Yet another new guy !!!

[olliesshop]

I am currently "Vibe-less" and looking for a Vibe in about 6 months when my lease is up. I live in the Detrot Metro area of Michigan and have worked for GM since 1982, starting with Pontiac ... yes that means I'm an old fart. I've been thinking long and hard on what would be the best car to buy and I keep on coming back to an AWD Vibe in the 2004 to 2006 range. I want to keep the price under $10,000 and the mileage under 80k, and it seems like it's possible. I love the versatility and the gas mileage of the Vibe.Does anyone have any opinions on whether the 2004-06 AWD model would be a good choice? To me it's either that (for our Michigan winters) or a Vibe GT Manual. Any thoughts and word of wisdom would be appreciated.Thanks much !!!

[kostby]

Welcome to GenVibe! You'll find we're a pleasant mix of people from the 'old farts' like me to the newly-licensed and every age in between!I can't speak for the AWD... I live in a small town in suburban central Indiana where we don't get a lot of snow most years. BlueCrush (Brian) is the guy on GenVibe to ask about AWD. He lives in Minnesota, and has a 2005 AWD.I drove and almost bought an '03 Vibe GT, but the 1.8 VVTL-i engine requires premium gas, and the extra 50 horsepower comes above 6200 RPM, so I'd rarely if ever be able to use it.Happy hunting!

[Blueridge9]

Tim, Welcome to GenVibe and good luck shopping for a AWD Vibe 04 - 06. I love my 2004 but it's not AWD. I would encourage you to notice how many Canadians drive Vibes in snow with great success. Two of my coworkers have Vibes as well (2003 and 2005 respectively and love em).

[BlueCrush]

Hi Tim,Thanks Kirk, but I would say keithvibe is more knowledgeable than I on the AWD Vibe. Post any questions you have on it we will get back to you with the answers. Both he and I love our AWD. It handles great, especially in winter with snow tires, never have been stuck in 6 winters and have driven in up to 14" of snow.The AWD has less HP than the GT, but like Kirk said that extra power starts at 6200rpm and goes to redline at around 8400rpm (It's called "LIFT"). The AWD however has more torque and low rpm power than the GT. If you are into modding at all, there are numerous performance mods that can be done ti the AWD to get more power if you want it.

[olliesshop]

Thank you all for such quick responses. I think this is going to be a fun search and a fun group to get linked up with. BTW ... I'm pretty much a gear-head, so my main problem will be keeping from draining my bank account on performance mods. The biggest trade-off to AWD I've found is I can't get a manual with it, which I love, but I think I want/need AWD more.Thanks again

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by olliesshop »Thank you all for such quick responses. I think this is going to be a fun search and a fun group to get linked up with. BTW ... I'm pretty much a gear-head, so my main problem will be keeping from draining my bank account on performance mods. The biggest trade-off to AWD I've found is I can't get a manual with it, which I love, but I think I want/need AWD more.Thanks again Well, you came to the right place for draining your bank account....lol. Here's a couple tidbits to get those gears in your head turning...hahahttp://www.monkeywrenchracing.com => engine build parts for the 1ZZ if you have the $$$$.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24144 => My Poor Man's 1ZZ N/A Performance Mod Thread (geared towards the AWD, since that's what I own..lol)Does that help?

[olliesshop]

Thanks again!!! ... there sure seems to be a ton of stuff and places out there for mods ... WOW. Now I have to start searching the site and posting to see what will work best for me. I think my first mod will probably be the tires, since I've found they make a HUGE difference in how a car handles in dry and in wet / snow. I may have to buy a summer set and Blizzaks for winter.

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome! Sorry, I don't know much about the AWD's but good luck with your search.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by olliesshop » The biggest trade-off to AWD I've found is I can't get a manual with it, which I love, but I think I want/need AWD more.Welcome to GenVibe!!! The AWD in winter is only going to be as good as the tires you put on it... so no all seasons when the snow flies...My '09 takles the snow and ice just fine with winters (and the stick definatly prevails): http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... d?id=39909

[VibeBear]

I've got a FWD 5-spped Vibe & do just fine in the winters around here. We get a (removed) load of snow in the winter too. The only issues I have is keeping up the momentum in the deep snow... stupid traction control kicks in. Winter tires helped a LOT.

[vibedrivermatt]

Yin deewelcome!!

[808 Vibes]

Welcome!

[olliesshop]

So now I have to figure out if Blizzaks with FWD/Manual will give me the winter traction I would get with AWD and All-weather tires. Hmmm ... Now, I'm leaning toward FWD/Manual with Blizzaks in the winter ... so many decisions ...

[keithvibe]

just make sure you get all four tires... Please!AWD is not the end all to all questions when it comes to traction in the winter.It's all driver dependent.I've seen plenty of soccer mom's stuck in 2inches of snow in their awd ______.I've driven in 10" of snow with my awd vibe with four snows mounted and felt very confortable and I wasn't white knuckling it.So what you need to ask yourself:1 are you a good driver in the snow2 do you currently have or had a 4wd in the past3 did it help you4 are you willing to take a hit in the pocket for reduced MPG?

[olliesshop]

Good points and questions !!!One cool thing I did working for GM was to go to the Michigan Upper Peninsula in the winter to drive cars with all sorts of drive configurations to see how they handled in the snow. I was amazed at how awesome the snow tires (Blizzaks) were. They were better than some of the AWD cars we had there and we had about 10 of them. That's what's making me think in the flat area of Detroit Metro why do I really need AWD.With regard to your questions:1 are you a good driver in the snow ... pretty good, not the best for sure, but I used to race Nationally in Formula Ford in the SCCA, which gave me a lot of the basic training needed to drive in the snow.2 do you currently have or had a 4wd in the past ... I've had plenty of 4WD/AWD vehicles in the past (as company cars) but they always had all-season tires, so I could never gain the full benefit.3 did it help you ... It helped numerous times in both dynamic handling and slow/unstuck situations, but once again they were all with all-season tires.4 are you willing to take a hit in the pocket for reduced MPG? ... Good question ... I'm thinking given the current situation, I'm not sure whether I'd like to take the ~5mpg (is that right?) hit on Fuel Economy.BTW ... you guy's are great !!! This is really helping me decide what I want.Another side question, can I find on the site anywhere the content differences between the Base, GT and AWD models?THANKS AGAIN !!!

[jkm311]

Tim –I'm running around Royal Oak, Troy, Warren, etc. everyday in my Vibe, so I can speak to your terrain. I have an '06 FWD, and let me tell you, buying Blizzaks last winter changed my Nov-Feb driving like night and day. I found a guy on Craigslist who had already mounted them on 15" steel rims, and only used them for 2 months on his Scion tC (same bolt pattern). Bought 'em straight up for $350, then promptly painted the rims black and clear coat to keep any rusting away. Plus, I have an Abyss paint job, and the black steels on black car looks killer.Instead of loathing winter weather, I LOVE it now. No longer do I have the white knuckle driving of old. Basically, these tires took away the nagging question: "maybe I shoulda gone after an AWD Vibe." Granted, we drive on a concrete pancake all day, but still. I don't have to drastically change my driving habits, even with a foot of snow on the ground.Whatever configuration you decide to buy, you'll be happy. And by virtue of being associated with this online crew, you'll maximize said happiness.Ah-welcome, sir.

[olliesshop]

Thanks all for the feedback!!! Now I'm leaning toward a relatively loaded base model (2005-2007 probably), with Blizzaks, of course, for winter. Part of the reason is I didn't realize until today, that the GT requires Premium gas ... quite the bummer.The other thing I found out today was leather didn't seem to become available until the 2005 Model Year. I'd really like leather, a sunroof, cruise, power locks/windows, remote locks, stability control and the 17" wheels ... and RED of course ... so I may be waiting a long time before I find one.

[keithvibe]

there is also the increased maintance cost because of the awd. granted not much, but it's still more than the 2wd. Then there is the more costly repairs as wellIf I had to do it all over again, would I get the AWD? NopeI get 23-26mpg in the city and 32-35 on the highway pritty consistantly. If I had the 2wd GT or xrs in the toyota sheet metal. I think I would have enjoyed it moreDon't limit your search to the vibe, also look at the matrix if you want a wagon.Same car different sheet metal.

[AKLGT]

welcome! and from someone whose last FWD car was my 03 Vibe GT, if you can handle the sluggish motor, go AWD. I doubt I'll ever go back to FWD again (at least for daily driving). Get good winter tires and you'll be all set.

[TONY TAT2]

Hi !