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2005 Pontiac Vibe consumer reviews

$17,130–$20,455 MSRP range
side view of 2005 Vibe Pontiac
(53 reviews)
98% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.4
  • Interior 4.5
  • Performance 4.5
  • Value 4.9
  • Exterior 4.5
  • Reliability 4.8
Explore the 2005 Pontiac Vibe

Good news, bad news

(GT) Good news is great value for the money. Basically a Corolla wagon with modded engine at a discount because the brandname has been disappeared. Bad news is that the GM emission parts are hard to find and expensive. Either non-compatible parts too. And the one-size-fits-all emission controls do NOT give the same power band as the 2003.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Toyota reliability at a Pontiac price!

This is a Toyota Matrix in a GM body. Came from a rare joint partnership. Family car for for almost 15-years. Almost 200k miles in Minnesota winters and it's never had needs beyond typical maintenance - tires, brakes, etc. Great car. Would recommend to anyone!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
18 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Very, Very Dependable car.

The only maintenance I have done is at 125,000 you change the serpertine belt and spark plugs. Did my self for $39. Parts from Auto Zone. I change the oil every 10,000 miles with synthetic oil. I see 2005 Vibes with over 300,000 miles with no problems. Take care of this car and it will last a long time. At 15 years my white car still looks like new. No dents. Put seat covers on seats when car was brand new. I highly recommend this dependable car.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
14 people out of 14 found this review helpful. Did you?
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in 2019, I bought a vibe with just under 300 kms

A year later (nearly), the odometer sits at about 313,000 kms. I've had a no-start issue in that year, which was caused by a grounded wire that wasn't supposed to be. It was a bit of a tough find for the tech to pin-point but easy enough to fix. The Vibe has the exact same power plant as a corolla. So, essentially it's a Toyota, rebadged. (you'll notice the Toyota style steering wheel.) The 1.8l is a far cry from any 5L, let's say, but for what it is it does just fine! Wish I had the AWD and manual trans, but i'll settle. It'll definitely take a thrashing. Just keep your oil level topped, preventative maintenance up to parr and you should be able to get beyond 350 kms with the Toyota 1.8L. Canadian winters demand studded winter tires, and with such, you'll have trouble getting stuck!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Most reliable car I've ever OWNED!

It met all of my needs and expectations I'm in love with this car! So far this old girl is the most reliable vehicle I've ever bought.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Now on my 2nd Vibe!

I had a 2004 Vibe almost 10 years and only ever had to perform minimal maintenance on it. After a wreck last year, I decided to replace it with another Vibe, as the first one had proven so reliable. I now have a Vibe with the half the miles of my previous car and it's been great so far. Good for city driving or cross-country treks. Versatile functionality also makes it great for moving.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Car is bullet proof

This car is very well put together. I have put about 200,000 miles on this car in the last 5 years and have almost no issues with anything on the car. As it sits now over 300,000 miles i wouldn't hesitate to jump in it and drive it across country.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Best car I ever owned

I loved it. Met all my needs. Very reliable. Wish they still made them, I would definitely buy another. Mine has over 130,000 miles and no major repairs. Just normal maintenance

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Love this car!!

I had an 03 Vibe and lived it, when my husband thought I should ?upgrade?, I told him I wanted another one. We searched and searched, but they all had way more miles than mine did. Finally this 05 showed up for sale and I bought it as soon as I looked at it!! I get between 30-38 miles to the gallon and in this day and age, you can?t beat it!! Roomy, comfortable, I just love it!!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Still going after 13 years.

Wife bought new in 2005. Great car, good gas mileage, very dependable. Have about 100,000 miles on it. Probably get another 100,000 out of it. You wouldn't believe how much stuff we've hauled around in this car. We love it.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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