A new, balanced view of the Vibe

Author's Rating:

Pros: Great space, excellent gas mileage, rack capability.

Cons: Ride, visibility--but not enough to worry about.

The Bottom Line: 
Every vehicle is a compromise. This vehicle is my ultimate compromise. I wish I could buy two and store one for when the first wears out. Buy it!

Author's Review
If you're on this page, you're already at a place where the dimensions, color options, specifications, and features of this car are well described. I have set out to give you a summary of this car which is now 1) Three years old; 2) Purchased used; 3) A stick, which is a minority in this vehicle and the current vehicle world in general.

First, I researched this car for a period of six months before deciding to purchase. My specifications were a car with good gas mileage (it would be used primarily for a working commute), adequate cargo space (as an avid sportsman without a truck, absolutely necessary), and provisions to hold a kayak on top (for the kayak, of course). The Vibe is the best used car out there for this purpose for the money. Here's why:

With the stick--one of only two for sale in my area at the time--the Vibe gets a low of 32 and a high of 42 mpg, winter and summer. I am a little lazy on maintenance, so I changed the oil around 6,000 miles and checked air in the tire every 2-3 months. So, even with my lazy maintenance procedures, the Vibe was able to get excellent gas mileage in multi-season (mid-Michigan) temperatures. I tend to drive slightly slower than average (65-67 in a 70 zone), so a faster driver may not get these figures. However, I, like many drivers, tend to exceed the limits in more suburban areas, so I can't really call myself a slowpoke--I just refuse to abuse the car simply because everyone else wants to go "as fast as without ticket."

Second: The Vibe has GREAT cargo space and setup for its size. I can put my mountain bike inside with ease without removing a wheel. I can input all my fishing, hunting, or hiking gear inside with only one (the larger) of the seats folded down, leaving space for a third passenger. I can fit a huge box the size of a washing machine inside. Most cars and small wagons will not allow that last big box. The only space complaint I have is that the Vibe will not hold a 4-foot wide piece of plywood inside (even diagonally), so any large wood transported would have to be either strapped to the rack (and reinforced and carefully tied down) and driven slowly, or I might have to rent a trailer for a day. When it comes to that--and it will--I will be strapping it to the rack with a couple of 2 x 4's and driving slowly. I can also fold down the narrower seat and fit in longer items, like fishing rods, and still have space for two passengers, as long as they aren't larger people, for four in the car. The space and cargo options in the Vibe are terrific.

Those hold downs and nooks and rings? I really haven't used all of them yet. The nooks hold some extra rope and bungy cords, and I have used the rings extensively for groceries and other cargo that I don't want sliding around. Hook them off on a bungy cord, and they are practically suspended in air. I do recommend a tarp or a piece of carpet or canvas for the plastic floor of the cargo area. It scratches very easily. Plus, the tarp/carpet/canvas will keep your cargo area cleaner and drier. I absolutely stunned my father and brother when I fit hunting gear for three people in the back with plenty of room to spare. They couldn't believe it would all fit, and thought we would have to take my father's (uncomfortable, un-fuel-efficient) truck--but we didn't. Another victory for the Vibe.

Third--I have the stick. Most reviews have centered around the competent automatic. I like a stick for the driving control, and for extra fuel efficiency. In unpopulated areas, I can just put in the clutch on a hill and coast with the engine at 800-1000 rpm, for example. The stick in the Vibe has a "notchy" feeling to it. When you hit the space between one gear and the next, there is an audible and tactile "click" that can't be bypassed or avoided. I prefer a smoother transmission, but it is definitely something you can get used to--I rarely notice it any more. As for power, well, a stick allows you to control when the car shifts, which aids in acceleration if/when necessary. THE VIBE IS NOT A RACECAR, IT IS A 4-CYLINDER ECONOMY CAR!! Why people insist on calling it underpowered is beyond me. If I'm at 40 and want to pass someone, I can put the car from 4th into 3rd gear and pass with EASE. If I'm trailing a "real" slowpoke at 60 and want to pass, I don't jam my foot on the gas--I drop the car into 4th gear, raise the rpm's, and go around like I'm being slingshotted. The car really has good acceleration ability, but I am not sure the automatic has the same capability. I test drove FIVE automatics, and yes, finding the Vibe's "lift" feature was a lot of fun, but knowing you can do this with the stick shift at my leisure is comforting.

Okay, reality check--I love the Vibe and got it because of the features I had researched. I knew what I was getting, and I knew about its faults. What do I not like?

The ride could be smoother. I have driven a number of small cars in my driving career: An '80 Datsun/Nissan, an 81 Honda Civic, an 89 Honda Accord (two of them), an 85 Toyota Tercel (girlfriends), an 89 Honda Civic (wife's), an '89 Nissan Sentra and a 99 Honda Civic. I would say the Vibe is about mid-range for ride quality. It is not as harsh or noisy as the worst, but it is not as gentle and soft as the best. Hopefully, this means the suspension is tougher to last longer--and I would prefer "tougher" to "softer"--but time will tell. So far, no problems at all.

The cornering ability, affected by visibility, could be better. For a small car, the Vibe seems to turn pretty wide (I believe the spec is 39 feet, and it feels like it). Also, because the sidewalls on the Vibe are higher than other small cars, it is more difficult to see the ground, curb, and other obstructions, so you do not have visual confidence of what you might be close to hitting. While I was fully aware of the rear-bumper blind spot before buying the Vibe, and I do know about correct mirror settings, I have had the disturbing experience of almost side-swiping a vehicle in my right-rear blindspot. While the vehicle there was speeding and probably driving recklessly, I have never (knock on wood) had an accident in 20 years of driving, and this experience made me very careful about shifting lanes from left-to-right. Always set your mirrors for your blind spots, not directly behind you, and double check with a visual scan before shifting lanes. To expand on this, I could turn inside a dime with my old Sentra, and at least in the 89 Accord I could see (at worm level, believe me) everything I was approaching. The Vibe turns wider and does not offer as good visibility.

Okay, you have my big loves and hates, what about all the minor stuff people comment on? Here is the "nutshell" review of everything else that no one told you:

Seats: Soft, comfortable, don't heat up in the summer, but easy to stain. Might want seat covers if you're messy.

Those display lights: Learn to use your display settings, silly! Four inches from your left hand is an adjusting wheel, just turn it up when it's sunny! Cheez!

Back hatch: Even Consumer Reports screwed this up. You can open the large hatch by turning the key left; you open the hatch GLASS by turning it right or hitting the button on the dash.

Rack: Yes, Virginia, the radio antenna screws off so my kayak and other large cargo fit on top. It is rated for 75 pounds. The rack convinced me to buy Vibe over Matrix. Plus, the Vibe sells more cheaply used.

Stereo: While I did not want the moon 'n' toons package, I got it (remember, there were only two sticks in town). The upgraded CD player gives okay sound. Being a bit of a music snob, I would like my own equalizer control (it has 5 or 6 presettings), and my CD clicks when I brake hard.

Moon: Speaking of the sunroof, mine works flawlessly. No runs, no drips, no leaks. I try not to use it much so it doesn't get worn out and make me a liar. Tip--a sunroof in cold winter allows the interior of the car to heat up faster on a sunny day. Use solar energy!

Tires: Mine had already had two replaced upon purchase. Ride and handling have been average, even with the replacements on the front (drive) wheels. I found myself spinning them at first, until I found whoever replaced them had them around 40 psi (!!), and stopped this when I reduced them to the recommended 30 psi.

Winter handling: Average--not perfect, not bad, just average. I like the Vibe better than the Accord and Sentra I drove for 15 years, but not as much as my wife's RAV4 (admittedly in a different weight/vehicle class), which is the most rock-solid vehicle in the snow I've ever tried. It has the hatchback's tendency to swing the rear end around, which I am used to from driving the 80 Civic and 85 Tercel.

Wind noise: Mine has none. Consumers reported on "wind noise from the rack" or something. Are they crazy, or did they get a bad car? The only wind noise I get is from one corner of the passenger rear window, which has a slightly loose rubber edging.

Engine noise: Yes, the Vibe has engine noise. I attribute this more to less sound proofing than the engine (and engine quality) itself. If you soundproof any car better, the engine noise goes away (including engine dampening, panels, insulation, etc, etc). But yes, you can hear the engine on the Vibe, and I don't mind it. You can barely hear a Vibe passing by--try it. I prefer to hear the engine driving a stick, because it and the tachometer give me the best queues to shift. It doesn't detract from my experience with the car.

Cubbies: Tons of useful little nooks, more than I usually need. Two cup holders, my wife and I use both. One cell-phone nook--never; I use it to hold my sunglasses case. The center console cubby is superlative; it's top deck holds napkins, extra sunglasses and sugar (for coffee, of course), and the lower section holds CD's and other car junk. Two door map pockets, the center small console cubby (which everyone complains pops open? mine is hard to open...) holds loose change; the left hand compartment holds more spare change; and add in the traditional flotsam in the glove compartment. I haven't even started in on the rear, or the extra cup holder--which has NOT broken, even though I use it at least once per month, and usually at awkward, clumsy angles that would break it if it actually were "flimsy and cheap."

Headroom: Unmatched in small car history. More cars have this now (I know of the Echo, Tercal, and perhaps Ford Focus and others), but I've fit people 6'3" inside who say the Vibe has more headroom than their sedan or truck cab. I'm 5'8", and I can bounce up and down and still not touch my head on the roof.

Minor stuff I've noticed:
--The plastic footpad by the clutch is a relief for someone who's been driving 80's era cars for 15 years.
--The oil filter and oil pan are MUCH easier to reach than other cars I've owned and serviced.
--If you don't close the hatch firmly, the hatch light will fade on and off when you go over bumps. Close it securely. It's not a design flaw, it's a lazy-owner flaw.
--Yes, the paint chips. Get a tube of touch-up paint, for Pete's sake.
--The lights and bright settings are great. Not crazy about the auto light and driving light features, but I can live with them.
--I have had zero problems with long starting or failure to start, even with the stock 330 battery.
--If I've missed anything...well, do your research, test-drive and check out a Vibe for yourself. It's a good car.