Search found 1506 matches

by vibolista
Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:14 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New Prospective Vibe Owner -- Advice?
Replies: 7
Views: 1623

Re: New Prospective Vibe Owner -- Advice?

It's getting harder and harder to find a low mileage Vibe/Matrix, but I would look for one that has lived south of where it snows. Road salt is tough on everything under the car. I'd rather have a higher miles example from the southern States than one with lower miles that has been Wintered on salte...
by vibolista
Tue Mar 27, 2018 5:57 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: non tpms wheels
Replies: 2
Views: 1911

Re: non tpms wheels

Check the Subaru offsets. Vibe 03-08 offsets are 39 mm for the 16 x 6 1/2 Steelie and Alloy. The 17 x 7 Alloy wheel has an offset of 45 mm. If your Vibe doesn't have ABS brakes, then your wheels will have pressure sensors. If you install wheels that don't have a sensor on them, you'll have to put up...
by vibolista
Sun Oct 15, 2017 6:39 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: photos
Replies: 7
Views: 2418

Re: photos

Photobucket messed up big time. They would have been wise to leave the pictures that were already up as a courtesy for long time users and as a good PR move. A lot of forums are really hurt by their actions. I doubt that they will pick up a lot of paying customers after erasing years of useful pictu...
by vibolista
Sun Oct 15, 2017 5:13 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: It's 10 model years old already
Replies: 4
Views: 1541

Re: It's 10 model years old already

SeattleJeremy wrote:Congrats, on such a low mileage 10 year old Vibe!
Thanks. It's been a great trouble free car so far. Carts the kayaks, bikes, supplies and even people once in a while. Does commuter work, mostly in the Winter. The cargo room inside impresses everyone.

Image
by vibolista
Sun Oct 15, 2017 3:51 pm
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: 2008 Vibe rear wheel alignment?
Replies: 7
Views: 3538

Re: 2008 Vibe rear wheel alignment?

Thanks for the suggestions, ehoff121 and jolt. Will chase this down this week.
by vibolista
Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:40 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: It's 10 model years old already
Replies: 4
Views: 1541

It's 10 model years old already

Been a while since I've been on GenVibe... really good to see it's still active. Bummed that photobucket decided to have a brain phart. Lots of great pictures are gone. We need to be able to upload pictures directly. Our 2008 Vibe is still doing really well. Mostly used for SUV (Small Utility Vehicl...
by vibolista
Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:21 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: photos
Replies: 7
Views: 2418

Re: photos

Can we just upload Photos now or still have to be linked?
by vibolista
Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:06 am
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: 2008 Vibe rear wheel alignment?
Replies: 7
Views: 3538

2008 Vibe rear wheel alignment?

Got a new set of snow tires for the Vibe (on dedicated set of wheels) ... and had an alignment done just to make sure everything was still good. Specs were close to OK, so the shop tweaked the alignment a bit, but the drivers side rear could not be brought to spec. So now the question is... what can...
by vibolista
Tue Nov 15, 2016 1:27 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New Vibe owner here
Replies: 10
Views: 3464

Re: New Vibe owner here

Can't beat free... even after paying the tax, you got a bargain. Car has some character... and can be fixed up. Make sure you get all fluids checked and especially get that oil and filter changed as soon as you can. Check tire pressures too. If the oil was neglected, tire pressure will probably be o...
by vibolista
Wed Nov 09, 2016 3:50 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 235 on 1st gen ?
Replies: 3
Views: 2915

Re: 235 on 1st gen ?

I've had a 215/55 16 Blizzaks on the steel OE wheels during Winter and they provided OK grip... was a little floaty in loose snow. These tires are now down to the last of their useful snow tread depth... and I might go with a set of 205/60 16 General Altimax Arctic snow tires this time, although the...
by vibolista
Wed Dec 16, 2015 6:16 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Airbag Inflator Recall: Passenger side
Replies: 7
Views: 3355

Re: Airbag Inflator Recall: Passenger side

Did your letter from GM list the years involved with this passenger side airbag recall?
by vibolista
Wed Oct 21, 2015 5:20 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Toyota recalls 6.5 million vehicles for window switch defect
Replies: 5
Views: 1696

Re: Toyota recalls 6.5 million vehicles for window switch defect

Looked into the recall a little more... and now includes only 2009 - 2011 years of Matrix. So first Gen Vibe probably not in the mix this time. Stay tuned, the story might change in the next few minutes. Usually takes a while for manufacturers to get all the data out and then it takes those that rep...
by vibolista
Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:36 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Toyota recalls 6.5 million vehicles for window switch defect
Replies: 5
Views: 1696

Re: Toyota recalls 6.5 million vehicles for window switch defect

I read: Vehicles produced between 1/05 - 12/10 Includes Corolla, Camry, Matrix , RAV4, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia. Looks like most Vibes are going to be on that list, since Matrix/Vibe was produced on the same NUMMI line. I'm sure that our local dealership will have zero info available for a whi...
by vibolista
Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:28 am
Forum: Latest News
Topic: Motortrend Vibe Review, classic news
Replies: 9
Views: 4895

Re: Motortrend Vibe Review, classic news

Wow! That Vibe car sure sounds like it's going to be a hit! I drove the first one that showed up at the dealership near Portland, Maine. It was a base, with the Moon and Tunes, manual in "Shadow" dark metallic gray. Looked really nice with the cladding. Can't remember which wheels were on ...
by vibolista
Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:48 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: NC meet on 4/4/15?
Replies: 2
Views: 738

Re: NC meet on 4/4/15?

vibenvy wrote:Sounds like fun, unfortunately I'm nowhere near your area of the country :(.
You have a Vibe! One long day's drive away, into some great driving country. Hmm.

I hear that's what fun road trips are for! Would be great to do, but this far out, tough to plan. Will work on it.
by vibolista
Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:33 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Is rust a problem?
Replies: 10
Views: 3310

Re: Is rust a problem?

If the Vibe in question hasn't had an accident, it should be good. The lower cladding keeps the paint that covers the metal from getting chipped by rocks or road debris, so even if dirt and salt gets in there, it shouldn't be able to find bare metal to oxidize. It's is very uncommon to see even the ...
by vibolista
Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:06 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: My 03 Vibe GT with winter tires and plastidip painted rims
Replies: 4
Views: 1271

Re: My 03 Vibe GT with winter tires and plastidip painted ri

A good set of snow tires on the Vibe makes it a great snow mobile. Alloys for the snow tires look good. I use the steelies with a set of 16 inch Matrix caps on em for the Winter tires. Definitely not as nice looking as those alloys.
by vibolista
Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:55 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Got my Vibe!
Replies: 21
Views: 3851

Re: Got my Vibe!

Looks primo! The former owner must have taken really good care of it. It's definitely a great ride. Lucky find.
by vibolista
Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:48 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Just joined! Just purchased my 2010 vibe!
Replies: 10
Views: 1558

Re: Just joined! Just purchased my 2010 vibe!

Tough to beat a Vibe. There are cars out there that might be similar to the Vibe/Matrix, but it's still a hard act to follow. What happened to the 07 and how do you like the 10 compared to it? We've had 2 in the family, son's '05 which has been retired but not forgotten, and my '08. Still a great do...
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:14 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: American Horror Story star Evan Peters drives a Vibe!
Replies: 9
Views: 2301

Re: American Horror Story star Evan Peters drives a Vibe!

Good thread find! Only a year old!!!! :D If you look down beyond the bottom of the article... he gets two negative comments on his automotive choice. I thought it was definitely a great car choice for LA land. He might be very frugal, too.
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:04 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibes better mileage than best commuter cars.
Replies: 8
Views: 1774

Re: Vibes better mileage than best commuter cars.

My '08 manual Vibe continues to be a gas mileage rock star. In Summer, the thing can still get 36 mpg on a regular basis. If I'm really light on the throttle it will hit 40 mpg when I drive our rural back roads. That's with no excess gear in the car, no passengers most of the time and tires inflated...
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:35 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Time to say goodbye I'm afraid....
Replies: 5
Views: 1116

Re: Time to say goodbye I'm afraid....

Don't see many Fusion Vibes anymore. That car with a set of nice rims would really make it look great. Hope your wife's sister gets the car. At least you'll still have it in the family. I know how it is. I'm coming up on decision time, of sorts, too. My wife's retiring this Spring and we're probably...
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:55 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: If this car is actually produced in the old Vibe factory
Replies: 7
Views: 1981

Re: If this car is actually produced in the old Vibe factory

It will come with a shocking price!
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:10 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Oh NO, not again....
Replies: 23
Views: 2755

Re: Oh NO, not again....

Totally unfortunate, but no one hurt. So many drivers out there on the roads not quite paying enough attention to what they're doing. How do you ignore a flashing red light? Could have turned out much worse. Good clean low mileage '08s are getting harder to find. Hope you can get Stealth fixed right.
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 7:44 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Hello from obsessed new member!
Replies: 11
Views: 2373

Re: Hello from obsessed new member!

Not a rough looking Vibe at all. The Red paint looks good in the pictures. Imagine there had to be some detail work involved on your part if it was rough. Nicely done. Albuquerque to Atlanta is quite the move. From the dry of the west to the slightly "less dry" of the Southeast! Big change...
by vibolista
Wed Feb 11, 2015 7:21 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New In Ontario - Vibe x 2
Replies: 12
Views: 2290

Re: New In Ontario - Vibe x 2

2 Vibes. Seems more common that one would expect! We were a 2 Vibe family for almost 5 years, but my son's 2005 got traded for a Ford Fiesta. Nice little car, but he and his dog really miss the room ! And he definitely notices that roominess every time he rides in mine. Amazing how durable these car...
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:59 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 205 65 R16's on 2007 vibe?
Replies: 11
Views: 7078

Re: 205 65 R16's on 2007 vibe?

Raven wrote:MadBill is my brother. He's still running Monster Boots in the summer. He just turned 71 a few weeks ago.
I remember you posting that info the last time I showed off your Brother's Big Boots Vibe. Hope he's doing fine!

And tell him we need new pictures of his Vibe!!
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:17 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 205 65 R16's on 2007 vibe?
Replies: 11
Views: 7078

Re: 205 65 R16's on 2007 vibe?

I've been running a slightly larger diameter tire than OE since 2009, and haven't had any problems with the car. The gearing is slightly taller, but not unmanageable. Imagine if you drove an area where steep uphill starts were the norm, it might have negative effects on the clutch in a manual versio...
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:44 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Interested in seeing some alternate oem wheel swaps
Replies: 3
Views: 1819

Re: Interested in seeing some alternate oem wheel swaps

Have had these Summer season wheels and tires on my Vibe a while. Like them better than steels for sure. One thing I don't like is a wheel that is either too far inside the wheel well line or sticking outside the same line. My wheels/tire are 17" Borbet Type CA with a 38mm offset from TireRack ...
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:00 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Using foglamps
Replies: 14
Views: 3163

Re: Using foglamps

Rules in most of the US as far as I know... fog lights on with low beams only. Might want to find a head light bulb that causes a good focussed cut off line. Philips makes one. I had them on my Vibe for a couple of years. I think you have to order them. Never found them in stores, X-treme Vision? Ma...
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 11:50 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 3rd Vibe in family
Replies: 7
Views: 1352

Re: 3rd Vibe in family

Love to hear those return to Vibe stories! I bought a VW way back in '79. A Golf (back then a Rabbit that I had badge changed to Golf). Loved that car. Fun to drive. It was a diesel manual from Wolfsburg,Germany. Put fat wheels and tires on it. Put adjustable Bilstein Struts/Shocks on it. Put about ...
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:08 am
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: new shocks an struts
Replies: 43
Views: 13777

Re: new shocks an struts

My '08 is just in between firm and soft. Well, maybe a little toward the firm side. Vibes are pretty basic transportation. Reliable, super roomy and durable. Corolla based, which is just OK. Drive a late '90s to early 2000s Corolla and then drive a similar year Honda Civic and you'll notice that one...
by vibolista
Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:03 am
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: Popping sound
Replies: 6
Views: 1923

Re: Popping sound

That's like $400 a pop!
by vibolista
Mon Nov 10, 2014 12:33 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Downgraded... huh?
Replies: 22
Views: 4575

Re: Downgraded... huh?

No downgrade... absolutely. You'll find that the Vibe is a simple car to own, maintain and repair. They are hardy little Toyota Corollas with a way better looking, and way more usable interior hatchback wagon Crossover type vehicle that was pretty much ahead of it's time back in 2002-2003 when it wa...
by vibolista
Mon Nov 10, 2014 12:29 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Downgraded... huh?
Replies: 22
Views: 4575

Re: Downgraded... huh?

That happens a lot. Few people know about the Pontiac/Toyota/Nummi relationship. Besides those here on genvibe, of course!
by vibolista
Mon Nov 10, 2014 12:03 pm
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: ..something ain't right...
Replies: 30
Views: 6118

Re: ..something ain't right...

Been quite a while... did all the work fix the "something aint right" ? Everything working fine now?
by vibolista
Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:47 am
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: mid-chassis brace?
Replies: 11
Views: 2982

Re: mid-chassis brace?

Do you have a Strut bar installed on your Vibe? These would work pretty well together to stiffen the entire front suspension.
by vibolista
Sun Nov 09, 2014 3:54 pm
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: Summer to Winter tire switch with a "surprise"
Replies: 2
Views: 1118

Re: Summer to Winter tire switch with a "surprise"

Thanks, was afraid of that. Guess it's starting to show that 6 years of age. Not a lot of miles, but rubber components degrade no matter what the use level. Should also get an alignment. Steering fairly straight, but I've noticed a little bit of pull to right. Had to find a really flat piece of road...
by vibolista
Sun Nov 09, 2014 12:44 pm
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: Summer to Winter tire switch with a "surprise"
Replies: 2
Views: 1118

Summer to Winter tire switch with a "surprise"

Well, it's that time of the year again, so I took the Summer Wheels off and installed the Winter wheels. Not a problem. Found all the pieces and parts. Washed and waxed the Summer alloys, checked the tires for stuff sticking into them and took out all the little rocks and stuff to make sure. Then st...
by vibolista
Sat Jun 28, 2014 9:11 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Just Rambling
Replies: 35
Views: 8337

Re: Just Rambling

Slowing of activity on this forum was bound to happen once Vibe and Pontiac went away. Many of us still have our Vibes, so we'll keep coming back to look in and see what's happening and who's still around on genvibe. One thing for sure, it's still populated by a group of great folks, who are never u...
by vibolista
Tue May 27, 2014 9:00 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1043
Views: 1414493

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Almost up to 20,000 miles. I think I'm piling up more miles on my bicycles these last three years than on the car. That little '08 is still like new. Holding up extremely well, too. My old aluminum road bicycle is approaching 10,000 miles, since new in '06, will be over that mark by mid June or soon...
by vibolista
Tue May 27, 2014 8:40 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: my 1st dent
Replies: 5
Views: 1265

Re: my 1st dent

That's not too horrible... just a fender and not even the hood. You lucked out kind of, in the scheme of things could have ended up being the front bumper, hood, windshield, A pillars, roof, front fender, mirror and door skin. Hope the shop does a great job. That's a nice low miles '09. Pop a pictur...
by vibolista
Thu May 22, 2014 6:37 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What's the best way to carry a 17 foot kayak on a 2005 Vibe?
Replies: 4
Views: 1532

Re: What's the best way to carry a 17 foot kayak on a 2005 V

Thule makes a combination of different rack types for the Vibe. They are not inexpensive. You can mount a bar to the rear of the Vibe rails, and a bar to a foot that attaches to the front part of the vibe roof to extend the length between the J mounts front and back. Or you can attach both bars to t...
by vibolista
Thu May 22, 2014 9:29 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Question about tires
Replies: 12
Views: 2650

Re: Question about tires

This tire rating thing is getting a little out of hand, but since we live in such a litigious country, the tire guy was just trying to cover his posterior. Plus the Vibe is such a high performance car, that H speed rating is necessary!! Just kidding :lol: ! Note the limits for your tires. Most peopl...
by vibolista
Thu May 22, 2014 9:00 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What's the best way to carry a 17 foot kayak on a 2005 Vibe?
Replies: 4
Views: 1532

Re: What's the best way to carry a 17 foot kayak on a 2005 V

Rail system on the Vibe is just a little short for that kind of hauling. I used my old Saturn Wagon for Kayak duty. Even with the Saturn and a slightly longer distance between the J style cradles mounted on the Saturn rack, I didn't think the stability was great... so I took it pretty slow with them...
by vibolista
Thu May 08, 2014 3:05 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Guess who is back in the family (kinda of)
Replies: 23
Views: 6358

Re: Guess who is back in the family (kinda of)

Nice wheels! With kms so low, it must have been stored someplace! Good catch.
by vibolista
Thu May 01, 2014 12:32 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: When the time comes what are good replacements for a vibe?
Replies: 71
Views: 16340

Re: When the time comes what are good replacements for a vib

We'll never see the Honda Jade. I mean, who the heck wants a reasonably sized wagon in this country? The Jade is a Honda built in China, exclusively for China at this moment.
by vibolista
Thu May 01, 2014 12:20 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Took the plunge. New 04 Vibe owner. :)
Replies: 20
Views: 3587

Re: Took the plunge. New 04 Vibe owner. :)

Nice find! Put some wax on that Vibe paint to keep it shiny! That California sun can be brutal! Is it a manual or automatic? Fixes on this car are pretty easy. Great reliability... whether Toyota or Pontiac parts. Get those fluids changed as soon as possible. Go synthetic if you can. Take a look at ...
by vibolista
Thu May 01, 2014 12:04 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New Viber
Replies: 10
Views: 1784

Re: New Viber

Welcome to the Vibe forum. Should be able to find missing parts for your Vibe pretty easily. Lots of them made. GT was definitely the fun one in the family. You found a good low miles on the ODO Vibe... they do happen! My '08 is just beginning to close in on 20,000 miles. You might find a lot of old...
by vibolista
Thu May 01, 2014 11:32 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New owner of a 2004 Neptune Blue AWD Vibe
Replies: 23
Views: 6866

Re: New owner of a 2004 Neptune Blue AWD Vibe

Shop did a nice job on the paint... looks new! Interior's in good shape, too. With that new paint, a set of mud guards help keep the tar and stone chip wear off the lower areas behind the wheels. Hopefully this car was well taken care of, and if so, should last you a long time. Tires are important u...