Yep the big dilemna... whether it is worth to fix or basically give up for dead. Looks like if I get a new engine online, a local mechanic will put it in for about $1200. So talking about $4k. I still owe about $2k on it as well. (that's what hurts). Thanks for the feedback!Bob

Will a full engine (long block) from a Matrix XRS drop in w/o modifications into a Vibe GT of the same year? My engine had just blown up this morning and the dealer had said it would be about $6k for a brand new short block and about $5200 for a used engine w/ 70k miles. I had found a few used engin...

Up to 118,000 so far on my stock GT clutch (& brakes)... Getting ready pop for a 4th set of tires though....Bob03 Mono Shadow GT

I had the same thing happen to me about a year ago. I stewed for a while thinking about how to fix it. Then I gave the faceplate a good whack with my fingers. Voila! Lights came back on. A few months later the same thing happened and was cured with a similar whack. Definitely worth a try...Bob 03 Mo...

Check out the racks made by Sportworks (www.sportworks.com) They are the same manufacturer of many found on the front of city buses. I have a 2 rack system and it works great! BobMono Shadow GT

Had my first set replaced after 28k miles. 50% discount under warranty. The replacement set had balancing problems (shimmy at 75mph), and the dealer reduced (not eliminated) the shimmy with sending out the tires for a force balance. But now with 55k on the car, the replacement tires are near the wea...

you may want to check the area where the A-Pillar trim mates with the side of the instrument panel. I've had the occasional buzz there. I've 'fixed' it by wiggling the trim.BobMono Shadow GT

Same here on my GT. Noticed it soon after I got it last year and it is still the same way now after 38K miles. Still bone stock - no modifications. I did ask the dealer about it early on w/o any response. Go figure. I have noticed that every GT I've seen has the same condition, where the Base Vibes ...

Been checking out some of the topics & pic on performance exhausts. But am curious how much difference the size of the peformance mufflers compared to the stock muffler. I have a hitch installed and wanted to see if a performance exhaust can co-exist with my hitch. ThanksBobMono Shadow GT

Brought my Vibe in for it 30k recommended service and the dealer couldn't find any replacement cabin air filters in stock in the area. They even checked the local Toyota dealer. Anybody know of a good place online to pick up these filters?ThanksBobMono Shadow GT

Isn't that MMT stuff what has been polluting the water table in some towns out west from leaking fuel tanks?Would be interesting to see if the same fuel usage warning is in the Toyota owners manuals.BobMono Shadow GT

well they tried changing out the starter relay with no effect. then basically told me that that Pontiac's Technical Assistance Center (TAC) didn't have any other ideas how to fix it. I wasn't able to bring the car into another dealer to get another claim in the system since the weather didn't get co...

hi cds22, did they mention if the starter is new as in redesigned to fix the sticking issue or are they just sending you a new old design replacement starter?My dealer tried replacing the starter with a new one (same part number) and the sticking still happened.

yah. just took a look at my tires (16" contis) today while filling up and noticed the wear bars were showing on the front. Only have 27k miles. I do have a GT but I don't drive too aggressively. They were last rotated at about 10k.Any chance at warranty replacement?

here's the latest...got a call from the dealer that my car was fixed. They had fixed the starter relay this time (from suggested by TAC). Well went to pick it up this morning, and the same thing. Talked w/ the service mgr. and he told me they don't have any other ideas to fix the problem. I'm not to...

anybody knows what the EPA considers "highway speeds"? I highly doubt the 75-80mph I tend to average on the highways in MI.Doesn't the gas stations change to a different formulation fuel in the colder months for evaporative emissions? I heard that also will contribute to lower gas mileage....

Ahh yes. -2deg F this morning and try to start my car... lo and behold the familiar sound of a "grinding" starter. Actually it seemed to last noticably longer this time. Anyways had the car towed to the dealer (dealer's charge) so they could listen to a cold start themselves. Did find out ...

good news!just got my vehicle back from the dealer and they had reproduced the problem and replaced my starter. They did say there was a service bulletin on this. Not sure if the problem is fixed, as the temps this morning were not low enough to where the problem originally came up. Bob Mono Shadow GT

i've had a similar problem on my GT when we had a real cold spell in SE MI back in Dec. I happened to notice it only when the temps outside (according to the in-dash display) were in the single digits (Looks like the weather may be getting cold enough so I can bring it back to the dealer. BobMono Sh...

Well got my car back from the dealer. Sure enough - could not reproduce the problem! Even though I probably couldn't reproduce the problem myself. Interesting thing, this is the first time (out of 3 issues) I actually got a call back from somebody at the dealer to find out if the problem was solved....

you can get racks from Yakima and Thule which use the existing lateral bars. Just need to buy adapters to wrap around the bars. I picked up a Yakima rack w/ locks and adapters for about $120 form REI. BobMono Shadow GT

I did find the post regarding removal of the Lateral Roof Rack bars. But, any idea how to remove the whole rack? Can it be done by taking of the front and rear caps to access any fasteners? Or do you have to drop the headliner to access the fasteners? ThanksBobMono Shadow GT

i had been noticing the same thing the past few weeks. at first I thought it was the clunkers I parked next to, but this past weekend while tailgating in Ann Arbor (Go Blue!) I realized it was my car. I didn't think it was because of overfilling since the tank was at about 3/4 full. Prior to noticin...

actually I got it from 1-800-hitchit.com.about $80 including shipping. A buddy of mine picked the same hitch up from a local shop and paid about $125 w/o installation.

I have installed a rear hitch (Drawtite) with a Sportworks (www.sportworks.com) rear bike rack on my GT. Very easy to load and unload the bikes - do not have to take off the front wheel. Rack will fold up out of the way when not in use, and can fold down to allow to open the rear hatch. Since the bi...

no large puddles just the rain on the road. it definitely didn't feel like the rotors are warped - too high of a frequency pulsing/groan if you could call it that. And the brakes feel fine when dry. Also, the condition did not return if I let up on the brakes briefly then apply brake pressure again.

just got back from a long road trip this weekend. had some weird noises during braking. occasionally with moderate braking, a groaning sound would come from the left front wheel along with a coarse feeling in the brake pedal. very similar to the feeling if a vehicle has been sitting for a while befo...

I've been getting about 30mpg with ~75% highway driving @ 80+mph with my GT.but if I on secondary roads and average
[Modified by yooper_bob, 1:41 PM 10/1/2002]

I really don't think it is bad gas. It has been an annoyance ever since I picked it up. I usually fill up at Mobil with Shell as a backup. No Chevrons here in MI though. Does seem to be a lot worse during hot & humid days, though. thanksbob

I've been using premium unleaded (92 octane). The next time I bring it back to the dealer, I will definitely be with them during the road test. ThanksBob

Wanted to find out if anybody has had the same problem on their GT as I have been having. When accelerating (especially w/ the A/C on), I feel some hesitation / flat spots in the power delivery from 4000 to 6000 rpm. Most noticable with medium throttle. i had noticed it right after delivery from the...