2008 Pontiac Vibe Consumer Reviews

My First non-Honda Car!

Written by: trashfish on 08/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Paid $17,400 out the door..auto & power locks, keyless, etc. no sunroof. I needed a car that could haul a lot if needed AND pull a small boat. This car has so far been great! Had a U-Haul hitch put on and it pulled my boat with ease. I threw a beach cruiser bike in the back with no trouble, plenty of room, didn't even put the front seat down! Had an antenna ipod adapter installed so I can play my iPOD...yay! ONLY thing I am not thrilled about is that I did not get white! This color (a blue-green) shows every speck of dust! And the Black-Charcoal interior is just dumb...draws heat and shows every hair, dirt , etc. I got cream seat covers and has made a difference.

Favorite Features

"Zippiness", roominess, outlet for my laptop, and MPG. Getting 30-31 hwy & city with A/C on and Automatic. My Savannah Dealer gives a loaner car anytime you use their service dept. I like that!

Suggested Improvements

Lighter interior and softer fabric. Better armrest...it's way too short!My elbow can't find it! Be nice to have audio on the steering wheel and bluetooth-sync as standard for cellphones.(Ford Focus has it!)

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

First Time Owner

Written by: Jerry - Bloomington on 07/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The visibility, fuel economy and cargo space for us is outstanding. GM is missing the boat by not promoting it more on TV. The joint venture between Toyota and GM is evident regarding the motor and drivetrain quality. Our experience in wind, rain and snow has been good. Vehicle has good heater and air conditioning. Can't afford a convertible so the sunroof gives us our fresh air fix. We have driven it on 500 mile trips and at 2600 rpm it is just whispering down the road. Sitting comfort for 2-3 hours at a time was excellent. The car is only half of our joy. The other half is the dealer who takes care of it for us. Most of our driving is in the city but I would recommend it to anyone.

Favorite Features

visibility is great because of elevated seating. Fuel efficiency compliments our driving needs. We get 26-28 mpg in city and 35-37 on highway. We do follow all speed limits but do drive 67 on highway. AC does not pull car down. Cargo space is great for walker and other needs to transport. Love it.

Suggested Improvements

Undercoat car and add to price. Dealer charges $ 240 to do so.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great car!

Written by: Cheesy Chic on 07/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I commute several miles each way and this is the perfect car for me! It's very roomy and comfortable! Not to mention not that bad with gasoline. The interior is what amazes me each time I get into it! I had been driving a smaller model car and this is like driving in a dream after hitting all of the bumps in the car!

Favorite Features

I love everything about this car!

Suggested Improvements

None that I can think of!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Who approved the '09 design?

Written by: Burns1210 on 06/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've had the Vibe for a month and I'm liking it so far. As mentioned in other reviews, it seriously needs a telescoping steering wheel. The despicably low center arm rest can be replaced with a Corolla arm rest for much better comfort. The roof rack- less roof rack makes no sense. The cross bars used to be standard. Have to unscrew the antenna to use it anyway. The upgrade stereo is nice, so are the alloys. I like the head rest positioning, never had a car that I could actually rest my head on the head rest while driving. Plenty of rear seat room, and cargo carpet and bungee tie-downs are a must-have. Getting 32-34 mpg using 10% ethanol.

Favorite Features

Storage compartments, ease of entry - exit.

Suggested Improvements

telescoping steering wheel, taller center arm rest (which can be purchased), horn beep recognition when the keyless is used

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Hatchback Problem

Written by: Kay on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

As you can see from our ratings, we are enjoying the comfort and gas mileage of our Vibe. However, we are experiencing one problem other Vibe owners do not seem to be having: a poor fitting hatchback. We live on a dirt road and dust accumulates inside the hatchback top, bottom and side ridges. Moisture, leaves, and twigs also are in evidence when it rains. Daylight is seen through the top of the hatchback when it is closed. This is either a poor design or a fabrication error. We intend to pursue this problem directly with General Motors as the dealership was unresponsive.

Favorite Features

The 5-speed manual is fun to drive and we are getting 39 mph on the highway and almost 30 in town. The storage area is great with the seats down. Overall, it is a great-looking car.

Suggested Improvements

Improvement of the hatchback problem would make this an excellent automobile.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Impressed but not thrilled.

Written by: TheCarGuy999 on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Nice reliable transportation that offers acceptable gas mileage at the cost of acceleration, performance & in cabin comforts. I am experiencing a few rattles in the cabin during acceleration that gets louder the harder you push the small 1.8 L. Sunroof is disappointing, 2 visits to the dealer has made the leaking almost stop. Versatility of fold down seats and cargo capacity are spectacular.

Favorite Features

Fold down seats (Rear & Passenger) MP3 CD Player/great sound system Gas Mileage

Suggested Improvements

Telescoping steering wheel Larger A/C system - slow to cool Leaky sunroof (common complaint) Higher quality finish to dash/interior components - minor complaint as it is an entry level car.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

From a Dodge Ram to a Vibe? Great car!

Written by: 99evo on 06/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We looked at cars for over a month and decided on the Vibe. It has plenty of room for me(6'-2") and my wife(5'- 10"). It has good looks, great fuel mileage, and comfort all in one affordable package. Great for weekend trips as it has plenty of room for all our things. Overall a great car.

Favorite Features

The sporty looks, dash view you get as the driver, plenty of storage area in the back, 32+ MPG.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Car, Great Rebates

Written by: Moonscape on 05/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We were looking for a family car and came across the Matrix and then realized the Vibe was less $ and had a lot of rebates. We like the Vibe styling better the the Matrix. We have the base model with no options, it's perfect for us. It is a undertaking to make sure all 5 doors are locked. Good power/gearing. A/C seems on the light side. Can't turn off head lights at night! Check the vibe forums to find out how to turn off seat belt beep for passenger seat (if you put a backpack on the passenger seat it will loudly beep at you. Blind spots are bad, buy blind spot mirrors. Nice stock tires. Lots of cool little storage areas. Love how the seats fold down. Liked 08 better than 09.

Favorite Features

Fold down seats. Very active forms online that help with issues.

Suggested Improvements

Blind Spots.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Let's be real

Written by: ecolied on 05/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I do like my Vibe. Not a lot of power and some road noise. I do get get very good mileage and the car is pleasant to drive. I average 34 mpg on the highway with an automatic.

Favorite Features

Very useful storage and comfortable to drive. I think it looks good!

Suggested Improvements

Road noise, power and a more comfortable steering wheel position, this in my opinion is the only major problem with this car.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

great car

Written by: great car on 05/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have just had this car for 3 weeks, but, I am a tall woman (5,10") and this is the most comfortable car to drive, and still be fuel efficient.

Favorite Features

I love the way it seats, that all the seats fold down (except drivers),all the cargo room,the fact that it has a Toyota powertrain,and the way it looks.

Suggested Improvements

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post