vibenvy's Garage - 2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT

[vibenvy]

Websites:
• Car Domain
• MPG Tune

Build Date: November 17, 2008 @ 7:18 am PDT
Purchase Date: April 11, 2009 (76 miles)

Accomplishments:
• 3rd place in the "Stock Class" at the 3rd annual WI GM-Tuner Gathering (05.22.10)
• GenVibe.com's April 2011 Vibe of the Month

• Turned over 10,000 miles (02.26.10)
• Turned over 20,000 miles (01.28.11)
• Turned over 30,000 miles (03.22.12)
• Turned over 40,000 miles (05.18.13)

Manufacturer Options:
• 5-Speed Shiftable Automatic Transmission (MVD)
• Power Sunroof (CF5)
• Theft-Deterrent Alarm System (UA6)

• 1 of 8 according to The CompNine RPO/VIN Decoder

Modifications:

Engine:
• exhaust manifold heat shield painted black
• TRD forged aluminum oil filler cap with metallic silver painted insert (#PTR35-00110)
• Grafx Werks metallic silver "VVT-i 16V" engine cover overlay
• K&N Typhoon metallic silver powder coated cold air intake (#69-8613TS)
• AEM Brute Force Dryflow air filter (#21-203BF)
• Optima 35 series Red Top battery (#8020-164)
• GM Accessories 2003-2008 Vibe muffler tip (#12497926)

Suspension:
• TRD red powder coated front strut brace (#PTR02-12080)

Wheels:
• summer: Toyota [McGard] OEM alloy wheel-specific chrome wheel locks (#00276-00901)
• chrome valve caps

• winter: 2009-2010 Vibe 2.4L Base/AWD 16" steel wheels (#19184107)
• 2009-2010 Vibe 2.4L Base/AWD 16" wheel covers (#24100434)
• 205/55/16 Kelly Explorer tires
• 2003-2010 Vibe steel wheel/wheel cover-specific lug nuts (#88972746)

Brakes:
• calipers painted black
• centers of rotors painted black

Exterior:
• Nokya hyper yellow Stage 1 bulbs in the fog lights (#H10)
• front license plate replaced with color matched plugs
• Sylvania SilverStar zXe bulbs in the low beam headlights (#9006)
• Sylvania SilverStar zXe bulbs in the high beam headlights (#9005)
• WeatherTech dark tinted front and rear in-channel side window deflectors (#82481)
• 35% tinted front and rear windows
• Honda 7" antenna (#39151-STK-A01)
• Grafx Werks metallic silver "genvibe.com" decal on the lower right corner of the hatch glass
• v-LEDs 5000k white LED bulbs in the reverse lights (#921)
• "PONTIAC VIBE GT" badges removed from the hatch
• v-LEDs 5000k white LED bulb in the license plate light (#194)

Interior:
• v-LEDs 5000k white LED bulbs in the map lights (#194)
• v-LEDs 5000k white LED bulbs in the center and rear overhead lights (#DE3175 / 31mm)
• GM Accessories chrome shift knob overlay (#19171212) [discontinued]
• 2010 Vibe metallic silver shifter bezel (#19205020)
• GM Accessories premium all weather front and rear floor mats (#19170829) [discontinued]
• GM Accessories rear cargo security shade (#19171208)
• 2 GM Accessories premium all weather cargo mats (#19170827)

Miscellaneous:
• independent fog lights
• Automatic Headlights (AHL) disabled
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL) disabled


2009

First Day Home - 04.11.09


First Photoshoot - 04.12.09












Dealer License Plate Frame & Sticker Removed - 04.17.09


WI GM-Tuner Meet - Bender Park - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 04.18.09




35% Tinted Front & Rear Windows - 04.24.09






De-Badged Hatch & Grafx Werks Metallic Silver "genvibe.com" Decal - 04.26.09


GM Accessories Premium All Weather Front And Rear Floor Mats & Cargo Mat - 05.06.09















K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake & AEM Brute Force Dryflow Air Filter - 07.09.09








Cruise Night - Morris, Illinois - 09.12.09


Automatic Headlights (AHL) & Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Disabled + Independent Fog Lights - 09.24.09






Winter Wheels & Tires - 2009-2010 Vibe 2.4L Base/AWD 16" Steel Wheels & 205/55/16 Kelly Explorer Tires - 11.07.09












Winter Mode 2009-2010 - 12.12.09

[vibenvy]

2010


"Birth Certificate" From NUMMI - 03.26.10


Calipers Painted Black - 04.03.10








Chrome Valve Caps - 04.06.10


Chicagoland GenVibe Meet - Busse Woods - Elk Grove Village, Illinois - 04.10.10












Flat Tire & Majorly Damaged Wheel - 04.17.10












Parking Like The Big Boys & Girls (Trucks & SUVs) @ JC Whitney - 05.02.10










3rd Annual WI GM-Tuner Gathering - Wisconsin Dells - 05.22.10


















Altgeld Hall @ Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, Illinois - 06.15.10




Front License Plate Replaced With Color Matched Plugs - 07.11.10






Colossal Amazing GenVibe Summer Meet Weekend - Indianapolis - 07.16.10 - 07.18.10














2" Blind Spot Mirrors - 09.26.10


Chicagoland GenVibe Meet - Sandwich, Illinois - 10.09.10




Winter Mode 2010-2011 - 12.04.10

[vibenvy]

2011

2003-2010 Vibe Steel Wheel/Wheel Cover-Specific Lug Nuts - 01.01.11


20,000 Miles! - 01.28.11


GM Accessories Rear Cargo Security Shade - 02.11.11


Honda 7" Antenna - 02.12.11




Exhaust Manifold Heat Shield Painted Black - 03.29.11


Centers Of Rotors Painted Black - 04.03.11




05.28.11








Grafx Werks Metallic Silver "VVT-i 16V" Engine Cover Overlay - 06.16.11



07.17.11












GM Accessories Chrome Shift Knob Overlay - 07.20.11


GenVibe Picture Challenge - 08.07.11




2010 Vibe Metallic Silver Shifter Bezel - 08.23.11


GenVibe Picture Challenge - 12.07.11


GenVibe Picture Challenge - 12.11.11


Winter Wheels & Tires - 2009-2010 Vibe 2.4L Base/AWD 16" Wheel Covers - 12.31.11

[vibenvy]

2012

30,000 Miles! - 03.22.12


Toyota [McGard] OEM Alloy Wheel-Specific Chrome Wheel Locks - 03.24.12


04.20.12

[A Psycho Martyr]

may I use this photo to make a Banner in the contest?
I actually have all 3 of my submissions made already, so I'm basically asking permission to make YOU one to submit in the contest
lemme know 8)

[vibenvy]

may I use this photo to make a Banner in the contest?
I actually have all 3 of my submissions made already, so I'm basically asking permission to make YOU one to submit in the contest
lemme know 8)

That's fine Brandon!

I am wanting to get both Vibes cleaned up and return to this location for a more proper photoshoot soon. I don't know if it will be before the banner contest ends though .

[joatmon]

Happy Birthday!

[vibenvy]

Happy Birthday!

Awww... thanks !

[vibenvy]

*UPDATE*

2nd GM Accessories Premium All Weather Cargo Mat To Protect The Backs Of The Rear Seats When Folded Down - 05.11.12

[vibenvy]

*UPDATE*

Optima 35 Series Red Top Battery - 05.19.12

[vibenvy]

I snapped a couple quick pictures in the rain the other day...





I removed the Stealth Auto chrome amber bulbs in the front and rear marker lights and re-installed the factory amber bulbs. I figured since I have blue bulbs in the low and high beams (SilverStar zXe bulbs) and yellow bulbs in the fog lights (Nokya hyper yellow Stage 1 bulbs), I might as well have amber bulbs in the marker lights again .

And here is the only decent night shot I could get of the new bulbs...

[ramenboy...]

Nice, Carrie! Your vibe is never dirty. (removed)!

[vibenvy]

Nice, Carrie! Your vibe is never dirty. (removed)!

Oh trust me... it's very dirty right now! I can't remember the last time I washed it . That's just the beauty of silver, it never really looks too dirty, especially in pictures !

[vibenvy]

*UPDATE*

WeatherTech Dark Tinted Front & Rear In-Channel Side Window Deflectors - 08.10.12

[felixturcotte22]

what a sweet ride !
congrats !

[vibenvy]

what a sweet ride !
congrats !

Thanks! I really appreciate it !

[Wingnut]

Very nice Carry!

[ponta2147]

So? What are your thoughts now that you have them? I never thought I'd want any but they look kinda tempting...

[vibenvy]

Very nice Carry!

Thanks Eric, but it's Carrie !

So? What are your thoughts now that you have them? I never thought I'd want any but they look kinda tempting...

Well, honestly... right now my opinion is that the front ones are great but the rear ones suck. The driver's side rear one fell out after only a couple days. The front ones fit nice and tight and allow the front windows to be open quite a bit without getting a ton of rain all over the interior, but the rear ones fit like c r a p and the crappy double sided tape that is supposed to attach them to the inside of the window channel does not hold worth a d a m n. I was going to return them, but before I do I am going to try some good 3M double sided tape to see if perhaps this will actually keep them in place. If it does, then I am going to keep them, but if one or both of the rears falls out again, they're going back. It did rain the other day and it was very nice to be able to have the windows down a little bit without getting rain all over, so I am really hoping some better quality double sided tape will keep the rear ones from falling out, but we shall see.

[vibenvy]

Well, my opinion of the rear WeatherTech deflectors is much better now that I put some 3M Super Strong Molding Tape (just under $5.00 at Walmart) on them and they are staying in place very nicely. The Vibe was out in the sun all day at work today and I drove home with all the windows down and the rear ones are still firmly attached.

I would recommend anyone who is interested in the WeatherTech deflectors to remove the crappy tape they come with and put some good 3M molding tape on them before installation.

[vibenvy]

*UPDATE*

v-LEDs 5000k White LED Bulb In The License Plate Light - 09.26.12

[vibenvy]

Yesterday my Vibe turned 4 !

[lannvouivre]

Yesterday my Vibe turned 4 !

Geez, your Vibe is so old now!

[vibenvy]

Geez, your Vibe is so old now!

I know right !

[vibenvy]

GM Accessories 2003-2008 Vibe Muffler Tip - 01.05.13

[vibedrivermatt]

The exhaust tip looks great. I've gotta get one for mine.

I notice its tack welded on there. Good idea.

also, really like the optima battery and other stuff.

[trb]

The exhaust tip looks great. I've gotta get one for mine.

I notice its tack welded on there. Good idea.

Ditto, but I will get one for my son's car. There are several of them on ebay right now for $29.99 plus $8 shipping.

[vibenvy]

The exhaust tip looks great. I've gotta get one for mine.

I notice its tack welded on there. Good idea.

also, really like the optima battery and other stuff.

Thanks Matt! I was getting bored with the OEM 2009-2010 Vibe GT muffler tip and thought it would be neat if I could get the 2003-2008 GM one to work. It seemed like it was going to be a major PITA at first, but it ended up being a pretty easy install for my exhaust guy and as you can see, he did a great job. He made a sleeve to go over the tailpipe (because the tailpipe is 2 1/8" and the opening on the new tip is 3"+), welded the sleeve to the tailpipe and then slid the tip on over the sleeve and used the clamp that came with the tip to keep the tip nice and tight over the sleeve and tailpipe. I love that it looks like an exhaust without actually having an exhaust . It looks even better than I thought it would. You have got to post pictures if you get one for yours! I'm curious to see how it would look on the Base rear end.

I scored a great deal with the Optimas that I absolutely could not pass up. Optima was offering $50.00 mail-in rebates on up to 4 of their batteries (i.e. $50.00 per battery) back in August. I figured there would be no better time to get them, so I went ahead and got them. It sure was nice to get that $100.00 rebate check in the mail . It's even nicer to not have to worry about the batteries leaking, dying, etc. for a long time to come. I was surprised at how much smaller the Optimas were compared to the factory batteries. I am going to have to rig something up because they tend to slide around a bit because there is quite a bit of space around the battery in the tray. They also sit quite a bit lower even though I have both spacers under them, so the battery tie downs are not quite as snug as I would like, but despite these minor issues, we have not had any issues whatsoever with the batteries themselves.

Ditto, but I will get one for my son's car. There are several of them on ebay right now for $29.99 plus $8 shipping.

You'll get one for your son's Vibe because your "new" tip will be arriving in the mail within the next week or so ! $29.99 plus $8.00 shipping isn't bad at all considering the price on GMPartsCenter.net (#12497926) is $6x.xx plus $8.95 handling. I am so glad I jumped on the 2 for $17.00 each with free shipping on eBay though, especially since I ended up shelling out $53.00 for installation (parts and labor) per Vibe. Oh well, I justified it to myself because I couldn't find another tip I liked and because most aftermarket tips i.e. Magnaflow, Flowmaster, etc. are $50.00+ for just the tip. It was money well spent IMO .

[vibenvy]

GenVibe Picture Challenge - 01.28.13

[vibenvy]

removed

[A Psycho Martyr]

Man, I wish I had got those years ago

[vibenvy]

*UPDATES*

TRD Forged Aluminum Oil Filler Cap With Metallic Silver Painted Insert - 05.12.13




TRD Front Strut Brace - 05.17.13






I am very pleased with the TRD strut brace! Not only does it look like a normal strut brace compared to the goofy looking OEM one, but it should provide much more stability than the OEM one due to it being one piece instead of three and it weighs about half as much as the OEM one. Definitely a great upgrade that I'm glad I made !

[MaSlade]

Heyyyyyy that looks familiar!

It took me about a year and a half to scroll all the way down, but man, does that look good I like that it's super light and functional. Did it take you long to install? I've had lots of trouble because of existing stripped bolts/etc.

It looks great with your GT.

[vibenvy]

Heyyyyyy that looks familiar!

It took me about a year and a half to scroll all the way down, but man, does that look good I like that it's super light and functional. Did it take you long to install? I've had lots of trouble because of existing stripped bolts/etc.

It looks great with your GT.

The installation went very smoothly. Much smoother and easier than I was expecting. It probably took me about an hour start to finish, including some cleaning under the cowl pieces before re-installing them and removing the TRD badge from the strut brace.

Thanks for the kind words !

[MaSlade]

Any time! Now was the TRD badge stuck on with adhesive? I was thinking about relocating it because it's unnoticeable (unfortunately).

[vibenvy]

Any time! Now was the TRD badge stuck on with adhesive? I was thinking about relocating it because it's unnoticeable (unfortunately).

Yep. It's just held on with double sided tape. I took a blow dryer to it and used some fishing line to "saw" back and forth behind it until it popped off. Than I just used WD-40 to remove the leftover adhesive residue. It came off pretty easily.

I have a second TRD strut brace on the way for my mom's Vibe (it should arrive sometime this week) and I will be removing the badge from it as well, so if you want another one or if you don't want to mess with removing yours, let me know and I'll drop it in the mail to you (no cost!). Another member has already claimed the badge from my strut brace .

And on a bit of a side note, I drove my Vibe for the first time today after installing the strut brace and I can honestly say I could feel a noticeable difference in the handling over the OEM one. The body roll when turning or going through a curve is noticeably reduced over the OEM one and the Vibe just feels more "solid". I am so glad I decided to go ahead and get the TRD strut brace !

*UPDATE*

40,000 Miles! - 05.18.13