Search found 34 matches

by finebead
Sun Jun 11, 2023 7:50 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2009 VIbe 170km, worth it?
Replies: 3
Views: 556

Re: 2009 VIbe 170km, worth it?

I have a 2009 base, 120K miles. Mine uses oil, about a quart every 1,500 miles. They came out of the factory that way, not a wear issue. My radio knobs broke, there was a topic somewhere how to remove the radio and use quick set epoxy to glue the knob back on. I did that, still have the radio, the k...
by finebead
Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:38 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: The Official "Price You Paid For Gas" Thread
Replies: 1661
Views: 1540222

Re: The Official "Price You Paid For Gas" Thread

Gas has come down lately. I paid 2.79 for regular cash price, 2.89 credit. Most stations around the western suburb of Houston are 2.89 - 3.09 for regular cash, and .10 - .20 higher for credit.
by finebead
Wed May 24, 2023 4:59 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Rear cargo hooks 2009 2.4L Vibe Base
Replies: 2
Views: 654

Re: Rear cargo hooks 2009 2.4L Vibe Base

Hello and welcome! I have a 2009 base also. I use the hooks with a small diameter rope, maybe para cord that you can get at walmart, to keep things from rolling around in the rear area, sometimes to keep them standing up (like a 5 quart jug of oil.) It's hard to get a knot to hold on that little hoo...
by finebead
Wed May 24, 2023 11:28 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2009 Vibe base 1.8L - maint. update
Replies: 2
Views: 521

Re: 2009 Vibe base 1.8L - maint. update

son also told me he did a quick clean up on the throttle body.
by finebead
Wed May 24, 2023 9:50 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2009 Vibe base 1.8L - maint. update
Replies: 2
Views: 521

2009 Vibe base 1.8L - maint. update

I bought it new in May 2008, so 15 years old. Zero dents to date, 120K miles, driven 30 miles per weekday to work and back, lots of idling in Houston traffic. Wife just retired so I was going to get her a 2021 Prius, we drove and liked it. Wife reconsidered, since we don't NEED two cars every day an...
by finebead
Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:20 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Original owner - 2007 Vibe
Replies: 7
Views: 897

Re: Original owner - 2007 Vibe

I am the original owner of a 2009 Vibe base model, bought May 2008, so its 15 years old soon. It has been pretty trouble free. I did a big maintenance investment at around 75K miles, brakes, struts, alternator was chirping, replaced the engine belt, took the pan off the tranny and replaced the filte...
by finebead
Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:58 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1043
Views: 1423759

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

My 09 vibe has 116,000 miles on it, I bought it new. I've done all the oil changes and keep up with the maintenance. Changed anti freeze every 5 years, did a full transmission service at 75,000 miles, took the bottom pan off, replaced the little filter, took out the magnet and cleaned all metal fili...
by finebead
Sun Jun 06, 2021 5:18 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1043
Views: 1423759

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

My 2009 (bought new in May 2008, 13 years old) base 1.8L has 105,000 miles on it. It uses oil, always has. I change my own oil, started using Mobil 1, bu since it uses, I switched to Walmart Hi Tech synthetic, works fine, now it throws out cheaper oil. I had an alternator replaced, so I had the guy ...
by finebead
Sat Sep 05, 2020 6:26 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base
Replies: 13
Views: 2525

Re: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base

I took Caretaker's advice and bought the AC Pro. When I hooked up the can, the guage read at the bottom of the green range. I added a little, got it up to the middle of the green range (there are many warnings not to over fill). The outside air temp was about 90 degrees. I checked the cold air comin...
by finebead
Sun Aug 23, 2020 12:31 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base
Replies: 13
Views: 2525

Re: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base

Caretaker, thanks for that update. I'll buy the STP Pro!
by finebead
Sat Aug 08, 2020 7:42 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base
Replies: 13
Views: 2525

Re: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base

Thanks for the replies!!! I'll try to do the refrigerant thing. My son does not have any formal training on mechanic work, but he has always been curious and mechanically inclined. When he was getting ready to go off to college, his Sr. year of high school, I was going to buy him an older Corolla, b...
by finebead
Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:55 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base
Replies: 13
Views: 2525

air conditioner not cooling well 2009 vibe base

I bought the 2009 Vibe new in may 2008, has 110,000 miles on it. Sleeps in a garage, parked outside during work day, its my wife's car. Over the last few years, the A/C seems to cool less well, in a slow progression down hill. Wife says in the afternoon when its hot, at first it feels like it is not...
by finebead
Wed Dec 26, 2018 8:45 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8
Replies: 10
Views: 4853

Re: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8

Coming up on 2 years since I replaced the first coil on top of the spark plug, and 1 year since I replaced the last 2, and I am still happy with this repair. The idle is the best it has ever been, and the check engine light has never come back on. When a stop light turns green, acceleration is quick...
by finebead
Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:40 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8
Replies: 10
Views: 4853

Re: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8

Follow up after 6 months. Check engine light came on again, rough idle, pulled the code ( P0303 ) and it was cylinder 3 this time ( the last number is the number of the bad cylinder ), cylinder 2 last time. Got a new coil ($80 at Advance Auto, Borg Warner part), installed, problem corrected. Son sai...
by finebead
Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:54 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: It's 10 model years old already
Replies: 4
Views: 1548

Re: It's 10 model years old already

Our 2009 Vibe was bought new in May 2008, so its 9.5 years old. It commutes 14 miles each way to work Mon - Fri, with much stop and go with lights having to cycle once or twice before getting through an intersection, it take 45 min. to get to work. The car has been trouble free, except it does use o...
by finebead
Sun May 14, 2017 8:49 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8
Replies: 10
Views: 4853

Re: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8

When I recently put in new Denso ignition coils to see if I could eliminate the low idle rumble at stop signs, I noticed a more responsive pickup when merging on to highways. It did not fully solve my low idle rumble and I'm convinced short of replacing the entire throttle body, nothing will ever s...
by finebead
Sun May 14, 2017 8:37 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What did you pay for your NEW vibe?
Replies: 7
Views: 2172

Re: What did you pay for your NEW vibe?

I have a lot of experience (64 yrs old), and have NOT done an extensive analysis, but I have always heard that the cheapest way to own a car is go ahead and buy it new (or a year or two old), and drive it until it drops, surely over 10 years. This assumes you don't have a lemon and big repair bills,...
by finebead
Sun Apr 23, 2017 12:56 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8
Replies: 10
Views: 4853

Check engine light and rough idle 2009 Vibe base 1.8

The VSC off light was on, as well as Traction Control System light was on. My son was home, and he worked in a Firestone full service shop the last 2 years, on the counter, not a mechanic (although he does a lot of work on his cars). 2009 has 80,000 miles, asked if I had changed the spark plugs, sai...
by finebead
Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:12 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Brake light not working
Replies: 2
Views: 891

Re: Brake light not working

Change the bulb. The tail light is on with the headlights, that portion of the bulb is good. The stop light portion of the bulb is bad. I had no idea there were two portions to those bulbs. I do my own oil changes and routine maintenance, but I've been lucky and not had to fool with light bulbs in ...
by finebead
Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:43 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Brake light not working
Replies: 2
Views: 891

Brake light not working

Wife put her 09 Vibe in the garage and I noticed the brake light on the left side is not working. Everything else seems to work, just not the red center light on the drivers side. I turned on the light switch for the headlights, and wife said that the center red light comes on. Hmmm. Light does not ...
by finebead
Sat Aug 27, 2016 10:56 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Anybody replace alternator,water pump:220k on my Vibe
Replies: 9
Views: 2833

Re: Anybody replace alternator,water pump:220k on my Vibe

Replaced water pump in a relatives 2008 vibe approx 2 years ago, don't know the mileage....less than 100K. It failed slowly, just got louder and louder over a few months. No reason to replace alternator or water pump unless they fail. Water pump will fail by leaking or making loud growling noise, a...
by finebead
Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:50 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1043
Views: 1423759

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Wife drives our 2009 Vibe , bought in May 2008 so it is 8 years old. I change the oil myself, have used Mobil 1. Bought a new set of tires a year or so ago, first set of tires, car has 75K miles on it now . Wife drives 15 miles each way to work, heavy traffic each way, LOT of idle, go, brake. It use...
by finebead
Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:53 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: The Official "What's Your Gas Mileage?" Thread
Replies: 634
Views: 931963

Re: The Official "What's Your Gas Mileage?" Thread

Most driving on my 2009 base model with automatic transmission is either all city or all highway.

I get 22 mpg on all city, and 32 mpg on all highway.
by finebead
Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:44 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Your Vibe's name
Replies: 29
Views: 7977

Re: Your Vibe's name

Like others, I just call mine "the Vibe", but I still love it! I don't need a pickup truck, but occasionally I need some reconfiguration ability to move something a bit larger than normal. Yesterday I brought home a used office chair (fully ergonomic, heavy, a real honest to god great chai...
by finebead
Wed Jul 02, 2014 2:22 am
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Put 18 inch rims on my 09 Vibe!
Replies: 9
Views: 1992

Re: Put 18 inch rims on my 09 Vibe!

I think it looks GREAT! Nice improvement. Thanks for sharing your pics!
by finebead
Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:17 am
Forum: Latest News
Topic: Another recall coming?
Replies: 25
Views: 10337

Re: Another recall coming?

I got a letter from GM last week about this recall. No parts availability yet, but mine is on the list. I got a letter from GM last week also, just like yours, no parts available, second letter to follow when parts are available. I bought mine new and live at the same address as when I purchased th...
by finebead
Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:10 am
Forum: Tech Info & Do-It-Yourself Info
Topic: How To: Change rear wiper blade, 2009-2010
Replies: 23
Views: 12988

Re: How To: Change rear wiper blade, 2009-2010

Thanks enfield577!!! I just changed mine and your instructions sure helped.
by finebead
Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:43 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Fixed my 2009 Gt broken radio knob!
Replies: 101
Views: 143000

Re: (DuluthVibe2009)

I used 5 minute epoxy to fasten the broken knob back onto the post(very carefully). I followed the steps and got the radio out, and the broken knob out of there. Then I filled the bottom half of the knob with quick setting epoxy and held the knob straight on the post until the glue set. I had to ho...
by finebead
Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:30 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Pontiac Revival?
Replies: 34
Views: 8242

To revive a brand nameplate, you have to invent enough value and differentiation to pay for the duplicate marketing, r&d, manufacturing, dealer overhead. GM had too many brands, and not enough value in them to justify their independence. If you are going to just share an engine and a chassis, wh...
by finebead
Sat May 30, 2009 1:22 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Hang on to our Vibes until they die
Replies: 13
Views: 3140

My target is usually 10 years. I sold a 94 Accord at 14 years and 160K miles. I had to do a transmission overhaul at 120K, cost 2 grand. Normally I would not have done it for MY car, but this was my high school son's car at the time (mine when new), and we had dropped collision and the savings on ca...
by finebead
Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:05 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: The Official "Price You Paid For Gas" Thread
Replies: 1661
Views: 1540222

Re: (ArcsVibe)

I bought regular gas today for 1.53 per gallon, in Houston!
by finebead
Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:39 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: new member intro - finebead
Replies: 10
Views: 2245

Re: new member intro - finebead (lowincash)

Quote »welcome! congrats on the 09 =D tint will definitely help with the sun and look good too...which ceramic tint you plan on using? i used huper optic on my sunroof and whole windshield and was quite expensive =/On the tint, I don't remember the product. I've been using one tint shop for 10 year...
by finebead
Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:31 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: new member intro - finebead
Replies: 10
Views: 2245

Re: new member intro - finebead (HawaiiPontiacLover)

Here's the 06 near Miss. River in Louisiana:
by finebead
Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:53 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: new member intro - finebead
Replies: 10
Views: 2245

new member intro - finebead

I own 2 Vibes, 06 for college daughter (just graduated) and 09 for wife (traded in 98 Suburban when gas was killing us). I love them both. Both are base models, wife's is red. We liked the gas mileage, good looks, roomy interior, quiet smooth ride, and hopefully great long term reliability (I plan t...