Test drove a vibe...

[b train]

Hello all, Long time forum lurker and even came to the chat session one night, I have been doing my research on getting a new car for some time now... Saddly with gas prices bein the way they are it is time to replace my 94 full size bronco, 12mpg suckkksss. I drove 2 vibes today a fwd with the manual and an AWD automatic. I live in norteastern oregon and the winters can be a little rough at times, I drive up to Idaho about 2 times a month all year round. I felt that the AWD was a little less peppy than the FWD, I was wonderin if anyone runs studded tires on their FWD Vibe in the winter and how it does with them. This will be my first new car as well as my first non 4X4, and my first non V8 since my 1982 Subaru GL. I was dang impressed on how well the FWD got up and went when I put my foot into it, I am used to a sluggish 302 in my bronco that gets a case of the shakes at 65mph. I am goin back to the dealer to talk some more tomorrow so any input would me more than helpfull. I get GMID pricing so I am lookin to cash in on a good deal on a 2006thanks,B-train

[GrayFox]

Welcome!The AWD looses a little power and gains a little weight opposed to the FWD. I don't know much about bad winter living in south arkansas, but welcome anyway

[binary]

I own a fwd vibe, and coming from an AWD V6 escape... there was a noticable difference in poor weather traction. with the AWD you lose power in the drivetrain starting at the automatic transmission all the way to the four spinning axles. But when you want winter traction - it sure beats FWD.Sorry, I don't have an answer about studded tires - never used them.

[northvibe]

i had my vibe base auto with the stock eagle tires and Duluth, Minnesota winter went okay. If your really worried with the fwd just get some nice winter tires for the front and i hear it drives great in the snow, nothing like AWD but good for fwd. Yeah ive never used studded tires but good luck on choosing a car and welcome!!!

[GMJAP]

You can also cosider getting a FWD with traction control (Stabilitrac)- that will really improve your bad-weather handling without the penalties of the AWD on power & mileage.

[808 Vibes]

Sorry I can't help you with the rough winter driving question, just wanted to welcome you to the board! Vibe is an excellent choice for great gas mileage-one of the reasons why we have two

[northvibe]

I just got gas last night, and I drive the auto like a manual, shifting L, 2 and D and i accelerate fast all the time, and I got 28mpg. So id just like to +1 to HawaiiPontiacLover's gas mileage comment that these are great cars for mileage hahha i wish i had a GT

[b train]

So I went back in today and here is what they offeredPaint: SalsaAutoFWDPrefered PackageSun and SoundSport Package6 disc CDand onstargm priceing around 19,600cash back 1,000trade 2,000so they are sayin around 16 for itmsrp is 21,840what do ya all think... is there anymore i can get offthanksb train

[GrayFox]

I think it's a pretty good deal being that you're getting all that for the price of a bare-bones base

[crazytrain]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I just got gas last night, and I drive the auto like a manual, shifting L, 2 and D and i accelerate fast all the time, and I got 28mpg. So id just like to +1 to HawaiiPontiacLover's gas mileage comment that these are great cars for mileage hahha i wish i had a GT I got my Vibe 3 weeks ago and put 1800 miles on it already. It's an auto and I've been getting from 28-31 MPG. It's a mix between hwy & city driving and the A/C is on all the time. I also tend to use my car as an office when on the road and can sit in the car (parked) with the A/C on while on the phone for 1/2 hour at a time. I'm very happy with the fuel economy.

[joatmon]

Hi b trainwe had a good chat that night. Here's a couple of threads that may be worth readinghttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=23765http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=13442http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8005 there's plenty moreWinters in MD are trivial compared to what you get, so I didn't even consider the AWD, and I wanted MPGs

[gpk99]

well since I live in Alberta and it's the winter you are worried about there then make sure you get a block heater.....haha!!Since this may be your first 4 cyl front wheel drive you'll fall in love with this car if only for the way it performs on the highway....it gets great mileage.Also get cruise...it's an essential feature and works very very good.Love my VIBE...............Hope you make a good decision.GM makes a great product and you won't be disappointed if you choose the Vibe as well.

[b train]

Thanks for all the support and info, I must admit this forum community is a big reason I am looking at the Vibe. When even the folks that have moved on to other cars still rave about them it is a good sign.Thanks for all the answers and support...b train

[DHelm72]

I have the AWD I live in Western NC. Not alot of snow here but I do ski alot. The higher elevations here are good for about 6 or 7 decent snow storms per year (4" or more is a good snow storm here) and I head out to ski every one of them. When climbing hills in the snow, the AWD is the only way to go. I have gone up many hills at a crawl where front wheel drive cars were stuck in ditches. two years ago I rented a 2wd Vibe in Colorado on a ski trip and in typical Summit county fashion, it snowed every day. I stayed to the main highways which were plowed instantly. I did come close to getting stuck a few times on fairly flat ground while trying my best to avoid hilly roads and stick to the major plowed roads. This experience sold me on the AWD. If you only need it a few times a year it is worth the sacrifice for the other 360 days per year in my opinion. Getting stuck in the winter stinks. Here in NC they don't plow as efficiently as they do in Colorado. When I am headed to the ski slopes near Boone after a snowfall the roads are usually snow covered. There is no way to go anywhere from my house without a good climb for at least a mile or two so my decision was easy even though we get much less snowfall than up north or out west.