Which Vibe Has the Best Ride?

[Houston]

Have any of you driven the 1.8L, 2.4L and the GT of model years 2009 or 2010? All other differences aside, which of the three rides the best?Thanks!

[ou.grizzly]

2003 Vibe GT is the fastest, but the new 2009 GT handles better?. I am not aware of any difference between the 2009 and 20010 Vibe GT. Not sure what you consider the "best ride."

[Houston]

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Not sure what you consider the "best ride."The most comfortable over bumps, long distances - that sort of thing. Sorry I wasn't very clear about that.I would also like to know which one is quieter during normal driving.

[lowincash]

i have the 09 GT and i've also test drove the base model with the 2.4L. on smooth roads they both felt similar with the GT a bit more firm. however, with the base model, i noticed that when i took a turn going maybe 15 mph or so and hit a small pot hole or bump, the car felt very out of control and didn't absorb the bump very well. i am thinking it might be because the GT has the independent rear suspension which helped absorb the bump better or something because when i hit pot holes or bumps the car still feels in control and not as jarring. but like i said, on smooth roads both cars are pretty smooth, only on rougher roads the GT seemed to ride better. honestly that's pretty much why i chose the GT. i didn't want a torsion beam rear suspension like the one on my maxima. the ride sucks on rough roads.

[musicmanmu]

Asking which Vibe has the most comfortable ride is like asking which bullet hurts the least! To me, they all have a stiff ride.

[BlueCrush]

I'd have to say mine has the best ride.

[ClunkClunk]

Tires and wheels can also make a bit of a difference. My 2008 has the base 1.8L engine, but has 17" wheels with decent rubber on it.My girlfriend's 2007 also has the base engine, and has the 16" wheels with the stock Eagle LS rubber.Mine feels much more nimble and controllable around corners and high speed sweeps, however mine bounces over freeway expansion joints a lot rougher than hers. Hers is a bit softer, but wallows around more. I can't decide which I like better on the freeway, but I definitely prefer my Vibe over hers for around town.Neither of them are 2009/10 models though, so this doesn't help you much other than bringing up the point that wheels/tires can make a difference you can feel.

[Houston]

Quote, originally posted by ClunkClunk »...wheels/tires can make a difference you can feel.This is precisely why I asked the question. The Base Vibe comes with 16" wheels while the GT's are 18" (and less distance between the wheels and road surface). All else being equal, it seem logical that the GT would have a stiffer ride on all but the smoothest of surfaces.

[tnpartsguy]

I'd say the AWD. The IRS and the extra weight, but the smaller wheels than the GT should add up to the best ride quality.