Vibe GT vs. Base model (w/2.4L) - ride/handling difference?

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:26 pm

Hey everyone -I'm new to this forum, and very close to buying a 2009 Vibe. I'm wanting a GT, but with the Employee Pricing deal this month, GT's have been hard to come by.I have found a base Vibe with the 2.4L enging, and pretty much every option on the GT except the leather trimmed seats. If I can't find a GT, I think I could live with that alternative.My question is - is there a distinct difference in the ride/handling or anything else with the GT vs. a base Vibe 2.4L?Any comments/opinions will be appreciated.Thanks everyone - I'm really excited and hope to have my Vibe by this time next week!

kowell · Post by **kowell** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:37 pm

The GT has better suspensions. I have a 2.4L 1SC Non-GT and I pushed the car ONCE in a high speed curve... I'm NEVER doing this again.... the basic suspension is 100% Toyota soft comfort and combined with the Vibe's tall body, it's all pretty useless if you're looking for sport handling.

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:50 pm

Hi Kowell,Thanks for the quick reply. So basically, unless I'm doing some serious twisty/turny driving, it's not that big of a deal?Otherwise, is the ride in your Non-GT smooth?

kowell · Post by **kowell** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:54 pm

The ride is good for everyday driving. The only small problem is with the 17 inches tires that are a little too thin for the potholes filled street of Quebec.

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:59 pm

Ah, I see. Yes, I could see that being a problem. My town is pretty pothole-ridden as well. However, I'd rather deal with potholes than with my 17 MPG SUV that I'm trying to dump!Thanks again for the info!

rAERRK · Post by **rAERRK** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:30 pm

how hard to come by? theres bound to be some dealer within ~200 miles with one. i would keep looking till you find exactly what you want, otherwise you may always regret it. its a big purchase you know.

Jyik40 · Post by **Jyik40** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:22 am

The GT models come with a double wishbone independent rear suspension. The springs have a higher rate and the shocks/struts are also firmer to deal with the springs higher rate. The GT also sits a tiny bit higher due to the firmer springs. The GT rides relatively firm, but it is not jarring in any way. I would hold out for a GT model. IMO, The body molding itself makes the car look a lot more aggressive than the non-GT models.

ramenboy... · Post by **ramenboy...** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:24 am

Quote, originally posted by Jyik40 Â»... The body molding itself makes the car look a lot more aggressive than the non-GT models. +1...interesting though, that the gt sits higher than the base. get a black GT. gut as dennis miller would say, that's just my opinion, i could be wrong.

Eloi · Post by **Eloi** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:10 am

Quote, originally posted by kowell Â»The ride is good for everyday driving. The only small problem is with the 17 inches tires that are a little too thin for the potholes filled street of Quebec.You got the 17'' mags? The crappitude of the Quebec roads is one of the reasons why I stayed with the base 16'' steel wheels with the "normal" tires....

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:11 am

Well, what I meant was that the local stock of GTs seems to be dissappearing. The three dealerships I'm working on all seem to think they can get one for me, so it's all coming down to what each will give me for my trade in.I've got one more dealer to go to tonight, and if he can't beat the highest trade-in offer, then my decision is made. I just hope they can get me the GT I want!BTW...my first preference is Navy Blue Metallic...but Jet Black is definitely my runner up!

lowincash · Post by **lowincash** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:45 am

Quote, originally posted by Jyik40 Â»The GT models come with a double wishbone independent rear suspension. The springs have a higher rate and the shocks/struts are also firmer to deal with the springs higher rate. The GT also sits a tiny bit higher due to the firmer springs. The GT rides relatively firm, but it is not jarring in any way. I would hold out for a GT model. IMO, The body molding itself makes the car look a lot more aggressive than the non-GT models. i think the GT sits higher because of the 18" rims. and i agree...the GT looks great =D

lowincash · Post by **lowincash** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:52 am

Quote, originally posted by musicmanmu Â»Well, what I meant was that the local stock of GTs seems to be dissappearing. The three dealerships I'm working on all seem to think they can get one for me, so it's all coming down to what each will give me for my trade in.I've got one more dealer to go to tonight, and if he can't beat the highest trade-in offer, then my decision is made. I just hope they can get me the GT I want!BTW...my first preference is Navy Blue Metallic...but Jet Black is definitely my runner up!my first choice was black...but i saw a navy blue GT at the dealer and it looked great. this is the one i saw...now that i'm ready to buy, the dealer don't have the blue one anymore =/

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:58 am

Hey lowincash,Thanks for posting those pics! Looking at them, I think I may just want the black instead! I guess we'll see what they can get for me.

bull77 · Post by **bull77** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:03 am

Quote, originally posted by musicmanmu Â»Hey lowincash,Thanks for posting those pics! Looking at them, I think I may just want the black instead! I guess we'll see what they can get for me.don't be tempted by the dark side --- go blue!! http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=33909

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:19 am

Wow...those pictures definitely showed off the color better! It gave me that same feeling when I first saw the options online and said "Navy's the color I want."Hmm, decisions! I guess if the dealer can get Navy, I'm going with it!These 09 Vibe GTs look so sweet...I can't wait to get my hands on one!I test drove a carbon gray one the other day and loved it...only problem is that this dealer would only offer $6,000 on my trade in - another dealer offered me $7,000. Don't know if they'd match that trade in price. But, if the dealer that offered me $7k on the trade in can get a GT, it doesn't really matter, does it?

clm22 · Post by **clm22** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:05 am

I have a base 09 Carbon Gray with just about everything. The main differences I notice, besides the interior, is that the fog lamps are smaller than the GT, the tires are 17"(which softens the ride) and the outside trim. I wanted the base as I did not want the harsher ride of the GT.

Toofargone · Post by **Toofargone** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:27 am

Get the Carbon Gray not the Black in a GT. Wish I would have had the choice but Moses Pontiac only had Black. Wasn't any discount at the time and I would have really liked that.

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:41 am

Toofargone,Moses only can get a Black GT. Don Hall GM Supercenter in Ashland has a Carbon Gray, but its price is higher than Moses' (by more than $800), and they offered less on my trade in.Right now it's between Moses and another dealership in KY. I will make the decision in the morning, but it looks like either way it's a Black GT...but that's fine with me - you can't go wrong with a black car! So, Toofargone...how are you liking your GT so far?

viewwin · Post by **viewwin** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:16 pm

If you pay more than employee price, you are paying to much

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:32 pm

I'm not paying more than employee price. Isn't that the idea of GMS employee pricing?Looks like I'm going with Moses. Can't wait to get in that Vibe GT!

musicmanmu · Post by **musicmanmu** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:39 am

Well just an update...I made my deal and I get my new Vibe GT Monday! And the best news is that they could find me Navy Blue Metallic, so that's what I'm getting!Can't wait! Will post pics when I get it.

lowincash · Post by **lowincash** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:13 am

are you excited? lol i made a deal on a black gt today and picking it up on monday too lol i was suppose to get it today but the one they had didn't have sunroof...and the internet sales guy said it has one...so they're trading it with another dealer so have to wait till monday...it's going to be a loooong weekend

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:57 am

I haven't driven the new Vibe yet, but drove a midlevel Matrix. I'd personally want a much firmer suspension.

Vibe GT vs. Base model (w/2.4L) - ride/handling difference?

Vibe GT vs. Base model (w/2.4L) - ride/handling difference?

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Re: Vibe GT vs. Base model (w/2.4L) - ride/handling difference? (musicmanmu)

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Re: Vibe GT vs. Base model (w/2.4L) - ride/handling difference? (musicmanmu)