Search found 261 matches

by shemp
Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:51 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT
Replies: 18
Views: 3942

Re: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT

That is possible J, but I suspect it is something wrong with the protective clear-coat finish. I suspect that the finish either was not properly applied, or got damaged at some point during handling or assembly. I know that winters are harsh on cars but IMHO OEM wheels should last longer than 50K &a...
by shemp
Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:29 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT
Replies: 18
Views: 3942

Re: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT

Thanks for the feedback guys. EPVibeGT: I noticed a slight ride improvement on rough road surfaces, but not much. I was a little unsure of the all black when I first put them on, but after a month or so, I really dig them. I still think all black looks better on lighter colored cars, but I dig the l...
by shemp
Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:39 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Goodyear Eagle GT versus Eagle F1 A/S-C
Replies: 3
Views: 1106

Re: Goodyear Eagle GT versus Eagle F1 A/S-C

IMHO the stock F1 A/S-C's are terrible. They did last me 50K in not-so easy driving, but they are loud and i was quite unimpressed with traction both dry and especially wet. When I was looking for replacement skins the F1's were not on the list. I have no info on the Eagle GT's, but what I like best...
by shemp
Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:54 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Rim ideas
Replies: 5
Views: 1545

Re: Rim ideas

I like those Moda's a lot!
by shemp
Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:14 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT
Replies: 18
Views: 3942

Re: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT

I just noticed your calipers - Are you the one who painted them that way? They look good. Yes I did, thanks. They were starting to rust a little, so I painted them a few years ago. I was thinking of Painting them red or yellow, but they're sort of small, and I didn't want to rice up the car too muc...
by shemp
Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:41 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT
Replies: 18
Views: 3942

Re: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT

Thanks all for the feedback. I agree J, the OEM wheels are pretty nice looking. I liked the greyed-out look. Mine were corroding around the bead though, and I was ready for something new. I put 235/40R18's on it, Mr.Hatch. I agree lowering it would look sweet but that thing rides too rough as it is....
by shemp
Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:51 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: 18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT
Replies: 18
Views: 3942

18" Enkei Raijin on 2009 Vibe GT

I slapped a new set of wheels on my GT yesterday. I went with the new Enkei Raijin's in black. Have a look and let me know what you think, good or bad. http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/5003/imag0271p.jpg http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5779/imag0272f.jpg http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7455/imag...
by shemp
Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:38 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Dash Rattle
Replies: 2
Views: 578

Re: Dash Rattle (K-NINE)

+1 on my car sounding like a handfull of nuts & bolts in a clothes dryer. IMHO the late model GT's ride entirely too stiff for their sporting credentials. The Michigan roads are pulverizing that poor car to bits. Thank God the stereo is decent.FWIW mine seems to be worse in the cold than in the ...
by shemp
Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:30 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: (J_TO_ENVY)

Thanks J! Does anyone happen to know the weight of the stockers?
by shemp
Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:22 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: (trb)

Wow, that is narrow. I have been scoping out aftermarket wheels, and most 18" rims i have seen seem to be either 7.5" or 8" wide. Thanks trb.
by shemp
Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:13 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: (Kincaid)

I agree kincaid, and thanks. I was afraid 10mm would be too much and they might look stoopid, but IMHO they don't look bad. I don't think I would go any wider on this width rim though. Speaking of which, does anyone know how wide these stocker rims are?
by shemp
Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:45 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: Different tire size on an '09 GT? (shemp)

Well it's winter here in Michigan, so it's impossible to keep the car clean, but here is a couple pics of the 235/40R18 Conti DWS's on stock wheels for anyone who might be wondering how they fit.
by shemp
Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:31 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Momo Winter Pro S with Continental Extreme Contact DWS
Replies: 15
Views: 7265

Re: Momo Winter Pro S with Continental Extreme Contact DWS (Triton)

+1 I upgraded to the Conti DWS's a couple weeks ago, and I am very pleased with them so far. I was not fond of the Goodyears from early on, and was glad to see them go. The Conti's are much quieter (to be expected on fresh tires), hopefully this remains the case. Those RS/A's were obnoxious on the f...
by shemp
Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:20 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Corrosion on 2009 GT Alloy Wheels?
Replies: 4
Views: 1750

Corrosion on 2009 GT Alloy Wheels?

So for the last 6 months or so, I had developed a slow leak in a few of my tires. Since I had around 40K miles on the stock Goodyears, I just chalked it up to them being old and perhaps picking up some tiny cracks or holes or something. These tires suck at pretty much everything, so why wouldn't the...
by shemp
Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:40 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: Different tire size on an '09 GT? (trb)

Those look pretty sweet, trb. I'll try to get a pic of mine next time I get the road-schmutz washed off my car. Thanks for the feedback!
by shemp
Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:30 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: Different tire size on an '09 GT? (trb)

....so just to close out this post, I intended to be the guinnea-pig and try the 225/45R18 tires on my car, but that size of the tire I wanted was on a long backorder. Since winter is here, and my original skins were pretty bald, I couldn't wait for them, so I ended up going with the Continental Ext...
by shemp
Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:16 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: Different tire size on an '09 GT? (trb)

BTW, do you have any pics of the 235's on your stock wheels? I'm curious how the extra width looks. Thanks!
by shemp
Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:51 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Re: Different tire size on an '09 GT? (shemp)

Great feedback, thanks for the reply, trb. I'll have to look into the Potenza's.In my experience stock speedos are off a few mph, usually on the fast side. That's one of the reasons an extra 1mph off won't bother me.
by shemp
Mon Jan 09, 2012 12:40 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Different tire size on an '09 GT?
Replies: 16
Views: 4560

Different tire size on an '09 GT?

I am due for some new skins, and wondering if anyone runs a different size than stock, and if so what are your thoughts.Stock size is 215/45R18. The guy at Discount tire says 235/40R18's are "approved" (I assume that means they have confirmed no clearance issues). I was considering changin...
by shemp
Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:25 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: gonna drill holes in my roof....
Replies: 7
Views: 2015

Re: gonna drill holes in my roof.... (hhvibe)

Not sure what the wiring diagram is going to do for you. Single thickness sheetmetal is not going to provide a very robust attachment point for a roof rack. You're much better off attaching to the existing roof rack attachment points.
by shemp
Tue Oct 20, 2009 12:39 pm
Forum: US - North Central
Topic: Michigan Roll Call
Replies: 106
Views: 43377

Re: (jasony0423)

Quote, originally posted by jasony0423 »Well, officially I live in Ohio, but I have family, and I was born in Michigan, so I spend a good deal of time around there. Allen Park, Trenton area. Consider me an honorary michigander. Have you suffered as a lifelong Lions fan? ...If so, you're one of us. ...
by shemp
Tue Oct 20, 2009 12:26 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: window tint rant
Replies: 13
Views: 2871

Re: window tint rant (shadow_dog)

I got mine tinted last spring.... so far I haven't received any unwanted attention from the boys in blue (knocks on wood).Here in MI, you can have any tint you want on any window aft of the driver, but no tint is allowed on the side windows and windshield. I went a little lighter on the fronts in ho...
by shemp
Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:38 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: HELP. Verizon cel getting spam calls
Replies: 8
Views: 1807

Not that this is going to help you, but years ago my company gave me a new phone, and the number was a company's old fax number. I would get answer the calls and get an earfull of that high-pitched fax-machine noise.... most fax machines are programmed to automatically retry the fax if it doesn't go...
by shemp
Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:29 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Exterior Color Pros and Cons
Replies: 22
Views: 3707

Here's my $0.02:Black: I think it looks the best clean, but is also the hardest to keep clean. It look especially good on cars that have character-lines, like the '09 vibe does. It absorbs the most heat, so if you hate getting in a hot car in the summer, keep that in mind.White: It doesn't look as d...
by shemp
Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:48 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What is with the paint?
Replies: 35
Views: 7513

Have any of you guys that have paint issues been back to the dealer? This should be covered under the warranty. If lots of people are having this issue, Pontiac may have to issue a service bulliten or something (if they haven't already). Whatever the case, you should definetly document the issue wit...
by shemp
Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:08 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What is with the paint?
Replies: 35
Views: 7513

Re: What is with the paint? (shemp)

I should qualify the above post by saying that sometimes an idea sounds like it would be more efficient than current methods, but in the end proves not to be so.In the case above, how often do the bottles need to be cleaned and flushed? What is the scrap-rate? What is the rework-rate compared to con...
by shemp
Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:01 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What is with the paint?
Replies: 35
Views: 7513

Re: What is with the paint? (Caretaker)

I got your IM.... I'm suprised to hear that they paint from canisters instead of using drums and hoses like I've seen in most plants. The amount of paint that gets wasted everytime the lines need to be flushed (everytime you have to change colors) is expensive and wasteful and certainly isn't doing ...
by shemp
Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:16 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What is with the paint?
Replies: 35
Views: 7513

Re: What is with the paint? (Caretaker)

laser? used in the paint system? that's a new one for me... can you elaborate on that?
by shemp
Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:13 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What is with the paint?
Replies: 35
Views: 7513

Re: What is with the paint? (bassclef65)

the paint on my car seems fine so far. Dents keep materializing however, but I believe careless door openers are to blame for that.
by shemp
Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:34 am
Forum: The Others
Topic: Maybe no more *black* cars in California?
Replies: 25
Views: 3986

Re: Maybe no more *black* cars in California? (21Rouge)

That is obnoxious. George Washington must be turning 12,000RPM's in his grave right now.
by shemp
Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:12 am
Forum: GenVibe Garage
Topic: My 2009 Vibe 2,4L ; GT wing now installed !
Replies: 26
Views: 5661

Re: New here : my 2009 Vibe 2,4L (1SC)

Looks good. Lately, I've been bordering on regret for getting the GT, thinking I should have gotten a car like yours instead. I think it will look perfect with the wing on it.
by shemp
Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:23 pm
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: New brakes wanted...advice and some questions for you vibe pros.
Replies: 7
Views: 2344

Re: (SBus82)

I got my C2 paint from the site below. The link is for standard colors, but they have a few custom colors as well. They ship for free, and believe it or not, I ordered on Thursday morning, and it was on my porch Friday afternoon. YMMV.LinkyFor the Drums, they are easy to remove, so a rattle-can of b...
by shemp
Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:40 am
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: New brakes wanted...advice and some questions for you vibe pros.
Replies: 7
Views: 2344

Re: New brakes wanted...advice and some questions for you vibe pros. (SBus82)

As far as the front calipers, you have the option to paint them with either spray-on caliper paint or a brush-on caliper paint kit. Both are available at most auto-parts stores in a variety of colors. I just picked up a C2 kit for my car... they are more expensive, but I've heard they are really goo...
by shemp
Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:36 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Addition of rear fog lamps
Replies: 19
Views: 3950

Re: (cvg)

I'm curious how you will get parts and/or service the car in the Netherlands. Is the Matrix sold in Europe?
by shemp
Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:14 am
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: opinions -- removing premuffler/resonator
Replies: 5
Views: 1767

Re: opinions -- removing premuffler/resonator (lowincash)

I removed the pre-muffler resonator on my GTI VR6, and was not happy with the results. It sounded a little better at idle, but caused a drone (resonence) at certain RPM's. It wasn't something that I couldn't live with but I would not do it again unless someone else was the guinea-pig and their car d...
by shemp
Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:20 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: Show us your Motorcycle
Replies: 123
Views: 32858

Re: (PlatinumVibe08)

Riding an R6 is part of your duties at work? Sounds like a sweet gig!+1 on ATGATT. I hit a deer last summer in full gear. Every piece of safety gear I was wearing was destroyed, but did it's job and I rode a way. I had a few busted ribs, and some road rash, but it would have been much worse if I was...
by shemp
Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:34 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: NIN/JA Concert
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

Re: NIN/JA Concert (Caretaker)

Quote » the Fixx this summer, and perhaps Howard Jones if he comes to the US this year....not sure if you're teasing me or not, but I'd like to see the Fixx and HJ. Never saw either, but liked them both back in the day.
by shemp
Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:11 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: NIN/JA Concert
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

NIN/JA Concert

Probably a little before most of your times, but I am mega-pumped to see two of my favorite bands this summer!I've seen each band 4 or 5 times, and they both put on fantastic shows.... The first time I saw both of them was the original Lollapalooza Tour(1991?). NIN is supposedly "going away for...
by shemp
Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:58 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: How good do YOU park??
Replies: 13
Views: 2507

Re: How good do YOU park?? (Sublimewind)

Can you imagine that idiot trying to backup a trailer? Yikes!
by shemp
Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:28 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: How do I reinstall the body molding if it comes off??
Replies: 5
Views: 1473

Re: How do I reinstall the body molding if it comes off?? (mattovibe)

The first question I have is: Did you rip or distort any of the doghouses on the cladding that those white clips were in? If the doghouses are good, the next thing you need to do is to get those white clips out of the sheetmetal (they probably look like the clip below). You might destroy them when y...
by shemp
Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:33 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Jay Leno
Replies: 8
Views: 1713

Re: Jay Leno (jake75)

I can't say I'm a Leno fan, but this is a really cool gesture.
by shemp
Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:26 am
Forum: The Others
Topic: Show us your Motorcycle
Replies: 123
Views: 32858

Re: (hskater26)

US 129 is a Ducati's natural habitat.
by shemp
Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:47 am
Forum: The Others
Topic: Show us your Motorcycle
Replies: 123
Views: 32858

Re: (Merzbow)

That's a sweet Duc you got there. Hope you can get some insurance lined up soon so you can enjoy it.
by shemp
Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:33 pm
Forum: Tech Info & Do-It-Yourself Info
Topic: De-Badge Your Vibe (Remove that stupid dealer tag)
Replies: 35
Views: 16889

I have to remove and reinstall lots of parts for work, and taped on parts are no picnic. That tape is really hard to get off once it cures. I've tried heat, and solvents, but the best way I've found to remove tape residue is a 3M Stripe off wheel. (that sounded like an ad, didn't it?)
by shemp
Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:14 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: 2nd Gear pop-out?
Replies: 4
Views: 1935

Re: 2nd Gear pop-out? (breezd)

I had this happen on my Z28. I would shift to second, but as soon as I gave it any throttle, it would pop out. I don't remember if it was a bent shifting fork, or bad synchro or what, but it kept doing it and I had to get a trans rebuild. I wrote a $1500 check for that if I remember correctly. I hop...
by shemp
Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:03 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: Show us your Motorcycle
Replies: 123
Views: 32858

I put a few hundred miles on my rig over the last few days. Here are a couple pics from the Tail of the Dragon last summer:
by shemp
Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:03 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: tail of the dragon ride gone wrong
Replies: 11
Views: 1395

Re: tail of the dragon ride gone wrong (ramenboy...)

I take my bike down to the dragon every year... it is definetely not for the faint of heart. You really have to ride within your limits, and maintain your concentration.... there's 318 ways she'll get you if you don't.a buddy of mine bought a bike down south somewhere last summer, flew down to get i...
by shemp
Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:42 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: Sad but Happy Day Pictures. Don't Hate Me.
Replies: 13
Views: 2587

Re: Sad but Happy Day Pictures. Don't Hate Me. (burkeyro)

Love the Lancer. Nice upgrade!