This Pontiac is a Toyota - 2005 Pontiac Vibe - Full Mechanical and Int/Ext Overview

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It's a Toyotiac Vibrax. I mean a Toyota Matrix - wait, a Pontiac Vibe. That's it! It's kinda a Corolla, but it's badged with Excitement. It's an enigma, wrapped in a riddle!
Seriously though - today we're going to do an overview of a car we have in the shop for a bit - a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. If you aren't sure what these are, or saw them and assumed they were just early 2000's Pontiac small cars, there is more to it than that.
These are, past the badging, bumpers, and body cladding, a Toyota Matrix. In fact, from running gear, chassis, suspenion, and most of the interio, it's a Toyota. And the Matrix is based on a Corolla chassis.
So this is basically a hatchback Corolla wearing a Pontiac badge.
This one has a few issues - a leaky sunroof, failed blend door actuator, and a vibration while driving. But with only 90,000 miles on the clock, and in overall decent condition, it's worthy of a full inspection and some fixes.
We'll do an overview here - and follow up with some videos as we repair some of these simple issues on this car.
On this video at least we will find the source of that vibration when it's on the list - a bit of a surprise, but honestly one of the FIRST things you should look at!
Tools:
Note that these links go to our amazon affiliates, so we may get a comission on any ordered. I'll only post things I have, or have used, or would buy if I don't have them due to prior tools I have being discontinued. None are endorsements - I share what I use, and I am not paid by these companies - I'm happy to share what I don't like!
Here's the Battery Tester tool we used in this video:
FOXWELL BT705 12V 24V Car Battery Tester Automotive 100-2000 CCA
amzn.to/3DyhTOu
(At date of posting, it's got a $35 off coupon so it's under $100)

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27 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 155

@jorgem50 6 месяцев назад

We just bought two Pontiac Vibes. My wife got a red vibe 2005 and two weeks later I bought a grey 2006 vibe. Love the vibe

@joshmartinak4315 2 года назад

Bought 2006 brand new, still drive it everyday. 2 brake jobs, 1 wheel bearing, 2 sets of tires, 2 batteries, lots of oil changes. Really glad i have it now with current gas prices

@Ag-vv8ru 3 месяца назад

I have 2006 vibe and got a new alternator and a new battery still having problems I don't know what else to do I love my car though

@joshmartinak4315 3 месяца назад

@@Ag-vv8ru what's the car doing? battery is draining?

@Ag-vv8ru 3 месяца назад

@joshmartinak4315 yes just drains

@joshmartinak4315 3 месяца назад

@@Ag-vv8ru Something is drawing current when the cars off. Parasitic loss. I’ve heard the dome light in these cars can be a culprit of this exact thing.

@Ag-vv8ru 3 месяца назад

@@joshmartinak4315 Thank you

@eddoura 2 года назад

Loved the presentation. I just bought a 2004 Pontiac Vibe, 171 K miles. I have all the confidence that It will drive me to California from the Midwest for a vacation. Great Multi-purpose Vehicles.👍👍

@boogitybear2283 2 года назад

It’s pretty much a Toyota Matrix. Just change the fluids when needed and will last you 500k plus miles.

@raminbaghirov9998 2 года назад

Hey. I am interested buying Pontiac Vibe. Can you please give more feedback. So how is going right now? All good with car? Thanks

@Blakecryderman7244 2 года назад

@@boogitybear2283 facts. The only reason it wouldn't last 500K miles (800,000 kilometers) is if it was abused by a young kid, or, fluids weren't kept up.

@matthewschiebout7384 6 месяцев назад

@@boogitybear2283 unless it's driven in the Midwest...

@jefft8138 Год назад

Matrix built in Canadian plant. Vibe and Corolla built on same line in real time (every 7th unit was a Vibe) Freemont CA. Tough cars, many grtting well over 200k miles before needing any major work

@dewdew34 Год назад

I have this model/year, a real workhorse. From what i read it's a Corolla motor/trans with a bit beefier suspension. Gets great mileage around town and only a bit better on the highway. Pretty buzzy at 65+, 2800-3000 rpm, could of used a 5th gear. Turn off the OD to speed up to interstate speed... Still i made 8 trips to Fl in it, 1900 mile round trip. Got an Avalon to replace it for trips but i still use it to haul stuff/dogs etc. Wonderful utilitarian vehicle. Biggest issue i had was the blower motor resister, blower motor relay (above the glove box...) and just replacing usual stuff, starter, water pump, alternator, etc at about 230k...but easy to swap mostly. Otherwise 100k since i bought it and cheap trans/repairs. Love the pups.

@NotoriousNobodiesShow Год назад

Just happened to see your comment & looking to pick one up myself. Wanted to ask if you still own the Vibe & how it’s been doing throughout the years. Want to get as much feedback as possible! Thanks!

@WhySoLoud 6 месяцев назад

Buying point for me was the carrying capacity. Both rears and the passenger seat all fold forward creating a big flat surface. Slap a sleeping bag and a camp mattress back there and you're set for road trips. On my '07 the fuel pump is accessed inside/under the rear seats. Remove the bench and there it is, no pulling out the gas tank, etc.

@LucidDreamer54321 3 месяца назад

I have transported lumber that is as long as 12 feet in my Vibe. The rear window will open on the 2003-2008 models. I had the front passenger seat folded flat and the end of the lumber against the dashboard. The other end of the lumber was sticking about three feet out the back window. I used a staple gun to attach red or orange rags to the back end of the lumber (the standard warning flags to other drivers for long object protruding from the back of a vehicle).

@LucidDreamer54321 3 месяца назад

I have a 2005 Vibe base model with 5-speed manual transmission. I bought the car new and have driven it 195,000 miles including using it to commute to work, as a work vehicle in construction, and as a work vehicle in farming. The car looks like it has been through a war, but is still running (and falling apart). During the past couple months, I have spent a lot of time looking at information about 2024 and 2025 model year vehicles. So far, I haven't found anything I like as much as the Vibe. Guess I will look for a good used Vibe or Matrix.

@jamesstuart3346 2 года назад

Bought a 2003 new...still drivin' it. The hatch under the rear glass is famous for rusting. Pays to open the glass and shoot the steel with some wax

@rolandcharriez7631 Год назад

GM also sold a Vibe rebadge called the Volt (pre-existing Volt) in Japan; it didn't do well there. It's Japanese variant was of this generation with slight changes to the details. I have a 2006 Vibe 4WD with nice "bells and whistles" similar to yours. The color was called "stealth; steel blue". Currently It's at 216000K and it runs like a top. I bought as a used car in 2009; just about when the Pontiac Brand came to the end. Got a really good deal at the time. I took real good care of it and currently use it as my "mini pick up truck"". I think it's a great car; reliable, compact, good looking, functional and frugal on gas, even though it's a 4WD. I did buy it because the engine and some of it's components where from Toyota. I won't get rid it.

@gwarlow Год назад

We had a 2006 Vibe from 2007 to 2021. No major issues and it never burned oil. And tons of cargo space! Best vehicle I have owned so far. Just bought a 2016 Rav4 XLE Hybrid in 2021. So far we are loving it.

@automotivetv9861 Год назад

I love mine too, apart from the low idle at red lights and collapsed driver back support 😅

@dothmynugs 2 года назад

Would love to see more maintenance and repair videos on this car. By far best video production/information I've seen on this vehicle.

@resourcefulqueen 2 года назад

Thanks for showing a detailed exam. I just bought a white 2005 Vibe with 100,000 miles in excellent condition. Go Vibes!

@ivermec-tin666 10 месяцев назад

Toyota even sold the Pontiac Vibe in Japan rebadged as a Toyota volt.

@theylied1776 Год назад

I had a 2010 2.4L AWD Pontiac Vibe. Toyota described it as a (Sub-Compact SUV). Even though it was an All-Wheel Drive, it handled more like a 4x4. I could basically take that thing anywhere. And I never got stuck.

@DanielGennaro Год назад

How’s the mpg compared to 2WD? I sold my Corolla 05 and regret it. Such good mpg! This would be a nice daily driver

@theylied1776 Год назад

@@DanielGennaro Not so much with the all-wheel drive. You have the added weight of a differential and transfer case. Which is about 550 more pounds compared to the front wheel drive. So, the mpg was about 19 City 21 highway. But since it was a Toyota, it was basically like a subcompact 4Runner. It was fun to drive.

@DanielGennaro Год назад

@@theylied1776 dang!! That prob came in handy. Especially in the northeast where I’m from!

@gravelydon7072 Год назад

@@DanielGennaro Dad's ( now mine ) 2009 Vibe AWD was able to go where a 4x4 snowplow pickup couldn't. Part of the reason for the lessor gas mileage in the AWD version is also due to having the larger engine.

@DanielGennaro Год назад

@@gravelydon7072 sounds like my old Subaru Legacy outback. That thing was a tank in Pennsylvania winters

@racequad9 Год назад

Looks like the date code for those tires was 0710. Which means they were at least 12 yrs old. No wonder they looked like that

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

Thanks for the video! I have been living the 2005 Pontiac Vibe dream for nearly 18 years. Mine is the base FWD model with a manual transmission. Only ABS brakes, side airbags and alloy wheels were added to the base Canadian specification*. The car has been exceptionally reliable, efficient and adaptable with only 3 non-scheduled repairs since I took delivery in April 2005. In direct contrast to today's Toyota TNGA designs, the Vibe and Matrix provide very generous headroom for taller drivers and passengers. I would describe these cars as a cross between a wagon, minivan and CUV. As a public service to used car shoppers, I would remind buyers that some second generation Vibe/Matrix (as well as some Corollas) came with the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine from the Camry which was plagued with oil consumption issues. * To this day I still occasionally ask whether I should have ordered the leather interior which seems to have held up so well in this car. I ended up with custom made seat covers which have endured but cost almost as much as the leather. I missed out on cruise control because I wanted to avoid potential, long-term issues with the power locks and windows that were part of the same option package 😉

@VortexGarage Год назад

Its definitely cool to hear stories like yours, these are definitely great cars that have treated their owners well!

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

@@VortexGarage After decades of tolerating Big 3 mediocrity, I got Toyota quality and a Domestic badge with my Vibe. In 2016 we also added a low-mileage 2010 Tacoma from the same factory to our family fleet. I still lament the fact the NUMMI joint venture was closed down. BTW the Vibe and Matrix were huge sellers in Canada where we actually like wagon style vehicles. The Vibe went out of production in August 2009 and that month it was in the top 10 selling cars here. Due to strong sales, we had a 2014 Matrix though 2013 was the final model year in the US where sales had slowed to a trickle.

@jeremyc.6434 4 месяца назад

How many miles do you have on it?

@rightlanehog3151 4 месяца назад

@@jeremyc.6434220,000 mostly tedious suburban km.

@dalewight4471 2 года назад

Just bought a 2008 with 299,000 plus, passed emmissions no problem, new tires, headlights, trunk and rear glass struts, new fog lights, new plugs, battery tie down, new windshield, granddaughter has her first car for less than $ 4000.00 total. It's runs and looks as good inside and out as my wife's 2007 that just barely popped 100k .

@kathylewis7543 2 года назад

Wow I'm glad you were safe!!! Someone was watching out for you! I wish you were is the capital district of NY I've been taken by 4 mechanics including a sabbatage I found by a friend dropping a bolt in the engine compartment. After taking the battery out I went to fish it out with my telescoping magnet. To my surprise a section of wire was stripped recently since it was clean of about 3 1)2 inches no wonder the car wouldnt start and killed the battery. I wrapped it with electrical tape. We put it all back together used my jump box and it's alive until it can find a beauty like this one!

@MarzNet256 Год назад

Cool. I have a 2006 Matrix 4WD with over 208,000 miles and it's runs perfect. It is the lovechild of a Ferrari and a UPS truck-it is so awesome.

@aaronfernandez5119 2 года назад

I had the same reaction when you saw that tire dry rot! Glad it didn't blow out on you.

@marckemp9955 10 месяцев назад

Interesting to see him in an old vibe. Parr also had an old vibe. 2005 iirc. Parr said he liked driving his vibe better than his 2010 Lincoln TC with Continental package. I'd be inclined to agree. With good tires they're pretty good economical transportation. With roof racks a person could haul kayaks, pipe, lumber, whatever. The exact reason I like a SW.

@steveorman3526 Год назад

Own 2 of these. Been calling them the Matribes since day 1

@rogeliopadilla1432 10 месяцев назад

Just yesterday bought 2006 vibe. I'm happy 🎉

@jeremyc.6434 4 месяца назад

We did to! just yesterday.. same year.

@ronwoods4801 2 года назад

I just bought a 2006 Pontiac Vibe with over 200k miles on it. Sunroof leaks and I ran trimmer cord in both front holes and it’s still leaking. Car runs great and I paid 1200 for it. I enjoyed watching your videos.

@VortexGarage 2 года назад

I actually got a report back on this one from the current owner that in a bad rainstorm it did leak again, but hasn't since that one time. I told them I'll recheck the lines again. There are lines in the back too, and it's possible those are clogged, and water could pool up and spill over in various places, perhaps even overwhelm the front drains in a bad storm. I did check the rears but didn't blow them out with air. I like the idea of using trimmer line! When I get a chance to look at the car again I'll drop an update video if I find anything new on the sunroof. Not sure when it'll be back here, but def will be looking at it when so.

@DanielGennaro Год назад

Good insight. Ya I hear these all leak. I love sunroofs so I’ll try and find one with one

@Omil7750 Год назад

Excellent video, in 2010 we bought a new Matrix for our daughter and it was a great first car for her. Sold it 5 years later for a very good price. I still loved that hatch back and will buy it again if I could find a good used unit or a Vibe as well. Btw, your little dog looks just like the one I had for years, same color too. Jessie was her name. Thanks for sharing.

@VortexGarage Год назад

Glad you enjoyed it! The current owner of this vibe is still daily driving it and enjoying it! And our smaller dog is Gwen, she's a lab mix with some boxer apparently. We got her when she was 6 and she's 12 now. A great dog.

@classic287 2 года назад

That's a great looking car. I wish there were more of them available. I hate the new cars.

@PaulRudd1941 Год назад

As someone who's in his mid-20's, does "extreme" sports and works construction, this car does everything for me and more. Mine came with a roof rack so I bought a basket for it. 10/10 will buy another one from a grandma when mine dies.

@DanielGennaro Год назад

You get the AWD or 2WD? I’m the same. Like to travel and go snowboarding or wherever. I’d like it for a gas saver. I had a Corolla 05 that I miss dearly.

@PaulRudd1941 Год назад

@@DanielGennaro great timing on your comment. I now have 2 of these things, one is my daily 2wd model and i just bought a 4wd model for camping and offroad. Ask me literally anything, Ill try my best to answer!

@DanielGennaro Год назад

@@PaulRudd1941 can you sleep in it? Ya I hope to find one in decent condition. My 05 Corolla was mint. Never needed anything.

@PaulRudd1941 Год назад

@@DanielGennaro yes, with the passenger seat folded down at the front I can sleep completly expended in my sleeping bag and inflatable matress. And I'm 6'3".

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

@@PaulRudd1941 Congratulations on successfully stocking up on Vibes. Had parking a second car not been an issue, I would certainly have done the same over my 18 years of Vibe ownership. At 6'3" you will surely appreciate the generous headroom provided by the Vibe /Matrix. Today's Toyota lineup is sorely lacking in that department. I have parked my Vibe directly beside today's Corolla hatch and have seen its roof line is 6 inches lower. The Corolla iM took a big step down in spaciousness compared to the Matrix but the current hatch is tiny.

@MustangsTrainsMowers Год назад

I’ve been watching the market for Vibes and Matrixes in the last year around Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Most any one of them not needing a repair with under 250,000 miles is at least $3000. Last spring someone beat me to buying a base 5 speed Vibe with a bad clutch for $750. It would be a great pizza delivery vehicle.

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

Don't give up, eventually one will turn up.

@KLondike5 3 месяца назад

The story as I read in the past was that GM wasn't able to make money with the plant (it may have been closed or was closing) but Toyota came in wanting to buy it. Gm was like "okay. Will you make us some cars under our own brand" as part of the purchase deal and that's how the arrangement came to be.

@_JOE-DAN 2 месяца назад

My 09 vibe is at 203,000 and still kicking. I’ve done nothing other than regular maintenance and will most likely be driving it till it falls apart. The 2.4l and awd has been great and I’ve loved it so much, I may be looking into a matrix xrs or vibe gt for something more sporty. I’d miss the awd, but it’s such a great car and It’s the perfect size so a manual transmission and more power, sounds fantastic.

@letsgotakearide3229 Год назад

This Pontiac looks new

@mrbrocephus3849 Год назад

2005 196740 love this car

@roshi98 Месяц назад

I've got a 2005 Vibe AWD and live in the salt belt of upstate NY. My biggest concern right now is rusting on the rear crossmember, but it's such an easy car to work on, unexplainably roomy inside, and with decent MPG that it would be worth just replacing when the time comes. In the meantime, an annual dousing of Surface Shield with routine maintenance have been the standard course for me.

@dabcorn Год назад

bought an 05 vibe in 07 with 11,000 miles - now has 163,000. Put on a water pump and alternator, super easy to do, all is well. (I think the alternator went out because my kid put in a dual 12" sub-woofer box with 400 watt amp but no "caps" -capacitors- and 'cranked it up' for 2 years!? Bought an 06 in 2018 with 145,000 miles, needed door lock actuators - installed cheap aftermarket set, kinda easy to do, now at 162,000 and all is well. Oil change, spark plugs, serpentine belt, fluid changes, all pretty easy to do. Currently have 82,000 miles on a set of 5 year old Pirelli P4 that are only rated for 80,000 - they still have tons of tread and pass inspection fine. These cars are really dependable, easy to work on, and about as economical to operate as an 'ICE' can be! 37mpg on highway, 30-33 around town. Had the alignment checked ONCE and was told it was still factory spec, leave it alone!

@gnovaplanet 3 месяца назад

Got here to watch the video on the vibe...scored a like from me for the dogs! Good video too tho...

@christiangenest576 2 года назад

Thanks for that video was very good

@kathylewis7543 2 года назад

Thank you for the broadcast! Now I want one more then ever my car is on its way out. But I need this guy to find me one just like that one! How did he find it I'm in upstate NY I really need one like yesterday I'm afraid this one will die!!!

@emptyendeavor2762 2 года назад

The car industry does this a LOT. Did this all the time in the 60’s and up. In the 60’s it was mostly internal sharing. Ex. Mustang being a platform to create many other mercury and ford products.

@davidknibbs9646 Год назад

Great job

@Crispychicken4u 2 года назад

Great video and very informative. Your thoughts on the first gen 1.8 2zz ge motor on longevity and performance?

@siliconinsect Год назад

Apparently pretty good cars as my odometer is maxed out at 299999. Also, you forgot two weird (but cool) things about the Vibe -- 12v lighter plug buried in the center console and the rear glass release button to the left of steering wheel. Great vid as usual!

@VortexGarage Год назад

Good info on those items that were missed! I'm thinking I totally missed the rear glass release button - I don't recall noticing it while I had this car in the shop, very cool. over 300k is very impressive, congrats on that!

@LucidDreamer54321 3 месяца назад

I never heard of the rear window release button. I just looked on my 2005 base model and could not find one. Do you have a GT model?

@KLondike5 3 месяца назад

Just hit the 299999 problem. Base model, no ABS but has the hatch glass button.

@LucidDreamer54321 3 месяца назад

I looked in the owner's manual and it said vehicle "may have" a liftglass release button. My car definitely doesn't have one.

@mrosa1313 2 года назад

Wow those tires were in bad condition. Good catch. If you look at the timeliness at 23:09 minutes you see the DOT number says 07-10 those tires were manufactured on the seventh week of 2010. 11 year old tires.

@hadiitiniguez2393 11 месяцев назад

Those tires re done. Nice car and it deserves new tires

@steveng7331 Год назад

The Vibe is an exact rip of the Toyota Voltz from Japan.

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

The Voltz was made in California and exported to Japan in small quantities.

@gearsofwar3xXx 2 года назад

2009 base 1.8. I replaced a CV joint at 105k, other than oil changes and automatic transmission fluid (change it every 60k) it has been very good to me and I've put 60k on it over 4 years to 120k. Still going.

@NotoriousNobodiesShow Год назад

Just happened to see your comment & looking to pick one up myself. Wanted to ask how long have you owned your Vibe & how it’s been treating you. Want to get as much feedback as possible! Thanks!

@gearsofwar3xXx Год назад

@@NotoriousNobodiesShow It's a good car, but past 100k you're just gonna have some stuff start to wear out. I just had to replace the other CV joint and the motor mounts but you have to expect that kind of stuff on an older car. I've owned it since 2018 and when I picked it up it had only 60k miles. The 1.8 is kinda gutless but if you're not a hot rod driver it won't matter much. Stay away from the 2.4, they tended to burn oil. The ride is on the stiff side. Most Vibes of that year had standard automatic headlights and "grade logic" on the transmission. If you're not familiar, it can sense when you're going downhill and gaining too much speed, if you apply the brakes, it'll downshift to 3rd (on the 4 speed auto.) So bottom line, if you see one get it inspected and if you end up buying it, take care of it, do the maintenance and above all, baby the car. Don't abuse it, and it'll last a long time. You can expect 26-27 mpg city and 32-33 mpg highway. The 4 speed auto shifts very smoothly, if it doesn't, don't buy it.

@NotoriousNobodiesShow Год назад

@@gearsofwar3xXx THANK YOU SO MUCH! I sincerely appreciate the honest & in depth feedback!

@Streetwerxgarage 6 месяцев назад

These stock motor are so reliable. Currently at 236k miles

@Ryabuscus 2 месяца назад

The main deal was that they had a shared factory and didn’t have NA tax since they were Canadian produced

@darrylmcleman6456 Год назад

The front seats can adjust up and down too.

@dogsarethebestcatsaretoo6764 10 месяцев назад

Beautiful

@MegaRetr 5 месяцев назад

Matrix built in Canadian plant!

@motor815 2 года назад

Is that the original paint ? I don’t recall that color but it looks fantastic!!!!

@chezrd 2 года назад

Toyota Voltz. Matrix was made in 2006 as an evolution of the platform.

@user-cu4qg8dq9j Месяц назад

This hatchback looks like the Toyota Voltz 2003 and shares the same platform of the Toyota Matrix,its kind of wagon too like the Toyota Corolla Fielder 2005 and the new SUV of the Toyota Corolla Cross 2023

@DanielGennaro Год назад

Your vid was so enjoyable lol “the cockroach!” Had me cracking up. I sold my 05 Corolla for way too cheap only 110k. Miss the mpg! That was a tank!!!! Drove it all across the country. I just wanted something I could sleep in so I went with a ford escape now. Trying to see if the vibe has same engine as Corolla? I guess you’d lose so mpg with the added height and roof rack

@VortexGarage Год назад

Yes I do believe it's the same engine as the Corolla.

@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi- 2 года назад

Smart dude. Everyone knows the cops would be on their way if he started to play that hardcore gangster rap cd. HOAs are no joke!

@dabcorn Год назад

I think he was worry about the "youtube" Ai identifying the music and issuing a warning or blocking his entire video.

@Tyb300 Месяц назад

I would love a vibe or a matrix will probably be my next car.

@darrylmcleman6456 Год назад

I like the car. Are there tires for it that will get the front up a little more off the ground? New sub. in westcoast Canada!Cheers!

@worldhello1234 28 дней назад

@0:24 No, this clearly is a Toyoda Volz with Pontiac badge.

@carlwelte6094 Год назад

What was the manufacture date on those tires....It would be interesting to know how old they were...

@jimbosc 6 месяцев назад

On the 2003-2008 Matrix - only the early production Matrix models have GM HVAC and AM/FM/CD players. During 2003 Toyota switched the Matrix over to a Toyota HVAC system and stereo. Why does it matter? The Vibe uses a common air duct actuator that fails on pretty much every GM car it is in (I know the Vibe uses the exact same actuator part as the S-10 pickup). A Matrix with the Toyota HVAC is MUCH less likely to have that failure.

@jeffnoble9757 9 месяцев назад

I have a 03 matrix xr I'm happy with everything works great gas mileage(gas is 5.50gal terrible) I paid.22cents gal in the 60's

@NickScherden 3 месяца назад

Liked for the "chicken drum sticks."

@nativevoices8962 Год назад

I have the 2010 with 177K miles on it for $5,000. The engine is dry and clean as a new engine. I only run synthetic in my cars now. Car runs like new. Things I had to do to it? Tint the windows, pros did that. Replace old stereo myself with crutchfield kit. All new tires. The entire interior is clean, like new. The paint is ugly 😢, but I use mine for transportation of expensive cam and sound gear, so I like that it looks beat up. My main gripe is the Pontiac design - interior is so cheap. My door handle falls off at times. The cup holders are the absolute worst. My daughter has the Toyota version and the interior is rock solid. My next thing? Needs new suspension, or at least shocks and struts. I can do those on my own. I love this car. Affordable, great gas mileage, lots of space. The seats fold down perfectly for great storage.

@albundy8139 2 года назад

My 2001 Rav 4 has the same power steering reservoir too!

@VortexGarage 2 года назад

Only thing better than these Toyotas would be an old Dodge with a million miles on it!

@gearsofwar3xXx 2 года назад

Yep, but they went to electric steering in 2009 (I have one.)

@michelmenard67 Месяц назад

I love my Vibe GT!

@jerrycarter1928 3 месяца назад

This is the exact car (MY, color and options) I am looking for. What are the costs to insure this car?

@markbajek2541 2 года назад

I got 525,000 miles out of a 03 chevy cavalier, one bad quickie lube oil change severely hobbled that car.

@VortexGarage 2 года назад

Those Cavalier's are nearly unkillable! That mileage is impressive! Reminds me of a friend who had a Camry in the 300's, he hit a rock and cracked the oil pan. The cost to replace it made him replace it. Too bad, it sounds like in both the Camry and your Cavalier's case they had more life in them barring those incidents.

@DanielGennaro Год назад

My car had a Def Leppard cd in it lol I wish I would’ve kept it for when I sell the car haaha it’s always a funny treat

@VortexGarage Год назад

Ha! That reminds me I found a Vanilla Ice greatest hits CD in a car once. I still have it and use it to test stereos on any car I see with a CD player lol.

@wasco42 2 месяца назад

Please, someone tell me which coolant to use in a 2005 Vibe we just bought for my daughter! I’ve changed all the fluids but although the manual says to use Dexcool, it’s a Toyota Matrix so shouldn’t I use Toyota pink? I plan to drain the radiator and the block for a complete change. Thanks! Great videos! I plan to replace that clicking door actuator one of these days - relieved to see you have a video for that!

@VortexGarage 2 месяца назад

This is a tough one. I remember looking this up years ago and couldn't remember so did another search. Definitely check out the GenVibe forums for help. There is no one answer I found. Seems many seem to feel that Toyota Pink coolant was used. Many also say that anytime anyone ever had a service done at a dealer they'd use Dexcool. However to my knowledge the Matrix was not actually built at NUMMI - the Vibe was. So there wasn't a split in the line for Vibe vs Matrix. Meaning it's possible that GM did factory fill Dexcool. So id see if you can check - Dexcool is orange, Toyota standard is Pink and Toyota long life is red. They're not all compatible. Now if you're doing a full flush and refill you should be able to choose assuming your going to flush out the old fully. Sorry I couldn't give a more clear answer but it seems hard to pin that one down!

@reallyguy 5 месяцев назад

That car looks brand new! Definitely not in Florida. Sun kills the paint in just a few years.

@kenshin034 2 года назад

Just got a 03 got some stiff turning worst case how hard is it to change the power steering pump ?

@VortexGarage 2 года назад

The removal of the pump should not be too difficult from the looks at it, appears the bolts are largely accessible through the pulley. May be a bit tight to work on. Car no longer here so going off memory. That said I did some searching and one thing to consider is you may need the right ps pump pulley remover installer. Not sure if standard parts store ones will work on it so should check that before. Also will need to flush the lines and use new fluid. One thing to consider also is these cars appear to have a pressure switch that may be used by variable assist power steering. If that were bad it may cause some assist issues. But seems pumps on these do go bad. Recommend searching or posting on this forum - forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/index.php Wish I could help more but car is out of the shop and not here for me to check closer. Best of luck on it!

@dabcorn Год назад

Try flushing the pump first. I did that to a GM Saturn L300 that had stiff, crunchy steering. The fluid was like rust putty! Got it flowing clean with many quarts of new fluid, closed it up and it drove real nice!

@dasspr Год назад

Toyota actually sold a rebadged vibe in japan. Google toyota voltz for those years. So its a rebadged toyota pontiac vibe rebadged as a toyota voltz 🤯

@kevinW826 2 года назад

The cavalier was taxed heavily in Japan because the only motor they offered was the 2.2 as anything over 2.0 is nailed on their yearly emissions tax, or something to that effect. I use to work with a guy who’s father did vehicle import and export to Japan. Plus GMs really bad reliability and build quality didn’t help give the Japanese good vibes about American cars. I think it lasts two years in Japan? As far as I know they didn’t sell many of them.

@dabcorn Год назад

I'm glad my Cavalier experience was MUCH different. Bought one in 1996 and had no issues for 10 years. My kid bought an 04 with 124,000 and drove it HARD, and friends abused it (trying to shove it in R while going 50mph, etc, etc) for another 80,000 miles in 3 years.

@joeydelrio 2 года назад

can the rear head rest be removed?

@jamesstuart3346 2 года назад

Yup.

@iashakezula 2 года назад

That’s a fancy one lol . I got a base automatic model 2009. Love the inverter feature, very useful 😉. But that tire is scary. I have tire balancing maintenance often and they inspect my tire.

@NotoriousNobodiesShow Год назад

@Patrick-uu5xg Год назад

Would you take that to a Toyota dealership or a a GM dealership for service I wonder.

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

Ideally it would be taken to an independent garage with Toyota expertise. Second choice would be Toyota.

@AmeriFanPicker 2 года назад

That’s not all…..at one point Japan imported the vibe, and rebadged it as the Toyota Voltz. How’s that for confusing. Yeah the blend door actuator is a total pain and you’ll have to do it if you own a vibe.

@dabcorn Год назад

I ended up splicing in a "momentary contact" push button switch that just lays in the glove box. When I push the fresh/recirc dash button I also push and hold the spliced in button until the clicking starts, and release. - damper in new position and all is good! My first attempt to solve the clicking was to replace the actuator - what a pain - and it started clicking again after a few months. This button thing is great! ALSO, if the radio backlighting inside starts to fail, do not try to remove/unsolder the old bulbs, just snip the legs off and solder on new bulbs - avoids chance of heat damage to circuit board.

@AmeriFanPicker Год назад

@@dabcorn interesting. When my replacement fails ($17 Amazon cheapie….still going strong after almost a year! I’m just gonna hard wire an old fashion cable knob….like an old choke knob lol.

@JohnSmith-cn2im Год назад

These cars are the BEST ..AND KNOW ONE KNOWS IT. LOL

@gianthills Год назад

I hear these cars are an uncomfortable noisy ride compared to a corolla.

@justingillis3530 2 года назад

Did the overall build quality seem to be the same or less than an actual Toyota Matrix? I’ve heard the legend of Pontiacs shaking themselves apart but I read Toyota actually sent Japanese floor managers to oversee operations at the California GM plant. Thanks!

@No.Service 2 года назад

The build quality is the same! Toyota doesn’t play when it comes to manufacturing

@dabcorn Год назад

however, some electrical equipment and parts are GM, radio, A/C and associated vent controls, which have their own minor but manageable frustrating issues.

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

@@dabcorn I have had no problems with those 'GM' parts over my 18 years of Vibe ownership. I have only had typical, relatively minor and 100% Toyota problems of intake manifold gasket, timing chain tensioner oil leak and airbag clock spring. If Pontiac had let Toyota build all their cars they would still be around.

@dabcorn Год назад

@@rightlanehog3151 glad to hear that! I replaced the clockspring in my 06, did the airbag recall on both my 05 & 06, and have a "clicking" recirc air door/damper motor/gear. I put an inline momentary on-off button for the air damper/door because 2 replacement motors also went bad! Anyway, I don't plan on ever parting with my 2 Vibes, way too good, practical and easy to repair when something does need fixin'...!

@rightlanehog3151 Год назад

@@dabcorn I don't usually mention the airbag recall as it did not cost me a penny. My car is still relatively low mileage so I am expecting many more years of service and I hope you get the same from yours. As a taller individual, there are very few current cars that fit me but the Vibe/Matrix is excellent in that regard with a comfortably raised seat height and plenty of headroom. These days I would have to switch to a much bulkier CUV to match the interior accommodation. The shrunken interior space of today's fleet of Toyota cars and the lack of headroom in particular, are points of major frustration for me.

@joeydelrio 2 года назад

which auto trans is better, the older 4 speed or the newer 5 speed? i am buying one for work and want reliability

@jacobt1027 2 года назад

4 speed,the 5 speed autos had some issues

@dothmynugs 2 года назад

Those Goodyear RSA tires are absolute dogshit. Should have been recalled. Had two blow out on my wife's vibe with only 40k on the car. Shop put same tires back on it, fully dry rotted again in another 2 years. Never again. The car is an absolute machine. These will go 300k with basic maintenance. It's our full time family car now.

@dabcorn Год назад

I have 82,000 miles on Pirelli P4's with plenty of tread to pass inspection. Regular rotation helps. Not as harsh of ride as some Pirelli's I've had in the past.

@lurkingarachnid7475 Год назад

the Toyota matrix and Pontiac vibe is the exact same car, also the new Toyota Corolla cross is just a Toyota matrix

@sonnyvasquez614 Год назад

Who sale one Pontiac vibe I need one

@darrylmcleman6456 Год назад

If Toyota would have partnered with Chevette they would have made the Toyolette!!!

@VortexGarage Год назад

I would totally drive a Toyolette!

@cic-jakevanddalgeemyers.2739 5 месяцев назад

Meh, it was a good idea to put the Pontiac on a human X-ray...... seeing these long cracks on the tyre scared me, too. some people would have never taken precautios, they would have kept on driving on that tyre until someone terrible happen on the highway. Wow