2005 vibe GT The new guy...........

[cspmeinkc]

I Just picked one up today!2005 GT moonstone-loaded-45 miles.I do like the front ends on the earlier years better, but I wanted a NEW one. I was thinking that the bugs would be less, with more refinement. I pick it up this Sat. (had to remove old stereo equipment in the trade first!!) OK people IM new tell me some things I need to know.I like to tune/mod but it needs to be a daily driver that is DEPENDABLE but fast. Should I run premium fuel in a GT?What are the cheap mods that WORK and do not VOID warranties?Thank you very much!Scott

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[AKLGT]

well, for the GT, depending on how much you want to spend, i would recommend the magnaflow catback exhaust, injen cai (only one for the 04+ GT), and unichip. all these can be had for about $1300... it should give you about 215 hp top end and around 155 tq at about 4000 rpms. the low end torque is where we need the most help. congrats on your new purchase and welcome to genvibe!

[joatmon]

Welcome to genvibe, and congrats on the new GT.Quote, originally posted by cspmeinkc » Should I run premium fuel in a GT?91 or better. if you search for "octane" you should find some previous threads that go into why you should run 91 or better in a GT.

[SBC31]

Very nice color selection, I just got my wife a 2005 NON GT in that same color.Oh, and nice looking car too

[Mr. Poopypants]

Congrats and welcome. Nice GT. I agree, the older front ends do look a lot better.

[Mavrik]

congrats on the new car.I was thinking at one time of trading my 04 base for a new GT but the new front end turned me off on it... its ok but I love my 04 front end WAY better.Still the same great awsome car though.

[goodvibe]

Welcome cspmeinkc. 93 octane if it's available and 91 is fine. TRDvibe, Thats are great combo of mods. He would also need a custom tune of the Unichip so add another $200 or so to that total. Someone on Matrix Owners has that combo and was running lean with the standard intake/exhaust flash. It worked fantastic after a tune.

[SBC31]

What is it with people liking the Aztek front end of the 03-04 Vibes??? I guess if you own one, then you like it better...lol! Regardless, what you like is all that matters, and I wish people would stop bringing this "beaten" to death topic.Again, love your new GT, including the front end.

[Mavrik]

Aztek? Hardly, the Vibe has nothing in common with that very ugly um... it even classify as a thing?

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by SBC31 »What is it with people liking the Aztek front end of the 03-04 Vibes??? I guess if you own one, then you like it better...lol! Regardless, what you like is all that matters, and I wish people would stop bringing this "beaten" to death topic.Again, love your new GT, including the front end.i think those of us 03/04 owners love the front end because it's more agressive looking, not so mini van looking. now, seeing the 05 front end close up in person, it's much much better than the first pics we saw. plus there are some nice options you can get now. but, i still love my 03 GT. more power than any of the other models.

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by SBC31 »What is it with people liking the Aztek front end of the 03-04 Vibes??? I guess if you own one, then you like it better...lol! Regardless, what you like is all that matters, and I wish people would stop bringing this "beaten" to death topic.Again, love your new GT, including the front end.The front end of the 2005 has actually grown on me. Initially I hated it, but the more I see it, the more it looks pretty good. I think I'll get one (2006 however) when my lease is up on my '03.

[cspmeinkc]

I traded my 1998 dodge neon R/t for this 2005 Gt.She hit 100,000 miles and it was time to get rid of it.I got all of my stereo stuff out of my trade early, and will try to pick up the car tomorrow at my lunch hour. I cannot wait! My salesman said he would bring it to my work for me, And then I can watch my Neon drive off in the sunset...................I will report more info about the 2005 GT very soon.thanks everyone for the great info!!

[Jahntassa]

Awesome! Great to see another GTer! You should have lots of fun with it!

[Kari70]

Hi guys! I'm Kari, I have a 04 Vibe GT, loaded, Neptune , 6 spd. I run Premium fuel in my GT, runs great. Can tell the difference when using Premium definately. cspmeinkc I would definately suggest Premium Fuel.Anyone know any good Pontiac dealers in the KS area? I recently moved out here from the Texas area and don't really know where a good Pontiac dealer is and its time for an oil change and some regular maintenance . IM me or email me if you have any suggestions.Thanks,Kari

[cspmeinkc]

Andy Klein pontiac gmc7801 metcalf 66204913-642-5050They have been in business over 20 years in the same location.I picked the 2005 GT today and It is a blast to drive. I had to leave work early to go driving around. The only thing i have to get used to is the 6 speed. The shift from 2 to 3rd can be a little difficult at times.My Neon had a Mopar short shifter that you could throw around easly.I am trying to run it out of the regular octane gas that the dealer put in it so i can go to BP and get the good gold 92 octane and see the diffrence. Does anyone use the roof rack? Why does the 2005 not come with the cross bars? Wind noise?I have about 80 miles on it so far and it looks like it already has some brake dust on the wheels, were brakin her in!!!I will post more info as the miles rack up, i will keep you all posted!thanks everyone!

[Kari70]

Thanks "cspmeinkc" I'll have to check AndyKlein out then.Mine has a roof rack on it, not sure why the 05 doesnt. Strange.Well have fun.

[cspmeinkc]

At now 320 miles on the 2005GT and all is well.I have ONE MINOR thing so far that needs attention.Steering wheel is not straight, and it is not the road crown effect.It seems to be pointed left a tad, the car seems to run straight though. The windows will be tinted this thurs. 20% all the way around.A friend who works at a Dodge place said he would undercoat it for free for me! I spent most of Sun. Scotch guarding the int. Use 2 cans.The car seems to enjoy the 92 octane fuel much better than the 87 crap the dealership put in it! Thats about it on the 2005 update.more to come........

[Psychobroker]

Welcome aboard!Take it back to the dealer to check what sounds like the alignment, even though it may not yet be noticeable.

[Triton]

Welcome to GenVibe and congratulations on getting the Vibe GT! Glad to see more GTs on the site. I have to agree with trdvibe as to the mods to get. You will be surprised at the gains you get from a few simple mods.

[debi5475]

It came with the roof rack, but not the cross bars? I have a Moonstone 2005 coming. Anyone that got one already. Should he (and I) get cross bars? Should he ask dealer? Have fun.Tomorrow is my 50th birthday. I ordered a AWD vibe for my birthday present. Course it won't be here in time, since I ordered it 10 days ago. I can wait. Maybe. I don't shift, tendonitis. Hence the AWD, though I could, grew up in a volks bus. But from what I have read, most of these guys do not use all the gears. They skip things inessential things like 2 and 4. That might make it easier for you to shift. Do a search on shifting, or gt or something.

[cspmeinkc]

I called GM and the 2005 does not come with cross bars.You can order them from the dealer.Hey cool color, mine is a moonstone GT!enjoy, i am so far

[cspmeinkc]

I have now almost 700 miles on the GT.So far so good, getting a few rattles here and there, but no big deal.I have been having problems with my tint on my rear window, my tint guy has done it a few times, still getting bubbles around the window strut bolts on the glass. I think i may have to go to another tint place to see if they can get it done. The middle of next month will be the Vibes first camping trip, no need for a tent anymore, i can crash out in the back! I need to work on a magnetic screen for the back window, so i can have it open while i am sleeping, so i don't get eaten alive by bugs.That's about it from the new guy......

[cspmeinkc]

At just over 1000 miles now and things are still going well.On my lunch break yesterday i saw my old Dodge Neon R/T on a hole in the wall used car lot. I almost shed a tear.............

[cspmeinkc]

At around 2000 miles now, and i am concerned that sence my stering wheel isnt straight that it is doing damage to my tires?The dealership i bought the car told me to wait till 10,000 miles to see if straigtends out. I have thought about that and i think its a load of b.s.A tech told me to think that if a car comes off the assembly line every 90 seconds. "do you think they have time check alignment on every car?" "A lot of new cars will be out of alignment even when they are brand new!"

[AKLGT]

ya, i'd think that driving w/ it out of alignment for 10K miles will really wear your tires! and do you have the contis? even worse if so! make them check the alignment and fix it. no way it should be out of whack. they probably just don't want to cover it and hope that you'll spend the money after 10K miles.

[cspmeinkc]

The car came stock with 17inch BF potenza'svery soft compound tire.i think treadwear rating is at 240.

[AKLGT]

they have better tires than what we got on our 03/04's. i have the dunlops z rated (but still crappy) tires. but no biggie since i switch them out for the winter. this way they last much longer!but i'd definitely take the car back and have them check your alignment. otherwise replacing 17" tires will be very spendy!

[cspmeinkc]

i think i may take it to a diffrent dealership.I just hope the diffrent place wont get angry because i didnt buy it there. I know some do, even though its thier job.I have heard that alot in the 10+ years i wrote service for Dodge, and Mazda.

[Jakerooni]

the 05's don't come with cross bars. They discontinued that part of the roof rack.