Looks like a good car and a solid ad. It's a bit of a unicorn because most folks looking at a Vibe are just looking for practical transportation, so the high-reving, manual aspect of this car is lost on them. On the other hand, I love it!
Looks like a good car and a solid ad. It's a bit of a unicorn because most folks looking at a Vibe are just looking for practical transportation, so the high-reving, manual aspect of this car is lost on them. On the other hand, I love it!
Not knowing a lot about them, this one is not awd, right? I would have to work on logistics for picking it up if it was.
Not AWD. I'm sure it'd be sold if it was. Unfortunately AWD was only available with an automatic and the base engine...detuned slightly further too.
Could be the car, not the transmission. In my community, it's the generally-accepted benchmark for funny-looking. We use "Vibe" to mean "too ugly to be seen driving". There are jokes like "What do you get when you cross an Aztec with a classic Jag XJ? A Vibe."
When I'm browsing Carfax listings for Nissans in the mid Atlantic area about one tenth are stick for even the sportier versions. Gives one an idea of the market size. No matter what model it drops from 700 approx to 70 approx to use one example.
I love manual hatchbacks like that. If I was in the market I'd be all over it.
In reply to the original question: People just don't like manuals. I have my S2000 listed for sale and I've received about 10 inquiries about it only to find that people think it's an auto and lose interests after realizing its a manual only car (likely kids who like Miatas, can have a Miata in an auto, but think a honda would be an edgy scene car).
Time of year is a bummer for selling things. I always hope for single people who want to treat themselves.
And if you want a brand new Honda Fit equipped with a manual trans right now; you basically have to order one.
At least subaru still offers a manual in almost all of its cars albeit usually the base model, it's still great to have that option.
In reply to DirtyBird222:
This is true on many fronts, after my divorce I ended up getting my RX8 in December (lower prices on sports cars in winter) as well anyone with an SO or a family is focused on buying something for them.
OP, can you wait in till around February/March when people start getting tax money?
In reply to JtspellS:
That's what I will end up doing. The0retical seems interested though, so maybe I can move it sooner.
In reply to DirtyBird222:
I am painfully exposed to the stupid 'scene' Miata kids as I've owned Miatas continuously since 2009. NO ONE wants an auto. NO ONE. They want to drift a super short wheelbase car with no power that has been slammed to the ground with gaping rust holes and a crown royal shift boot. But automatics are still "retarded". I can't believe anyone looking at an S2000 would expect it to be an automatic!
In reply to JBasham:
Huh, I think the Matrices are uglier. All blobby.
RedGT wrote: I can't believe anyone looking at an S2000 would expect it to be an automatic!
My guess is there's a different demographic of people looking at the car. They're "Honda people" and they see it and think, "Ooo... Honda convertible!" while not really knowing anything about them.
If I wasn't buried in car projects right now, I would consider the Vibe (and possibly JtspellS's S2000 - have always loved those and it'd be fun to replicate Jon's car).
Love my S2000 
Dealers will always tell you that a manual is worth less than an automatic,but that has not been my experience. Are automatics easier for them to sell, yes. There are certain cars that people really want with a manual trans but when they were new the dealers only ordered autos. Since there are so few used manuals they can actually command a higher price than the autos. It all comes down to supply and demand.
Man, this is cool. I didn't even know they optioned the vibe with a manual. Someone will pick it up. Especially on this forum.
RedGT wrote: In reply to JtspellS: That's what I will end up doing. The0retical seems interested though, so maybe I can move it sooner. In reply to DirtyBird222: I am painfully exposed to the stupid 'scene' Miata kids as I've owned Miatas continuously since 2009. NO ONE wants an auto. NO ONE. They want to drift a super short wheelbase car with no power that has been slammed to the ground with gaping rust holes and a crown royal shift boot. But automatics are still "retarded". I can't believe anyone looking at an S2000 would expect it to be an automatic! In reply to JBasham: Huh, I think the Matrices are uglier. All blobby.
Sounds like you haven't had the pleasure of dealing with the newest crop of Millennial scene turds. I went to a roadster meet the other night and a good chunk of miatas there had autos, there were also more BMW Z3/4s there than S2000s.
I've been selling a lot of parts on craigslist lately. Mainly Honda stuff because it's easy to make a quick buck off of. I found a lot of great Civic Si stuff at the local junkyards. A majority of the buyers are kids who bought base model Civics with an auto because they had no desire to drive a stick but want the cool Si tidbits.
The proof is in the puddin' just look at what manufacturers are producing and selling. Unfortunately for us the manual is dying because people are lazy, have no desire to learn, think it's a chore, and don't care to understand if it's more fun or not. My wife is a perfect example of that mindset.
Fair enough. My wife still drives one, but mainly because our budget does not yet allow the purchase of new enough cars that the automatics get better MPG. Once that point is reached,it is all over for the manual trans. My only remaining defense will be that when buying used, an unknown clutch is much cheaper than an unknown automatic.
I know manuals are hard to find around here. Every single time something catches my eye on CL and I get all excited it's a stupid auto. Even the ones that are labelled manual, click on a picture of the interior and 9 times out of 10 it's a freaking auto.
Nick (Bo) Comstock wrote: I know manuals are hard to find around here. Every single time something catches my eye on CL and I get all excited it's a stupid auto. Even the ones that are labelled manual, click on a picture of the interior and 9 times out of 10 it's a freaking auto.
I've actually experienced dealers not knowing what a manual is. And not just a mislabeled ad. GF and I went to look at a used Volvo C30 at a (Volvo) dealer. Ad said manual, interior pics didn't show gear shift. So, we went to look at it, once there saw it was an auto, but drove it anyway. Upon returning I said to the saleswoman that we weren't interested in that one b/c it wasn't a manual. I then had to explain what that was - 3 pedals, etc. 
NorseDave wrote:Nick (Bo) Comstock wrote: I know manuals are hard to find around here. Every single time something catches my eye on CL and I get all excited it's a stupid auto. Even the ones that are labelled manual, click on a picture of the interior and 9 times out of 10 it's a freaking auto.I've actually experienced dealers not knowing what a manual is. And not just a mislabeled ad. GF and I went to look at a used Volvo C30 at a (Volvo) dealer. Ad said manual, interior pics didn't show gear shift. So, we went to look at it, once there saw it was an auto, but drove it anyway. Upon returning I said to the saleswoman that we weren't interested in that one b/c it wasn't a manual. I then had to explain what that was - 3 pedals, etc.
Yep. I've seen plenty of that. Just because the shifter is on the tunnel they think it is a manual.
When I was looking for a CTS with the V6 and a manual trans, I started to get pretty discouraged. Tons of good deals available but all were automatics. I was about to give up and buy an auto with the hopes of later converting it to a manual, but my wife forbade me. She said "we are not getting an automatic!" Before we got married she didn't know how to drive a maunal. So I convinced her that the tranny in her Neon was a ticking time bomb. We sold it and bought 5spd Jetta and I taught her to drive. Lessons usually ended in her cursing at the car. However, once she learned she much prefers a manual. When we finally had to buy a minivan she was very disappointed they were all autos. I think there may actually be more demand for manuals than dealers think. I know quite a few people driving auto corvettes and miatas only because there were no manuals available.
Stampie wrote: I contact the no number CL sellers after 20 days hoping they're desperate to sell at that point.
WTF do you people have a 20-day alert? Because after silence for two weeks, all of a sudden I have 4 legitimate inquiries including two guys that live in the same small town and could walk to see the car. And I am selling it tonight (to a GRM'er actually) so thanks for the advice everyone!
In reply to RedGT:
Some of us are just cheaper SOBs than others. Congrats on the sale.
I mean, I do the same thing and IME the ads are always sold or nonresponsive. Didn't expect there to be a wave of interest.
Stampie wrote: In reply to RedGT: Some of us are just cheaper SOBs than others. Congrats on the sale.
I really needed a 8000 rpm winter car... I already told RedGT my plans for the drive train in a few years.
Driving a naturally aspirated manual car again is weird.
Thanks to RedGT for being flexible with times so we could get to the notary to make it happen.
I'm with the crowd that says put the ad in as Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe
In reply to The0retical:
Yea I had some really dirty thoughts of what I could do with the drivetrain. Hopefully your thoughts are just as dirty or dirtier. Glad it went to a good home.
Stampie wrote: In reply to The0retical: Yea I had some really dirty thoughts of what I could do with the drivetrain. Hopefully your thoughts are just as dirty or dirtier. Glad it went to a good home.
Worse than rebuild, supercharge, flash for higher lift at a lower rpm then drop into a Locost/Exocet? Because I'm open to ideas...
I need to get the RX3 started/finished first though.
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