ride and handling

moondawg · Post by **moondawg** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 11:36 am

How would you rate your ride comfort and handling characteristics in the Vibe?

GT Guy · Post by **GT Guy** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 11:43 am

I find the handling excellent. However the ride can be bouncy and bumpy probably attributed to the sports suspension!!!

KSNeptune · Post by **KSNeptune** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 12:08 pm

Fun.KSNeptune

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 9:00 pm

Good stiff, sporty ride. I like it. Handles really good and can turn tight corners with it's steering radius. The seats are very comfortable as well.

DopeVibeGT · Post by **DopeVibeGT** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 9:18 pm

It rides nice. Takes bumps well. As for handling.....it gets very squirrely over 80 MPH. Also, the wind likes to push it around, since it only weighs 2700 pounds. It could benifit from being lowered.

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 1:17 am

I agree with the bumpiness comments but the handling in the twisties is great with minimal lean.

DopeVibeGT · Post by **DopeVibeGT** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:00 am

You dont know bumpiness until you drive a lowered vehicle. LoL

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:58 am

quote:.....it gets very squirrely over 80 MPH.I'll 2nd that emotion...I think the straight line stability, or lack of it, sucks. I don't know if the power steering is overactive or what, but it seems to require too much attention to keep it going straight. I've even looked to see if something in the suspension is loose or broken, but everything seems fine.

vibe owner · Post by **vibe owner** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:38 am

I love the GT's minimal lean and good cornering with the 17-inch tires. Stiff is OK with me, even though I live in speedbump land. The steering geometry is too sensitive to a cross-sloping surface and wants to pull upslope. Here in Oregon we have some doozy ruts thanks to studded snow tires -- the first time I went up one street I stopped and got out, thinking I had a flat tire! Could stand some work on coarse-surface road noise too.

Vibe-agra · Post by **Vibe-agra** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:37 am

The same here. On my Corsica you could take your hands off the wheel and it would go straight for quite a while. The vibe is very sensitive to small changes in the surface of the road.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:54 pm

I installed a set of Hotchkis sway bars and it fixed the problems with wandering on the freeway. Compleate control at all times. It will make the ride firmer but I like it better because you don't have that rolling back and forth all the time. It really handles like a different car!

moondawg · Post by **moondawg** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 8:32 pm

shibaman,where'd you get the swaybars,and who installed them?

Flip-Side · Post by **Flip-Side** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 9:05 pm

You guys got me running too. I hate how the vibe wanders so badly on the freeway, and it is one of the main things that I think needs attention. Thinking about the sway bars after reading Shibaman's post here on the hotchkis bars. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... 0794#20794 Listed as $335

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 11:13 pm

I bought my bars directly from Hotchkis. I did the rear myself but had the mechanic at the local Big O tires install the front for me. Hotchkis said that it would take 2.5 to 3 hrs. to install. Best mod and $ I have ever spent on a car!

moondawg · Post by **moondawg** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 2:26 am

How do I get in touch with Hotchkis?I have never heard of them.Was it an easy install?.from both perspectives?

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:15 pm

http://www.hotchkis.net 877-466-7655 The rear is easy if you have a breaker bar and a torque wrench. The front needs to be done by a shop. They will most likely charge you for about 3 hrs. labor for the front. The car really handles well-- very balanced and stable.

moondawg · Post by **moondawg** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 11:02 am

Thank you,for the information,shibaman

NY Pete · Post by **NY Pete** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 10:01 pm

Sounds like a great idea. Now I just have to decide between the Hotchkis and the TRD...

canadavibegt · Post by **canadavibegt** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 6:44 am

sounds like a good investment......... I think I will go with the Hotchkis....... they are a very reputable company and have years in the suspension biz.......P.s. anyone swith to 18" rims yet........ Thinking about changing as I got the standard 16" rims because i was going to buy rims anyway and did not see the sence in paying for those ugly 17"s........... Not sure if I will go to 17 or 18s anythoughts

kdd5ltr · Post by **kdd5ltr** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 9:07 am

I wish the steering was a little quicker.

ride and handling

ride and handling

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