New Vibe Owner in Chatt.

General discussions about the Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix. New members, introduce yourself here!
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BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

New Vibe Owner in Chatt.

Post by BryanC7020 »

with shaking hands I finally took delivery of my 05 AWD Vibe. I wanted one in Moonstone, but I had to settle for Platinum, it's all good. After having to *****-foot around test driving one, it was finally time to let it loose and see if I could handle having to drive this "family hauler".How was I pleasantly surprised to find that it took corners better than my wife's Cavalier, my mother-in-laws Grand Prix, my Aunts 95 Civic, my mothers Isuzu Rodeo, and every other car I had ever driven (aside from a saab 9-3 and a 2006 BMW M3 I test drove for kicks the other day). Well hell! thing handles like a sports car! After getting a hell of a deal on the Vibe, I Was very happy to find that it drives so well.Anyways, now that I've completely fallen for the thing I refuse to let my wife drive it when I'm not around, lol. She will anyways, but eh, hehe. I took it to work today (I have an hour and a half commute to and from work every day), and I gotta say, DAMN!Now I just have a few questions about upgrades/modsDoes anyone make a body kit for the Vibe?Is there a brake upgrade kit, or can you make it four wheel disc brakes?What's the best way to lower it?What's the best offset for new rims to bring the edge of them even with the outside of the body panels? (looking at Enkei PK6's atm).any brushed aluminum extensions for the antenna?thats about it for now ^_^thanks in advance!
northvibe
Posts: 7641
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by northvibe »

ok so im totally not a super expert yet, and someone will post better info but ill quickly reply.1. yes there is a body kit, but i heard they were short supply and or stopped making it. It looked like the vibe gt-r body kit. ebay might be the best place for it.2. brakes would be a pain in the (removed) but i was thinking about it too. you could prolly take them from almost andy 1zz engine car (vibe gt, matrix xrs, cellica gt) all use all disc you could take the brake lines etc. from.3.best way to lower it is get some new springs, http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8322best drop seems to be about 2 inches.4. rims im not sure about5. antenna, hmmm i only know of some ppl replacing it with a smaller one from ebay.
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Post by BryanC7020 »

anyone else with tips? anything is greatly appreciated!
ArcsVibe
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Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2003 10:12 am

Re: (BryanC7020)

Post by ArcsVibe »

Hi there and welcome!Yes there are body kits available, check out:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... d=13545For brakes check out :http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...92149h ... d=18396For the antenna I bought one off ebay for like 10$ they have so many of them there Just to let you know, click on the SEARCH button on the top right hand side and you will find more threads!Hope this helps and welcome again!! we love pics here!!!
Genvibe Global Moderator
MOTM September 06 & July 09
VOTM April 06
Neptune Vibe 2003 (7-10-2003 - 9-14-2010 vendu/sold)
Mazda3 GX 2008 (9-14-2010 - 5-09-2014 vendu/sold)
Matrix XR 2010 (5-09-2014)

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djpositivek
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:04 am

Re: (ArcsVibe)

Post by djpositivek »

Does the stock antenna swap out easily with those e-bay ones ? Is it just screwed in ? The stock one is kind of fugly so I might replace it someday.
Abyss 2005 FWD 5 speedDe-badged
rlfreese
Posts: 261
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:32 am

Post by rlfreese »

it just replaces with the screw on from ebay. they come with different attachments for different cars. i got one. fits great and looks 100 times better.
2005 Base Vibe W/ moon and tunes , piaa headlight/foglight bulbs, tein s-tech suspension, cosmo CAI, TRD quickshifter, ES motor mount bushings, magnaflow exhaust, RK sport CF roof rack caps, tinted windows, kenwood KDC-X589 HU/w remote Cardomain Page http://www.cardomain.com/ride/797307
ArcsVibe
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Re: (rlfreese)

Post by ArcsVibe »

Just to show you all the "other" antenna this one is a short stubby one:
Genvibe Global Moderator
MOTM September 06 & July 09
VOTM April 06
Neptune Vibe 2003 (7-10-2003 - 9-14-2010 vendu/sold)
Mazda3 GX 2008 (9-14-2010 - 5-09-2014 vendu/sold)
Matrix XR 2010 (5-09-2014)

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BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Post by BryanC7020 »

that'll prolly be my first mod for my Vibe ^-^ saving up for that RKSport body kit already... There's another one on ebay right now that is pretty sweet tho.....http://cgi.ebay.com/03-06-Pont...wItem
northvibe
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Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by northvibe »

oh man i want that hood.
MSR
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Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:38 pm

Post by MSR »

Welcome to the Vibe owner's club!
2005 Platinum Vibe (Monotone)Power Group PackageMoon & Tunes PackageMore to come soon!
tangerine
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Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:43 am

Post by tangerine »

I don't think the GT-R kit has even gone into production yet? Aero stopped making their kit and so did RKsport from what i heard.
04 Fusion Orange Base Vibe auto Now no longer with us thanks to ignorant drivers...
tnpartsguy
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Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:22 pm

Post by tnpartsguy »

Welcome to GenVibe and the AWD fellowship!
Current Ride 2015 GMC Terrain SLT
2nd Vibe 2006 Vibe AWD Stealth Monotone "Recon" December 2005 MOTM
Original Vibe: 2003 AWD Abyss Monotone "Darth"
GM/ASE Certified Parts Manager.
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Re: (tnpartsguy)

Post by BryanC7020 »

Hey, just a few things I forgot to mention. I am 21y/o, married, and have a 7wk/old daughter (hence the family mobile, tho I would hardly call it that now). And this is my first new car I have ever bought, and I am entirely thrilled! I have so far owned an 86 Toyota Corolla GTS Coupe (black), and a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier (blue, is up for sale for $4,500 if anyone is interested), so this is by far the sweetest ride I have ever owned.Right now I am looking at buying a used 1995 Saab 900 S Convertible to go back and forth to work in (29mph highway is pretty respectable for 150hp I4), so I cant wait to add that to my collection.oh yah, and here is a picture of my pretty vibe! (ignore the steel rims, they will be replaced very soon, I have some money put away).and speaking of which, does anybody who knows their stuff know what a good offset is for the Vibe?

Attached files
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Re: (BryanC7020)

Post by BryanC7020 »

Here are a few more pics. I would post more, but everytime I take it out to take photo's I end up driving it instead of snapping photo's, lol...
Atomic
Posts: 366
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:17 am

Re: (BryanC7020)

Post by Atomic »

Quote, originally posted by BryanC7020 » I would post more, but everytime I take it out to take photo's I end up driving it instead of snapping photo's, lol.(There's the proof. He's converted fully now.) lol.Are you ready for your GenVibe tattoo?Or would you rather have the RFID implant?Honestly, I could go on endlessly about how much I TRULY like this car.I thought I would have Hondas for the rest of my life, but this thing is just so damn PERFECT, I don't want anything else.Maybe I'll get the tattoo too.There's a space on my lower arm, that I was saving for the wifey's name, but hey, this is my VIBE I'm talking about here.
05 Base Vibe, Abyss (also known as Black to un-Vibers)Auto, Power Pkg, 16" alu, 20% tint all around, Black powder coated roof rails (the anodizing didn't last in the sun)Member of S.A.V.E. (Secret Association of Vibe Enthusisasts)
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Re: (Atomic)

Post by BryanC7020 »

no but I would gladly fork over $5 for a GenVibe forums sticker, just small enough to put on the rear window. I already found my first mod, aluminum letters for the headrests that say "Vibe" hehe. I am in the midst of selling a $2,300 Kawaii CN3 digital piano, when it sells, I am buying new rims and tires, Eibach springs, anti roll bars (they come in red, but I am gonna and them down and paint them either silver or blue), and a new receiver (hmmm, should I spring for the one with the flip open 7" LCD? just maybe...). Oh yah, and a new antenna, the stock one is fugly!These are the rims I will prolly get:http://www.discounttiredirect....07422
tnpartsguy
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Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:22 pm

Post by tnpartsguy »

I have a Charcoal metallic Genvibe decal, similar to the yellow reflective on my car. I used one on 'Princess Leia's' Frosty Vibe, when I put the pink overlays on it....I guess I need to get pics to prove that, huh? Anyway, contact me with an address and I'll be glad to mail it to you.http://gallery.genvibe.com/gallery/05ohio/DSC01993
Current Ride 2015 GMC Terrain SLT
2nd Vibe 2006 Vibe AWD Stealth Monotone "Recon" December 2005 MOTM
Original Vibe: 2003 AWD Abyss Monotone "Darth"
GM/ASE Certified Parts Manager.
northvibe
Posts: 7641
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Re: (BryanC7020)

Post by northvibe »

Hey when u get those headrest vibe things, i saw them on ebay, let me know how they are! i was thinking about geting those but didnt know how good they would stick on cloth headrestanyone got upclose pics of that short antenna on the vibe?
jmf2
Posts: 130
Joined: Thu Jul 15, 2004 2:10 pm

Re: New Vibe Owner in Chatt. (BryanC7020)

Post by jmf2 »

Welcome to vibedom,I like your pics, great depth of field on those first 2 shots, did you use film? the color saturation is excellent. really make the vibe stand out (even more than they naturally do! lol)I would have loved to have a car as nice as the vibes when i had young ones.enjoy the ridejohn
Current car: 2011 Red Hyundai Elantra. Last Vibe: 2005 Fusion Vibe A/T, power group, moon and tunes, ABS, alloy wheels, window tinting, stone/bug shield. First Vibe: 2003 Salsa Two Tone, A/T, power group, totaled by my son in a rollover accident, 7-8-2004
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Re: New Vibe Owner in Chatt. (jmf2)

Post by BryanC7020 »

hehe, just really good photoshop work my friend, and a few great plugins, well just one, go look up optiverk labs, its a photolab plugin for photoshop that works wonders if you know what you are doing. All of those pictures were spawned of a 2mp digital camera
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Post by BryanC7020 »

lol I just spent $150 on mods.... cant wait for them to come in!For anyone wondering, it's a gunmetal strut brace, aluminum door sills, and a stubby antenna ^-^.
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Post by BryanC7020 »

Just wanted to throw a quick thank you out to TNPartsGuy for the great GenVibe.com sticker, its gorgeous man, thanks a ton, wifey really liked it (as its her car now, and it lives 60+ miles from me )
BOZACK
Posts: 517
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:39 am

Re: (BryanC7020)

Post by BOZACK »

(as its her car now, and it lives 60+ miles from me )[/QUOTE]How did that happen?
Monotone Neptune, pow pac, 17" stock rims, K&N air filter, bumper guard, custom pedels, brake light cover, billet oil cap
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ColonelPanic
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Location: South Central Indiana

Re:

Post by ColonelPanic »

That answer can be found here.Sorry to hear the news, Bryan. Things will always find a way of working themselves out though, so hang in there man.
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

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'21 Elantra Limited - 2.0L/IVT
'15 Escape SE - 1.6L EcoBoost (hers)
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tnpartsguy
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Post by tnpartsguy »

You're.....uh......she's welcome.........I guess.......:-(
Current Ride 2015 GMC Terrain SLT
2nd Vibe 2006 Vibe AWD Stealth Monotone "Recon" December 2005 MOTM
Original Vibe: 2003 AWD Abyss Monotone "Darth"
GM/ASE Certified Parts Manager.
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Post by BryanC7020 »

yah.... we are trying to work it out... but.... yah.... long story..... The short version... I miss my vibe!!!! lol. I had just added a front strut brace and a rear anti-sway bar, and I was having fun throwing it around wife will probably never do more than grocery shop in the thing....*sigh*I am looking to get my own new car here in a couple months when I figure out my budget, something <21,995. Anyone have any ideas? So far I am looking at the 2006 Mazda MX-5, a Nissan Altima, or a Pontiac Solstice (although I would have to wait a bit longer, as I will like to see how well they hold up, I know they already had one recall... but damn those things are gorgeous!
djpositivek
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Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:04 am

Re: (BryanC7020)

Post by djpositivek »

Quote, originally posted by BryanC7020 »I am looking to get my own new car here in a couple months when I figure out my budget, something Vibe GT ?
Abyss 2005 FWD 5 speedDe-badged
BryanC7020
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:46 am

Post by BryanC7020 »

hehe, yah, I liked the Vibe GT, I went and drove one the other day, but I dont like that you gotta keep it above 5 grand to get the extra 40 horses. I am thinking something more along the lines of a two door/two seater coupe or something larger with at least 200+hp.thats what brought me to the MX-5 and the Pontiac Solstice (although I feel that it is cheapened by putting the Saturn name on it and calling it a Sky *sigh*), I am very impressed with the styling cues of the Solstice, but I still have my doubts about it's long-term staying ability and gas mileage (28mpg highway out of a 177hp I4 from GM??), but anyways.... right now its pretty much either the MX-5 or the SOlstice from where I sit unless some1 else has a good suggestion (as much as I love the Vibe, it just doesnt perform like I want, I am a pretty aggressive driver)
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