About three months ago, I started looking for a new car. I knew I wanted a small 4 cylinder, something that would get good gas mileage, and preferably a wagon. I also wanted something with dark interior, an automatic of course, and something with AIR CONDITIONING. I looked at a lot of cars and did a lot of searching and researching over the last three months.
I kept coming back to the Pontiac Vibe. 1.8L, 4cyl. Rated at 29/36 mpg. The Vibe has lots of neat features like the 110 volt outlet, fold flat rear seats, the front passenger seat that folds flat (ideal for a laptop). The Vibe also sits a little more upright that most compact sedans, so it's a little easier to get in and out of. This one even has the sunroof!
Now I am the LAST person who would recommend owning a Pontiac / GM product. However, something you may not know is that the Vibe was built alongside the Toyota Matrix at the NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, California. And the Vibe and Matrix are built on the Corolla platform with the Matrix power train and drive train. The is the closest there there is to a contemporary Corolla wagon without buying the less attractive Matrix. I'm all about the Corolla, as you all know. The Vibe gets good reviews, has built a good reputation for itself, and is less expensive that a Corolla of comparable age and mileage.
So, I located a good one at a large Chevrolet dealership up in Des Moines, Iowa. I drove up today (420 miles round trip) and pulled the trigger. Found this beauty with a mere SIXTY THOUSAND miles on the odometer. It's a 2003 model. I talked them down from retail and basically got it for what Kelley Blue Book considers "private party price". That's okay with me. Clean one-owner, no-accident CarFax and I was allowed to inspect it closely on the lift prior to purchase.
I'm the proud new owner of this 2003 Pontiac Vibe and the newest member of what my two female Vibe-owning coworkers fondly refer to as "The Vibrator Club".
