Possible salvage purchase- 2004 Pontiac Vibe

[GON]

Just returned home from out of town for the past month, and my Wife HAMMERED me about getting our daughter in law a car. DIL has never driven a car, does not yet have a driver license, and lives in an urban area. I told my Wife I would start a search again and my Wife called me out--- and said find something now. She said I never have problems finding myself an ample amount of vehicles- get to work NOW on DIL vehicle.

Going to dig deeper into this Vibe. One criteria is the vehicle must be a SUV. For a new driver in a urban area, my criteria is the vehicle must be small and rock solid dependable.

https://www.iaai.com/VehicleDetail/37524536~US

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Here's one that isn't banged up

 

[fdcg27]

Radiator, AC condenser, front bumper/grill assembly, hood, straighten front bulkheaad?
Is this an easy repair or too much trouble for what the car is?

 

[addyguy]

Could get $$$ - hood, front bumper, lights, rad support, rad….

 

[SC Maintenance]

I know you have done a lot of these, but after working part time in a body shop as a kid I would not touch a front end collision. Too much you can't see until its apart.

IMHO.

 

[cptbarkey]

If you are commited to a Vibe/Matrix, that one might be best as a parts car until you find a better one. Will take a bit to get that front end sorted. The radiator support looks to be welded in several spots, I'm not a body specialist.

 

[RhondaHonda]

$800 max after fees. Id imagine used parts aren’t plentiful for these like they are for an F-series.

 

[GON]

Radiator, AC condenser, front bumper/grill assembly, hood, straighten front bulkheaad?
Is this an easy repair or too much trouble for what the car is?

Have to pull the carfax. If the carfax is one owner, good maintenance records, and a non salt belt car, I will go take a look.

 

[GON]

If you are commited to a Vibe/Matrix, that one might be best as a parts car until you find a better one. Will take a bit to get that front end sorted. The radiator support looks to be welded in several spots, I'm not a body specialist.

I think the Vibe/ Matrix are the best match for what my DIL wants/ needs. I would prefer the Corrolla or Civic for her- but told must be a SUV.

I like the Vibe over the Matrix as the Vibe doesn't get the "Toyota Premium".

 

[GON]

I know you have done a lot of these, but after working part time in a body shop as a kid I would not touch a front end collision. Too much you can't see until its apart.

IMHO.

You are correct. Here is a Lexus I did earlier this year and was much more work than I originally hoped for. But it was a fun project.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/salvage-vehicle-purchase-2005-lexus-gx-470.364631/

 

[GON]

$800 max after fees. Id imagine used parts aren’t plentiful for these like they are for an F-series.

I am thinking it will be closer to 2k out the door from the auction house.......

 

[dishdude]

I am thinking it will be closer to 2k out the door from the auction house.......

Way too much, you'd be in it more than one that isn't wrecked would cost you.

 

[cptbarkey]

I just skim through your gx470 thread. The vibe will be a cakewalk for you!!

 

[The_Jeff]

There are plenty of Vibes and Matrices with bad transmissions, both the 5 speed stick and the 4wd automatic. Find a solid one of those and swap some parts.

A 19-year old Corolla isn't worth much.

 

[Torrid]

I've always liked the Vibe. I thought it looked better than the Matrix. Hard to tell from those pictures how deep the damage goes.

 

[GON]

Carfax came back one-owner, Oregon its entire life, and oil change history that would be accessed a A+ by every BITOGer.

 

[Nukeman7]

Based upon your recent adventures with the F350, ML350, and GX470, I know this project is well within your abilities to restore. I'd still take into consideration the following two concerns: (1) why didn't any airbag deploy in a moderate front end collision that resulted in totaling the vehicle?, and (2) the difficulty in finding salvage yard body parts for a long discontinued model from an orphaned brand that was not produced in large numbers like its Toyota Matrix twin.

 

[SatinSilver]

Based upon your recent adventures with the F350, ML350, and GX470, I know this project is well within your abilities to restore. I'd still take into consideration the following two concerns: (1) why didn't any airbag deploy in a moderate front end collision that resulted in totaling the vehicle?, and (2) the difficulty in finding salvage yard body parts for a long discontinued model from an orphaned brand that was not produced in large numbers like its Toyota Matrix twin.

Probably because the airbag light was on which disabled the airbags. Common issue on these. Had an 05 Matrix for many years. Still looked great after 16 years. Good little car and missed it after trading in.

 

[dishdude]

Based upon your recent adventures with the F350, ML350, and GX470, I know this project is well within your abilities to restore. I'd still take into consideration the following two concerns: (1) why didn't any airbag deploy in a moderate front end collision that resulted in totaling the vehicle?, and (2) the difficulty in finding salvage yard body parts for a long discontinued model from an orphaned brand that was not produced in large numbers like its Toyota Matrix twin.

That's a pretty light hit, IMO not enough to trigger the airbags. If it had hit the bumper there probably wouldn't have been any damage.

 

[fdcg27]

Based upon your recent adventures with the F350, ML350, and GX470, I know this project is well within your abilities to restore. I'd still take into consideration the following two concerns: (1) why didn't any airbag deploy in a moderate front end collision that resulted in totaling the vehicle?, and (2) the difficulty in finding salvage yard body parts for a long discontinued model from an orphaned brand that was not produced in large numbers like its Toyota Matrix twin.

From the damage this looks like a very low speed hit, probably not enough Gs involved to trigger the airbag.