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I am looking for a 2007 Pontiac Vibe (at the lower end of the price range, with minimum options).  At this point I have a $1,000  rebate from my GM card, but that expires on September 4th.  In your experience, how much do cars like the Vibe drop in price once the 2008 models are on the sales floor?  From what dealers have told me, the new models should be in by late September, so I'm wondering if the 2007 models they have left will drop more than $1,000.  Any advice appreciated, thanks!  

The Vibe is a fully mature design that's not going to change any for the 2008 model year.  As a result, I suspect that most dealers will not be terribly motivated to drop the prices much, since there's nothing about the 2008 that will attract MORE customers than the 2007.  Combine this with the fact that the vibe is not exactly a "hot" model right now, and I suspect you're better off taking advantage of your $1000 rebate rather than assume a 2007 will sell for more than $1000 less in a month.  

Any reason you're set on a Vibe?  It's a good car for sure (it's a toyota, after all), but there may be other cars available that are a bit more up-to-date and less expensive, rebate or not.  

It's mostly the combination of Toyota reliability that you mentioned, the decent value, size of the car (not a monster SUV, but larger than our Focus) and most importantly our GM card discount.  Still, what would be the other cars you would suggest?

So you don't think that big changed or not, the simple quantity of the 2008's coming in would force the 2007's down in price simply to get them off the lot?  

Also, I misspoke - the rebate is not from my GM card (that's separate) but from GM itself.  In your experience, once such a rebate expires, is it usually renewed?  Does it tend to increase or decrease?

Thanks!  

As I wrote before, I suspect that the price of 2007s will not drop MUCH because their value is ultimately not much less than the unchanged 2008s.  However, there's no doubt that the 2007s WILL sell for less.  How much?  I have no idea.  I also have no idea if rebates will be renewed in the coming months to get rid of 2007s.  However, generally speaking, IF, and only if, there are many 2007s still hanging around in September and October, you can be sure that Dealers will be wanting to get rid of them at lower prices.  Then again, since there's no real difference between the 07 and 08, I see no reason why dealers will discount them all that much.  

Seems like the Vibe is the right car for you if you want a car that's bigger than a focus, efficient, and inexpensive. I was thinking of cars like the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa when I mentioned other alternatives.  Those cars are inexpensive, well-made, full of nice options, and a wee bit smaller than the Vibe.  Check them out if you're open to something slightly smaller, though still very utilitable.  

Also, the new Scion xD really strikes my fancy in that category.  It's a bit bigger than the others (though I can't tell if it's as big as a Vibe), and it's got styling inside and out that's a bit more fresh than the aging Vibe.  Not that the vibe is a bad car or anything...far from it.  But there's been a recent resurgence in smallish non-SUV hatchbacks that are offering fun stying, nifty interiors (the scion is packed with good stuff like iPod connectivity), and reasonable performance.  

Even in the $16K-17 category, you could still get a base 2008 Scion Xb, which is a lot less weird than the old one.  It's roomy, probably more so than a Vibe, has a less efficient, but much more potent engine, and a rather inspired interior.

A 4 door VW Rabbit is also available in the $17K range, and while it doesn't have quite the cargo space, it's pretty close.  It's also a big step up in refinement and performance, though some of that comes at the expense of fuel economy.  

I don't think there's gotta be a lower price,but it's worth hoping  
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