MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Park your vehicle in a thread here - list your vehicle info, pics, etc. all in one place.
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MountainVibe
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:58 pm

MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Hello, fellow Pontyota drivers!

My exceptionally uncreative name for the car is NUMMI.

Bought my Vibe in April 2016 with about 77,000 km on it. Smelled like something had died in the HVAC system, but the odour thankfully went away.

Not too much to report at this time, except to say that I LOVE it, which I knew I would.

Experienced the infamous leaking water pump that destroyed the alternator. Now that those things have been replaced, I expect a few hundred thousand more kms without any engine issues.

Presently sourcing parts to add fog lights. Next I think I'll get a rear five-window tint; (driver and front passenger window and windshield tints are not legal in BC). Then probably a new stereo, what with the expectedly broken knob and at least one speaker sounding blown. Bluetooth and handsfree cell phone capabilities would also be nice.

I live on a mountain in a suburb of Vancouver, BC at about 320 m / 1,050 ft elevation and we had snow on the ground from the beginning of December through to January, so the Nokian WRG3 all-weather tires were a welcome upgrade. I'm in an apartment with no storage so separate sets of winter and three-season tires isn't really an option.

Some turkey sideswiped me the other week, so I'm waiting to get NUMMI back with a new right fender, bumper cover and repainted hood and right front door. I was thankfully found 0% at fault and the insurer has waived my deductible! I'm only paying a $200 deductible for an unrelated windshield claim.

As it stands right now, my plan is to drive this little puddle jumper for years to come. I'm looking forward to engaging in the forum and learning about others' recommended mods and various tips and tricks.

Cheers,
Ryan
NUMMI coming home from Vancouver Island. April 2016,
NUMMI coming home from Vancouver Island. April 2016,
Vibe - 1 copy.jpg (74.78 KiB) Viewed 6140 times
NUMMI providing directional signage at a political party event. October 2016.
NUMMI providing directional signage at a political party event. October 2016.
Vibe 2 - 1.jpg (49.29 KiB) Viewed 6140 times
NUMMI gets sideswiped. March 2017.
NUMMI gets sideswiped. March 2017.
Vibe 3 - 1.jpg (50.42 KiB) Viewed 6140 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
tpollauf
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by tpollauf »

Welcome to GenVibe ;) I'd say that was a bit more than a sideswipe .... but more like a direct hit :twisted: That looked bad. Glad you got off easy on the repair and is back on the road! If/when you perform the stereo upgrade let us know what you get. You likely do NOT have the steering wheel controls so that gives you more options & flexibility. Visit us often here
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2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
2014 Silverado, 2004 Vibe GT

"everything is modifiable"
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vibenvy
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by vibenvy »

Welcome to GenVibe! I look forward to seeing more pictures and updates from you ;)!
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
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MacGyver
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MacGyver »

Welcome to Genvibe! If you're looking to add fog lights, try the Morimoto LEDs off Amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/Morimoto-Type-LED ... 00XA3C2FA/

I have some OEM knockoff fogs in my 09 base and they suck, so I don't recommend halogen lamps if you actually want to get use out of them. And living in the Lower Mainland, you'll be using them plenty.
2009 Vibe Base
MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

MacGyver, thanks for the tip.
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Fixed!
Vibe - 1.jpg
Vibe - 1.jpg (52.58 KiB) Viewed 6059 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
MountainVibe
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:58 pm

Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

And tinted (Sun-Gard, 5% limo black).
Vibe - 2 copy.jpg
Vibe - 2 copy.jpg (96.7 KiB) Viewed 6058 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
MountainVibe
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:58 pm

Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Now with the new-to-me alloys from a 2012 Toyota Corolla
Vibe - 1 (1).jpg
Vibe - 1 (1).jpg (82.09 KiB) Viewed 5867 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
KingKrab65
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by KingKrab65 »

MacGyver wrote:Welcome to Genvibe! If you're looking to add fog lights, try the Morimoto LEDs off Amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/Morimoto-Type-LED ... 00XA3C2FA/

I have some OEM knockoff fogs in my 09 base and they suck, so I don't recommend halogen lamps if you actually want to get use out of them. And living in the Lower Mainland, you'll be using them plenty.

The website says that those fog lights are not available to ship to the States. That's wild. Are they too bright for the US or do they have some strange hypnotic power. :)

BTW - Welcome to NUMMI to the genvibe group!
2003 Base Vibe
MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Thanks, KingKrab65!

I've finally assembled all the pieces for the fog light install--lights, bezels, relay and stalk. Waiting for the body shop that has agreed to install them at no charge to call when when the part from an unrelated repair comes in (which reminds me that call is long overdue...). Keeping my fingers crossed they they may be generous enough to install the stalk and relay as well as the exterior pieces, though fully prepared to do that work myself. Here's to hoping they're bright but not so bright that I get a ticket!
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
MountainVibe
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:58 pm

Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

The latest...
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Strut tower brace
Strut tower brace
IMG_6049 copy.jpg (418.93 KiB) Viewed 5649 times
Now with roof rack
Now with roof rack
FullSizeRender copy.jpg (321.52 KiB) Viewed 5649 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
MountainVibe
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:58 pm

Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Today's little job--the TRD sway bar.
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IMG_6051.JPG
IMG_6051.JPG (69.57 KiB) Viewed 5638 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
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ImUrOBGYN
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by ImUrOBGYN »

Nice. I forget, what mm is the TRD rear anti-sway bar and how do you like the change in handling?
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered. - George Best
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MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

I don't know the specs but here's a side by side shot of the old and new. "Significantly bigger" is unfortunately as specific as I can be.

I added the strut tower brace at essentially the same time, and the combined effect, at least when cornering, is that it feels like a different car. Generally more straight and stable; first highway roadtrip to really test it out this weekend.
Stock vs. TRD anti-sway bars
Stock vs. TRD anti-sway bars
IMG_6050.JPG (99.95 KiB) Viewed 5604 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
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vibenvy
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by vibenvy »

New mods look great!
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

The latest - a new-to-me K&N cold air intake! Bought it for $190 CAD / $150 USD. Planning on swapping in an AEM filter before long. Pretty happy with the responsiveness and bit of extra HP at higher RPMs.
K&N CAI.jpg
K&N CAI.jpg (98.18 KiB) Viewed 5476 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
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vibenvy
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by vibenvy »

MountainVibe wrote:The latest - a new-to-me K&N cold air intake! Bought it for $190 CAD / $150 USD. Planning on swapping in an AEM filter before long. Pretty happy with the responsiveness and bit of extra HP at higher RPMs.
Nice!
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

And now with the AEM Dryflow 21-202DK air filter and pre-filter wrap! TRD lowering springs on the way...
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IMG_6107.JPG
IMG_6107.JPG (107.61 KiB) Viewed 5358 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
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vibenvy
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by vibenvy »

Great call on the AEM filter and wrap ;)!

Can't wait to see it lowered on TRDs!
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
MountainVibe
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by MountainVibe »

Now with TRD lowering springs and fog lights! (Stalk and relay so the fog lights actually work still to come.)
IMG_6121.JPG
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IMG_6129.JPG
IMG_6129.JPG (122.14 KiB) Viewed 5294 times
IMG_6131.JPG
IMG_6131.JPG (111.51 KiB) Viewed 5294 times
2009 | 1.8 L base | 5M | Carbon Gray Metallic | ~108,000 km
K&N intake, AEM filter. TRD lowering springs, strut brace & sway bar. Nokian WRG3s. Matrix rims, roof rack & floor mats. Morimoto fog lights (install of stalk and relay pending).
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vibenvy
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by vibenvy »

Looks great! Not being able to use the TRD lowering springs and rear anti-sway bar are two things that suck about having a GT :(.
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
JetBlack
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Re: MountainVibe - 2009 Vibe 1.8 L base 5M

Post by JetBlack »

How's the driving dynamics with the lowering springs? Hows it handling city surfaces? JetBlack might like some of those.
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