When I did a search for "clutch" I found 35 references! Per a recent post, It seems virtually all the problems for some reason are with GTs. Maybe if we verify this, we can get GM looking into it. So all you "shift sufferers", sign in!
I voted yes for problems with my GT clutch; however, the only problem I've had is when going up inclines or hills. There is a burning smell that exceeds other manual transmissions that I've driven. As for clutch slip...none for 16K miles.
So: to date the poll is running at a 3 to 1 ratio of "trouble" for the GT clutch vs. 5 to zero for "no trouble" on the base. Pretty significant difference...
Maybe it is a blessing that I didn't get a GT. I don't have any self restraint and I would probably be trying to race at every chance I got. No sense even trying to race the base vibe unless a riding lawnmower pulls up to me at a stop light and I might even think twice about that. I have noticed that on my base vibe that it is the most difficult car to get started from a stop of any manual trans I have ever owned. I have never had a car with a automatic and thought I was pretty good at making my clutch last as I have never had to replace one and some of my cars had way over 100k on them. The small flywheel weight and small displacement engine make me slip the clutch more than I like when starting from a stop without killing the engine.
2004 Neptune Base vibe, 5spd, GM seat covers, GM bra, rear storage area carpet, Silverstar headlights, foglights and parklights.
The only time I have had a problem is with a car full of people and then it feels like it might be slipping alittle. Just very hard to shift smooth with a car full. To me I do not feel this is the right clutch for this type of vechile.Weighs 200+ pounds more than the celica and are made to move thing,but so far no MAJOR problems
http://members.cardomain.com/pontiacvibegt MagnaFlow Cat-back Exhaust Injen CAI TRD Lowering Springs TRD Ground Wires TRD Strut Tower Brace Progress Rear Sway Bar E.S. Motor Mounts