Used Pontiac Vibe Ratings
Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
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2003 Pontiac Vibe - AWD
Pros: Handling
Cons: Driver seat adjustments
Advice: Try the AWD-much better ride & handling
AWD better alternative to 2WD -
2003 Pontiac Vibe - AWD
Pros: Interior
Cons: Straping in cargo so it doesn't slide, But its no biggie
Advice: If u know how to drive a manual, get one for better performance. Moon and tunes is great!
Seriously I love this car. Ever since it came out, I've had my eye on the Vibe, back in December, my car was totalled. Though my father had a spare vehicle I did want my own, and waited until May to get it. I got a moon and tunes package and power package. The only other things I would have liked to have are abs, and alloy wheels. I drive a manual, shadow colored which is two tone, but you cannot tell. I prefer the two tone, as I prefer that as a college student. Seats 3 of my friends very comfortably, as well as any storage for a road trip. So many nice things about this car. Since mine is a 5 speed, its easier to utilize more power for this car since it has a smaller engine. The front driver seat is so comfortable, it really feels like this car was designed with ME in mind. Though I love the interior a lot. Its the same as the Toyota Matrix, however the VIBE looks so much sportier than the mini vanesque matrix. Getting 36 mpg to me is great, big plus. I'd like to list any minuses with this car, but well I really can't think of any. My previous car was a 94 honda accord, though this car, is so much nicer! -
2003 Pontiac Vibe - GT FWD
Pros: The zippy power of the GT. I hit 60 before I realized it. Still great MPG
Cons: Minor things.. the visor doesnt meet the quality of the rest of the interior
Advice: Get the rear cargo carpet piece...love it
I bought the GT version with just about every add-on feature you can get except the DVD navigation and 17' alloy rims. I have a small family of four, two toddlers who are riding in car seats, two strollers, gear bags, and all the toys the boys can cram in the rear cargo bay and I can still see un-impeded out the rear window...amazing. I love all the hidden storage compartments this thing has. I carry all kinds of emergency road gear and this car has a place for every item to hide away without stealing any of the precious main cargo bay for more urgent things such as groceries and toys. -
2003 Pontiac Vibe - GT FWD
Pros: Some cargo room and not bad on M.P.G. or seating room.
Cons: Too costly for a compact wagon after adding options. Not available with as many features as the Cavalier LS sedan.
Advice: I have to recommend the 2003 Cavalier LS sedan oerall over this wagon.
I was recently looking for a fuel-economic car in my price range that has plenty of cargo room. So, I checked and drove this. It does not have much more cargo room than the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS I got. It had good power. But it was not as fuel-economical as the Cavalier. And I could not get GM's stereo with it with both cassette and CD. Nor could I get it with OnStar. I did the Cavalier. And I could not get it with XM Satellite Radio like I could the Cavalier. Plus, the Cavalier came standard with power windows, door locks and cruise. Those were optional for this. By the time those were added, even with GM's rebate, it was out of my price range. And only the Vibe's optional automatic has overdrive. Both the manual and automatic do with the Cavalier. With the way the economy is now, a lot of us are on tight budgets. We need a car that is comfortable, roomy and fuel-economical enough that will fit into our budgets. My suggestion is to avoid this and go for the 2003 Cavalier LS sedan. -
2003 Pontiac Vibe - AWD
Pros: High milage for a cross-over SUV (we get 36mpg usually)
Cons: Everything slides around in the cargo area no matter how nice you drive; strap down groceries!!!
Advice: Buy for looks and economy, not to race your friends. Also, you MUST get the 'monotone' package unless you want ugly black bumpers/lower accents!!!
I love this car!! I try not to get too attached, though, because we bought it for my wife to drive regularily. Personally, I feel the base is a little underpowered, I would prefer the GT model, but not many people can drive a 6-speed well. There is a lot of engine noise, but it is afterall a 4-cyl, and that's part of the fun! I love the auto-headlights feature in addition to DRL, but I don't like how they switch on and off just because an overpass triggered the computer to think it was night. The gauge cluster has to be the best in the car market, and it seats a 6'4' driver extremely well. The fact that it is a Toyota with a Pontiac badge doesn't bother me at all. I mention this because it uses one of the best powertrains in the world right now as far as a 4-cyl/4-spd automatic goes. Also, you get to sit higher without the length of a minivan or the economically unfriendly reputation of a full-size SUV. I could go well beyond my 500 word limit... -
2003 Pontiac Vibe - GT FWD
Pros: moons and tunes
Cons: auto headlights + dash
Advice: realize that with back seats up, the cargo area gets less real fast.
Good commuter overall. Seats four real nice (2 small kids) Tall ceiling makes it easy to help them in the back. Sucky parts: Real pain is the on/off/on/off of the headlights in daytime as the sensor is in the corner. Area is either blocked by the inspection sticker (dealer moved) or something else. Dash panel lights needs to be ON, otherwise you can't see it in the daytime. Engine is loud when starting at zero - gotta turn up the sound. I guess that's why they discounted the moons and tunes - one of the 'must get's.' View the Cargo area is a great starting place. Need some organizer - make sure it's flexible and foldable - carry a few bungee cords. Best part - $2000 cash back + gmcard savings. -
2003 Pontiac Vibe - AWD
Pros: Rear seats fold flat without removing headrest
Cons: No automatic door locks
Advice: Compare it with the VW Golf
Bought a VIBE 1 month ago. I am disapointed that it doesn't have automatic door locks. The rear cargo area is plastic. Drove home with groceries and they are all over the place. I bought indoor/outdoor carpeting to cover it and it provides enough friction to keep groceries in place. Rear carge area cover is a joke. You have to hook it in 4 places. I tightened it as tite as I could and it still bows in the middle. It is obvious that Pontiac never looked at the VW Golf to see how a rear cargo area covershould be designed.