Bought another beater (Pontiac vibe)

[barkingspider]

I just sold my beater 2006 matrix a week ago w 232k miles on it, and I stumbled on this, 05 Vibe w only 153k miles. Paint has normal wear but clear coat still exist, the interior is in good shape except it needs a real good cleaning because there’s evidence the previous owner had a dog and kids. Tires are from 2020 w plenty tread life, new starter and new battery. The window tint is bubbled so it has to be replaced. It has the factory monsoon sound system / subwoofer and still sounds good. Got it for $3997.85 (actually $4000 but I found $2.15 in loose change when detailing the interior).
Now that the interior is clean and smells like febreeze, I’m starting on the VC gasket, trans filter replace, PCV replace, tensioner o-ring, power steering fluid and coolant replace. Checked the spark plugs and they are denso iridium that look fine so will keep them in there. Air filter looks like a new Supertech will also keep it in, but will replace the cabin filter.
Here we go again haha

 

[barkingspider]

I assume the previous owner used quick lube places for oil changes based on the sticker on the windshield. Here are the pics under the valve cover.

 

[barkingspider]

Trans filter and fluid

 

[barkingspider]

Out: whatever valvoline quick lube place uses for oil, valvoline oil filter
In:

 

[joekingcorvette]

Nice find! I know a guy that owns a salvage yard and the employees would keep the change and put it in a bucket or something. He gave the money to our Corvette club one year and I can't remember the amount but is was over $1000.00. You obtained a good deal on the Corolla clone. Those things run forever and it looks like it went to a good home. I had a Corolla that went 232,000 or so and I sold it.

 

[GR_CoB]

I assume the previous owner used quick lube places for oil changes based on the sticker on the windshield. Here are the pics under the valve cover.View attachment 270976View attachment 270977View attachment 270978View attachment 270979View attachment 270980

That looks a lot better than my 2008 Pontiac Vibe AWD did with ~95k on the odometer...

 

[GR_CoB]

View attachment 270965

I just sold my beater 2006 matrix a week ago w 232k miles on it, and I stumbled on this, 05 Vibe w only 153k miles. Paint has normal wear but clear coat still exist, the interior is in good shape except it needs a real good cleaning because there’s evidence the previous owner had a dog and kids. Tires are from 2020 w plenty tread life, new starter and new battery. The window tint is bubbled so it has to be replaced. It has the factory monsoon sound system / subwoofer and still sounds good. Got it for $3997.85 (actually $4000 but I found $2.15 in loose change when detailing the interior).
Now that the interior is clean and smells like febreeze, I’m starting on the VC gasket, trans filter replace, PCV replace, tensioner o-ring, power steering fluid and coolant replace. Checked the spark plugs and they are denso iridium that look fine so will keep them in there. Air filter looks like a new Supertech will also keep it in, but will replace the cabin filter.
Here we go again haha

Awesome car. I love these Vibes. Had a 2003 & 2008, first and last year of that generation.

 

[Oliveoil2]

That is a good find!! Change ALL the fluids and drive on.

 

[fantastic]

Honda engine?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Looks good

One thing you need to be aware of is the coolant! Although GM says to use Deathcool on them, the Vibe actually came from the factory with Toyota coolant. So use Zerex Asian Red/Pink, Pentofrost A4, Recochem OEM Pink, or Peak OET Red/Pink.

Honda engine?

Toyota. It's a rebadged Matrix. The OP's Vibe has the 1ZZ-FE, same as the Corolla.

 

[barkingspider]

Looks good

One thing you need to be aware of is the coolant! Although GM says to use Deathcool on them, the Vibe actually came from the factory with Toyota coolant. So use Zerex Asian Red/Pink, Pentofrost A4, Recochem OEM Pink, or Peak OET Red/Pink.




Toyota. It's a rebadged Matrix. The OP's Vibe has the 1ZZ-FE, same as the Corolla.

When I replaced the radiator in my 06 Matrix, I used prestone AMAM 10 year coolant and it worked good. I used in other older Toyotas that I’ve owned with zero issues. I will use it in this vibe.

 

[researcher]

Honda engine?

I think you mean Toyota? vibe/matrix vehicles were built at NUMMI in california. Joint venture GM/Toyota

 

[Exhaustgases]

And no messed up roller cams or followers. Yes

 

[The Critic]

Looking forward to the updates. This reminds me of my sister's Corolla:

Post in thread 'Bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla'

Jan 8, 2022

I have been making progress on the Corolla’s reconditioning.

After smog, the first stop was a new battery. Yes, I swapped it in the Costco parking lot to avoid having to make a second trip for the core return:

Then it was time for new tires at America’s Tire:

Next I pulled the injectors and had them serviced. Supposedly they were a “3 or 4” in terms of dirtiness and I should see a 8% improvement in flow.

I am currently in the process of resealing the timing cover. I forgot how easy these cars are to work on compared to the newer 4-cyls. It is...

• The Critic

• 

@JeffKeryk gets to enjoy it now; I'm jealous.

 

[fantastic]

I think you mean Toyota? vibe/matrix vehicles were built at NUMMI in california. Joint venture GM/Toyota

Toyota. It's a rebadged Matrix. The OP's Vibe has the 1ZZ-FE, same as the Corolla.

That sounds right, Thanks

 

[CharBaby]

Nice find! Looks like a nice everyday driver to me.

 

[iahawk]

nice find! I just picked up an '06 in January with 214K. Replaced all fluids, gaskets and o rings...man, those things like their o rings! Your under valve cover looks a lot better than mine.

 

[RobbS]

Like you, If I were in your position with the new car, time to flush out/drain fill ALL the fluids. Fresh start. Good luck, great car.

 

[Elkins45]

I had an 03 Martix and it was a great car. If I could fine a decent AWD version of either the Vibe or Matrix I would snap it up.

 

[odie]

Awesome car. I love these Vibes. Had a 2003 & 2008, first and last year of that generation.

Had a 2003 TOYOTA Matrix base F.W.D. with the 1.8 Ltr. (E.F.I.) and the 4 speed auto . Liked the lift up window for the hatch .