Pontiac Vibe

tafkasrp

Bigdaddycoats:

The cash incentive is now $2000, through the end of this year.

5679

I see this now listed as an add on on the GM Vibe site.What's the concensus? Is it a must have performance booster for the base Vibe?
How would it affect mileage?
Anyone know the cost?
A day to install—at $75 bucks per hour, shop rate?
Isn't that costly?

hpulley4

If they didn't, they'd be perpetual motion machines! The HP/L goes up but the miles/L goes down.

Luzer

Just started to look at the Vibe because of rebates...

Have two questions -

1) Noted that the cargo space is 2 cu ft smaller than the matrix - what gives?

2) I spent a some time researching, the TMV seems to be compatible between Vibe and Matrix.
TMV for Matrix closer to MSRP, Vibe closer to Invoice. Add in incentives and the Vibe with ugly cladding is the better deal.

From pontiac.com ..........
Effective November 1 and continuing through January 2, 2003 GM is offering 'ZERO ZERO ZERO'

• $2,000 Cash Back
OR
• 0.0% APR for 36 months
• 2.9% APR for 48 months
• 3.9% APR for 60 months+
GMAC financing for qualified buyers

Luzer

And the question was - am I close to correct with this observation - assumes no incentives, with moons and tunes + power pkg to the base Vibe vs Matrix XR + moonroof.

2) I spent a some time researching, the TMV seems to be compatible between Vibe and Matrix.
TMV for Matrix closer to MSRP, Vibe closer to Invoice. Add in incentives and the Vibe with ugly cladding is the better deal

montanafan

1) Have seen some posts talking about how the shape of the hatch and openning are different between the Vibe & Matrix. But most likely the difference is two different companies measuring. The Vibe lists 19.3cuft seat up and 54.1 seat down. Matrix lists 21.8 up and 53.2 down. In reality you may not be able to find or use those 2 cuft.
2) Yes, the TMV for a Vibe can be lower then a Matrix. Depends how you balance a few things. If you Power Package the Vibe, do you add Cruise to the Matrix. Do you add the All Weather package to a Matrix to even off eith the Rear Seat heating Ducts on the Vibe, or the Sport Package to get the Fog lights standard on the Vibe, or the Matrix optional floor mats. Even with the Monotone Package on the Vibe to color the protective moldings, the TMV is close.

turksteritis

I just recently got back from a sales trip to the US. I walked by a car lot & looked at a few Vibes on the lot. The window sticker for a base Vibe quotes hi-way mileage as 36 mpg. per US gallon. My base Vibe in Canada had a window sticker stating the hi-way mileage is 47. When you convert the US mileage to Canadian gallon i get 43.2 mpg. I have 23,000k on my Vibe & have never,ever gotton over 37 mpg. on the hiway. I wonder where they get these figures from? I can,t believe I get 10 mpg. less then the window sticker. My hi-way miles are usually 2-300 miles non stop also!

hurler4

I might be looking at buying the Vibe, and I have some questions:

1) I heard that the car beeps when you back up. Has anyone found a way to disconnect this? I can't believe Pontiac would make this standard on the car.

2) Has anyone put the AWD to use in snow or ice yet? If so, how effective is it? And any word if Pontiac will ever have a 5-speed version of the AWD (or boost the hp to 130)?

3) How bad is the glare of the chrome rings for the gauges?

4) Any website out there for additional Vibe accessories, like an auto-dimming mirror with compass, engine heater, etc.?

montanafan

1) The 6-Speed Manual Transmission on the Vibe GT / Matrix XRS have a beeper to insure the proper selection of reverse.

2) The AWD requires a different exhaust layout then the base, which restricts the exhaust causing the reduction in horsepower ratings from 130hp to 123hp. Have seen nothing about Pontiac/Toyota thinking about a 5-Speed AWD.

CapeCod

I noticed the two rear doors to acess tailights are open to the fenders...
What would happen if I put some sound deading material in there ????
This area stays dry.... right ???

jmcknight2

I got a Vibe AWD a couple of weeks ago, after an 8-week wait. Vehicle runs great and mileage is around 28 mpg so far. I bought the GM factory repair manuals from Helm ( $ 126.95 ) and some of the info is good, but it says you have to pull the entire front fascia off to get at the headlight assemblies and the bulbs. Has anyone tried putting different bulbs in to get better illumination from the low beams?

hurler4

Two more questions about the Vibe:

1) Has anyone put a canoe on the roof rack? That rack seems very short. Can it hold a canoe?

2) The Matrix has the 3-in-1 cassette/radio/CD, but it looks like the Vibe has no cassette option. Is this true? Would it be possible to put the Matrix stereo in the Vibe?

nippononly

yes.

hjohn1

Love the look of the Vibe. Took it for a test ride the other night. My wife noticed some engine noise. Salesman said it's because it is new, and happens in all new cars. Give it a few weeks and it'll go away.
Question 1: Should I believe him? Does it go away?
Question 2: Any drivers out there have any major issues with the blind spots from the hatch post?

5679

It is an issue for me.
I backed into the corner of a house, at night, trying to back into a pal's garage. No damage but extra caution is in order!

hjohn1

Love the look of the Vibe. Took it for a test ride the other night. My wife noticed some engine noise. Salesman said it's because it is new, and happens in all new cars. Give it a few weeks and it'll go away.
Question 1: Should I believe him? Does it go away?
Question 2: Any drivers out there have any major issues with the blind spots from the hatch post?

johnclineii

Engine noise does not go away.

Some salespeople will say whatever it takes to make a sale....

5679

I don't find it noisy. It revs high at a stop but it isn't intrusive, especially when the Dixie Chicks are playin'!

mfpr

I have the base Vibe with auto transmission and on average, I'm getting around 25 MPG (US) with 80% city/20% hwy. I have less than 1000 miles on my car. Since the EPA window sticker listed 28 MPG/city, I'm dissapointed with my gas mileage, since I'm a conservative driver. With cars I have owned prior to the Vibe, I have always gotten more than the posted EPA city ratings. What average mileage are you guys getting and will the gas mileage increase as the engine loosens up?

Mike

johnclineii

Yes, the gas mileage will improve as the car ages some. It always does...

rbarrit

I have a Vibe GT, and I get 25.8 MPG (US) in the city, and I use the GTness too. Your economy sounds low.

nippononly

with the same engine as your base Vibe, and the auto trans, and I get in the lower 30's for around-town gas mileage, but I am a conservative driver in town, so as to save gas.

turksteritis

I am getting the exact same gas mileage in my Vibe at 24,000k as i did when it was brand new & it is not anywhere near the window sticker rating. Same kinda results in my 01 tribute, the gas mileage is the same at 29,000k as when it was new.

CapeCod

Just took a five hour trip...
Does the ventilation fan ever shut off ????
There seemed to be a fairly strong flow of air
in the OFF position. Is this normal ?
Seemed to blow warm air on all but the lowest
quarter of the temperature dial !
It was 55 outside and I had to run A/C on cold!
Has someone had experience with A/C during summer...
Is it COLD ! There doesn't seem to be a lot of cold
on the dial.
Wind noise at top of windshield ? or is it rack?
Is the black grid at top of windshield
outside temp sensor ?

rbarrit

I believe the temp sensor location is just in front of the radiator. Its a little black finger with a wire connected. If this isn't the temp sensor I don't know what it could be.

Black grid on windshield is a sun shield.

regfootball

go to crutchfield.com and look for an FM modulator with RCA inputs for your portable.

nippononly

anything but the coldest position on the temp dial will blow air that is warmer than outside temperature. if you want it cold, leave the dial at the lowest position. Bear in mind, the air is coming through the engine compartment, and even if the outisde air is 55 degrees, the air will warm a little before it makes it inside.

A/C is PLENTY cold in the summer.

When you are driving along, air will come through the vents even if the fan is off - it is not because the fan is turning, it is just because air is being forced through the system by the movement of the car. If you don't want outside air to come in, you have to press the button to make it recirc - a little green light will come on (this is the button below the A/C button)

CapeCod

Thank you Nippononly for your HVAC explanation.
The combination of higher driving speeds...
the warmer than usual outside temps...
must have been why I noticed it!
I'm sure it is too late too fix now
but I have noticed a new quirk in the Vibe.
In the AM my Upstate NY windows are often fogged and or frosted on the outside...
Normally the power windows will work as squeegee to clean them off from inside...
The Vibe side windows don't do this !
Must be the angle of the windows ?
Or cheap weather stripping.

CapeCod

Is there an after market dealer who sells the black mesh looking sun shade material like that found at the top of the windshield ????
Would be useful to have it all the way across.

nippononly

winding down the windows removes the dew on the outsides, so it must be the Vibe weatherstripping? You would think that even though they are manufactured in different places, the spec for something like this would be the same. Maybe you could get new weatherstripping - is there such a thing as aftermarket for this?

bigdaddycoats

I believe that those are used to cover up gaps and other interior components that you would see if looking in through the front window. I forget what they are actually called.

miata94

I took a Base Vibe with auto out for a test drive last night. I revved it to about 4500 (rush hour. couldn't accelerate much faster.), and the noise is NOTHING compared to my Miata. Also, the Vibe quieted down when settled into cruise mode at around 70 MPH.

I like the fact that the car rides high but doesn't require an Everest climb to get into the seats.

I have a three concerns. The first is that there is no rear cargo roll-up cover, so stuff there is open for all to see. The second is that the stock tires won't bite well in the snow. I seem to recall a Canadian poster stating that his Vibe is great in the snow even on stock all-season tires. Is that really true? I don't want to find out the expensive way. My last concern with the Vibe is with the $295 factory alarm. Is this really worth the price, or is an after-market alarm more cost effective? I have seen alarms from $70 to $180 (top of the line). Installation will be extra, but I can't imagine it to be more than $100.

jmcknight2

My Vibe AWD has 500 miles on it and needs a new driveshaft. I was putting on my new snowtires and noticed gray grease all over the inside of the left front wheel I took off. Dealer said it was a cv boot or something that wasn't on correctly, so they ordered a new driveshaft. Good thing it's under warranty, but still an inconvenience.

turksteritis

The contininentls absolutely suck on ice but are OK in snow. I will be installing studded ice radials on the front.

CapeCod

I've driven in three snowfalls so far...
Continential tires handle very well !
The cargo cover is a cheap thing that attaches
at the four corners. I would have preferred a roll out cover (windowshade) like other hatchbacks have.
When you are not using this one it sits there folded up. Another idea might have been to add privacy glass for the rear hatch area ! I might do that !
You will also need need floor mat for cargo area.
Without a mat it is like a pinball machine !
Fun car to drive ! 25mpg in town 33+ on highway !

mfpr

Has anyone removed the adjustable sliding cross bars from the roof rack? I can't find any obvious way to take them off.

Mike

sputnikvibe

The cargo cover can be stored in the storage compartment located in the floor of the cargo area that runs just behind the back seats.

CapeCod

Has anyone tried one of the 20hp boost chips being advertised. They claim to make engine run richer... like when temp is cold.
Do they work ? SAfe? Hard to install?
Impact on gas mileage? Cat converter?

nippononly

it makes the engine run richer, then there must be a gas mileage hit.

And I bet it has a negative effect on the cat in the long run, in that it would get plugged up sooner.

5679

And has anyone tried hauling skis using a ski rack other than the GM rack/roof top carrier?

steine13

This has got to be total b.s.
This isn' 1968 anymore. The Vibe has two oxygen sensors and a computer... it will NOT run rich. If it does, there will be unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust, and the oxygen sensor will run way lopsided, i.e. never registering any O2 in the exhaust. The check engine light will come on before you can say "quartermile".
Now if you can completely bypass the emissions equipment and don't mind dumping raw fuel out in the atmosphere, there may be some power benefit... but that ain't chip tuning. Why not just clamp on an old 4barrel?
Skeptically, I remain
-Mathias
East Lansing, MI

rog96

Are these removable, if so what should I use without damaging the vinyl?!

furrydog1

Just picked up my Vibe last night and have a couple of quick questions. I thought I read somewhere that certain Vibes can't be fitted with a trailer hitch and wanted to know if that was the case. Also, if I can use a hitch, has anybody used an adapter that converts the 1 1/4" to a 2"? I have a bike rack that fits on 2" receivers and want to keep using that. Thanks for the help.

proman

I recently purchased a 2003 Forester X and I'm not really happy with the ride comfort. I drive approx. 35,000 miles per year (all over the Northeast). Can someone clue me in whether or not I should trade this in for the Vibe? I drove the Vibe yesterday and I liked it. My only concern is how it will hold up over the long run. Will this car last 180,000 miles without falling apart? Thanks.

5679

Who knows how it will stand up in the long run. Cross your fingers with most N.A. vehicles. However, the fact that it's a disguised Corolla should work in its favour.

johnclineii

It's too early to tell. But the Vibe is FAR more than a disguised Corolla. GM had major input in this vehicle (and the Matrix). What you think of that is up to you.

I know I have 109,000 miles on my 2000 Impala LS and its ONLY repair has been a headlight switch.

Not sure how relevant THAT is, though!

revka

Congratulations on your new Vibe!

You may also want to check out our Matrix & Vibe comparison discussion. I've seen a few posts in there regarding trailer hitches for the Vibe. Good luck. ;-)

 

Revka

Hatchbacks & Wagons Host

nippononly

on this car and Matrix was limited to interior design and materials. However, there are some minor exterior details (like the taillights and the cladding) that are different between Vibe and Matrix, that were also designed by GM.

The powertrain and all mechanical and chassis components are a la corolla.

On corolla odds are good for 180K, so I would think so on vibe/matrix too, but bear in mind the '03 corolla and vibe/matrix are all brand new models.

jmcknight2

I just bought a Vibe AWD in October, but I also have a loaded 2001 Forester L. The Vibe has already had the drive shaft replaced and has numerous rattles and buzzes. It also rides more harshly than the Forester. I have had zero problems with the Forester. I also am counting on Toyota reliability in the long run for the Vibe, but I'm a little nervous. BTW, I'm a careful and conservative driver who maintains vehicles to look and run better than new.

turksteritis

I am a travelling sales rep that drives about 35,000 miles a year also. I bought my vibe back in mat & I have 20,000 miles on it. It has been absolutely perfect...gas, oil changes & go. I get 37 mpg. Canadian on the hi-way at 70 mph. & mine is a 5 speed. I find it very comfortable, quiet & smooth. My other vehicle is a Mazda Tribute. The trib is noisier & rides rougher then the Vibe. Power in the Vibe is surprisingly good . When passing on the hi-way I gear down to 3rd gear & it really gets by the traffic real well.