awd auto or fwd base manual?

[monkeyvibe]

I'm looking into buying a 2005 vibe to replace my Jeep Liberty (gas mileage issue).I live in mid-Michigan, lots of snow, although I rarely drive in 4-wheel drive.Based on reviews, the awd automatic Vibe is sluggish compared to the fwd manual (base, not GT). And, as you all know, it doesn't come in awd manual.My question is, is the base manual fwd punchier enough to justify foregoing the awd? And does the fwd handle well enough on snow or do I really need awd to get me going safely?Thanks.

[ragingfish]

I'm in Jersey, we get our good share of snow.My base handled beautifully in snow with a solid set of snow tires.

[joatmon]

sluggish is a relative thing, and whether a particular car has an adequate amount of power depends a lot on the desires fo the driver, so be sure to test drive each for yourself. I never test drove an AWD because I didn't need it, and it cost more and got lower mpg's, (same for GT ) but I test drove auto and manual base models, and picked the manual because of the higher mpg rating, and also because in the manual you can wind up the RPMs into the power band of the engine, where the automatic seemed to upshift earlier than I would have when I was in a hurry (unless it was floored), so it seemed to have more power,or having full shift control let me take advantage of the power better. The manual is also sportier feeling to drive, but there are times when in glorious DC traffic I wished I had the automatic.

[fitness freak]

I have owned lots of front wheel drive autos but my 2003 Vibe is my first with all wheel drive. We have lots of snow in SW Michigan, due to lake effect. You are less likely to get stuck with AWD in winter. At highway sppeds on an icy road my AWD Vibe may be driven safely and faster then the surrounding vehicles, as it is less likely to spin out while accelerating. On the other hand, Michigan winter ice and snow is good for only 4 months a year. You don't have the option of a manual trnsmission with the AWD Vibe. Your gas mileage will suffer. All wheel drive only helps with acceleration, not braking. Would I purchase another AWD vehicle?-yes.

[tnpartsguy]

I drove an '05 base Automatic the other day (Service Manager at our Pontiac insists on a Vibe for a Demo!!) My AWD car just seems so much stable, especially in high speed turns, such as interstate ramps.

[Jeepdriver]

My Vibe is the first non-Jeep vehicle I have owned in over 10 years. I bought it in February of this year, because Jeep does't make anything that will get the kind of mileage that the Vibe will. I've had quite a few opportunities to drive the Vibe in snow and ice, and like how it handles. It won't have the zip that your Liberty does, but is tollerable. If I had to buy again, I would get the AWD again.

[Man of Steel]

I just picked up my AWD 05 Vibe 3 days ago. My previous car was an 01 Elantra GLS with a 5 speed. They Hyundai was much quicker and the manual definitely allowed you to squeeze more power out of the engine.I will admit the AWD Vibe is sluggish but I still like it for many other reasons in addition to AWD. It all depends what you're used to. My other vehicle is an 01 Toyota Tacoma 4WD pickup with a 4 cylinder and that too is very slow.Guess it all depends how important 4WD is to you.

[mikey00]

I have always had AWD cars but decided against it in the Vibe. The Vibe is a little underpowered to begin with and I didn't want to lose another 7 HP just to get AWD. Now if AWD added 10 or so HP there would have been no question about it. Anyway, I got a base, auto with stabilitrak and traction control. I plan on installing 4 good winter tires like Michelin x-ice or equivelent. After that I can't wait for the first storm so I can compare it with my wifes AWD RX300.

[Ponyota]

If your seriously worried about snow, go with the awd.

[monkeyvibe]

I'm trying to decide how much I should be worried about snow with a manual fwd vibe. I've had a 4wd Jeep for the last 8 years and I like having the option even though I usually only put it in 4wd a couple of times a year. However, I've been kinda turned off by the performance reviews of the awd automatic Vibe.I realize no matter which model Vibe (awd or fwd, auto or manual) won't drive anything like the Jeep. But I'm tired of getting 14mpg when I drive on paved roads 99 percent of the time.Thanks again.

[Ponyota]

Well I can tell you that my GT spins on almost all my starts on snow. It has very bad traction even on wet pavement. But that might be the tires I have on. I got around ok for 2 winters though. Doesn't the new Vibes have traction control options now? I'd have gotten that if it were an option when I bought mine. I had it on my Intrepid and loved it in the snow. It did have the option to turn it off or on. I don't know about the new Vibes though. Does the new GT's have that option? Guess I should have a little look to find out.

[RoundUp]

I curse my AWD for it's lack of power in the summer, but in the winter, it is a real blessing. Snow is only an occasional thing here in the winter in Toronto, so the city is not really good at clearing it quickly enough when we do get more than 10 cm. I've had no problems at all, especially after I got snow tires this past winter. I've made it safely to work on days when co-workers got stuck on the way to work. I can also park in spots covered in a few inches of snow and not worry about being unable to get out. It really depends on what your priorities are.