don't think i would try plywood on roof rack, surely would act as a wing! i am keeping my truck so anything i need to pull/haul i will have covered. although the van did that as well. with rear seats removed (easy) 4x8 sheets lay flat! and it has a tow package, so can pull as well! bummed to get rid of it, but don't need 3.trb wrote:Welcome! Nice to have a "stable" of vehicles to choose from depending on what you need to do. Most people have to compromise on one or two vehicles. I really enjoy the Vibes for everything except hauling 4x8 sheets of plywood. Not too sure how they would do on the roof rack, so I haven't tried that with whole sheets yet! (But I have hauled them in my hatchback Mustang before!)
Good luck on your search!
The 6 speeds are more reliable in the earlier models due to a defect in the 5 speeds.tpar1220 wrote:so are you saying the 6 speed manual trans in gt is a better trans than the 5 speed manual trans in base model? what kinda fuel mileage do you get? i am tryin to gather as much info as i can get before purchasing.
Mechanically, yes it is better for durability. I would just be leery of a 100K+ base 03-04 manual trans that had not been touched. Now if it has been maintained with fluid changes like sideshowalan said, it might be OK, but it is something to consider and I would price it accordingly.tpar1220 wrote:so are you saying the 6 speed manual trans in gt is a better trans than the 5 speed manual trans in base model? what kinda fuel mileage do you get? i am tryin to gather as much info as i can get before purchasing.
tpar1220 wrote:think i have found the one i like. it is an 09 with 46,000 miles, which is newer than i had planned on. but it looks new inside n out. i planned on doing a private party deal but finding the one was proving to be a pain. and trying to sell 2 vehicles was equally bothersome. so figured i would give a dealer another shot to pee me off. this dealer did a pretty good job, not only did they meet my price for my trades... they exceeded them! i actually made money on one!!
i didn't realize they changed from 1.8 to 2.4 engine, but maybe thats not a bad thing cuz i wanna pull a small trailer with bike, so... the larger displacement may be a good thing. i am not sure bout the color though... but is what it is i spose. i dont know if it is blue, green... or teal?
one thing that maybe a concern is battery was dead when i test drove it, and battery was a deka, which i assume is not oem. so why would a car that is 5 years old with 46,000 miles be on 2nd battery, and maybe need a 3rd. but they said they would take care of it if it needed a new battery. battery was charged up after test drive so i assume charging system good.
think i will have em agree to taking care of whatever that dead battery issue may be seeing as it is a pre existing condition. and get it in writing. one reason i am getting one of these things is for the reputation they have for being claw hammer reliable. i would be super bummed if i get it home and no start next day!
it even has a nice sound system which i assume is factory option? i don't remember name though. it rode nice. i am stoked to rid myself of 2 vehicles for this one, my garage will have so much more room now..
It's called Mystic Blue Metallic and as tpollauf said, it was only available for 2009. It's a pretty rare color and a really neat color that I have had the pleasure of seeing a couple times in person.tpar1220 wrote:i am not sure bout the color though... but is what it is i spose. i dont know if it is blue, green... or teal?
Ha! What a small world !tpar1220 wrote: see you are in sandwich, il.. i lived in that area for many years. lived in elburn and worked in montgomery. still got a bunch of friends in sandwich/plano/aurora area.
1st gen (2003-2008) Vibe GTs require premium fuel, but 2nd gen (2009-2010) Vibe GTs do not. Your 2.4L Base engine is exactly the same engine as my 2.4L GT ! There were 2 engines available for 2009-2010 Vibes; 1.8L and 2.4L. The 1.8L was only available in Base form and has a 5x100 wheel bolt pattern. The 2.4L was available in Base form and was standard in the AWD and GT and has a 5x114.3 wheel bolt pattern. Also, the AWD and GT came standard with IRS (Independent Rear Suspension), whereas the 1.8L and 2.4L Bases have a torsion beam rear suspension. Also, the 1.8L was available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic and any 2.4L was available with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed shiftable automatic.tpar1220 wrote:oh, and i am kinda confused. you say this 2.4 is same engine as the gt"s? i was under impression that gt's required premium fuel. i just went out and checked and mine says 87 octane.
and i entered my vin in that site you linked to. this is response..
"YES
A complete build sheet with original build information is available for that VIN!
That vehicle has 45 installed options returned in the build sheet.
It was built April 15, 2008 as a 2009 model year."
i never noticed that they were missing. i went out to have a look and all are present.I notice the center caps are all missing
thanks, i just ran first tank of fuel thru it. so far... so good, still full of oil. lol.. and got 29.2 mpg mixed driving.Looks good!
As others have said, watch the oil. I'm the owner of one that drinks it like mad. Had zero issues with oil burning until I hit over 100,000 miles. I'm currently at 130,000.
Well, then, you found a great dealer that actually took the time and expense to replace them! All of the pics I see above have a black hole in the center, while they should have a silver "Pontiac" cap on them. So many dealers sell "as is " and don't bother!tpar1220 wrote:i never noticed that they were missing. i went out to have a look and all are present.I notice the center caps are all missing
I see. I didn't know the earlier model Vibe (03-08) and other Pontiac caps would fit those wheels. But they look pretty good. Same ones I have. Those wheels came from the factory with this center cap:
Congrats on the new ride, I like the color! I'm looking at installing a hitch on my '05 AWD 1.8L 105k +/- so I can haul my '07 KLR and/or '00 KDX and wondering the same thing. I think the 1.8L is probably going to need it.tpar1220 wrote: today i installed the hitch, it went pretty easily aside from the mounting nuts in frame being full of crud. lil wire brush in cordless drill cleaned em right out and hitch installed easily...
hooked up my utility trailer with klr loaded to see how it pulled.
i don't plan on hauling this bike very often but seeing as it weighs bout much as 2 dirt bikes figured it would gimme a more realistic feel for when i pull 2 dirt bikes on a 3 rail. and i was pleasantly surprised as it pulled very well. i could hardly tell it was back there.
so was wondering, the most i plan on pulling is round 1,000/1,100 lbs. max. according to manual, and dealer the max tow limit is 1,500lbs. so should i add a trans cooler? looks like trans lines are easily accessible but if i don't need to add one why bother.