New to the site and the vibe

[northvibe]

Well im new to the site, but have been reading a lot on the forums and decided to join. Im in the market for a new car and being a Ford guy I've loved my Sable/Taurus's, but my sister totalled my LS...So I am stuck with a Windstar. BUT the good news is that Im in college and need a good dependable car and after looking at the focus and sable ls premium, it was the right price but the gas mileage wasnt what I needed. So my dad suggested the Vibe or Matrix, I sort of blew it off BUT after test driving one...I fell in love with the vibe. I was VERY impressed with the handling and the power this base 1.8L engine puts out. The vibe has about the same room as my dads escape! So I think ive made my choice and a Vibe it is. I just had a few questions about it though. (sorry for the long story )1. On the base model if I install a cai, Ive seen 2 kinds so far. the ingen one that goes into the fender and the k&n looking on that stays in the engine bay. Now from my prior experience with the taurus/sable thing, If the ingen one is installed is there any chance of it getting wet? Im not familiar with how its located etc. because I know you want it out of the engine bay so it doesnt suck up the hot air.2. The only thing that bothered me was the torque was a litttle low, but for a 1.8 it was good I think. But if I have say a load of stuff im moving for college ie. clothes boxes etc. or 4 ppl in the car, is performance lowered that much?? :S3. Oh yea, the lamin-x fog light/headlight film. Ive seen on the forum some people have used it and to replace a light its like 100+, but does the lamin-x REALLY protect the lense, I mean it just looks like a film, I also saw someone on the forum selling lexon insert which would seem to protect it better from high impact things like rocks from breaking it. Well the vibe seems like a kick (removed) vehicle and Im excited to try and find the right one to go buy (used 04). Thanks for all the help and good work on the forum!!

[jeffgtx]

welcome to the site... i dont think you can go wrong with the vibe in your situation.I can only answer #2 which si that i have had 4 people in the vibe and had lots of stuff from shopping and didn't notice much difference in power. aits pretty consistent.good luck with your decision.

[jwalcik]

i can second the above response. i've had four large (200+ lb) people in the car and didn't notice too much of a loss of power.

[nismo]

Welcome to the boards.1. There isn't a likely chance to clog the intake because of the fact that the car sits so high off the ground, the intake will sit quite high as well. And also, the filter has to be completely submerged in water for it to really harm you. So, I would recommend the Injen CAI or the AEM CAI. 2. After you do the intake, you will notice a difference in power, with 3 people in my Vibe and a bunch of stuff to haul around for a week in the back of it, it was hauling some a$$. So not to worry about power with people in the car.3. The protective film is like tint, except it's a lot thicker. If you want, go to http://www.rockblocker.com. They have the film there, and all the information you will need to do the film application.Any more questions, feel free to PM myself or any of the other wise Vibe guys/gals here on the boards.Inder

[Mr. Poopypants]

Welcome!!!1. The Injen CAI will only get wet if you are driving in about 1.5 - 2 feet of water.2. You will lose some performance, but I have towed 1500 lbs with my Vibe, you can tell it's there and you lose performance but it still goes, but that will happen with almost any car.3. I would go with the inserts that MIVibeToolguy (I think) is selling, those seem a little more protective than the lamin-x. For what it's worth, I haven't had one break yet and I have had the vibe for almost 3 years.

[nismo]

Yeah, MI-Toolguy is sellin his.

[northvibe]

Thanks for all the replies, So the best thing for performance keeping the base using regular fuel is the cia and exhaust right? I thought when you use a chip or sc/tc you need premium gas.

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe! Awesome, another Minnesotan.Yup, use regular fuel with CAI and cat-back exhaust. Aftermarket, chips can be configured to run regular or premium using different maps. A SC/Turbo will require premium.

[northvibe]

Oh this just popped into my head, has anyone done the paint film protecting stuff from 3m on the front of the vibe and the side mirrors? With driving from Duluth to the cities once a month and having my van have 2 windshields replaced in the last 4 weeks, so I can just imagine what will happen to the paint and fog/headlights.

[BlueCrush]

I have the 3m Clear Bra on just the 1st 8-12 inches of the hood. I think it makes big difference. I don't get too much stuff on the side mirrors. But I would recommend their product. Do you drive down here for work for family? If you don't mind me asking.

[iinan]

welcome, I hope you enjoy your vibe as much as I do mine.....

[northvibe]

I'm from the cities, but go to school and work at UMD. Uh i lost the site for the 3m protection application film, but i think the link was on this site, they had pre-cut ones for the vibe. Did you just get a big sheet and cut out your own? I wouldnt mind doing that when my class ends this summer ill have plenty of fun time to mod my new car.

[AKLGT]

trd4reel posted the site. rockblocker.com. i'd recommend getting the bulk film, cutting it to fit. the pre cut kits are a real pain in the (removed)! i installed mine on my subie 2 months ago. it's much much more difficult than it looks!

[northvibe]

thnx I think me and a friend will just order a big chunk and split it. Hey trdvibe - nice site on cardomain. awesome to see woman into cars!!