Vibe 2009 & rear window.

[PopeyeFAFL]

I just saw a Vibe 2009 at my dealership.If I'm not mistaken, the rear window no longer open alone (the whole tailgate open).This is sad, I found it useful to simply open the rear window in order to drop grocery bags (I have a spider bungee hook the attachment point as a retaining net), instead of opening the whole tailgate (bad with snow & ice).The rest of the car leave me indifferent (I prefer my 2005), the metal skin are so-so, the interior is so-so too.I did not dislike the add-on plastic at the bottom of doors & around wheel housing (if this prevent scratches, dents and rust, I'm all for it), beside without it, it look more like a Toyota Matrix (not such a good idea).Anyway, I think I will keep my Vibe as long as I can and switch over to non-American cars after (unless they come-up with something worth thinking about - fuel efficient, etc.).

[lesterb]

I saw a 2008 and 2009 Vibe side by side at my Pontiac dealer a few days ago. I have to admit not sure if I like the new hatch on the 2009, it appears to be "stuck on" as an afterthought. The older Vibe's hatch integrates much more smoothly and looks like a better finish, plus the bonus of the rear split hatch.Also disliked the new headlight on the new Vibe, it takes up too much real estate on the front end and it looks odd.I liked the new Vibe's center console as opposed to the old one. It appears the cupholders are better too. I dislike the odd sized cup holders on the older Vibe's.All in all I still like my 2007 Vibe, just wish it had the new 156 hp engine.I think for the hell of it I'm going to test drive the 2009 and see how she handles.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by lesterb »I think for the hell of it I'm going to test drive the 2009 and see how she handles.I did that very thing today. Overall the power is MUCH better. gas millage SUCKS!The rear hatch opening is smaller. The seats backs don't have the tracks in them anymore. The rear visiablity stinks because of the "c" pillar size.The center cup holders are adjustable.The center arm rest is usable unlike the 05-08's Handling hasn't changed.

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »The center arm rest is usable unlike the 05-08's Did it look like it'd fit the 05-08's?

[CoolAKid]

If this is true about the rear glass not opening independent of the liftgate, then that's a definite strike against the '09 in my book. That's always been one of my favorite features of the Vibe. I also never minded the different color cladding on my Platinum '06. I actually prefer the color contrast on certain colors (though I admit others do look better in monotone). I have yet to actually see an '09 in person. My local dealer seems to treat the Vibe like a relative they're embarrassed about. They never even got in any '08's. They still have one lonely little "new" '07 Stealth sitting on the lot, with no '09's in sight.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle »Did it look like it'd fit the 05-08's?nope... the compartment looked a tad smaller.. I couldn't convince the salesman to let me see if it fit HAHAHA

[keithvibe]

it is true.. the rear window doesn't open independent of the rear hatch

[northvibe]

i found it very cool my 04 back window opened independently but i never once used it. Also when i would open it randomly by accident it would be very dirty on the metal behind the glass

[arlynd]

The reasons you outlined (especially lower gas mileage, no tracks, hatchback lip) are exactly why I hurried back to buy a 2008. I wanted to order a new one but couldn't because they were only taking orders on the 2009 so I had to do some big time searching to find one that was close to what I wanted.

[bikrr]

I've also seen it mentioned that the passenger seat does not fold flat on models other than with the 2.4 engine. Is that true?If so I'm going to have to find a prior year to buy or resort to looking again at the Saturn Astra. The independent rear window, storage area, and mileage were my 3 main reasons to pick the Vibe above anything else.

[bull77]

Quote, originally posted by bikrr »I've also seen it mentioned that the passenger seat does not fold flat on models other than with the 2.4 engine. Is that true?yes -- only available on the awd/gt**EDIT** - only available on the 2.4L, so that includes base vibe with 1SC packagehere's the brochure from gmcanadahttps://gm.ca/media/vehicles/c...N.pdf

[Vibetastic]

I use my opening rear window all the time when I have the hitch-mounted bike rack on the car. Otherwise I would have to move the bike rack out of the way to open the hatch every time.I give a thumbs down to the 2009 with it's non-opening rear window.

[asburydan]

Wouldn't it be great if someone with authority at Pontiac would read this forum occasionally.

[kowell]

-The rear glass no longer has independant opening-Rear visibility is HORRIBLE because of the almost non-existing 3rd row side window and oversized C-pillar (Even worst on the 09 Matrix due to an even smaller 3rd row side window). This is the car's biggest weakness.-Folding front passenger seat is a 2.4L exclusive-The cupholders work nicely. My old nissan had useless 1inch deep cupholders that couldn,t hold anything... a nice change.-The front console keeps a similar arrangement, only more modern looking. The radio no longer has the trademark 1995-2000 Pontiac Red backlighting and large round buttons.-The 2.4L has great torque (at the cost of fuel economy) but the new 1.8L is still pretty good for a city driving, it's fast and nimble and quieter than the old 1.8L. -The trunk tracks have been filled with rubber to prevent large objects from moving around. Tracks lining are still visible.Getting back on the rear and 3rd row side window, one of the toyoya guy really cracked me up when I saw the car at an Auto show in january. I commented on the ridiculously small 3rd row side window and the guy cheerfully said to me "But it's a wonderful thing.... now that that 3rd row side window is gone, people can't see what,s in your trunk anymore!"... wich also served as an excuse for the optional (and not standard) cargo cover. (removed) dude..... if people want to see what's inside my trunk, there's a rear window to look trough..... Another (more sane looking) Toyota rep explained to me that someone at Toyota decided that a full 3rd row side window and large rear window was too station wagon-like and not enough sport hatchback-like so they changed it. A better explanation but still a pretty lame excuse for horrible rear visibility.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by asburydan »Wouldn't it be great if someone with authority at Pontiac would read this forum occasionally.they probably do, and read http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=17864

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »I did that very thing today. Overall the power is MUCH better. gas millage SUCKS!The rear hatch opening is smaller. The seats backs don't have the tracks in them anymore. The rear visiablity stinks because of the "c" pillar size.The center cup holders are adjustable.The center arm rest is usable unlike the 05-08's Handling hasn't changed. How was the noise level?

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »How was the noise level?a bit quiter.. not by much though.

[joatmon]

or maybe GM did read KIA's surveys posted by member Jeff M., who has only two posts, the first was to start a poll to ask How important to you is the flip-glass and the second was to start a poll to ask What is Your Top Liftgate Problem? Almost seems like the first was to get backup justification for the already made decision to not have glass open independently, and having the results not match the desire, the second was to only collect data about why the Vibe design was problematic, and therefore justify the decision to not have the glass open independently

[vibebob]

will the tail lights fit on 05 ?