more stuff in it. The thing is amazing here in Canada where we get snow pretty frequently. Actually my brother has a Matrix and my sister has a vibe.
I'm an HVAC tech so i haul tools everywhere I go. Solid car. Can't think of anything better for the money.
I've put 272,000 miles on my 08 matrix and all I've done is replace the alternator at 252,000 everything else is original and everything works doesn't use oil and it's used off-road every day most reliable car I've ever seen
I just bought an 06 and the car is amazing. All I've done to it is replaced the alternator and I also bought an aftermarket touch screen stereo.
Hey about that fixed adaptors, watch Scotty Kilmers video about that it might damage something. Great car, great owner, cheers.
Happy holidays :)
Thank you, outstanding review 👏
I have an 08 vibe. It is very dependable. 190,000 I bought it at 64,000.
Alternator
Shocks
Radiator.
Runs like a champion.
I drove a Vibe GT until I totaled it. (lucky no injuries) But the car was fun and practical. My biggest gripe was that 1st gear in the 6speed manual was SUPER high geared. Maybe was my unfamiliarity with a sport manual. But other than that, I loved that little car.
You should also change your power steering fluid once in a while too because dirty fluid will act as a cutting agent and it'll cut it's way through the high pressure line.
The hook goes around the headrest?! Wow I always wondered where lol love my vibe, thanks for the video
My 06 AWD Vibe had the transmission go out me at 60k miles.
Clean Vibes are getting hard to find. I picked up a 2005 AWD with 120k miles, and I love it. Tons of life left
How much you pay bro? I just bought one yesterday.
I'm digging all the custom mods! I've got a 04 Toyota Matrix XRS with 350k miles and it's still running strong, and it's faster than it needs to be! How did you wire your DRL switch if you don't mind me asking?
@Nate I've seen Matrix go 700,000 kilometers. Sometimes even more
350k miles on 2zzge mate? Stock first unopened engine???
Damn I got a 05 corolla xrs with same engine. 172k
My 05 vibe got hit by a deer and its messed up.
Hood
Grill
Can't open the hood
I really like this car. I never had any problems. Starts up everytime.
Don't know what I'm going to do
Can you share instructions for your DRL disable switch install?
I followed the instructions here web.archive.org/web/20090207102717/dalenet.com/matrixvibe the photos don't load anymore but if you buy the part number in the text it's pretty self explanatory.
sick body kit!
Yesterday bought vibe 2006 185k and today I'm happy.
Good choice. 23k miles since recording this video and all I've done is an O2 sensor. At 250k now.
Striker, do you have a video review of your Vibe camping/sleeper setup? WOW and Thank you for this informative look at the Vibe. I am looking at a 90K mile 2007 on Tuesday and want to know if a 6 foot juy can sleep in it on weekend road trips. I will now press Subscribe.
A 6 ft person can definitely sleep comfortably in it as long as you have a clear space from the hatch to the passenger side dash. Fill the void between the backseat foot area with cargo, lay down the passenger seat, and lay a foam bed down and yours good to go. We slept two people, one 6 ft and one 5 ft 8 for a weekend once but we didn't have much cargo and we stacked it on the drivers seat.
@@striker1211 Will report the outcome on Wednesday. Thank you, Charles
I see one for sale but curious why the top of the car has brown rust on top.
The gen 1 2003 -2008 vibe and Toyota matrix are an amazing car that will run 200-500k miles with basic maintenance. Do not get the gen 2 2009 and newer those are junk.
I have a matrix as well as more expensive cars . But the matrix is my everyday car that i drive to work , run around, mpg long trips to save $, towed 1500lbs with it. It has never let me down.
Great vid! How’d u keep the headlight lenses so clear??!😅
The driver side one is new from a deer strike and the passenger side I used 3Ms headlight restoration kit that uses a drill.
Really good indepth video!
I saw couple for 6000$ CAD , with 150k kilometres. Do you think it’ll be good to buy it now after getting checked by a mechanic or is it too old in 2022?
I daily drive a 2005 Vibe AWD. Mileage isn't stellar, but just try to get this little beast stuck in Wisconsin snow!? EXCELLENT fire road camper. 181K BEAST!
Great video! One question? These Pontiac vibes/ Toyota Matrix, on their automatic transmissions versions have only 4 gears? Didn’t they have automatic transmission 5 gears options? I imagine how having only 4 gears would increase the fuel efficiency
They made a manual with five gears but the manuals have known issues. The automatics are bulletproof.
@@striker1211 great! But the only automatic transmission option is this one with 4 gears right? How it drives on highways?
You got taken on a what's called a spill and fill on your transmission fluid, $230 WOW!!!!!! Most complete flushes are around $150.
My advice find a fair price shop and get it done every 40,000 or so miles because you are only changing about half of the fluid..
I would get those plugs and wires changed ASAP. Spark plugs have a way of not wanting to come out very easy after 80,000 and can even break off when attempting to remove after being in that long. Easy job on that little 4 cylinder.
Congrats on the great car, hope you and my daughter who has one gets 400,000 miles.
Thanks for watching :) At the time a flush was in fact cheaper than the spill and fill but I paid more after heavily researching the aisin transmission and reading horror stories about people flushing and then having issues. One of these days I'll replace the plugs... One of the days. My F-150 keeps me pretty busy with repairs :)
I have a 2008 bought in 2010
Now at 137000
Head gasket leak , rack n pinion leak
2024 now
My 2 window motors getting weak
Other than that really great car
I love it
Great car man. I'm looking for 1 currently.
I fit a 70" tv in the back of my 08. My wife had to drive it home though
Nice video, agree it's a fantastic all around car. I have the Toyota matrix version 🙂
Where's your driver's side floor mat??
We have an 03 Matrix with 80,000. Dead reliable; little boring though. For a host of reasons it will always be in our possession. My daily driver is a 2020 Ranger FX4 Lariat. But my commute recently got about 4 times longer. So need something a little better on gas… a Vibe GT is the next addition to the garage when I find a decent one closer than 500 miles.
Be aware the GT has the 2.4L which may drink oil after 200k miles. Not a deal breaker though.
There actually is a DRL off switch built in from the factory. Turn car off. Pull up the emergency brake handle. Turn car back on. No DRL! Try it
The DRL's will come back on when you disengage the parking brake or shift out of Park. But mine is a 2009 so the previous gen may be different.
awesome car i just bought one with 170. runs great and extremey quite, but did notice oil light on. seller said it was due for an oil change, oil looked in decent shape. seem to be lacking power at high speeds unless its just how the engine is. has anyone ever had the oil light come on their vibe? really hoping its not oil pressure but there is no knocking
If the oil light is on then the system is seeing low oil pressure, or it's a bad sensor.
which auto trans is better, the older 4 speed or the newer 5 speed? i am buying one for work and want reliability
Original water pump?
Yup, original everything except alternator.
Never had to replace the shocks? I just test drove a used 2007 with 120k miles on it and it felt like the shocks were gone.
It's always been a rough ride. I imagine it's time for shocks but the springs aren't broken and it doesn't "bounce. I just replaced my tires and they wore perfectly.
I had a heater problem. Dealer installed a new heater core and distill have the same heating issue. They claim it's a head gasket issue, yet I have no antifreeze leaks whatsoever. Any suggestions of what it could be. Toyota dealer said I had air in system,they bleed the and it worked for about ten minutes and then went cold again. Please help me solve thi issue. I really love this little car.
I had a Ford with a blown head gasket and you could see exhaust smoke coming out of the coolant reservoir when you took the cap off. Maybe check that to vet their head gasket claim. For what it's worth though even with the blown gasket it had heat. Is the vehicle blowing white smoke at all? You can perform a leak down test of the cooling system to make 100 percent sure. Try parking on a very steep hill so that the front of the car is higher, like maybe a loading dock ramp, and see if the heat comes back. Also, is the temp guage perfectly in the middle after driving a while?
👍 best review ❤️
4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love ur vibe
Nice review, did you need to change the wheel bearings for 200+k miles?
I did not, what symptoms are you seeing?
I got my matrix 2009 1.8L for only $3,500 on craigs which i found out the owner was a friend of my coworker who works at toyota dealership as mechanic. It is a very nice car and very reliable if you change oil religiously
What's the mileage?
@@fenggu2767 i got it with 150K miles and now it's 175k driving long miles for work and still no major issues so far
I have a 05' Vibe wandering with sided wind gusts on highway at speeds higher than 60 mph. Had changed 4 struts, wheel alignment, 2 sway bar links. Any thoughts?
Is the sway bar itself damaged? The vibe is a light vehicle so you're going to feel the wind for sure but it should be controllable.
@@striker1211 It looks like there's a clunking noise when passing through potholes noticeable at low speeds only, maybe the sway bar link bushings. Would it be related to the issue or it's due to another part like a failed lower control arm or ball joint?
can you fit a king mattress back there folded in half?
Stop telling people its a re badged matrix! Its supposed to be a secret! Youll make the price go up haha
Picked up a 03 GT 6 speed in 2023 one owner Mobil 1 every 3.000 miles
I need my pick up for work . I do remodeling , but thinking about a Vibe as my gas saver . However does the cost of owning another car save me that much gas and money , to justify paying for another car??
It does for me, I net about $200 a year by commuting with the vibe and owning a truck for towing. This is the gas savings minus insurance minus registration. However repairs and oil changes on the truck have brought me down to breaking even this year. It is really nice having 2 vehicles though since I always have a backup. If your job requires a truck and you don't drive 200 miles a week commuting then I don't believe it would make sense to have another car just to save gas money. You'll have to run your own numbers in a spreadsheet to be sure though.
@@striker1211 I'm sure I drive over 200 miles per week. My truck gets about 15mpg. There is a low mileage Vibe locally can probably get for $4k. I will have to run some numbers like you say . great review . It looks like a work horse the way its designed . It could carry most of my tools , but then certain days I may need a ladder and large items, so the back and forth on tool set up just might not be worth it.
What kind of oil do you use on this high mileage Vibe?
I'm wondering about weight and conventional vs synthetic, and a specific brand if it makes a difference. Thank you.
Always conventional, never synthetic. I don't know what brand oil the quick-lube place uses but it is 5w-30. I get it changed every 5000 miles. At 242,000 now.
Do you avoid synthetic for a specific reason? Many Vibe owners on the forum say to only use synthetic, but I can't find a solid reason as to why.
@@1writegirl1 If u want to know the Differences between how Conventional vs Synthetic Blend(Synthetic mixed with Conventional) vs Synthetic vs Ultra Synthetic, chk out Project Farm's testing of each oil th-cam.com/video/D3qFfAEp9AU/w-d-xo.html
What’s DRL?
Damn deers.
I'm looking for a small reliable suv and I just found a 2009 vibe with 127,000 miles asking price 6,500 because he just put new tires and alignment...do u think its worth it if well maintained? Would appreciate your opinion, thanks....is the 2009 still Toyota?
How new are the tires? Check the date code. New new tires are worth $600. 2009 and 2010 are still Toyota. I paid $10k for my 2008 in 2012 private party... a 2009 is now a 12 year old car so I think it's a little high but I haven't been used vibe shopping lately. Also, the vibe is not an SUV by any mean, it's a crossover.
Does the radio upgrade you did include GPS?
It has gps built into the android head unit but I never use it. It's much easier just to use Google maps and throw my phone onto the magnetic mount before taking off.
I miss my 2006 vibe rip
If heard from mechanics you can cause more problems replacing trans fluid after 100000 miles
That you have to do it before?
I too have heard this claim but have not experienced issues personally. I had them drain and fill the transmission fluid around 100k. One thing I know is to not do a flush on a high mileage transmission. If your fluid is still cherry red I wouldn't even worry about a drain/refill.
How about cleaning the interior?
It's pretty easy as most door panels are plastic and not fabric, but if you scratch the plastic it shows. The seats are fabric and I've cleaned them with a carpet shampooer before when I transported a push mower and got oil on them.
i wish yu were in chicago to work on my 03 lol