Roof Rack on 2009 GT

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:32 pm

I was very sad to see the GT Vibe website shows you cannot get the roof rack on a GT. Does anyone know if you can but the rack from the dealer and put it on the Vibe? I use roof racks all the time and much prefer the bolt on rails over the typical Yakima or Thule clip on type. The clip ons always mark up the car, keep the door or weather stripping a little ajar risking leaks. Barring that, does anyone know if Rola, Thule or anybody makes a bolt on rack for the 2009 bodystlye?

kostby · Post by **kostby** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:27 am

FWIW the '09 AWD has the roof rack standard, plus same 2.4 engine and same independent rear suspension, plus the added bonus of on-demand AWD when you need it.Just sayin'.

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:04 am

Quote, originally posted by kostby Â»FWIW the '09 AWD has the roof rack standard, plus same 2.4 engine and same independent rear suspension, plus the added bonus of on-demand AWD when you need it.Just sayin'.I would never even consider buying a new car with an automatic. Yuko. Especially an antiquated 4 speed auto. I am also not a fan of AWD.

isaaclud · Post by **isaaclud** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:12 am

Quote, originally posted by Raymo853 Â»I would never even consider buying a new car with an automatic. Yuko.lol, preach the truth brother.....AMEN!!!

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:39 am

Quote, originally posted by Raymo853 Â»Barring that, does anyone know if Rola, Thule or anybody makes a bolt on rack for the 2009 bodystlye? I'm sure Yakima and Thule will have something. I haven't received the new parts/setup list for the '09 cars yet.

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:22 pm

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe Â»I'm sure Yakima and Thule will have something. I haven't received the new parts/setup list for the '09 cars yet.I am betting they will make clip on rack but not bolt on racks. I am asking about bolt on racks.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:24 am

I'm sure they will have the Control Towers http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?Number=8000214 available for the '09 soon. Is this what you are referring to about a bolt on? Or do you really want to bolt it through the roof?

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:37 am

That appears to be a clip on and not a bolt on like the one offered on all of the non-GT versions.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:53 am

I'm still confused about what you mean by bolt on vs. clip on.

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:56 am

Whose got a problem with my AWD! I poop on you

engineertwin2 · Post by **engineertwin2** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:11 am

Some cars, such as the Audi A4 and Volvo S80, actually have threaded penetrations into the roof for installation of roof racks at predesignated points. I believe this is what he is referring to by bolt on roof racks as these racks would be physically bolted to the roof.I guess he isn't looking for the type that hooks just inside the door frame at the top. I don't see what the difference would be as it isn't a security issue - both have designs that prevent theft. Additionally, it won't make a difference structurally or in terms of load capacity.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:21 am

I did notice that along the roof lines there were places for the roof rack. I might have to get pictures of it.

MRCN RCE · Post by **MRCN RCE** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:23 am

i asked the salesman when i checked out the 09 GT, and he said that you can get em. like raffe said, there ARE places for em, and the roof isn't any different than the base and AWD models, so i don't see why the rack wouldn't fit.

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:15 am

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 Â»Some cars, such as the Audi A4 and Volvo S80, actually have threaded penetrations into the roof for installation of roof racks at predesignated points. I believe this is what he is referring to by bolt on roof racks as these racks would be physically bolted to the roof.I guess he isn't looking for the type that hooks just inside the door frame at the top. I don't see what the difference would be as it isn't a security issue - both have designs that prevent theft. Additionally, it won't make a difference structurally or in terms of load capacity.I assume the threaded holes will be there on the GT since the roof rack on the other trims levels use them. Why do I consider them better than the clip on racks? Because the clips always either keep the door of the weather stipping out of a place a little causing leaks. I have seen 100's of cars with them and never seen one that hasn't. They may not leak right away but over time they will.

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:16 am

Quote, originally posted by Whelan Â»Whose got a problem with my AWD! I poop on youAWD is just popular because people no longer know how to drive or know enought to buy 4 snow tires. A 2WD car with good snow tires will always beat a AWD car in the snow with all seasons or summer tires.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:25 am

Quote, originally posted by Raymo853 Â»AWD is just popular because people no longer know how to drive or know enought to buy 4 snow tires. A 2WD car with good snow tires will always beat a AWD car in the snow with all seasons or summer tires. What?! That's crazy. I've had both 2WD and AWD cars and spend alot of time in the snow. I consider myself to be a good driver in snowy conditions, but would much rather have AWD. Snow tires can be beneficial in some places, i.e. if you get alot of snow. I grew up in the D.C. area and know that the snow there is nothing like what we get here. I don't have snow tires on my car, nor my wifes (both are 2WD). But back to your original question, yes the '09 GT does have spots on the roof for the factory rack. Even though they won't sell it as an accessory, you could probably order it later on through a different dealership and get it, or just wait until Yakima or Thule produces the right parts to make it work the way you want it to.

kunkstyle · Post by **kunkstyle** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:36 am

Quote, originally posted by Raymo853 Â»AWD is just popular because people no longer know how to drive or know enought to buy 4 snow tires. A 2WD car with good snow tires will always beat a AWD car in the snow with all seasons or summer tires. Yeah.... and? I could probably beat Marion Jones in a 100 yard dash if I had sneakers and she was barefooted on oiled up cement. If you don't have traction it doesn't matter how many wheels you have driving. I fail to see how that's an argument against AWD though. Try comparing a FWD with snow tires against an AWD with snow tires. Or try driving up mountain roads with a foot and a half of snow in a FWD...

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:23 am

The Matrix stickers says something about "roof rack anchors" standard.

Raymo853 · Post by **Raymo853** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:07 am

OK my take on AWD. Many people that demand AWD for theirs cars and really do not really need it. And many see it as an excuse to not buy snow tires. That has soured my feeling towards AWD. Yes people that live in snowy areas can really benefit from having AWD, but they still need to buy snow tires as AWD does nothing for turning and braking. Actually when you include the user as a variable, having AWD "worsens" steering and braking because the user ends up being fooled on the current state of road slipperiness because the AWD system masks it. And the accedint stats show this as AWD cars have a much higher accident rate per mile traveled in bad weather. But as I said that is usually caused by dumb (removed) drivers that do not know how to drive. I used to live in Pittsburgh and central rural PA with allot more snow than DC receives and I always did fine with my FWD Mazda Protege with snow tires. Often I was doing allot better than the typical AWD SUV out on the roads as I did not slip out on every curve.

bull77 · Post by **bull77** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:33 am

anyone know if the matrix roof rack will fit on the vibe?imo they look better than the vibes rack

09Red_Se · Post by **09Red_Se** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:45 pm

Parts list ** verify with your local dealer's parts guy that the numbers are current and available. Some stuff isn't in the system as yet.No - I don't work for a dealer.

Attached files

09Red_Se · Post by **09Red_Se** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:47 pm

Parts photo

Attached files

09Red_Se · Post by **09Red_Se** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:50 pm

FYI parts list looks bad in browser - but prints clear.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:16 pm

Thank you for posting that. Those seem to be the ones that "bolt" on. That is what I have been trying to explain all along.

kostby · Post by **kostby** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:38 am

FWIW: I saw a 2009 Base Vibe at the local dealership last night with a 'factory' roof rack like the AWD. It was listed as a $395.00 option.

bull77 · Post by **bull77** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:18 am

Quote, originally posted by kostby Â»FWIW: I saw a 2009 Base Vibe at the local dealership last night with a 'factory' roof rack like the AWD. It was listed as a $395.00 option. wow -- in canada its $280

xenic · Post by **xenic** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:43 am

Thank you 09Red_Se for the parts diagram. My '09 came without rack and I definitely want one. This gives me info to talk to the parts guys at Ellis Brooks. BTW- I'm not an admin here, but in discussion forums it is generally considered questionable netiquette to 'hijack' a thread, even for an all important argument on the merits of AWD. Roof racks- OK?

Caretaker · Post by **Caretaker** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:54 am

$395 does sound like a lot of money for two hollow tubes. I would love for someone to answer the question on whether the Matrix's racks will fit on the Vibe. The body seems way too different for me to believe it will. But as a base '09 model owner, I may get the RR in time.

xenic · Post by **xenic** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:22 am

I just ordered roof rack kit from the dealer - two pieces (different lengths) for $125. per, arriving in a few days will call. So- that will proof out that '09 OEM kit available for $250. When I actually pick it up. serious design change from earlier generation vibe.

3_D · Post by **3_D** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:10 am

Xenic: "I just ordered roof rack kit from the dealer - two pieces (different lengths) for $125. per, arriving in a few days will call. So- that will proof out that '09 OEM kit available for $250. When I actually pick it up. serious design change from earlier generation vibe."Have you installed? Pics?

greatvibrations · Post by **greatvibrations** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:38 am

Hi Merry Christmas! I'm totally brand new to the world of Vibes and I have a question already. I am ordering a 2009 Vibe that has the roof rack already installed but I am wondering what I need to add so that I can carry skis and snowboards. So far both dealers were vague when I asked them about this. Thanks

greatvibrations · Post by **greatvibrations** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:44 am

I just bought a new 09 Vibe that has the factory roof rack but I still can't find anything to attach to it for skis and snowboards. Has anyone found anything yet? Thanks.