Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac Vibe, 2003-2008

2006 Pontiac Vibe GT. Click image to enlarge

Related articles on CanadianDriver First Drives 2003 Pontiac Vibem by Greg Wilson First Drives 2003 Pontiac Vibe AWD, by Jim Kerr 2003 Pontiac Vibe AWD, by Haney Louka Manufacturer’s web site General Motors of Canada

Review and photos by Chris Chase

 

 

In 1984, Toyota and General Motors launched New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), a joint venture that allowed Toyota to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States. It also benefited GM, as it allowed the American company to sell Toyota-engineered products under its own brands’ banners.

 

Among these have been a couple of Chevrolets (the 1984-1988 Nova and the 1998-2002 Prizm), a Geo (the 1990-1997 Prizm) and most recently, the 2003-2008 Pontiac Vibe.

 

The thread that ties all of these models together is that all have been based on Toyota Corolla platforms and running gear; more specifically, the Vibe is a near-identical twin to the Corolla-based Toyota Matrix.

 

2006 Pontiac Vibe GT. Click image to enlarge

The Vibe first arrived in Pontiac stores in 2002 as a 2003 model. Most models used a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine making 130 horsepower, or 123 horses in an all-wheel drive version. There was also a Vibe GT that used a high-revving variant of the same motor that produced 180 horsepower, at least until 2006, when stated output was revised to 164.

 

New horsepower calculating methods for 2007 models meant lower power numbers, but didn’t affect performance; the new horsepower numbers were 126 and 118 for regular and all-wheel drive Vibes.

 

The base transmission was a five-speed manual; a four-speed automatic was optional in all but the all-wheel drive model, which got the auto as standard equipment. The sportier Vibe GT used a six-speed manual as the only choice.

 

In 2007, the all-wheel drive and GT models were dropped, the all-wheeler supposedly due to low demand, and the GT because the high-revving motor no longer met emissions standards.

 

2007 Pontiac Vibe. Click image to enlarge

The Vibe’s Toyota running gear made for economical operation. A 2003 base Vibe with manual transmission was rated at 7.7 L/100 km (city) and 6 L/100 km (highway), while choosing the automatic drove consumption up to 8.3 L/100 km (city) and 6.4 L/100 km (highway). The all-wheel drive model’s numbers were 9.1/6.9, and the GT’s were 9.3/7.1.

 

Consumer Reports calls the Vibe a “good bet” in its used vehicle ratings. The only trouble spot that publication notes is poor paint quality, which is reflected in comments in the forums at Generation Vibe (GenVibe.com). Apparently, the problem lies in a too-thin clearcoat and soft paint, which results in paint chips in the hood, among other issues (http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5132).

 

Another thread details cold starting problems that owners have linked to a too-weak original equipment battery. (http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=2976)

 

Other problems that cropped up in my research for a used Matrix article (http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cc/02-06matrix.htm) include a rough idle and auto transmission cooler lines that cause a “whistle” or “hoot” sound under light acceleration. Clutch failures in the Matrix XRS (the Toyota version of the Vibe GT) seem to be common, but there’s a fair chance this is related to XRS and GT buyers being more aggressive drivers than the average Matrix or Vibe owner.

 

2005 Pontiac Vibe GT. Click image to enlarge

A 2003 Vibe crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) earned five stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impact tests. In side impact tests, a Vibe without optional front-seat side airbags earned five stars for front-seat and four for rear-seat occupant protection.

 

Interestingly, in 2005, another Vibe tested without side airbags earned three stars for driver protection in side impacts, while the passenger rating in frontal impacts was reduced to four stars.

 

In 2007, the NHTSA tested Vibes both with and without side airbags; without, the results were the same as those for 2005 and 2006, but results with side airbags were five stars for driver protection in both frontal and side impacts, and four stars each for front passenger protection in frontal crashes and for rear-seat occupant protection in side impacts.

 

According to Canadian Red Book, used Vibe values range from $6,175 for a 2003 base model, to $16,325 for a 2008 base model (note that all-wheel drive and GT models were dropped after 2006).

 

Vibe GT values start at $7,100 for a 2003 and top out at $14,300 for a 2006, while all-wheel drive values range from $6,675 to $12,950.

 

2003 Pontiac Vibe. Click image to enlarge

While the availability of all-wheel drive is a nice touch, I don’t think it’s really necessary on this type of vehicle, and serves mostly to increase fuel consumption. Meanwhile, the GT’s engine is peaky and not a lot of fun in daily driving unless you’re a regular stoplight drag racer; plus, the high-revving motor used here likes premium fuel. Therefore, a front-drive, non-GT model is the best choice for economical operation.

 

A 2005 base Vibe is worth just under $10,000. While going for a basic Matrix would net you a whole lot of nothing options-wise, note that the Vibe came with a healthier list of standard equipment. While the Vibe’s starting price was a few thousand dollars more, its resale values are weaker; a 2005 Matrix XR (roughly equivalent equipment-wise to the base Vibe) is worth about $3,500 more.

 

In the past, when car-shopping friends had asked me about the Vibe and Matrix, my advice was always this: buy the Matrix new and take advantage of its high resale value, or buy the Vibe used and benefit from its quicker depreciation.

 

Same goes here: the Vibe and Matrix are both smart used buys based on their reliability history, but the Vibe is by far the better deal.

2007 Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge

Related articles on CanadianDriver First Drive: 2005 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive: 2006 Pontiac Torrent Test Drive: 2005 Chevrolet Equinox LT Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac Torrent FWD Test Drive: 2007 Chevrolet Equinox   Manufacturer’s web site General Motors Canada

By Chris Chase; photos by Grant Yoxon

Introduced in 2004 as a 2005 model, the Chevolet Equinox was the long-overdue replacement for the Suzuki Sidekick-based Chevy Tracker. Since 2001, Ford had had a firm clutch on the domestic small SUV segment with its Escape, and the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe were among the leaders among small import utilities.

The first-generation Equinox was built on GM’s “Theta” platform, the same one that underpinned the first Saturn Vue. The Equinox, though, was larger, benefiting from a 5.9-inch (150 mm) stretch in wheelbase.

About a year after the Equinox went on sale, Pontiac added its own version, called the Torrent. (Suzuki’s second-generation XL-7 was based on the same platform, too, but due to powertrain differences, it will eventually be covered in its own used vehicle review.) Differences between the Equinox and Torrent were largely cosmetic, like the Pontiac’s use of that brand’s corporate twin-kidney grille, and different taillights. The Torrent also got GM’s FE2 “Sport” suspension, which was tuned for a slightly firmer ride.

The Equinox and Torrent shared GM’s 3.4-litre V6 engine; a five-speed automatic transmission was the only transmission offered, though both front- and all-wheel drive versions were sold. With 185 horsepower, the 3.4-litre was competitive enough when the Equinox and Torrent were introduced, but it quickly became outclassed by more powerful competitors. In 2008, Chevrolet added the Equinox Sport to the lineup, powered by a 3.6-litre V6 (264 horsepower) and a six-speed automatic transmission.

2006 Pontiac Torrent (top and middle photos); 2007 Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge

Fuel consumption ratings in 2005 were 12.7/8.6 L/100 km (city/highway). By 2008, the 3.4-litre models numbers were 12.2/8.3 (FWD) and 12.5/8.4 (AWD), and the 3.6-litre model was rated at 13.0/8.3 (city/highway).

Reliability-wise, the Equinox and Torrent suffered from many of the same maladies that afflict common GM models. There’s the ubiquitous lower intake manifold gasket issue that affects many GM V6s. When these gaskets fail (and it’s usually a matter of when, not if), coolant leaks into the crankcase, contaminates the oil and, if not caught in time, will cause serious engine damage.

In early models, mostly 2005s, creaking front suspension struts were an issue, but it appears that GM came up with a fix, so that 2006 and later models aren’t affected. However, there is evidence that some owners who experienced this problem, had it “fixed” by their dealer, only to have the noise come back, which necessitated another set of replacement struts.

Watch for water leaking into the spare tire well, under the cargo compartment floor. Get enough water in there and it will soak the carpets and then can create all sorts of problems. This might be related to complaints of foul interior odours in early Equinoxes.

Many owners report a grinding sound from the drivetrain when the automatic all-wheel drive system engages and sends power to the rear wheels. Some owners complain of a similar noise when making sharp turns in their all-wheel drive Equinoxes and Torrents. The problem seems to be linked to a bad rear differential. Avoiding this problem is as easy as buying a front-drive model, though I get the feeling that all-wheel drive versions are easier to find.

It looks like the fuel pump can be problematic, too, an issue that seems to affect both early and late model examples. The main symptom is hard starting, but it could also cause the car to stall.

2007 Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge

Consumer Reports (CR) notes these issues, and also problems with the electrical system, squeaks and rattles and power equipment troubles, but I wasn’t able to find specifics.

In crash testing, the Equinox and Torrent earned a “good” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) frontal offset crash test. This result only applies to 2006-and-later models, however; GM made structural changes to improve crash test performance over 2005 models, but test results for those earlier models aren’t available.

In the IIHS’ side impact tests, the Equinox scored “marginal,” thanks to issues with the structure/safety cage, and a high likelihood of head injury. Side airbags were optional in 2005; the example tested by the IIHS did not have them.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, the Equinox fared much better, earning five stars all around for crash safety.

Used Equinox values, according to Canadian Red Book, range from $8,475 (2005 LS FWD) to $21,425 (2008 Sport AWD); the Torrent’s values are similar. If your heart is set on a used Equinox or Torrent, consider looking for one with some of the factory warranty intact. That rules out 2005 and 2006 models, both of which had three year/60,000 km coverage, both for bumper-to-bumper and powertrain.

In 2007, GM extended the powertrain warranty to five years/160,000 km, so stick to 2007 or newer, unless you’re particularly handy with cars and don’t mind getting your hands dirty. A 2007 Equinox LT FWD is worth $14,450, while a base-model Torrent AWD carries a Red Book value of $14,825.

To match those prices, you’d have to shop for a Honda CR-V (smaller) or Toyota RAV4 (much smaller) from 2005; even the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe (first year for the current generation) is significantly pricier than an Equinox or Torrent.

If you’re willing to take a chance on a used Equinox/Torrent, you’ll get a nice-looking, roomy and comfortable crossover for a very good price. I would advise bargaining hard to get the lowest price possible, though, as deals should be easy to come by.