1.8 versus 2.4

[DonB]

Any of you guys that have owned a Vibe with the 1.8 and now have a 2.4. Is there much difference in the performance? Is it worth getting the 2.4?

[kowell]

I tested both models before I made my decision last year and it really comes down to what kind of driving you do. In city driving, both engines do a good job and the 1.8L is more than adequate. It offers good starts and will be economical. Both engines are pretty quiet in city drivng. You can use the 2.4L to have some extra fun in city driving but it's really not economical. 2.4L fuel consumption in city driving can be pretty high for a car this size.You really see the difference when you put your foot down on the highway. The 2.4L has more torque, better accelerations when entering the highway and better passing power. It's fairly quiet on the highway too running at only 2000rpm around 60mph and 2500rpm at 75mph with automatic transmission.

[jake75]

I was satisfied with the 1.8L in the '03 and when buying the '09 never test drove a 2.4L as I didn't want to tempt myself. My fear was that I would really like the 2.4L and buy it, then several month's later conclude that I really didn't need that, and the world didn't need that. (I'm a closet environmentalist!)There seem to be even more 2.4L's on the lots than 1.8L's. Maybe that's because they are more popular, or maybe it's because the 1.8L's sell out faster - I don't know.

[goochsmooch]

I currently own a 2009 1.8L; I have test drove the 2.4L, and my previous car was a 2.4L Pontiac Grand Am.I'm happy I bought the 1.8L. It's plenty peppy for around town, and I bought the manual tranny, so if I need to get up to speed on the highway, I can just drop it down a gear or two and rev it hard. The VVT engine seems to respond well at high RPM's and you get adequate (almost satisfying) acceleration.Also, if you're worried about the cost of gas, the 1.8L is considerably better on gas. Although, I ran into problems with not being able to get all the features I wanted with the 1.8L. Pontiac bundles options to force you into the 2.4L if you want a premium sound system and many other convenience features. I figured I'd just answer these wants with after market gear, but so far there isn't too much going for the 09's.

[j42.snyder]

I drove automatic and manual versions of both before finally making my decision.I found the 1.8 to be adequate around town - but I found that you really need to get the revs into the "frantic" range for decent power to merge onto the highway. Because I live less than 1/4 mile from the on-ramp, I don't think I'd like to put the engine through what feels to me like "abuse" on the cold winter mornings. I also found that I could notice a large difference in the feel of available power from the 1.8 as I added more weight to the car (my family). Because I plan on towing my boat in the summer (16 foot aluminum - about 1,000 pounds loaded), this apparent lack of available torque (at reasonable RPMs) didn't make me feel confident getting that engine.With the 2.4, I found that due to the greater torque being available, it has a somewhat "effortless" feel to it under most conditions - with lots of reserve power available. It also comes with larger brakes all around - which adds to my confidence level for towing ability. The other thing that I find odd with Pontiac's packaging, is the fact that the fold-flat passenger seat wasn't available with the 1.8. Since I make the occasional lumber purchase, I figured that it was yet another reason that I should probably go with the larger engine.I also like the fact that engine noise is virtually non-existent at legal highway speeds with the 2.4. With the automatic, it's only revving around 2100RPM. If I remember correctly, the 1.8 was in the 2700 to 2800 range. I have a 58km commute one way to work every day, so any reduction in noise is a good thing for me.Although it's still a bit early - I'm not entirely impressed with the fuel consumption with the 2.4 so far. Compared to what many others are getting, mine's not too bad - but not as good as I'd hoped. Hopefully after a summer of driving it will get loosened-up a bit. Time will tell.John

[jake75]

I would like a lower rev at highway speeds - may be tied to the 5 speed AT. Wonder why that isn't used with the 1.8L. My mix of miles is slanted towards city driving so that is not a big issue. Hope to be able to get away to NC after Easter - see how the '09 handles the WVa turnpike. In past 2 years have used the T&C for that trip but need to get some miles on the new Vibe. Have put 120 miles on the T&C since Jan. 1st. About 600 on the Vibe since 1-12-09 purchase.

[_Brent_]

I had an 03 AWD with 1.8. Now I have an 09 GT with 2.4. There is big difference in power and response on the throttle. Now when I hit the gas, I move quicker and still have some travel left in the pedal. Before it was like floor it to the max. My gas mileage between city/highway averages about 26 mpg. I can't really say if you need the extra power though. I'm not sure I needed it. I was actually looking at Honda Fit (1.5l) before I bought my second vibe. Oh yeah, I never got a speeding ticket with my first Vibe and had for 6 years. I have had the 09 less than 2 months and got a ticket going 31 over the speed limit.

[Old Tele man]

re: "...Pontiac bundles options to force you into the 2.4L if you want..."...and, THAT's why GM is hurting! Their marketing boarders on a "...take it, or leave it" attitude, instead of "...whatever the customer wants" attitude....and what gives with the Henry Ford "interior option" of "...any color you want, so long as it's black..."? Extreme 'cheap' is my take away....both of our Vibes ('04 & '09) are 1.8L automatics, for the fuel economy...don't need the 2.4L engine in "southern flatland AZ" but do admit it'd come in handy through the mountains going into San Diego or northern AZ.

[Paragon]

I have the 2.4.. tested both and I like the 2.4 w/ 5AT as a better combo than the 1.8 w/ 4AT.Ton better acceleration at highway speeds and smoother overall. I came from having a Sable with the Duratec engine (V6 DOHC 200hp) and a Mini Cooper S.I like to have the extra power since I do a lot of driving and it does come in handy at times.I'm getting about the same mileage ~31mpg as the Cooper (and I don't have to go for the premium gas). Sable was getting around 24mpg.

[03vibedriver]

I put 124,000 miles on my 2003 1.8 AT vibe then traded for a 2009 2.4 AT Vibe. The 2.4 is a far superior motor for Interstate driving but for around town the 1.8 would be fine.

[BIGJAMESCRU]

I had an 05 Vibe GT 1.8 VVT, but it had the 6 speed manual, it was more than adequate. I test drove the 09 Vibe 1.8, in auto and manual, and I have also test driven the 2.4 in auto and manual. I would say if your not opposed to driving stick, I would go with the 1.8, its very economical, and its still pretty snappy with the manual tranny. However, if you wanted to go with the Automatic, I would go with the 2.4, 1 because of the Driver's Shift Control, and two because it has a little more torque, than the 1.8.

[PMC]

I got the 1.8 after testing both the 2.4 and the 1.8 in manual and auto. I wanted to compare the 1.8 auto vs stick, and after deciding I liked the manual much better, found it the auto was actually the 2.4, the salesman gave me the wrong car That made my decision easy and I haven't regretted it. I agree that if you want manual, the 1.8 is great. I find it's got plenty of pep for driving around town and basic highway and the fuel economy is great. I'm 2,000km in and just got 7.2l/100km for 90% city driving.If I was going auto I would have more seriously considered the 2.4. If they made the AWD in a stick, I would have been really tempted by that car.