Future Some Changes

[Zorren]

I've had my new 06 vibe for a week now. I have been tossing some changes around in my head. I am looking for some advice. New Air filter K & N (anyone currently using if so how do you like?)New head lights (Brighter the Silverstar I think)Window tint (35% but is that too dark?)Stiffer suspenation(not a proformance junkie just want a tighter ride)When it is time for my oil change should i shift over to synthetic?

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[thoughtdegree]

I've got 35% all around (legal limit in NC) its fine. keeps the black interior cool and isnt too dark that it draws attention

[jwalcik]

i've got a k&n drop-in. i haven't noticed much difference in performance, but i have noticed a slight improvement at the pump.i've also had a couple of different types of light bulbs. the silverstars are nice, but with the daytime running lights, they didn't last anywhere near as long as they would in my old truck (i would get a year or more out of a set in my truck, i got about five months out of them in my vibe). right now i've got a different set of sylvania bulbs in there... cool blues i think. they've been in there since march. i don't see much difference in lighting between them and the silverstars, but they're quite a bit cheaper.

[redlava]

My opinion on the headlights is the Silverstars were great when I had them, but they only lasted about 12,000 miles for me. If you don't mind dropping $30 every 10 to 12 months on replacements and you do a lot of driving at night then I say they are a good investment. Do some more shopping around there might be lights that are just as bright but last longer.I have 35% tint on my car, it is a good percentage for keeping some of the sunlight out. But honestly if I would do it again I probably would have went down further to 20%. But it is pretty much a question of form over function. 35% is good enough to keep much of the heat out, but the 20% does that as well, plus it looks better in my opinion. You will just have a little less visability in the dark, and possibly attract a little more attention depending on your states tinting laws.The K&N drop-in filter is probably a good idea. You may not notice a huge power increase like you would with a CAI or a short-ram, but I have not heard anything bad about a drop-in.The springs that I have give my Viba a moderate drop around 2 inches or a little more. The ride is pretty choppy on bad roads, but she handles like a dream. If it is just a slight drop and better handling that you are looking for then the Eibach prokits might be a good choice. The drop is only about 1-1.5 inches. There are a lot of spring manufacturers out there, and depending on who you ask you will probably get a different answer.Use the "Search" feature in the upper right hand corner, and you will get gobbs of info from past threads. Good luck, and welcome to Genvibe.

[Mrizzle05]

all other questions were pretty much answered... so for a tighter ride. if you know how or have the money. you could get front strut bar and front and rear sway bars.strut bar= $50-180 (depending on brand)front and rear sways= $280 for both from hotchkisjust rear= $90 +/-*ebay helps on used or cheap ones... adn our FS forum always has good stuff.

[slvrvibes]

I have 35% tint since that is as dark as I can go in TX and stay legal. It isn't too dark. I wish I could have gone a little darker.I have a K&N filter and I'm not seeing much of a difference yet, but I've only had it for a month now.As for a tighter ride Mrizzle has that covered in his response.

[the1stacekiller]

I have a stock tint.. don't know what percentage it is.. but I love it! the car is muuuuuch cooler than non tinted cars.. I just got the K&N Air Drop in Filter.. don't notice much in performance but gas mileage is fantastic when you don't speed I'm happy with the stock suspension.. wouldn't mind some nice gunmetal grey rims though

[BlueCrush]

I had the K& N Filter when I first had my Vibe and there was maybe a 1hp gain but gas mileage will increase.($50-60)I have Silverstar heads/fogs/turns for about 15,000 miles and have had to replace both heads once so far. Fogs and turns are fine. I don't mind replacing them once a year for the amount of light they give me and it is still way cheaper than HIDs ($300). I could buy 10 sets of bulbs for what it would cost for HID's. At a rate of replacing them once a year, it would take 10 years to match the cost of HIDs.I have 35% tint all around and it is perfect during the day and can see fine at night. It looks great! Make sure you get a lifetime warranty against fading, peeling or cracking. Expect to spend $200-300 for good install.You could go with the TRD springs those have the least amount of drop about 1" ($$$). Or with Eibach springs 1.25" drop ($$). Go with the Hotchkis suspension kit: springs(2" drop) and front and rear sways ($$$$). It depends on how much you are willing to spend.

[northvibe]

+1 ^Blue isnt the hotchkis 1.5 drop in front and 1.25 in back for a FWD vibe...although they do settle some. yea TRD if you dont want to really drop but want a stiffer ride.im still trying to find a good bulb too......

[GormalVibe]

I did some similar changes on my 06. Some good starting points.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »+1 ^Blue isnt the hotchkis 1.5 drop in front and 1.25 in back for a FWD vibe...although they do settle some. After mine settled they were both at about 2" front and rear.

[redlava]

Like wise. Mine might have settled just a tad bit more in the front.

[northvibe]

as for oil changes, I do every 3k miles and use the normal mobil 1 5000 mile oil. In the winter in MN synthetic oil makes the heater take forever to start shooting hot air into the cabin, so i just stick to what works for me. Theres people running stanard, synthetic and the synthetic hybrid (half and half of each).