GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Chris

Hi all... for anyone who's interested, here's an article/test drive of the Matrix AWD on Canadian Driver. IF you are not clicking through today (Wed Sept 10) you can find the write up in the 'archives'Have a good one!http://www.canadiandriver.com

Chris

You're lucky you don't have Contis - the side walls suck

Chris

Thanks!I know I could find the facts on the sidewall but the car's at home and I'm at work trying to find a replacement tire!Thanks Sub-Vibe-R!!! Appreciate your quick response!

Chris

Hi! My wife decided to go 4x4ing in the vibe over a curb (ouch) and smoked the front right tire.Since I need to purchase a new one, can anyone tell me the exact name and size of the Conti stock tire on the 16" rim for the 2003? I know its a Conti but I cannot remember the "name" it's ...

Chris

For all the American folks perusing this thread... I'd like to remind you that the discussion is rather typical... Ontario vs. Quebec... has anyone mentioned Vancouver? Calgary, St Johns, Halifax, Kelowna... etc? As usual, the westerners here on the board have to remind Ont and Quebec that Canada st...

Chris

Hmm, I think I can comment on this one with some authority, living in Calgary, Canada!I've no probs what so ever with the vibe. FWD is totally stable in the winter. 'Round here it ices up quite a bit so this winter I'm springing for some steel wheels and serious snow tires mainly as I do a lot of ba...

Chris

Hey, c'mon up! There are many pos and negs about both countries but (Canadian national anthem playing in the background) I like Canada the best... maybe because I was born here Loads of space, opportunity galore, and the most beautiful landscape in the world (did I say I'm biased?)Re Quebec... remem...

Chris

Hey there Heddy! Not much to add to the knowledgable posts above!1) Do the Scotch Guard yourself. Will cost you about 8bux vs. what, $100 for the dealer to do the same thing you will I covered the instruments and dash with a piece of cardboard to limit overspray then dusted the whole car after putti...

Chris

Make as many passes as you can. It takes a while to learn your car and figure out what's best... little clutch slip, little wheelspin, where to stage.I've never dragged a car before however I did find that when dragging my bike, I'd skip the burnout and stage just a little off centre so as not to pu...

Chris

yeah, remember lots of taxes are different in the different provinces. I don't pay sales tax in Alberta The aircon tax is supposed to be some environmental thing as is the tire tax ($4/tire i think) which is supposed to be used for recycling/disposing of old tires. HOWEVER, our wonderful liberal gov...

Chris

I think I'm going to puke... the Aztec monstrosity is actully rated higher than the Baja????I mean, c'mon! The aztec is a hideous piece (tiny wheels, too much plastic and... how many grills/openings can you get on one vehicle?) whilst the baja, while not in the running for any beauty contests, at le...

Chris

The morning funny http://www.dilbert.comGenVibe of courseCanadian Cars http://www.canadiandriver.comFinancial stuff http://www.fool.com

Chris

I personally believe it's all marketing hype. The additive packages are all different but really what sort of real life difference will they make? Once in a while a co screws up and you end up with a problem with an additive hurting fuel system parts but that's pretty rare. About the only thing that...

Chris

What's tap shift? Is it like a SMG gearbox such as found on the BMW M3, or an electronic shift of the standard auto tranny?Oops, just looked at the picture again. Probably hard to retrofit to a stock auto but I doubt there is any difference in the actually tranny... just an electronic shift from the...

Chris

Whoa... David, I'd get it checked. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but there should be NO wobble no matter what's up with your clutch.I'm not certain I understand what sort of wobble you're describing but if there's anything loose in the front end, I'd get it checked - pronto! The only wobble I've e...

Chris

Yeah, if the engine management does not change depending on gear (didn't think it would) then it's just a factor of aerodynamic drag and increasing gear ratio. I forget the real formula but it's something like speed increases with the cube of horsepower... basically, to go a bit faster (after a good...

Chris

Yeah, use the whole rpm range, just take care of it:don't rev it when it's coldmake sure you've got clean good oilREGULAR MAINTENANCEand don't sit at 8000 rpm in first gear just toddling along - that's bad.Other than that, the thing was meant to rev...and rev, and rev. Have fun!

Chris

I think what you're feeling is the fact that the engine has to work harder to accellerate in 3rd / 4th ++ The techy guys can correct me if I'm wrong but, just like on a bicycle, the first few gears you accel hard but it's pretty slow accel in top gear.I think the engine has lift at the same rpm poin...

Chris

Well, in defense of the Mini, the dash (at least the speedo) is designed the way it is to mimic the original. My old CJ7 had a central speedo and i liked it. 'Course I didn't pay the price of a new mini for it either!I guess it's like the new bugs, you love 'em cuz you always wanted one... not neces...

Chris

Okokok, it's a GMC 2500... I still don't get the whole H2 thing. The Hummer was a purpose built vehicle that used a GM diesel engine and was a very capable and interesting machine. The H2 is too Bling Bling for me - more marketing than design. I realize some really like H2 type vehicles however this...

Chris

Actually, for those interested, diving is not really that expensive (assuming you live near the ocean and don't have to fly to Fiji every weekend )!Gear rentals are pretty reasonable and over time you begin to purchase your stuff. Find sales, buy used gear (checked out and all that of course) and so...

Chris

Yeah but the H2 is really only a GMC 1500. I mean for the price, I don't quite get it. The Real Hummer is pretty cool as it's got solid mount diff's for clearance and all that good tech (even though I don't personally like them) that makes it a capable vehicle but the H2 is (to me) just more 'badge ...

Chris

Yeah I'm a PADI but moved to Calgary shortly after getting certified (?) Not exactly the best place for diving... but, I WOULD use my vibe for diving if I could drive to dive How do you keep the tanks from banging around in the back? The plastic is pretty slippery and my ice axe (I climb a lot) slid...

Chris

Just read lots... seriously. I use to read Sports Car International (mmm amazing cars - lots of euro stuff) cuz I like that stuff but, if you're into rods, get Hot Rod Mag.... whichever way you go, the more you read the more you'll pick up.

Chris

Those WRC guys are the most amazing drivers! That's "real world" driving at it's finest... sigh if only I could drive half... ok 1/4 as well as those guys!

Chris

This is interesting but I think there is a flaw in the whole boosting of the 2zz. Bear with me, I'm not a tuner but why would you sc a vvti-l engine? The whole vv thing is developed for a naturally asperated engine that creates flow into the cyls through a vaccuum in the cyls. When you slap on a sc ...

Chris

I've never had a problem with them NOT turning on however, for all the use it is, they probably should have hard wired the lights on full all the time and save the expense of a sensor that effectively does the same thing!!!C'mon Pontiac! What's wrong with the sensor in the MIDDLE of the dash????

Chris

Regarding the up-hill thing, it's not hp that's the prob, its the RPM that the HP is available. I'll bet you guys with GT's struggle to go up a steep hill in 6th at say, 80 kmh as this will put you around, what... 2500 rpm? The issue is that even though we have 130 and 180 hp, it does not come on un...

Chris

Definitely go to dealer, do not pass go... go directly to dealer. It may be overkill but you do not want oil starvation to the top end for any reason. Safe rather than sorry. Let us know what's up fer sure.

Chris

Hmmm. 4Dang IBM laptop with the little 'mouse nub' in the middle of the keyboard

Chris

Hmm, shouldn't grind at all.Sub's right, there's no synchro (i'm pretty sure) in reverse so, you should always be at a full stop and pause for a couple seconds in neutral before putting it in reverse. When you're really careful and do the above, is it ok? If not, you may have a clutch adjustment prob.

Chris

Definitely read both owners manuals as some AWD vehicles like exploders and crv's are very different than a true 4x4 and I'm not sure what the frontier is.anyway, typically you place the transmission in neutral AND the transfer case and, of course, make sure the hubs are unlocked. this way, towing w...

Chris

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is - all that hype leads me to believe they're blowing smoke. Real chips remap the advance, fuel etc to maximize performance. This takes a lot of r&d etc to come up with something that actually works.Regarding premium fuel, a GT could probably get a f...

Chris

Hahaha, yeah 15 more hp when compared to stuffing a pair of coveralls into the intake

Chris

Actually I didn't mean the PT influenced the vibe, I meant the PT was the first vehicle to come out and have great success that was different/retro that encouraged ford to make the tbird, gm to make the wierd thing that looks like a lowered 40's truck, etc. All I'm getting at is that DC is taking ri...

Chris

It's a weee bit more work. I've 4 on my bike and you do have to take them off, wash them with warm soapy water and re oil them. So, be honest with yourself... you gonna do that? If you answer yes... go for it! They, when clean, have better filtration which is great for the car.If you don't think you...

Chris

I don't want to hear any complaining from my American counterparts here on the EVO!!! We don't get the EVO in Canada... at all Nuthin, nada. Sure the WRX and STi are cool but it still would be great to have another competitor - some new and interesting faces up here.The reason they don't sell here i...

Chris

I LIKE it!!!Sure it's got "strong" styling but at least it's different... in a cool, low, powerful way vs.the aztec which is different in a how high can I stick my head up my (removed) and still 'style' a car kinda way I'm just happy to see SOME North American company coming out with somet...

Chris

Wow, I'm impressed!That took a lot of work to end up with.. well, that. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder...

Chris

Hey Vibeman! From your original post I'm assuming that 'a lot of aftermarket performance parts' means that you'll be spending some bux on this car. While the AWD is a great car, the AWD system is suspect if your seriously increasing horsepower (remember the Aztec etc uses Subaru's system, not Toyota...

Chris

Hey MadBill! Look on the bright side... I used to have a GTI and it got broken into at least once every few months. Every time it was $100 (deductable) out of my pocket not including the sundry items I lost. Looks like you got off easy!Do you have a CAA membership? I believe they will re key your lo...

Chris

Hey there At Work... it's sometimes a complaint but, in your case it will be a benefit... remember, the passenger cannot see the dials Just ease the speed up and complain about all the drivers who don't keep up to the speed limit!Happy driving

Chris

It's not necessarily the width of the tire (although that usually helps) so much as the compound, sidewall ratio and sidewall stiffness.What you're looking for is a good (cheap) performance tire. Problem is, the higher the performance, the shorter the life... things do get expensive when you mod Goo...

Chris

Mine's fine, not even a dash squeek. There may be a little rattle at a specific RPM but it's so small that I have only noticed a "buzz" once or twice.Paint's great... one prob I should have done something about is the fog lights... already cracked one, sigh. I knew I should have gotten pro...

Chris

Nicely done machine!Dumb question, looks like you have a nice anodized cai but whats the red line running accross the engine?

Chris

what's a hatch opener/closer? Are you referring to the motorized thing that vans and such are now coming with?Just wondering cuz I love the little glass window opener on my fob... just walk up, pop the window open and dump all your junk in!

Chris

Just for the techies around...I was hanging out at canadiandriver.com (great place) and someone posted a link to this site where these guys built a continually variable valve timing unit (www.pattakon.com ).Now, I'm not endorsing this thing nor do I even know if it works but, it is an interesting pl...

Chris

I've got conti's and they suck royally. Reasonable rim protetors in the summer but winter? Pathetic.

Chris

I dunno 'bout you guys but a simple "type R" sticker on the back of my vibe gave me 'bout 47.3more horses.... When you don't have much cash, time to make sure all the 'bits' are working as they were intended:- tires inflated to the right pressure- oil at right level, not too high, not too ...

Chris

Yeah, hosed for most aftermarket parts and things but we do tend to pay a lot less for the cars themselves.Just did a quick check and it looks like a base vibe is the following:20,835cdn16,365usd at 1.43 = 23,401Dunno if I've all those numbers correct but they're close. Sooo, you saved about $2500 b...

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