As seen on Edmunds.com - First drive of '09 Vibe

[kostby]

A very positive review, although they find the new Vibe lacking compared to Mazda 3 performance.There's a good selection of photos, including a few features I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere. A fold-up cargo divider has replaced the channels and anchors of the 03-08 Vibes.According to the caption, the AWD version apparently includes a standard roof rack.Link to full article --> http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...30#16

[WaveAction]

i'll be honest, i dont like it at all other then the interior since it's pretty much the same..but the exterior is ugly

[coldmm803]

I agree with waveaction, i dont really care for it. i dont like the rounded hatch opening and drop to the floor for the trunk. also, imo, it seems to be on a slight bit of steroids, larger/taller front bumper and same old wheel gap and more defined lines on the side.i went to the Philly Auto Show on Monday and the 09 was there but it was on one of those rotating platforms and all the doors were open so i couldn't get a good look

[Vivid_Art]

Quote »We asked whether Pontiac would launch a Vibe volley to do battle with the Mazdaspeed 3 and Caliber SRT4, and Pontiac's vehicle line director could not suppress a sly smile. hmmm, very interesting!! I was ready to move on from getting a new Vibe this summer, BUT now i might re consider!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WaveAction]

one thing i've also noticed is it seems that the roof racks are optional...not all the pics of the new vibe has the roof racks which is nice..the side view looks identical to a matrix

[Vivid_Art]

Im pretty sure only the AWD Vibe comes with the roof rack standard and they might be an option on the other models may be? Im really excited about an even more performance oriented Vibe GT..or may be i should say GTX!?..or wait they call their performance models GXP's!

[WaveAction]

that'd be nice if they actually made a GXP version of the vibe..or the GT-R would be nice too..maybe 225-250? standard supercharger or turbo..who knows..we'll just have to wait and see i guess

[ragingfish]

the back end is too mitsubishi-ish...

[wyatt89]

i miss seeing a tach that went to 9k

[ramenboy...]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »the back end is too mitsubishi-ish...i think the back end is too caliber-ish. i like the new gen matrix. and my o4 vibe

[vibolista]

The 09 looks really good to me, except for the conflicting lines along the body sides. The greenhouse is sharper than our first gen, especially the more raked windshield. The rear hatch is not a good looking piece, it's like they ran out of design money or interest by the time they got back there. The nose, on the other hand, is very nicely done. The GT face being the best looking from the pics. It's the same way inside for me... the GT seats are much better looking than the ones in my Vibe, but that oval dash pod kills me. Maybe if I look at it a lot, it will grow on me. The first gen's 4 round pods are more interesting to look at. The last thing I'll comment on is the increased weight. Golly gee... that's like an extra person riding around in the car with you all the time. Wrong direction. The lighter the car, the better the performance and handling. See Colin Chapman. Not only that, you even get more miles out of each gallon of gas. Hopefully, better aerodynamic numbers will compensate for that weight gain. Almost no manufacturer publishes Cd numbers anymore, so we may never find this out. This is based on just a few pictures. I'll have to actually see one in the metal and drive it first. All of the above is still subject to change. That's my 25 cents.

[808 Vibes]

It doesn't do anything for me either, but I like the divider in the back!

[ColonelPanic]

I still hate how they took form over functionality on those gauges... Sorry, I just can't get over this! The fuel/temp gauges are going to be difficult to read at best housed deeply within that stupid oval. Looking at a number of pics of the cluster, you can rarely see both gauges at the same time!

[KNINE]

Hate those clear lens tail lights.

[jake75]

Interesting new (to me anyway) information.For $400 more You can get a base with a 2.4L - uses reg. unleaded.The automatic with the 2.4 is a 5 speed, 1,050 vs 850 for 4 speed..EPA is 21/29 vs 25/31 for the 1.8 L 4 speed automatic.The 2.4L pfd pkg is 1,070 vs. 945 onthe 1.8L. Only diff seems to be that the 2.4L pfd pkg adds "variable" intermittent front and rear wipers.Total cost to move to the 2.4L = 400 + 200 + 125 = $725.For someone who drives mostly in town that 16% gas mileage hit hurts. At 12,000 m,iles that's 91 more gal x $3.25 = $297. I don't know how they are going to unload the left over 2008's when the 2009's arrive unless they have at least $3,500 in incentives. 2008 base with AT Pfd AC = 19,095 MSRPAntilock brakes add 525; Side airbags add 745; stabiltrack add 495for a total of $20,860.2009 Base with AT Pfd AC = $18,640 MSRP plus all the above safety features that cost $1,765 on the 2008 are standard.

[WaveAction]

nice lil write up jake, alot of info there, how long did it take you to figure all that out?

[bull77]

not a fan of the roof rack or backend --- i'll have to see it in person before deciding

[jake75]

A lot of that info was on my mind as I almost bought a 2008 base with AT AC Pfd Packag MSRP $19,095 the end of January tempted by 1. $1,250 reg rebate2. $1,000 loyalty rebate3. Offer to add $700 to my GM Card rebate balance[My current $1,300 GM Rebate balance and $700 dealer discount would be available on the '09 so that did not figure into my '08 vs. '09 decision.]Basically that added to $2,950. I concluded that was not generous enough to buy what is essentailly last years model and not get the safety features that are important to my wife. I can beef up my own GM Card rebate balance by $300 over the next few months and the way things are going by that time I would not be surprised to see a rebate on the 2009. The Columbus auto show is in March and I might see something else I like better. Often they have auto show discounts as well. And this time I might try to sell my old car BEFORE I buy a new one - we have another vehicle to drive. I know I can get $2,000 more for my 2003 Vibe seling it myself than the dealer would offer me intrade. Actually we could survive with one vehicle but no sense leaving all that money to my kids.

[kostby]

I think they dropped A/C from the standard list on the 09 base, according to what I read somewhere. Is that figured into your calculations?

[AKLGT]

though I don't plan to purchase one, I'm going to have to test drive one. Kinda miss my Vibes.

[kunkstyle]

I somehow doubt that cargo area stowaway will be compatible with the current model, but if it is I'd definitely be willing to swap those out.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »I think they dropped A/C from the standard list on the 09 base, according to what I read somewhere. Is that figured into your calculations?Yes - that is in my calculations. A/C included in the $16,810 MSRP for 2008; add $950 for A/C to the $15,310 MSRP for 2009. (Add to both the $585 destination charge.)They also eliminated the roof rack in 2009 - I think that is a $395 option in 2009 so if that is of any importance to you should include that adjustment. Also I think the rear mat was included in 2008; adds I think $60 in 2009.

[Tubaryan12]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »the back end is too mitsubishi-ish...I wanted one of those.

[Celtic_Curse]

I don't mind it, it just creates a new modding project for me. I'll want to see if the GT can beet us heavily modded guys first and if it does then make the move...although if they go with a turbo charged GXP model then I will trade mine in.

[Vivid_Art]

Well Celtic they might actually do that! I already posted a quote up there but everyones been lame and not talking about it, all they have to talk about is the boxy back end and pricing...BORING. Anyways im excited to find out what they will come up with that can keep up with a Mazda3Speed and the new SRT4!

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Vivid_Art »Well Celtic they might actually do that! I already posted a quote up there but everyones been lame and not talking about it, all they have to talk about is the boxy back end and pricing...BORING. Anyways im excited to find out what they will come up with that can keep up with a Mazda3Speed and the new SRT4!SRT4? you mean the caliber? boring!Speed3 will kick it's (removed) in every way!maybe GM will figure out that there is a market for faster hatches, i don't know. I mean.... MS3, Caliber SRT4, WRX HATCH, STI HATCH, Audi A3, etc.... you can have your slow go fuel economy boxes, but not everyone wants that. make a version that actually moves when you put your foot on the gas and I bet people will probably buy it (provided the price point isn't unreasonable).hell, if the AWD wasn't necessary for me up here, that MS3 would be mine! Awesome car! the new WRX hatch, though nice, is so bland and boring compared to the body style of the new STI. Sure I won't get 40 mpg, but then I won't be staring at taillights every time I put my foot on the gas either. Now, make an AWD turbo hatch/wagon with 300+ awd/tq that gets 30 mpg and I would be willing to pay $40K for it! oh and doesn't require premium gas. I'll keep dreaming....