Soon to be an owner and I have a few questions

[Renthorin]

Greetings. I am “almost” a new Vibe owner. I have decide to get one instead of an HHR but I have not purchased it yet.I have a few questions that I am hoping you folks can answer for me. Ready? Here we go then:1) can you get different gauge trim? During the test drive the chrome rings were reflecting the sunlight badly and I was hoping something a bit less reflective was available.2) I am torn between the monochrome color option (all the same color) and leaving the gray plastic trim. I think the plastic trim would resist rock chips (I live on a gravel road) and door dings better than the painted trim. Does it discolor quickly? I have had plastic trim turn light gray in the sun after a few years…3) Radio – I love loud music and bass. I listened to the stock 4-speaker radio and it was fine but nothing special. They did not have a monsoon system with sub for me to listen to. I will still try to do that but my question is…how much better is that system really? I listened to the ‘high end’ system in the HHR and was not terrible impressed.Anyway…those are my questions I hope to get answered.Thanks for you time and hopefully soon I will be an owner, not just a test driver.Will

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Renthorin »Greetings. I am “almost” a new Vibe owner. I have decide to get one instead of an HHR but I have not purchased it yet.I have a few questions that I am hoping you folks can answer for me. Ready? Here we go then:1) can you get different gauge trim? During the test drive the chrome rings were reflecting the sunlight badly and I was hoping something a bit less reflective was available.2) I am torn between the monochrome color option (all the same color) and leaving the gray plastic trim. I think the plastic trim would resist rock chips (I live on a gravel road) and door dings better than the painted trim. Does it discolor quickly? I have had plastic trim turn light gray in the sun after a few years…3) Radio – I love loud music and bass. I listened to the stock 4-speaker radio and it was fine but nothing special. They did not have a monsoon system with sub for me to listen to. I will still try to do that but my question is…how much better is that system really? I listened to the ‘high end’ system in the HHR and was not terrible impressed.Anyway…those are my questions I hope to get answered.Thanks for you time and hopefully soon I will be an owner, not just a test driver.Willshort answers1. you can paint it if you like, or get overlays made but there aren't trim packaged to speak of.2. I have the monotone, and my parents live on a gravel road. I haven't had an issue yet... My suggestion is to get what you like the look of.3.YES, I have the sun/sound package in my vibe and I LOVE the system. Fact is being in my 30ies... I have never owned a factory system like this. This is the only system that I felt didn't need work. The sound is great for the average person. If your a bit nutty about your music. Take the stock non-sub package and upgraded the system at your leisure.BTW... WELCOME And post photos of her when you pick her up.

[azsapphire87]

Welcome to GenVibe! Even if you decide against the Vibe, we'd still be honored to have you as a member of our forum. There are a bunch of people here that have other vehicles but love being a part of our community.1) Some forum members have painted the chrome gauge trim. click on the link to see an example. The're really easy to take off and modify. I thought it would bother me when I bought mine, but it doesn't shine as bright as I thought it would.2) I personally have the standard "two-tone" package. The gray trim on my 2004 is looking as dark as the day I bought it. The only thing I have seen fade on this car is the arrowhead on the 5th door. But that's easily covered up by a bright red vinyl decal. If you're worried, Mother's "Back to Black" trim treatment keeps it nice and dark.3) I like the sound of the Moon&Tunes and Sun&Sound packages, but from what I've seen around here, it's much easier to upgrade the equipment of the stock 4-speaker system. Aftermarket products usually sound much better than any "premium" package that can be had. Hope you get a great deal on your Vibe

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[BlueCrush]

1) What ^they^ said!2) What ^they^ said!3) I think the 7 speaker monsoon system sounds awesome! Best stock system I have ever owned. Sounds even better since I installed FatMat on the floor and closed cell foam in the door and hatch panels.Good Luck on your purchase!

[Renthorin]

Thanks for the replies. I may try painting the gauge trim if it bothers me more. Wasn't bad with my sunglasses on but when my wife drove is was bright for her.I will probably leave the 2-tone appearance. I like the look as it breaks up the size of the vehicle. I have always had 2-tone cars :-)In my Blazer I have the stock system (6 speakers) and have added a 250 watt amp with 10" sub. Did wonders for the sound. I might just move that sub over to the Vibe and keep the stock system. It was loud enough....just didn't thump like I enjoy.I am 95 percent certain I will get the Vibe. I need the mpg and it will hold two of my dog crates so what's not to like?I still have my Blazer for 4x4 action and my Buick for weekend fun Will

[ajflan]

Get the vibe! You'll love it. And we need more Michigan members!

[rocket9005]

Had mine for just about 2 years ...The gage trim doesn't bother me. The back lit instruments are a little bright at night in the "auto" setting. You can turn it down, but you lose the auto setting for day.I have the 2 tone trim, and I think that the mono tone trim looks boringI have the moon & tunes sound with the 6" woofer in the back and the 200 watt and under the passenger seat. It is by far the best factory sound system I've had. It's a little base heavy at the factory settings, but add a little treble and the sail panel tweeters sound good The GM Bose systems were supposed to be awesome, but we are talking Vibe here, not Corvette or Caddy. If yoy like your music lod get the base system and when you get bored rip it out and go nuts. PS You'll love th ride.

[northvibe]

I drive a ton for work and the chrome trim doesnt bother me yet and ive had the vibe for 2 yrs. I have a two tone gray with the gray plastic. The mono tone is just the gray plastic painted to the color of the car so there shouldnt be a paint chipping issue unless its bent in from an accident or something.I have the base so no sweet system, its not bad, I dont mind it and actually on the equalizer setting 2 it sounds great. If you cant find a moons and toons package just put your own aftermarket sound system in.After 2 yrs of owning a vibe I still love it! welcome to genvibe! You might get the mod bug once you get the vibe so read on the forum here for some sweet mods

[808 Vibes]

Welcome!!! I haven't had any problems with being blinded by the gauges trim-and I'm in Hawaii, so my liftgate arrowhead has faded too. We have the 7speaker 6CD system in both Vibes; love it. You will love the Vibe...

[Renthorin]

Ok...I'll get the sound package Not yet sold on the sunroof. Need to sit in one that has it. My blazer has the sunroof that powers all the way back into the roof and out of site and to be honest, I have the sun shade closed most of the time.I think what it will boil down to is finding a vibe with the color I like and the radio and then just taking whatever else is on it. I don't know how much moding I will do to it. The bug always exists I know but this is my daily driver to be so I need to keep my mind focused on leaving it alone.I do have a 'fun' car that I have a few go-fast mods into already so the bug is satisfied there. Thanks again for all the comments.

[ToolGuy]

Welcome "almost a Vibe owner!" The 6 speaker stereo in our Vibes rocks!

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Renthorin »I don't know how much moding I will do to it. The bug always exists I know but this is my daily driver to be so I need to keep my mind focused on leaving it alone.I do have a 'fun' car that I have a few go-fast mods into already so the bug is satisfied there. Thanks again for all the comments.hey which car is that?! I daily drive my vibe for work and put like 120 miles on a day at least 2-3 days a week. And there are some mods that will be great for a daily driver and may increase your mileage! hahah im just trying to bring you to the dark modding side

[Renthorin]

Well I guess mods that increase MPG would be ok. Really, that is why I am getting a Vibe to begin with. I drive about 250 miles a week and in my 4x4 that gets 18mpg it's killing the bank account.I have briefly considered larger anti-sway bars as they are an easy upgrade that always helps stiffen things up :-)My 'fun' car is a 1987 Buick Grand National. Now, that car has some mods....some....

[guilty]

Another fellow Michigander! I was kind of in the same situation as you...The chrome trim isn't as bad as it seems...it does reflect on the top of the windshield but after awhile you just "tune it out." I set out looking for a two-tone for the very same reason...seems that it would be less prone to rock chips, and I always get white vehicles...the gray helps to "break it up." On the sound system, the particular car I found just had the standard system, which I have yet to upgrade...but am planning to shortly (have had the car for about a month now.) I kind of have the bug to modify everything as well...I have put a set of of wheels on it, might tint the windows, and will change the head unit and speakers out soon enough. I only have a crappy cell phone pic right now. I have had sun roof's in past vehicles and rarely have it or the sun shade open....I like AC too much. And judging by your avatar, I think I know what your other vehicle may be.

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[Renthorin]

Tinting the rear passenger, little one behind that, and hatch windows are definitely a plan. Do any Vibes come with tinted windows?

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by Renthorin »3) Radio – I love loud music and bass. I listened to the stock 4-speaker radio and it was fine but nothing special. They did not have a monsoon system with sub for me to listen to. I will still try to do that but my question is…how much better is that system really? I listened to the ‘high end’ system in the HHR and was not terrible impressed.If you are used to "thump" you'll be dissapointed... So far the best install i've seen here would be AudioVibes ride... His gear is HELLA expensive, but the install is AWESOME and keeps the cargo space. No need for the super-gear, but, i know being an X installer, i'll be following his lead on my own install. I just bought a set of killer Pioneer components to go in the Vibe and i don't even have it yet.... soon though, soon..

[Sublimewind]

Yet another from Mi...cool... Before it's to late (very off topic note here) Check out my post in the Mi regional section about the big rock concert happening in central Mi... it might be right up your ally... Oh, please tell us, show us more of this Buick GN.... I LOVE THOSE CARS, always have, always will... Technology is a sweet thing...

[Sublimewind]

Crap... i alwise forget to say 'Welcome"

[Renthorin]

Well I have a Rockford 10" sub with a 250 watt amp that is in my Blazer currently. I could move that to the Vibe and rely on the stock 'basic' system to provide the sound. My Pontiac Vibe brochure says the upgraded system has 7 speakers. The sub is one...the 4 in the door are obvious...where are the other two? Are they dash or A-Pillar? Anyone have any picts of the stock 7-speaker locations?The brochure does not list mud/splash guards as an option but Edmunds does on their site. Can you get them from the dealer? They would go a long way towards keeping the car mud/rockchip free.GN picture attached.

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[BlueCrush]

There are tweeters in the sails at the bottom of the A-pillar. You can get Splash Guards from a dealer or Ebay.Nice GN!

[Sublimewind]

My god, that is a sexy beast... They all look the same though.... sexay none-the-less

[Renthorin]

Well, yeah they all look the same. It is an option package. It's like saying all the blue Vibes with 16" aluminum wheels look the same :-)If I behave on the freeway it gets 26mpg. If I am bad (0-60 in under 5 seconds) I get....less....

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by Renthorin »My 'fun' car is a 1987 Buick Grand National. Now, that car has some mods....some....Sweet! Nice ride! My car has some mods too... 330 RWHP and 340 RWTQ.

[Renthorin]

Not to take my thread completely off topic but last time on the dyno the GN was 342 rwhp and 398 rwtq so I am pleased.Next Vibe question: can you get power seats?Anyone know the ground clearance? I do 'some' camping that requires 2-track access.....my blazer does not rub my our minivan does.

[ToolGuy]

Awesome power numbers! We like our Vibe and is has been trouble free. Been to the dealer only once for a part and then once again to have the tires check, GM did nothing about them though. I maintain all my cars, have to keep my wife safe going to work!

[Renthorin]

well with the 5/100k warranty on the major stuff that is a great peace of mind.I do all my own wrenching if I can (don't have a lift). I think the Vibe has a good quality record.My main concerns are tint for the back windows (I will be carting around some of my dogs from time to time) and making sure I get at least 30mpg.I will get the 5-speed as I enjoy shifting (Grinding?) gears.

[northvibe]

I should get my car tinted because of the work tools I leave in the car.... The rear window tint should be no issue, just go to a nice shop that has a person tht knows what they are doing as the back window can be done in 1 piece.I usually get 31mpg and thats me using the gas pedal liberally....a lot. So now that I tuned up the vibe and do tons of hwy driving I need to calculate but I bet its 35 or more. Just keep it under 3k rpm and you'll get 30 no prob.I wish I had the 5 speed

[Renthorin]

Can you get power driver's seat for a Vibe?Also, as far as tires go....all the vibes on the local lot have the steel wheels with hubcaps. I don't really care either way but I saw the 16 aluminum ones and they are nice.Anyone know off the top of your head what the steel one and the alum ones weigh?Any reason to get the alum ones? Would I get better performance and MPG with the Alum ones? Thinking of unsprung weight here....

[ajflan]

I doubt that you would get better performance, but they do look a lot nicer.

[Renthorin]

to get better performance they alum ones would need to much lighter than the stock steel ones.

[BlueBlurNY]

Hi,I purchased my Vibe in 2005, moon and tunes package with the two tone trim and I'm quite pleased.I hadn't figured out the chrome guage trim problem...have mostly used post it notes to cover it up but i'll try painting it and see what happens.I'm pleased with the two tone on my car. The gray part of my car looks the same as when I bought it, but my car its self has sustained some parking lot abuse.I've been rockin' out to the Monsoon system in my car. I've since added an XM Radio, and found a great adapter for my ipod to use in the car.The only complaint I have about the Blur is the color...I wish I got a lighter color. EVERY SCRATCH DING DENT AND DEAD BUG will show up...and I mean every!My next car will be a vibe and will be a lighter color.

[Renthorin]

I'm thinking of the blue looks nice...even the red (Salsa I think), but I am leaning towards the light silver/gray. I think that would be the easiest to keep clean.Still, blue is my favorite color so it will be a tough decision. Might come down to what is on the lot when I buy.And as of tonight....oh yes....I am buying a Vibe.

[ilovemycat]

HiI too am looking closely at the Vibe and I was also wondering about the silver color on the display but for a different reason....I really hate it! I love the car a lot but I am just not enjoying the contemporary 3D displays with the shiny stuff...there is another car I drove with similiar displays. To me, it's hard to see everything in those circle things. I drove a 9 year old car and it has a recessed standard display. I hate to complain but it's really put me off.I have a question. When I test drove the car, the emergency brake, in the off position (or whatever you call the position) was a bit in my way of reaching my drink in the cupholder from the driver's side. I kept hitting it. I have not heard anyone mention this so I was wondering if it's in anyone else's way.And again, not to complain as I do love 99% of the car but I have never seen so little storage space. I am not sure where my CD's would go...I guess in that armrest box? The side door pocket is pretty hard to get my hands into to store stuff there...I love the gray bumpers and they are pretty hard to find over here in Atlanta right now. Mainly the upgraded package is on the cars which is too bad b/c the gray looks great and I think can withstand being bumped by another car but I don't know b/c the plastic is thin and I wonder if it would get a dent in it. I was recently rear ended by a truck at a slow speed and did a nice little dent in my current bumper. I had been hoping that the gray was made out of tough rubber like the old rubber bumpers!I really like the way the Vibe looks a whole lot more than the M.About the color, the blue looked great. I am normally not a blue car fan. It was splendid! And, I have been thinking of gray for practical reasons but i see so many gray cars now that the roads are getting dreary and need to brightened up. The blue they have is such an appealing shade... IMHOthanks for listeningi love my cat

[viberationz]

Congrats!! You will LOVE the Vibe! I have an '03 GT - And this car has been nothing but a dream come true. And an absolute blast to drive with the 6SPD!! I can only answer your questions like this:This guage trim hasn't bothered me... It did for maybe the first couple of days... But I think I got used to it - and NOW... When I drive all plastic dashes... They simply just look plain!! I have found though that the trim on the passengers door has blinded me a few times - But nothing to be overly concerend about. As far as the stereo goes - I have nothing stock in my car when it comes to the stereo... I upgraded it all. I go into competition with my car - and understandably the stock stereo won't cut it! I upgraded the door speakers to some Apline Type R's... And tweeters throughout (installed in the rear doors as well). I can't speak much for the newer model Vibe's as they vary ALOT from the "older" GT's... Best of luck - And I hope you enjoy your car as much as I have. I am now going to part with my car after 3 years to upgrade to a larger 4X4 SUV... And believe me - It is not easy!!

[viberationz]

I found the storage space in my Vibe quite sufficient. Although I have an MP3/DVD/Nav Deck... So I don't have alot of "CD's" Kicking around - I just ended up getting the Sun Visor CD Holders. Try not to over-analyz things... I know it's hard when you are getting a new vehicle. To spend so much money on one item - It best damned be what you want right?! I am in the midst of trying to purchase a new vehicle and now I'm having the problem where I compare everything to my Vibe!! I'm not sure if your middle console has the 2 compartments like mine (one tiny one up top - and then the main storage) - The glove box is tight - But I keep all my manuals in there. You will figure it out trust me!! One of the cheapest accessories I added to mine were the Vent Visors - They are wicked for highway driving if you like to have the fresh air!! Makes a considerable difference. And if worse comes to worse with the trim have it professionaly refinished or painted - that's always an option!

[Renthorin]

does the entry level (stock) radio give you the aux input for Ipods and the like? Or is that just on the upgraded radios?

[viberationz]

I have no idea sorry - My stock navigation deck only stayed in for the first few hours of ownership.

[VivaVibe]

Renthorin: Since you like blue, the Vibe comes in a dark navy blue called Neptune, and the '07 also comes in a lighter blue called Wave. And there is a rather hard to describe color called Stealth, which is kind of a subtle blue-green.On wheels, I don't know about the weight difference. The used Vibe I bought had the OEM aluminum alloys which I like OK. But, you may want to get the stock steel wheels and save the extra expense of the alloys. You can then put the money you would have spent into some after market rims of your choice. The steelies could then be used for winter treads.On the seat, I don't think there is a power option. But, maybe there is something after market. Perhaps a search or someone will know. I really don't think it is needed as there is height and angle adjustments, and once set there is little need for change.On MPGs, I've had the base-AT now for six months and regularly average 30 city/suburb and 36-42 highway. It is better than the rating and makes me very happy.