Almost-new 09 Vibe

[mikellini]

Hey everybody, thought I'd introduce myself. I just signed the papers on my new 09 Jet Black Metallic Pontiac Vibe FWD, 1SC with 5 spd auto, cargo, mp3, sunroof and pretty well every option except for the 7 speaker sound system... which won't be a problem when I put some Diamond Audio Hex speakers and subs in; that is, if I don't go bankrupt from the monthly payments.This is my first new car, at 25 years of age. Not too bad? I guess some of us don't have mommy and daddy buy us one @ 16, but then again, some of us do hahaha. I would trade places! Anyway, I say new, but it's not exactly new. 3500 km, and it first hit the road in Sept of 09. It was driven by a GM employee for 3 months and then was put on the used lot, so there wasn't a huge drop in price; still, I got a decent deal I think.Well anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there, I can't wait until Monday morning!

[Barrett]

Welcome, welcome! Looking forward to seeing some picts once you get er home.

[mikellini]

Yeah, I'm looking into some mods for the engine... 2AZ-FE? Anyone have any (cheapo) recommendations? I think the first real bucks I want to spend are for a nice remote start, since it's pretty chilly up here for at least a few more months. This requires a bypass from what I've been reading; 09 Vibes in Canada have immobilizers that need to be bypassed in order for a remote start to work, correct? I'm gonna soak up info like a sponge from these forums and definitely post pics in due time

[lovemyraffe]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome!

[mikellini]

Thanks... I guess I was a little TOO excited, I thought I had a sunroof for a second there hahahah. No such luck, upon further recollection... I really would like to get an HID kit for my Vibe too, but I can't find an online supplier that will stay in business long enough to ship here in Canada. I'm about 5 hours from the nearest big city, so it's kind of hard to look around there. Anyone know of any Canadian sites that sell high-quality HID kits?

[DrunkenMonster]

Welcome to the site.

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!!

[TONY TAT2]

Hi !

[mikellini]

Thanks everyone... any suggestions for what I mentioned? I've drawn up a bit of a list of mods that I plan on doing:Remote StartWindow Tint (rears only)Intake (or maybe just a K&N filter)Ground Effects Lighting (probably red)Car Audio SystemExhaustOther than that, just playing the waiting game until tomorrow...

[star_deceiver]

Remote Start - plug a block heater in and put a space heater in the car!Window Tint (rears only) - Intake (or maybe just a K&N filter) - Ground Effects Lighting (probably red) - sorry, not a fan of rice....Car Audio System - as long as you don't go overboard....Exhaust - How about a turbo kit??? http://cgi.ebay.ca/2009-2010-T...c05a6

[mikellini]

Well, winter might not be that bad in Vernon (I'm originally from Kamloops), but -40 up here in Fort McMurray has led me to believe that a remote starter is worth the money! As well, I'm still on the fence with the lighting... it looks really good if it's done well. Of course, the crappy ones look like lines on the pavement, but good ones produce a nice glow and can be integrated with the sound system. If you didn't like rice, why'd you buy a Toyota? hahahahaTurbo kit is a little too much. If I wanted a fast car, I'd buy something else; besides, these are pretty quick with the 2.4. I just think adding a few cheap things to get a bit more juice and better economy wouldn't hurt...

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by mikellini »If you didn't like rice, why'd you buy a Toyota? Because it was cheap!!! (and I like the fuzzy dice)I think I'm only guilty of one of these...

Attached files

[vibedrivermatt]

Hey congrats on your vibe. I hope you enjoy it. An 09 vibe was my first new car too. what a coincidence that I was also 25 when I bought it. Now Im 27. Its really not too bad indeed but mines approaching in 2 year b-day(I bought it as an early 09 in 08). hey yaknow if you have the sun roof than you must have the sun and sound package. You should already have a six speaker monsoon system with subwoofer. I think the seven speaker system was an option only available on GT models. or somebody correct me if im wrong I've got the 6 speaker system and its really good, don't really see any need to upgrade. I can always use the bass adjustment control to really blast bass when I want it or I can just blast the volume too. hehe

[mikellini]

Yeah, I jumped the gun there; no sunroof. I'm actually not that upset about it anyway, I've had vehicles with them and they usually turn out to be a hassle...Well, my GF and I have decided that the very first mod we're going to do is the sound system; mostly because we have no money, and it will take a while to save for one, so we won't be spending money on it any time soon. For speakers, I like the Diamond Audio Hex 6.5s, low profile and amazing sound, and I think I'm gonna get custom enclosures for 2 Hex 10s 12s to put in the rear corners facing inwards. These are low profile as well, and should work excellentlyAs for the HU, I like some of the Alpine 7" DVD units, and it looks like the adapter looks nice in these cars and will fit well. Probably going to go with the deck first, then amp/speakers, then amp/subs... I CAN'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW!Edit: These engines can't make 450 HP with just a turbo, can they? I'd be a little wary of more than 250 and stock internals...

[808 Vibes]

Welcome and congrats!

[mikellini]

Here are the pics, enjoy!The one above shows the Sunfire...

[mikellini]

More pics of the engine, and my first "mod":

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by mikellini » If you didn't like rice, why'd you buy a Toyota? hahahahaHey, we bought Pontiac... there just happened to be a Toyota hiding underneath.Very nice Vibe... color isn't too bad either.

[star_deceiver]

Very nice!! But one question.....Why no winter tires???? (insert hockey puck pun here)That should be the first mod!!!!

[vibedrivermatt]

Yup star deceivers right on that one. but she's a beaut!! Im noticing mag wheels and roof racks. options sorely missed on my vibe. Nice! does it have fog lights?ohh enjoy being afraid to park next to anyone for the next few months. ehhh trying to avoid your door getting dinged by some one else. You may as well just go outside and put a little ding on it with a hammer to get over it sooner.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »Yup star deceivers right on that one. but she's a beaut!! Im noticing mag wheels and roof racks. options sorely missed on my vibe. Nice! does it have fog lights?ohh enjoy being afraid to park next to anyone for the next few months. ehhh trying to avoid your door getting dinged by some one else. You may as well just go outside and put a little ding on it with a hammer to get over it sooner.Agreed. I got over this fear by loading a metal file cabinet into the back of my car the day I got it, accidentally gouging up the plastic on the backs of the seats which were folded down (I guess the corners got caught in the plastic while we were trying to shove it in). So it was immediately "not new." The outside still looks ok though.

[mikellini]

Yeah, winter tires would be nice. Maybe next year, I'm still reeling from the downpayment. As for almost new... There are a ton of scratches around the ignition where whoever had it befre decided to blindly gouge at the dash, and my gf noticed a small scratch on the driver's side door near the handle. I remember that her aunt bought a new car last year and on the first day she had it, she parked at the edge of the lot at the grocery store so nobody would park beside her and ding it... Some guy was doing reverse donuts in the empty part of the lot (where she parked) and kaboooom! The car was a write-off. I'll just try not to think about it and carry on as usual. I actually find that with the ABS and traction control, the vibe is better on winter roads than my sunfire with winter tires. Anyway, our list of what the next mod will be changes hourly around here, so you never know what might be next. I'm really impressed with the power this 2.4 produces, so I think I might leave the engine alone for a bit. Any ideas for sweet inexpensive mods? Should I start a "garage" post? Thanks for following along everyone! Sorry if there are any typos here, this was a long message to type on my iPhone. P.S. Fog lights, check.

[vibedrivermatt]

mods? I dunno how sweet it is but I've been eyeing the TRD strut brace for some time. It will look cool at the very least but I like the design. It has the metal bar placed so there's the shortest distance possible between the strut towers. I've read that this is the ideal way to have a strut brace. Anyways I like it. think I found a way to have a little fun with my tax return money. woohoo!!you can see a picture of it at TRDsparks.. but I think it might be considered a bit pricey for a strut brace?

[Capt.Vibe]

Wow, very low mileage for an '09. Very nice. As for mods get a GT spoiler a lowering kit and whatever you do, hold off on the fart pipe!!

[mikellini]

Well I started a garage post, so if you want to continue to follow this project, check it out. As for the spoiler, I really don't like it that much. In fact, I think the 1SC package is better than the GT in many ways. Lowering might be an option, and might eliminate the need for a strut brace... I was also thinking about taking off the chrome trim and painting it black. Can you get black lense covers for this vehicle? Anyway, check out the garage post for my latest "mod"