Used 2010 Pontiac Vibe Consumer Reviews
Love the Vibe
I just bought this car and love it! It is fun to drive, great radio, and I love the room in the back with the fold down seats. I am able to fit my two dogs back their easily. I look forward to many years driving this car.
Great Value
This car has been a great buy! Purchased new. After one year of ownership, absolutely no problems (especially related to the accelerator recall). Have performed all regular maintenance, taken several long trips (1000+ miles) and the car has performed flawlessly. I am 6'2" and have plenty of room and don't feel beat up after a long trip. Love the extras that I couldn't find on a comparative Honda Fit, including Onstar, XM radio, traction control, AC Power plug, and spacious interior for a compact wagon. 2.4 liter engine is great for quick acceleration. Have gotten up to 35 mpg on highway at 70 mph. Deals were so good at the time, I wish I had bought two!
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,99577 mi away
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $8,99799 mi away
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,995100 mi away
2009 Vibe GT
The car is fun to drive. It used very little fuel. We have been getting 25.5 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the road. I was not sure about the car when we bought it but it has turned out to be an excellent car. The only con I have about it is the road noise from the tires.
Great little car
I'm very pleased with my Vibe. It's the AWD model. It handles well and is pretty zippy with the 2.4L engine. Upgraded factory sound system with Sirius/XM is great. Mileage has consistently been around 26-27 mpg. The car is great in the snow with or without snow tires. With the back seat down it has an amazing amount of cargo space. The back seat has a lot of leg room for a small car. Too bad they discontinued this car, I'd buy another one!
Reliable car
We have put on 80,000 km with no issues to report. We like the gas mileage and cargo space. Very good on ice and gravel. Noisier and less room than our sequoia, but a lot more practical for 2 or 3 people.
Glad I bought it
Really like the car. Rides nice, handles better than expected. Got 35.5 MPG on 600 mile trip. Have 11000 miles on it and no complaints. Used Clunker money, GM rebate and GM card rebate. Paid 9900.00 for a new car. Thought that only happened to other people.. Plus GM 5 year/100,000 mile power train protection.
COOL CAR
Very dependable car
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We Love It!
The 2009 Vibe GT has exceeded every expectation we had. we average 32 mpg, we love the way it looks, it drives and handles like a much more expensive sports car. The 2.4, 4 cylinder engine has an unbelievable amount of power. The ride is comfortable and we enjoy sliding the sunroof back as we motor down the highway listening to our favorite xm station on the built in xm radio.
Favorite car ever!!!!
This car was made by Toyota for Pontiac. It is exactly like my niece's Matrix. The engine reliability and performance have been outstanding.
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Don't Vibe on me!
After less 27K miles, replaced the water pump and have problems with the timing chain tension adjuster... Car is fine and meets our needs otherwise.
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Pretty good, improved awd
I had a 2005 vibe awd that was horrible in the snow etc. It was like it didnt even have awd so I traded it in quickly. I test drove the 2009 Vibe awd and it was much much much better in snow. Pricing is good but gm needs to put some incentive on it, even Toyota is offering 0 percent on the Matrix. So I am waiting a bit to purchase unless the Subaru Forester comes out with some good incentive (great car too) first. Subis do have the best awd. I like the new vibe the 2.4 engine is a big big improvement over the 1.8 quiter, peppier smoother. I do think they should offer the 5 speed auto Rather than the 4 speed with the awd. Mileage would be better, get up to date gm and Toyota.
one year 30,000 miles
I have owned this little gem for a year and have just turned 30,000 miles on it yesterday. This car is very fun to drive and is dependable. The only trouble I have had is that the center caps on rims came off. GM will only pay for them once, then you are on your own. (16.50 a piece) Also some sensor that controls the electronics went out. That means that I did not have any ABS, Traction Control, stabili-Trac. Covered under warranty. All in all this car has been great. I consistently get 30 MPG.
Still Thining!
I traded in a Toyota truck just because of payments, but I love Toyota. When I read that the Vibe was essentially a Toyota, I went to the dealer because everything I read was good. I have never had a small car, so I was hesitant, but this car is actually fun to drive and the MPG is awesome--right now I'm getting 28-30 in combo driving. Yes the wheel caps fall off and yes the ride is bumpy, but I am not sorry I traded--except when I needed a half ton of mulch last week.
High utility / low gas. Good looking.
MPG 30.5 mixed. Comfortable, spacious, nice tall driving stance, solid feeling, good 4 wheels disk brakes, fun-easy to drive. Electric steering wheel is somewhat different but ideal for every day operation. All of the important features (especially safety) are there. Well thought out interior (including 120V outlet) and exterior (plastic molding are in the right places and may better resist winter salt). The engine is not too responsive when driven softly but wakes up when RPM >2000. BTW this Toyota engine is used by the Lotus Exige sport car. A fifth gear would be nice on the highway. My wife loves it. I take very opportunity to drive it.
My Second Vibe
This is my second Vibe---my first is an '03 with 103K miles which my teenage son will inherit. The '03 has been flawlessly reliable! I purchased the '09 last week at an incredible deal--$4300 off in GM/Driver's Edge card rebates, $3000 in additional rebates for paying cash, and at a price that was well below invoice!! I was a little concerned that Pontiac parts might not be available in the long haul but GM insures me that Vibe owners will be supported for years to come. Since the power train is Toyota I am not concerned. If you are shopping for a reliable vehicle that gets great mpg--Vibe is the way to go.
Great Work horse
First owner since new 2008 Oct 11. 2.4 Liter engine 180k (110k mi). Never let me down. Lives in Saskatchewan -40F winter and then Brine soak highway in north east. Just like every Toyota, owner only give rave review after you own it 8+ years to appreciate its simple mechanical construction,dependability, easy to maintain ( done almost everything myself-brakes, fluids, filters). Do need to keep an eye on oil consumption ( need to shorten oil change interval to preserve the engine)
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Excellent, fun car so far
Bought a '10 Vibe as part of CARS program -- it was very hard to find one in stock, they sold like hotcakes. We wanted a base Vibe, stripped down without add-on features (not even a/c), but couldn't find one. We wound up with a 1.8L and manual transmission, but with a/c. But that's OK. It's a very good car -- we really enjoy it! Our only complaints are the pretty tepid highway acceleration (which can be scary when merging onto highway in front of trucks), and the bizarre location of roof antenna, noted in many other reviews, which makes it hard to do much with roof rack.
I LOVE my Vibe
The Vibe, by far, is the roomiest and best-riding car in its class and it is very fun to drive. Having previously driven a Suburban, surprisingly, I do NOT feel like my bottom is dragging on the ground. This car was purchased primarily for driving around town with kids in tow. There is plenty of room in the back for them being in car seats. My dog even enjoys riding in the "trunk"! For those of you who think the Vibe is comparable to the Dodge Caliber, you're thinking WRONG! I drove the Caliber and the Vibe in the same day and there is NO comparison. The fuel economy is also great. I just filled up my tank in the Vibe and calculated 26 mpg city driving in 3rd gear! (see improvements)
Review by RMH
This the third Vibe we've owned and each one has had exceptional gas mileage. The last Vibe got 30.1 miles per gallon for 29000 miles. This 2009 is averaging over 30 miles per gallon too. Repairs have only required service oil,filter,tire rotation and alignment on the 2006 model. The 2009 has only 3000 miles and has had no repairs as of yet. On the 2009 model I miss the carpeting on the deck in back the shade covering that area along with the intermittent window washer. Other wise the 33.2 miles per gallon on a recent trip is great. I hate to see the Pontiac line disappear. Maybe they will give the vehicle to Chevrolet for a boost in their division car mileage requirements.
Totally sweet, I love it.
I only have one complaint with this car, the dead pedal in the car (the foot pad on the left for your left foot). I find it makes my knee sore after driving a couple hours. I have to constantly adjust my left leg. Maybe it is the angle the dead pedal puts your foot and leg in. Not sure but I do know it gives my left knee discomfort. I am working on creating a solution. Other that that the seating is very comfortable and room is very good. I feel safe in this car and that is a key feature for all buyers out their. Safety first, if you feel safe it must be good.
Sporty wagon
I have enjoyed driving it comfortable highway cruiser.We took it on a long trip to Virginia and got 31mpg on average.I was really impressed with the mileage I had a 2003 vibe 1.8 auto. that only got 28.5 on the exact same trip. It handled the mountains with ease the 03 vibe struggled in the mountains. I didn't get as tired in this car on this trip versus all others I have owned. I have had 80 vehicles since 1979. Traded a 07 Pontiac solstice GXP in on this car no regrets. Glad I made the purchase.
Love to drive this car
This is our second Vibe, an '04 and an "08 but this one has the big engine and flies. It handles like a sports car, beats college students from light to light, has a great sounding stereo (love the XM stations), is so roomy I can load my entire art display in it and just bungee the hatch door down to travel, is comfortable on long drives (which I love now that this car in under me), it looks beautiful with the black pearl paint, sunroof and spoiler and the wheels get admiring looks now that I took out the center plastic hubs for a sportier look.
We love this car
We purchased this car after waiting three months for a Chevy Equinox and we couldn't be happier. We switched from a Saab all wheel drive SUV to a smaller better gas mileage car. The car is very zippy and handles great. Although its size isn't that of an SUV, it does have plenty of room even with a baby. After a full week with this car, we love it. Every Vibe owner we talk to loves their car after 3 or 4 years. This is unusual for any car. We are happy and if you are looking for a decent size car with alot of options for a great price, take a look at a Vibe if you can find one. We couldn't locate many within a 50 mile radius in S. Florida.
Best Bang for Your Bucks
This is our 2nd Vibe, the first being an 05, which was a great vehicle. This one easily surpasses that. Very smooth and quiet, by comparison with good power. Fuel mileage has been outstanding. With the rebates and credit card points available it was a deal we couldn't pass up, even though we weren't in the market for a new car. However, my wife has already informed me that she will be getting a speeding ticket as this Vibe is much quicker and smoother than her old one. We're extremely pleased, again. Can't believe GM won't be offering this vehicle any more. Major mistake! Please reconsider, GM.
My Second Vibe/part two
I must admit that I too was driving my Vibe for the first week in third gear not realizing that 3rd gear is left and 4th(overdrive) is right at the same position on the automatic shifter. That erases my earlier comment on the need for a "4(forward)speed transmission" as the 1.8L Vibe has one. ...not sure I understand the comment about the noisy ride as mine drives quietly---certainly less noise than in the '03 version. Looking forward to 200K miles in this vehicle!
Paying the price of owning a "hybrid"
2009 Pontiac Vibe (1.8L 4 cyl 4A ). Practical/versatile and economical. I have generally liked this little hatchback/wagon. Durable and reliable Toyota power train.This model has the same power train as the Toyota Corolla and Scion xD (made by Toyota) Power is so-so but fuel economy is good at 30mpg combined consistently.Merging onto freeway traffic made me long for the Camry engine (2.4 L 4 cyl ) available on the Vibe GT model only..Provided you have good tires this Vibe goes through snow well and the extra weight -and cost was not worth it for me. I preferred the shape of the Vibe over the "cousin" model Toyota Matrix particularly for the 2009 model year..Nuisance issues were few.The shift indicator light went out at 110K.The radio control knobs became wonky shortly thereafter. More importantly the PCM (power train control module ) failed at 175 K :-( Because it is a General Motors part of this "hybrid" it took a while to order and receive :-( The Vibe is a second vehicle in my household and it's availability was sorely missed. Cargo/people flexiibility is a plus especially because split rear seats fold leaving a handy FLAT cargo area that is generous in size.Four passengers fit comfortably and five in a pinch.The vehicle is ON-STAR and SIRIUS satellite radio capable if you want to pay for those subscriptions. The "styled steel wheels" showed signs of surface wear and required repainting -a universal issue with any vehicle that has them. The upside is the lack of alloy wheels contributed to the great gas mileage.And replacing the original Pontiac wheel covers with aftermarket ones is an inexpensive undertaking.No issues with the power windows/locks/cruise or dealer installed security system. Air conditioning and heat/defrost / rear window defroster worked well.All climate control knobs worked well. Overall-i would recommend this car if you need a flexible/practical fuel-efficient vehicle with a power train that has Toyota's history of reliability. There are several brands out there with odometer readings similar to mine (175K miles ) that would make me more anxious driving-particularly long distance. I no longer own this vehicle so I don't know how it fared after 175K miles but I'd guess Toyota's 1.8 L 4 cylinder is probably purring right along. It has the 4 speed AUTOMATIC transmission.
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A zippy ride
I used edmunds.com to review wagons and chose the Vibe over its fraternal twin, the Matrix, and the Mazda3 because I liked its design and the price better. Love the ride! It is easy to get in and out of, sits high, and it really hugs the road. It has a zippy start and wants to go much faster than the speed limit permits, so when possible, I use the cruise control which runs very evenly (no fits and starts). So far I get 25-26 mpg in city driving. Stereo is great and the sunroof is nice for California. Storage capacity is excellent, and the rubberized surface makes cleanup easy. Price was $300 over invoice.
Best yet
We drove mini-vans for years& didn't need 3rd.seat anymore.We looked at many small wagons & found the vibe superior for room for the price.Have averaged 33.4 MPG for 4200 miles- city&highway.Very quiet-no wind or road noise.Shifts smooth with plenty pep-cruises at 70 MPH with ease.Have not been back to dealer for any problems.Too bad GM is quitting one of the best cars they have had.
surprising!
I bought this car 5 months ago to replace an SUV so was not sure about sitting lower to the road. I was pleasantly surprised by this Vibe. The drivers seat raises, giving me some of the height I used to enjoy. This car is just fun to drive! Pick up is great, handles well. My 17 year old loves to drive it too. I have not had a chance to try out the AWD yet, but if my current satisfaction is any measure I know I will not be slowed by any snow!
Great car with 1.8L Auto
Bought this car for my Daughter's first car. Looked at all the competitors, and this 1.8L auto is a great balance of utility, safety, fuel efficiency and handling for the money ($1500 rebate at the time). This toyota based car has reliability and same solid drive train I enjoyed with the Toyota Corolla that traded in.
Totally LOADED! GT
Runs amazingly! Has ALL the options, handles like a dream. I think the Matrix was more expensive, and this one had everything. I'll take the 'hit' on lower resale value, IFF I sell it. This one is a keeper.
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Major engine coil issues at 140k miles,
I purchased an 8 year old 2009 Vibe GT with 78k miles. Overall it's a very nice economy hatchback. It has a total of 8 cup holders (half designed for water bottles), seats fold flat including front passenger. In terms of seating position, fuel economy, ride stiffness it's somewhere between a standard hatchback and mid sized SUV. Main complaint are interior rattles and overall cabin noise at highway driving speeds. I've gotten 25 to 31 on every fuel up. GT trim has the larger 2.4L Camry engine and gives this car very good zip, if it does give up some mpgs. UPDATE in early 2021 at 140k miles car experienced significant cylinder misfires due to bad coils. Was going to be at least a $1,500 repair so I got rid of the car. Seems to be a fairly common problem. It started as a hard / rough idle.
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an offer I couldn't refuse
We have an automatic 1.8L. Good basic transportation and safety features. An upgrade to ABS and traction control for us. Engine is peppy. Lots of things could be better: paint chips easily. Spoiler chips paint on hatch (check out those you see in parking lots). Big blind spot! Wind noise from somewhere. Tire pressure warning is incorrect. Interior could be roomier without making the car bigger. Design was superior in 2008. Still, we expect it will last a long time for us.
'09 Vibe GT
A Pontiac on a Toyota platform! Best of both worlds - the GT pkg has handling and power enhancements like sport suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, 2.4 liter Toyota engine, GT trimmed seats and sunroof, 17" mag wheels, etc. And with only 113,000 miles, should have another 100K in it. Perfect first car for my grandson.
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Good Vibe(s)!
Comfortable, dependable, easy to handle, everything within reach which is very important for me. I downsized to a new 2008 Vibe due to mobility issues for my beagle and myself. It has met every expectation and beyond. People have actually asked me to "take my (their) name and call should I ever decide to sell it!" 12 yrs old, personal use only, not quite 22,000miles; maybe next week...
Impressed!
I traded my Impala for the Vibe and it has been a good choice. The Vibe is compact, but can still fit everything that I need to haul. I like the fuel mileage, I'm getting a little over 30 mpg with 500 miles on the Vibe. I really like the exterior of the 09 Vibe compared to previous models. I am very pleased.
Best Hatch on the Market
This is an amazing little car, its 2.4 L. engine is snappy enough to get to 60 in about 10 sec (shifting manually), plenty of room for 2 adults and 2 kids in car seats, cargo area is amazing, seats are very comfortable(and I'm 6'8") Seating position is very good,Gauges are bright, clear and well laid out, stereo is very good for stock. While shopping for this car, I tried a Nissan Versa, Hyundai Accent, Suzuki SX4, and a Dodge Caliber R/T, in the end it came down to this and the Caliber. Unfortunately GM doesn't have their act together, because this was by far the best economy car in their line up, fortunately its made by Toyota (Matrix Clone) so you get Toyota quality with Pontiac style.
Nice Car
I bought this car to replace my 1999 SC1 Saturn. I was looking at the Toyota Matrix but the Vibe is the same car and I got a better deal. The ride is real smooth and is very easy to park in tight places. The only real gripe is you can not turn off the headlights, even in park. Most cars come with a off switch for the automatic lights but this car does not have the capability.
Nice trade-off
Powerful compact car with Toyota heritage. I drive it (mostly commute) daily for the last 7 years. Power is nice. On a flip side, computer keeps failing and my dashboard looks like a Christmas tree with lights on. Every time they reset the computer I have to pay labor. I see no Pontiac or Toyota in my future. Subaru?
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Happy
My 1st American-made car purchase in 30 years. That, plus GM's pending doom made me hesitant about purchasing an '09 Vibe but glad we did. Traded the AWD of a Forester for the mpg of a Vibe. Very happy after the first month. The 1.8l with std transmission is a little slow off the line but has plenty of windup once you pass 3000 rpm. Nice quite ride. 35+ mpg highway. 28 mpg in town. Yakima canoe rack fits the roof fine.
1.8L Auto (STYLE CHOICE NOT AVAIL ABOVE)
Drives much better than the Cobalt I traded in for it. Some have mentioned blind spot but I think it's much easier to see out of than the Cobalt.
Good Soild Car
I drove a '10 Vibe, 1.8L, automatic transmission rental for a week, and put 1100 miles on it, almost all highway miles. My wife and I both own '09 Honda Fits (me-Sport, her-Base). Compared with the Fit, the Vibe has a smoother, softer ride, and the powertrain is also very smooth. It shifts very smoothly and the engine has decent enough power considering it's only a 1.8L. Even downshifting to 3rd gear at 70 MPH climbing hills, the engine doesn't sound like it's going to rev itself to death. Overall, a very competent car. But, compared with the Fit, pretty boring, not at all "sporty". Also, the windows are small, and the high door sills make you feel like you're sitting down in a hole.
Always loved this car!
All I can say is that anything would have suited me fine after having driven a Daewoo Lanos! But, I always admired the Pontiac Vibe for its adorable design since the first time I ever saw it. These new defined designs of the car is just stunning! I've got the GT, and I love how this car looks! As an art major, it has been just spectacular having so much cargo space to haul my sculptures and oversized paintings. Very reliable car, not to mention it is crazy fun to drive. One thing I thought was great about the car was the magnificent interior design, but this is coming from someone who used to have cup holders directly under the radio, so I guess there's room for improvement on that note.
09 Go
I have had this car for over a year now and have enjoy great performance at 25 MPG. Looks small but is large inside. love the self shift feature and the Monsson sound system is great. Stock tires are great in snow and rain. I have had no problems thus far- this car is basically a Toyota Matrix as it is built in same assembly plant.
2009 Vibe
I have had my vibe 2 months now, I do like it a lot it does handle well and the user friendly interior is great, like the curse control, it is easy to get in and out of. I like setting up a little higher that most cars. I love the color of mine it is Carbon gray, I do get a lot of complements on how it looks. The gas mileage is also good. Very disappointed when the On Star pkg doesn't include the Monthly auto ck on the vibe.
1 month - 7500 miles later
Took my Vibe (a rebadged Toyota Matrix) in its first month of ownership on a road trip across the country after taking advantage of the Clunkers program. No major issues or squeaks and rattles have arisen yet. Have only changed the oil/filter and added fuel injector cleaner so far. Was getting a fairly consistent 30 mpg of mostly highway driving with a fully loaded car, bike hitch rack, and a codriver who doesn't know how to smoothly modulate a gas pedal. Vibe has decent midrange punch with the 2.4 to pass and get up the hills. Glad I opted for the bigger engine Overall pretty happy with my purchase as the car has been both reliable and practical. For the money this car is hard to beat
Pretty good for the money
The car has been very reliable, but has an intermittent knocking when started sometimes. Can be hot or cold and the dealer has no clue.
Nice ride
Overall build quality is great. After 10000 hwy miles averaging 31 MPG (2.4L, 5 Auto). Ride is comfortable and quiet. Performance and handling are good. Very quick and responsive.
Great Car!
I bought my vibe in January and it does a great job in the snow of Michigan. It is fun to drive, and has tons of space. It is also extremely comfortable and great for long drives.
Look at me I'm saving
Just traded '07 Tahoe, thought the ride would be degraded but was happy to find this "sub compact" not small at all. Roomy and so much fun to drive, can't believe a 4cyl could have so much pep! All my SUV neighbors can laugh but I'm laughing all the way to the bank. Excellent vehicle of choice with the changes taking place in our economy.