New member and Vibe GT owner

[OregonVibeGT]

Hello, I just purchased a new 06 Vibe GT neptune with power package and moonroof. I already installed a new pioneer radio with XM and a bluetooth handsfree speaker kit. I like the styling and versitility of the Vibe, however I'm having a heck of a time getting use to shifting the GT particulaly from stop and 1st to 2nd. Once rolling it a pleasure to drive and run though the gears. Any advise would be helpful. I have driven manual transmissions for about 20 years. Thanks in advance. I really enjoy this site.

[CountryVibe]

Welcome to Genvibe, the GT clutch takes some time to get used to because it's so light, just be careful, our gt have terrible clutch life

[AKLGT]

welcome! yes, the GT clutch is a bit odd. it's been 2 yrs now since i had mine, so i don't really remember. I am in the process of relearning a new 6MT clutch that is completely foreign to me on the new STI. welcome to GVC and good luck!

[injun_josh]

Welcome to the group. are you addicted to lift yet? the shifter does take a little getting used to, now that i have gotten used to it though i love the "bent nail" shifter. you will find that to get the gt rolling, you will have to use a little more gas than in most cars. the gt's dont make alot of torque so it's neccesary to give it a little more horsepower to get it going. i have a 03 gt, that im in the process of solving that issue right now. good luck

[808 Vibes]

Welcome and congrats!! OK, I'll be the first to say: Pics...Pics...Pics!

[ArcsVibe]

Welcome to the family! Yes we love pics here!!

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe!

[TraySeeLea]

These people love pictures hahaha p.s.- Welcome from one newbie to another haha

[GrayFox]

Quote, originally posted by TraySeeLea »These people love pictures hahaha That we do! So post 'em if you got 'emWelcome, OregonVibeGT

[slvrvibes]

Welcome!

[NascarXprt]

Welcome to the family!

[ToolGuy]

welcome to the site!

[02csnow]

Welcome to Genvibe!

[WD0AFQ]

I am with you on the clutch. We have had our's nearly 3 years and I still kill it sometimes. We are in Az on our way to the Coosbay area and then up to Tillamook and Portland. Towing the Gt with the coach.

[sk8r78]

I believe a short throw shifter makes a big difference in shifting but the clutch side of it just takes time. How you drive will really determine your clutch life some barely make 35K and others have the stocker after 80 grand. good luck and welcome

[coldmm803]

welcome to the board, good luck with the clutch

[jwalcik]

Welcome aboard!My GT is the first car with a manual I've ever owned (I've had it for about 2 1/2 years now). Learning to drive a stick was a bit of a challenge. Smoothing out the shift from 1st to 2nd in my car was something else entirely. It definitely takes some practice to get the timing down.

[MRCN RCE]

welcome to the familyyeah the GT clutch is definitely different. i've had mine for a year n 3 months, and still kill it from time to time. once you get used to it, the shifting will become easier too. i just hit 28k miles on my car last nite, and the clutch isn't in very good shape. i've driven it hard sometimes, redline shifts through 4th, etc. . i'm getting an exedy clutch soon, and i think that will help a lot. i'll let you know how it goes when i get iti've also heard getting a TWM short shifter will help with the shifting. someone on here said replacing the shifter was the best mod they've ever done

[keithvibe]

Let us know how much you like "lift" LOL Welcome

[OregonVibeGT]

Hello all and thanks for the warm welcome. Im not sure where I should respond to this post so I just hit reply at the last entry. Well sounds like I'm not the only one with a tricky clutch. I really wanted the 5 speed Vibe as it does get a bit better fuel economy and it did drive better, but went with the 06 GT (new) because I got a sweet deal on it (I think). $21,000 - $2500 in rebates + the dealer gave me almost $2k over what kbb said my trade in was worth. I am excited having a performance car but the overall reliability of this setup concerns me. I drive about 30 to 35K miles a year and looking at a clutch once a year may get old, but I do all my own work so that helps keep the costs down. Can someone give a bit more info on the short shift setup. that sounds like a good first mod to start with. I also plan on a cat-back exhaust in the future to enhance the sound. Again thanks for the great welcome. Any other Vibe people around in the Willamette Valley? If so any clubs or rallies?

[OregonVibeGT]

Hi WD0AFQ, sounds like you have a nice road trip in progress. I hope you enjoy your visit here in Oregon. I have family in Coos Bay, and do alot of work in Tillamook and Portland so I am quite familar with the coast highway. Also are you a ham? I am KE7MME. I mosly hang out on 145.29 repeater here in the valley which has a huge footprint with inputs in Albany and Lincoln City and on 6 meters. I havent put my radio(yaesu 7800) in the new Vibe yet and don't know if I will as the shifting keeps me quite busy but I do miss having it at the ready. You just missed sea-pac up in Seaside last weekend, one of the biggest hamfests in the NW. Anyhow 73s for now.

[Celtic_Curse]

Welcome to the site! From what I understand once you replace the GT clutch with something aftermarket you won't have many issues. I believe in previous discussions it was agreed the GT clutch was not very good period. Get yourself an ACT performance clutch and burn up those tires.

[Raivis]

welcome to the site from one gt owner toanother (03 gt since new)

[moongdss]

Welcome!

[jimincalif]

I have an 03 GT, just passed 45K miles, original clutch, no issues so far. My son learned how to drive a stick on this car. Now teaching my daughter. We'll see how the clutch takes it. She did peel out once, plus usual newbie stalls. Smelled burning clutch a few times.It is a bit tricky to get the feel of, but you will eventually.

[freelancer82]

Hi all.Also a New Member, and 03 GT Owner, (JUST GOT IT LAST WEEK!), and I couldn't be more damn proud of my car. The shifting, esp 1-2 is tricky, but I Valet cars for a living, so I'm at home with pretty much Anybody's transmission.I do have an OT question though...and I've searched the techie threads on the site as well as dialed Pontiac direct, and I can't seem to get relevant results or a satisfactory answer, so what the hell?Here goes:The Jeep dealer I got it from said that the previous owner only gave them the key. So I only have the key (don't worry, made a copy), but I don't have the FOB(keyless remote). It is an '03 GT with power locks/windows/premium 6cd sound system, basically all decked out.My question is did all the 03 GT's come with a FOB?And if the answer is "no, that some model's came with it, and some didn't", where can I look in the car to see whether it has the FOB receiver or not?

Attached files

[SyCam_Steve]

I replied to the thread about keyless remote in this threadhttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=28728

[Psychobroker]

Welcome home!

[Anrosphynx]

to the original poster... welcome!As you have been driving a manual for some time, you will get used to it. Don't worry.I have an 03GT and it has 115k on it now with the original clutch.