Local dealership has a 2010 Pontiac Vibe. Listed at $6495 (in the ballpark according to kbb) with 146k. I have not had the opportunity to test drive or inspect yet. Noticed it when I went by while working. It has the 1.8L 4 cylinder engine. Are there any known issues to look put for with these. Some internet searching suggested excessive oil consumption but only on the vibe pages. Didn't find anything like that on the Toyota side and could come from poor maintenance. Do you have any incite on that or other specifics to look our for? Also, if it shifts ok now with those miles would you touch the transmission for service or just hope for the best.
Thanks, love your videos,
Dan
The oil-consumption problem applies to the 2.4 liter engines, not the 1.8. There aren't any major problem areas (see link). I have an 09 Matrix, and the only thing I've had to do is replace tires, brake pads and an alternator and batteries. Of course, anything you want to buy you need to have inspected - Vibes/Matrixes can be abused, neglected and wrecked like any other car.
https://repairpal.com/2010-pontiac-vibe/problems
Oh yeah - about the trans fluid. I changed mine at 120K, and it has shifted smoother for 20k since. If you want to be REALLY careful, drain the old fluid and mix it half and half with new fluid when you refill the trans - Scotty recommended this is one of his videos to a cautious owner.
I have a 2009 Matrix and have had minimal problems, just brakes, tires, alternator, and battery as said above. However, mine has 155K and I have neglected the transmission fluid drain and fill. Too late for me at this point, will hope for the best, but it shifts like a dream for now! If I could go back in time I wouldn't have neglected this, I didn't find Scotty until last year and at one point I was thinking about doing the transmission service and the dipstick handle says 'lifetime fluid, don't change' so I didn't. That was around 100K or so.