completely agree - i have the same tires on my FWD'06 and have no issues in the snow or rain.vibrologist wrote:he base Gen 1 does really well in rain and snow if you have the right tires for the conditions. I use Michelin Defenders for 3 seasons on mine and I have an extra set of wheels with General Tire Altimax Arctic for winter driving. There is no issue with aqua planing with the Michelin and the Altimax Arctic are incredibly grippy in the snow.
Only one of these are a problem for me -- paint chips and peels -- other than that my vibe has been problem free.Caretaker wrote:Both Vibe models suffer from common problems such as NUMMI fit and finish issues, horribly designed Toyota brakes, crappy Toyota 4 speed auto transmission, blind spots, oil consumption, chipping paint, poor rear seat leg room. I truly am keeping my Vibe because of the lifetime XM I thoroughly enjoy.
Mazzy21 wrote:My first Vibe was a 2005 Base. When a deer totaled that two years ago I purchased a 2009 GT. I should have paid more attention when test driving. I should have noticed the lack of functionality the 2nd gen gave me in comparison to the 1st. Of course the 2nd gen has *some* perks over the 1st: with the GT it clearly has more pep, nicer looking and more comfortable seating (IMO), and the 2.4L engine gives the weight that the 1.8L never did on Michigan's snowy roads <- the biggest issue for me, as the Base was death-grip terrifying on even the slightest of wet roads, never mind full on snow-covered messes, while the GT glides over the snow like I have an SUV.
Problem is, in all other ways the 2nd gen falls WAY short of the 1st gen for my lifestyle. The lack of that back window opening is something huge for me personally, and the much smaller interior has made the car useless for anything but basic point-A-to-point-B transport, where as I used to haul all kinds of things in my 1st gen and loved that over the idea of owning a truck (yuk!).
I have been paying on my 2nd gen for 2 years now and every month when I make that payment I hate it even more, simply because I have NO intention of keeping this car. I keep thinking "I could be paying on a 1st gen that I know I'd keep til she dies over this heap!"
So my question to you, Vibe enthusiasts, is, would you consider going back? Is it stupid to trade in my 2009 for a now ten year old 2005 (I would go with AWD this time around for the snow situation)? It should be noted that Vibes seem to keep their value incredibly well, so all the 2005AWDs I've seen are around $6-7K with about 140K miles in my area, and they are very hard to come by as it is, getting snatched up almost as soon as they are listed on dealer sites. I want my 1st gen back so badly yet I can't help but think 'is this dumb? the car is OLD now, it has none of the new features, safety or otherwise of new vehicles.'
So all this rambling is to ask that question - if a 1st gen fit your lifestyle like a glove, BUT you'd have to go back to a ten year old car (and have a car payment on it!) would you do it or would you "settle" for a new car, and "settle" is exactly what it would be, because I have yet to find a new car that comes close tot he functionality of my old Vibe.
Please share your thoughts.
trb wrote:Having driven both a considerable amount ( son's 06 for about a year, my 03 GT for a year and my 10 GT for about 2 years) I can say I preferred the 10 GT regarding driving performance. The handling with the 10 GT was much better. My son commented on it too when he drove it, that it handled much better, and he is not into driving! The interior was not that much of a difference to me, although the rear window was a bit of a bummer that it does not open, but it was not a deal breaker. If I had been able to get another 09-10 red GT with a manual transmission this time, that is what I would be driving now. I settled on the 03 GT since it was much cheaper - about 1/4 the cost of a newer one, and I was able to pay cash for it. Worked out well since we also bought my daughter a new Rogue so I don't have an additional car payment.
The 03-08 is a bit more "old fashioned" since they don't all have all of the safety features of the 09-10, but if it fits you well like an old pair of jeans, it might just be the ticket. But before you jump into just any older Vibe, I would really make sure it is a good one. A long drive and definitely have a mechanic check it out, especially if you get the AWD due to the extra complexity.
Good luck on your decision!
Yes, if it is equipped with it, but a good percentage of them don't have either. My son's 06 does not have ABS or the extra airbags and that's why I mentioned they don't all have all of the safety features. Wish they were standard on all of the earlier models. It certainly is a plus if you can find one with those options.Nasmfell wrote:trb wrote:Having driven both a considerable amount ( son's 06 for about a year, my 03 GT for a year and my 10 GT for about 2 years) I can say I preferred the 10 GT regarding driving performance. The handling with the 10 GT was much better. My son commented on it too when he drove it, that it handled much better, and he is not into driving! The interior was not that much of a difference to me, although the rear window was a bit of a bummer that it does not open, but it was not a deal breaker. If I had been able to get another 09-10 red GT with a manual transmission this time, that is what I would be driving now. I settled on the 03 GT since it was much cheaper - about 1/4 the cost of a newer one, and I was able to pay cash for it. Worked out well since we also bought my daughter a new Rogue so I don't have an additional car payment.
The 03-08 is a bit more "old fashioned" since they don't all have all of the safety features of the 09-10, but if it fits you well like an old pair of jeans, it might just be the ticket. But before you jump into just any older Vibe, I would really make sure it is a good one. A long drive and definitely have a mechanic check it out, especially if you get the AWD due to the extra complexity.
Good luck on your decision!
Wouldn't the optional ESC, and side airbags cover the safety issues?
I'd rather stick with more slippery all seasons. Running winter tires any other time it's not winter, is asking for trouble. They chew up quickly, so more money spent on tires; they don't handle like an all season or summer tire (squirmy), and he probably drives in weather over 35-40oF more than not.thebarber wrote:Any inability of your gen1 in the snow is not having the proper tire. If you don't want to change tires, buy snows and run them all year.
I'm on my fourth gen1 matrix/vibe...
I'd rather run just snows than end up shiny side down come winter. technically you're better off on winters below 8c anyways, which in my/Michigans neck is 5months of the year.ImUrOBGYN wrote:I'd rather stick with more slippery all seasons. Running winter tires any other time it's not winter, is asking for trouble. They chew up quickly, so more money spent on tires; they don't handle like an all season or summer tire (squirmy), and he probably drives in weather over 35-40oF more than not.thebarber wrote:Any inability of your gen1 in the snow is not having the proper tire. If you don't want to change tires, buy snows and run them all year.
I'm on my fourth gen1 matrix/vibe...
Of course, I'm doubting you would want to do that either and I'll assume you're just throwing out alternatives.
I'm on matrix/vibe #4 and have always had winter tires and have never had an issue in snow/cold. The vibe "only" weighs 2700-2800lbs so is light.Mazzy21 wrote:I've definitely seen the winter tire debate on here many times, and I would also throw out that mine was an '05, that every bad review I've seen regarding snow is with someone owning an '05 Base, and that even a post on here, that I either made or commented on eons ago (when I still had my 1st gen) had someone responding that they too own(ed) an '05 Base and that it was terrible on even the slightest bit of snow. There might really be something to the '05 Base model that just made them terrible on snow. I don't know what that would be because I don't know of any differences between the '05 and other years, but there is a Base '06 in Abyss, in beautiful shape here for $6500 and it is VERY tempting just on the thought that maybe the '05s specifically are ice skates.
I've been looking at the models people have listed (that have it listed) as the one they own and it doesn't seem like anyone saying their Vibe handles well is driving an '05 Base. If there were any way to know that it was just that year I'd jump on another Base instead of looking for AWD. They are cheaper and more fuelnt so ~shrug~ but as of right now only go by what I know, and what I know is that after spending bookoo bucks replacing new tires with more new tires THREE times on my '05 Base (2x Good Year, 1x Michelin, always all-seasons) absolutely nothing helped and that car was horrific in the snow.
But that's just it, right? If tires really made THAT much of a difference then your traction would have been just as bad on your Malibu as on your Vibe. Except it wasn't. Except that all-seasons worked just fine on your Malibu, implying it was your Vibe that was the problem, not your tires. And that's what I experienced with my Base '05 as well. And that's why I think I"m gonna stick with pondering a 1st gen AWD vs. my 2nd gen GT.thebarber wrote: Heck, I had Michelin hydroedge on my vibe and hated them....no traction any time (summer), but has the same tires on my 2000 Malibu and loved them (all year long)
Tires make ALL the difference
I'm glad to hear that. I see you have an '06 Base. That makes the '06 Base for sale here a little more appealing.runningslow wrote:I was in Michigan for a particularly bad snow storm a few Christmases ago with the Vibe. I thought my Vibe performed quite well in the snow even with my well worn all season tires. It was pretty heavy with all the luggage and accessories that 2 adults and an infant required, so that may have played into the performance.
Side note: I saw so many 1st gen Vibes I saw in the UP a few weeks ago on vacation. I'd have a hard time believing that they are bad in the snow if so many Yoopers own them.
Like your GT vs gen1 its about curb weightMazzy21 wrote:But that's just it, right? If tires really made THAT much of a difference then your traction would have been just as bad on your Malibu as on your Vibe. Except it wasn't. Except that all-seasons worked just fine on your Malibu, implying it was your Vibe that was the problem, not your tires. And that's what I experienced with my Base '05 as well. And that's why I think I"m gonna stick with pondering a 1st gen AWD vs. my 2nd gen GT.thebarber wrote: Heck, I had Michelin hydroedge on my vibe and hated them....no traction any time (summer), but has the same tires on my 2000 Malibu and loved them (all year long)
Tires make ALL the difference
Hahaha Yes, I love this forum; it has been most helpful to me during my time as a Vibe owner, but the one thing I have found is that any time winter driving is even mentioned the debate begins again. I appreciate the reality that winter tires are a good tool for people who live here in Michigan, but I flat out am not buying them so the point is moot. I like All-seasons. I rock All-seasons. I will not change from All-seasons. So....ImUrOBGYN wrote: ...Did this just turn into another repeated tire thread? Fine. I'll stop. Back to business, OP.
There definitely are differences. For one, the '05 came with DBW instead of an accelerator cable. Then there was that pesky PCM recall. The original PCM caused jerky shifts and a rather hefty tip-in on acceleration. Both are things you don't want in slippery conditions. At the recall my PCM was replaced with a new one and this one shifts a whole lot smoother. I also developed a good feel for the tip-in and I rarely get any jerky motion out of my drive train. So, if that Abyss has had the recall done it ought to work for you.had someone responding that they too own(ed) an '05 Base and that it was terrible on even the slightest bit of snow. There might really be something to the '05 Base model that just made them terrible on snow. I don't know what that would be because I don't know of any differences between the '05 and other years,
Thanks! I didn't know that. And speaking of, because I don't actually know anything about cars, another question - I happen to be seeing 2003's with less miles than many 2006s (well, "many" is relative; there are only a handful of AWDs, period). What do you think is better, GenVibe, lower miles or newer year?trb wrote:If you want AWD, then the only years you will find are 03-06. GM quit selling AWD Vibes after 06, until the 09 came out.
On an older car, what matters more to me is how well it was maintained. Case in point, the 03 GT I bought last year. It had 207,000 miles, but was maintained very well by the prior owner. It looks better in many aspects than my son's 06 which has 1/3 the mileage. He used Mobil 1 and changed it every 5,000-6,000 miles. He drove it on the highway as an insurance salesman in central Texas, so it was his livelyhood. The mechanic that I had look at it confirmed that the car looked like it was well maintained and he found only two very minor things, cracked serpentine belt and a leaky power steering hose. The seller told me about the belt since it had over 100K on it. I still haven't changed either of these items, and it's been a year now. I fully expect to get another 100K miles from it, if not more.Mazzy21 wrote:And speaking of, because I don't actually know anything about cars, another question - I happen to be seeing 2003's with less miles than many 2006s (well, "many" is relative; there are only a handful of AWDs, period). What do you think is better, GenVibe, lower miles or newer year?
Well, at least the last owner took good care of it... hahatrb wrote:On an older car, what matters more to me is how well it was maintained. Case in point, the 03 GT I bought last year. It had 207,000 miles, but was maintained very well by the prior owner. It looks better in many aspects than my son's 06 which has 1/3 the mileage. He used Mobil 1 and changed it every 5,000-6,000 miles. He drove it on the highway as an insurance salesman in central Texas, so it was his livelyhood. The mechanic that I had look at it confirmed that the car looked like it was well maintained and he found only two very minor things, cracked serpentine belt and a leaky power steering hose. The seller told me about the belt since it had over 100K on it. I still haven't changed either of these items, and it's been a year now. I fully expect to get another 100K miles from it, if not more.Mazzy21 wrote:And speaking of, because I don't actually know anything about cars, another question - I happen to be seeing 2003's with less miles than many 2006s (well, "many" is relative; there are only a handful of AWDs, period). What do you think is better, GenVibe, lower miles or newer year?
I would look at the general condition of the car, and if a Carfax is available, maybe it will show the maintenance records. Low miles is a plus, but excessively low miles indicates a car that was not driven much and could suffer from issues due to a lack of use. Either way, if a car looks good to you at first look, something you would be happy to own, make sure you get it checked out by a mechanic, especially the AWD components since they are often neglected, can leak, and it is an expensive repair if it goes out.
Good luck!
trb wrote:If you want AWD, then the only years you will find are 03-06. GM quit selling AWD Vibes after 06, until the 09 came out.
Mazzy21 wrote:Thanks! I didn't know that. And speaking of, because I don't actually know anything about cars, another question - I happen to be seeing 2003's with less miles than many 2006s (well, "many" is relative; there are only a handful of AWDs, period). What do you think is better, GenVibe, lower miles or newer year?trb wrote:If you want AWD, then the only years you will find are 03-06. GM quit selling AWD Vibes after 06, until the 09 came out.