Privacy flap

[Herb]

I don't know about anyone else, but one of my nitpicks is the lack of a proper privacy shelf to cover the trunk area instead of that flap that stretches over.Even with that on, I can still see into the trunk to some degree, leaving me to feel rather insecure about leaving anything in there.Is there any aftermarket solution?

[Stang2Vibe]

I agree with you, and so far, there seems to be no aftermarket solution. Subaru has a really nice retractible cargo cover built into their wagons. It would have been nice to have one built into a compartment in the rear seatbacks or something. Could have a hook on the inside of the tailgate to hook it on to when you want to secure your cargo or something.

[Sputnik]

You know, from all the pictures I was sure I was going to hate the cargo cover. But I find its not thatt bad now and it does the job for me at least. Sure, its not the best in the world, I'll admit, but it could be worse - I know someone who just bought a CR-V and it didn't come with any cargo cover!

[NovaResource]

quote:Is there any aftermarket solution?Tinted glass. Works great.

[MadBill]

I recall seeing a roller blind style cover, I think it was in an early '80s Pontiac hatchback. It could be extended and latched one-handed and the roller could be unhooked to clear bulky objects. There are likely others. Maybe a little junkyard tour would turn up a suitable candidate?

[PBFlash]

They have them on Ford Escapes and Chevy Blazers and I am sure many other SUV's as well.

[Bdaz1]

quote:Is there any aftermarket solution?Tinted glass. Works great.Worked for me!

[MrMke]

quote:Is there any aftermarket solution?I agree, Tintied Windows is the best answer.

[Sputnik]

Can you tint your windows with a lease car?

[MrMke]

quote:Can you tint your windows with a lease car?I wouldn't see why not.You are adding to the value of the vehicle.I thinks it's well worth the cost even if you end up turning the vehicle back in after a few years.

[NovaResource]

quote:it isnt worth the cost, because you dont get that money back if yuo do turn in a lease--- it isnt worth it unless you plan on buying it.I don't get it. The only reason to tint your windows is to get your money back? What about tinting you windows to help cool the interior, keep items inside hidden, help keep the sun from fading the interior, or just because it looks good and you like it. I paid $160 for my tint. That's only $4.44 a month if you did a 36 month lease. Well worth the benefits even if I don't get my money back.

[Stang2Vibe]

Now I don't quite understand. Unless you plan to buy it after the lease is up, you are just preserving the interior, etc. for the next owner. In 36 months, fading is likely to be minimal, if noticable at all. Also take into account the jerk cops in this jerk state where we aren't allowed to tint our windows (we've already discussed this at length before). That adds to the cost pretty quick, especially if you get one of those super jerk cops that makes you remove the tint on the spot or within 10 days. I would love to tint my windows, but after all the police harrassment I got just for owning a Mustang, I'm finally happy to have them leave me the hell alone. I was tired of being a cop magnet.

[NovaResource]

quote:Now I don't quite understand. Unless you plan to buy it after the lease is up, you are just preserving the interior, etc. for the next owner.Yes, but the condition of the car is taken into account when you return the car. If the interior is well worn, you will pay for the damage. Sun damage depends on where you live but a dark colored interior absorbs more light and heat and will fade. Just ask anyone in Arizona.Cops can be a problem however, if you only tint the rear windows, I doubt you'll have a problem. Mustangs don't have very large rear quarter windows so I'm assuming yours had both door windows tinted as well. That is your main problem. Have you ever seen a Dodge Caravan with factory tinted windows pulled over for tint? If so, Dodge wouldn't sell many with that option. Most cops will see the Vibe as a mini-minivan and won't think twice if you only have the rear door, rear quarter windows and hatch glass tinted.I've never been pulled over in the Vibe for tint and I've never been pulled over in either of the two Chrysler Voyagers I've owned.

[Stang2Vibe]

I meant to mention the thing about Arizona. But we are in PA, and here in Pittsburgh, I think London sees more sunny days than we do. I'm sure that over on the other side of the state it isn't that much sunnier.I never tinted the windows on my Mustang. The cops bothered me just because I was driving one. Some of my friends and acquaintances have tinted their windows and ran into all kinds of problems with the law. Also, the law states that any tint/sunscreening material that is applied from the factory is allowed because it must meet certain standards and regulations to be produced that way. That is why you will never see Voyagers/Caravans pulled over for factory window tint. Also, I never thought of the cops considering the Vibe like a minivan and not knowing any better because it is new. That's a good point. Maybe I could get away with it if I only tint the rear windows and back like you mentioned. While Christmas shopping a few weeks ago at the mall, my g/f and I were confronted by a couple of high school punks who felt that I "stole" their spot they were waiting for in the parking lot. When I got out to start "laying the smack down", she called the cops on her cell phone and was giving them a description of my car. When she told them I had a Pontiac Vibe, they were like "what is that?" Hey the tint thing might just work, then!

[NovaResource]

quote:But we are in PA, and here in Pittsburgh, I think London sees more sunny days than we do.LOL! That's probably true.While the PA law appears to say no tint is allowed, it actually says that you can't make it so the police can't see inside. Well, unless you paint the windows black 35% tint you can still see through. If you ever did get a ticket you could fight it an win (not that you would want to go through the trouble).Pittsburgh cops (and cops from other places in PA) may be different than Philly cops but here you never get bothered unless the front windows are tinted and/or the rear windows are darker than 35%. Find a good tint shop and ask them. That's what I did. They told me exactly what I typed above.Check out this chart:http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/Stat ... 0Chart.htm

[KSNeptune]

I'm a product designer, and teach the same to my college students. If you could describe the best qualities of your imagined perfect cargo cover what would they be?Personally, I'd like:- ease of installation.- variable coverage- lifts out of the way when the gate is opened.- sturdy enough, perhaps partitioned, for light stuff to be set on top via the lift glass.- ease of removal- self storage or at least simple storage in the Vibe.- doesn't interfere with folding down rear seats.Any other ideas?KSNeptune.

[Toasted7]

My parents have a Saturn that has a retractable cargo cover... I think that would be great on the Vibe and I hope to see one in the near future. For now the standard cover that came with it will have to due. I don't access the cargo area that much anyway since it is taken up largely by my speakers, but when I do... it is a pain with the little plastic hooks on it. Ease of use would be a big factor for me and all of the above mentioned qualities as well. As for being able to store the cargo cover (existing or new [if one ever comes out]) there is a long narrow compartment just at the back of the folding seats that does nothing but house the seatbelt hooks for a babyseat... why not just use that to store it in? Those are my suggestions.