Thanks for all the kind words...after the day I've had at the bank here, I can't wait to get the HELL out of here. I will address the other stuff later this evening, but I did want to mention things regarding the Vibe...

It is not because of the Caliber I hate the Vibe. I have hated the Vibe since the first one I drove in 2002 as an '03 model. Why do I hate the Vibe?

1) 118hp in AWD models, 123hp in FWD models...WTF????
2) The GT makes about 158hp, and requires PREMIUM??? It revs like a mo fo, and does not wake up at all until 7k. 7k in a station wagon...YEAH, right.
3) The interior is ugly.
4) The materials are even worse. Look at the headliner. Look at how the front door panels have cloth on them, but the BACK ones don't?!??!?! Every time I back a new one up and put my foot on the dead pedal, if I put any pressure on it, it makes a snapping noise like bubble wrap.
5) I love the fact Toyota gives GM the crappiest, loudest engine they make. A Vibe makes an Ecotec sound like silk.
6) This is one auto mag rant I have ALWAYS agreed with...the driving position is totally screwed up. They raised the driving position of it over its Corolla roots, but then didn't raise the floor to compensate...it just feels WEIRD.

It is the one Pontiac I have NEVER been able to stand behind. I ignore them, and therefore I personally sell very few. I believe a salesperson has to have faith in what they sell. What can I say...I think the Vibe is a cheap, crappy car that gets decent MPG and is fairly reliable...but a better equipped Caliber is less $$. And while its plasticky inside, at least it has a decent shape to it.

No worries...as cool as a Charger R/T is (and believe me, I will drive one every chance I get), I highly doubt it will ever win me over like my beloved GXP...

 

Okay, time for important questions. Where are pictures of the American Racing Wheels on your GP and how much will you be looking for them (don't get too excited - I have a college student's funds).

 

dav,

I have some saved on my computer. Go to www.americanracing.com and look up the AR Fusions after inputing your Grand Prix. They're sweet wheels. My GT is a redfire metallic coupe, and they complement the car so nicely. What is cool is even though they are supposedly OEM offsets, the wheels stick out a little more than the stock 16s, so the car has a winder stance, looks meaner, and the tires look wider than they are.

The total package cost me right around $1,500...I have the receipt somewhere. The tires are 60,000 mile 225/55/17 Continental ContiTouringContact V rated tires with 9k miles on them (you can see them on Tire Rack), just from last year's use. They were taken off for the winter. The tires include lifetime free replacement road hazard and tire balancing through Town Fair Tire locations. What can I say...make me an offer on an 9,000 mile complete set off tires and wheels! BTW, no curb rash and no stains on the wheels either...they are perfect.

I also have stock 225/60/16 Winterforce (Bridgestone) snow tires that have been used for 2 seasons, with about 8,000 miles on those too if you're interested. If I can't sell this stuff, I'll just mark the car higher and sell it as a complete package. Its a great car, and leaving the wheels on it will garner it way more attention on the used car lot, and more $$$ anyway.

PM me if you (or anyone) has any interest.

Charlie, I'll be sure to check out AllPar later. BTW, it will have to be awhile later, because I have a second date this evening with a wonderful new female...thought you'd be interested to know that

Guy,
I tried calling you the other night twice, and couldn't get through???? No voice mail or anything...

 

Congrats...with that compensation you would have been stupid not to take the job.

As for the Vibe...I had one as a loaner...and it was literally like driving a beer can on wheels. Nasties new car I have ever driven.

 

No joke intended Threxx. More of a slightly related, stream of thought type comment. The Durango has Sirius, the GP (whose lease is up-hence the new car) has XM. Just thought I would take the opportunity to voice my opinion, FWIW.

 

Hey , best of luck to you Jason . Sounds like one hell of a opportunity for ya man , congrats

When you find a perfect Quazar Blue 350 Iroc to buy , the GP will probably be the furthest thing from your mind walking out to that on a clear sunny day

 

Left the phone at work one day, and messages clogged up the voicemail. Cleared since yesterday.

 

You're on a roll, dude.

 

Congrats Jason,
What dealership are you gonna be at. It's gonna be sad to lose another pasionate Poncho salesman in MA. As I know from my old man, being the sales manager is a wonderful position but it's frustration going from the floor to the desk at times watching guys blow deals you know you would have done in two minutes. Keep em motivated and remember "volume solves everything"

 

Yes....you are a celluar slacker. If ya get a chance...catch me this weekend.

 

I won't address every remark here because you can have your opinion like everyone else.

I'm a new owner of an '03 Vibe GT (which actually makes 180 hp) with a 6-speed, sunroof, and optional 17" wheels. While it's not a torque-monster, it does have crisp, responsive steering and is certainly sporty for what it is (a crossover/wagon/hatchback, pick one). The seating position is higher (but isn't the Caliber's?) and how is that a detriment? That seems to be the trend for this type of vehicle. Mine has a bit of a harsh ride, but that's about the only thing I can complain about. It gets 25-30+ mpg easy and does have 91-octane recommended (I think mixing in 89 every-so-often isn't going to be a problem). The fold-down seats and hatch make it practical, which is what I needed: something practical, sporty, and economical. I'll even go as far to say the styling is good (I prefer this grill style to the new flush one), especially in black as mine is with the body-color bumpers. The service departments I talked to said they were virtually trouble free, especially compared with the expensive GMC's and other SUVs they see in all the time.

I'm not sure what you're comparing the car to, but I think it's been a stronger point in Pontiac's lineup the last few years. And that same Toyota engine you dislike was good enough for Lotus.

 

Sounds like a great move Jason! Good luck!

 

jrp,
I respect your opinion, and hope you enjoy your new car. FWIW, I know the '03s were rated at 180hp, but do they REALLY make 180hp? In 2004, the engine was downrated to approximately 171-173hp...now the '06s, with the revised SAE ratings that wrecked all Japanese ratings, rate at 157hp or so. The engine is cool for a Lotus because ITS A LOTUS Hi revving, makes more power than in the Toyota, makes cool sounds etc. The problem is, the Vibe is a family toting station wagon. Its a cool engine for a Celica, but a wagon? No torque, buzzy sound and premium fuel in a station wagon irks me...

I don't mind the high seating position...its the wheel to body to floor feeling that's just off to me...and the auto mags picked up on it too. Its almost like the floor needs to be raised a little bit...I can't explain it, but I've driven plenty of other tall vehicles that don't feel that way...namely the HHR and PT Cruiser.

I will say they do seem to be very reliable, even though the JD Power ratings are a little low in relation to some other GM products. I agree that the exterior styling is nice...the inside has just let me down, as have the buzzy, underpowered engines in the base and AWD models. If you went and drove an AWD model, you'd be amazed how painful they are. When a Vibe makes 118hp with AWD, and a Caliber will make 175hp with AWD, the bar has clearly been raised. Other than AWD, I don't know of any advantage a Vibe holds over the HHR, either...especially on the HP front. Remember, GTs make up a paltry 3-4% of total Vibe sales.

Just my .02...

 

To address some other comments from the thread...

90,
Indeed, a Quasar Blue IROC will be something I'll be hunting after the sale of the GP. I need to make sure I have a good place to put it first, because I only have a 1 car garage and the Z28 will not go outside obviously. Its cool because if all goes well, I'll sell the car in June and have the summer to IROC hunt. It depends on how my monthly bonuses go...I have a lot of turning around to do in that sales department. I need every dime I can get right now, so buying an IROC right off the bat may not be the brightest idea. I may end up buying a '91-'92 RS 305 stick to play with for awhile...something I won't be so **** over, and wouldn't mind leaving outside in the summer and storing in the winter. Plus, a nice one is only $6k...when I buy my IROC, I know I'll be spending somewhere from $12-15k. I do know one thing...with no car payment, I'll be hankering for a 3rd gen more than ever Its been almost 4 years since I owned one, and they are without question my favorite car ever put on the road. I am probably in the minority, but I STILL like a clean 3rd gen's look over a 5th...despite the fact I fell in love with the concept the second I saw Lutz drive it up on stage.

Threxx,
I expected crap from you on this one I typed that comment specifically to see what retort I'd get...understood But hey, the company is at least 49% American (IIRC), and the average domestic content is way higher than a Honda or Toyota. I'll say hi to Mother Deutschland when I have some free time...I'm going to be busting my a** up there for a long time to get it turned around. I'll sell you a Crossfire for invoice minus whatever incentives there are, but if I go lower I'll get clubbed. We won't be stocking hardly any, especially an SRT-6. My target market's income is definitely below the level of those cars, and they just don't seem to move at that location.

Thanks for all the kind words from everyone. I will release the name of the dealership to those who have asked AFTER I start. I don't need this guy finding out through a message board he got or is getting canned. I'll actually be going up tomorrow to meet my salesmen for the first time...I guess she's actually firing him sooner than my arrival.

And yes, I have put in a request for the auction buyer to scope out SRT-4s for me

 

I hope to be doing the same thing a couple years from now , after I get my house , and a little before I get my 5th gen . Its surpringly fairly easy to still find them completely virgin and under 5-10K miles . Hemmings always seems to have something to drool over third gen wise