Newbie considering a 03 auto without cruise control, want to add if purchased

[Rodlucci]

Hello Everyone,Anxious to get a Vibe in my driveway and have some concerns. I have searched and have come up a little short of the info to make my decision. The car I am considering is not equipped with cruise and it is a must have for my driving habits. My question is which after market kits work? I had a Miata in 1992 that I added cruise to and it never worked correctly. Don't want to experience a semi on my bumper @ cruise speed and the cruise decides to shut off again! Thank you in advance for the help!

[Chuck McKnight]

Is this particular Vibe just a really good deal otherwise? If not, I would wait a little longer until you find one that does have factory cruise control. I have seen very few without it, so you should not have to look much longer.

[jake75]

The Vibe is essentially a Corolla station wagon. I remember reading several threads here that said the basic parts for cruise control are there, all you need to do is add/install the stalk. That involves more mechanical ability than I have but some here have done it.

[joatmon]

There were a few threads around here somewhere about people adding cruise to the early models, but I don't remember any feedback about how well they work, mostly were about which to buy and how to install them.In 2005, perhaps mid model year, they changed Vibes from a cable throttle to an electronic throttle (drive by wire). With the cable throttle, adding cruise meant adding a controller module and a actuator to move the throttle. With the drive by wire ones, adding cruise was just adding hte control stalk, since the trottle was already electronic control. If you're looking at an )3, it was mechanical throttle, so adding cruise is a little more involved.Cruise was part of the factory power package, so if the car has power windows and locks, it should also already have cruise. My Vibe doesn't have that, and if I were going to buy another one, I'd really only look at ones that did have that, but that would be more for the power windows/locks and remote entry stuff.Still, if the 03 you are looking at is an otherwise really good deal, cruise can be added. How much it would cost depends on if you can install it yourself. Since its a required item for you, get an estimate from a shop to install it and factor that cost into considering if the car is a good dealAnd welcome to genvibe

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!!

[Rodlucci]

It was a good buy! The Car was a 1 owner with 42,000 miles on it. Strange, it had aluminum wheels, power sunroof, fog lights and automatic trans with no PW, PL or Cruise. It was a great price, below value on KBB private party fair condition. The car had some normal wear for a 8 year old car, but was very clean and tight. It is in my driveway now though and I am thrilled with the car. It is like driving a new vehicle.I am very interested in adding the power equipment and cruise. I have found the kits totalling $500 for 2 PW, PL and cruise. I can do all the install myself and hope it will be easier than when I put a Ford 5.0 V8 in a Miata. LOL! Any advice on which kits will be greatly appreciated!

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe It sounds like you ALREADY have made the purchase ..... Congrats As far as where to get the parts for your first mod, I'd start with junkyards and try to get the original window/lock asssemblies off of them. This way they will absolutely bolt in place and work! Factory door panels also may be available. If you've already done that mod to a Miata like you stated (I too did a crazy engine swap years ago .... A Chrysler slant six 170 cu in w/ 3-spd stick into a '74 Camaro) then I know you will be successful with this upcoming work. Good luck and share photos when done

[Rodlucci]

Thanks for the advice and thank you for the recomendations tpollauf I went ahead and bought the car Saturday evening and will begin my relationship with this little car. I will keep posted on the results of my equipment upgrades and please continue with the suggestions

[trb]

Congrats on the purchase! I've been looking at a few Vibes since we may buy our second one, and one I found did not have the power options either, so I was contemplating the same upgrades if I bought it. I would for sure look into the factory door switches and parts if you can, simply from an appearance perspective. You should be able to just buy the trim panels on the front doors if you get lucky at a salvage yard. Look at this website: http://www.car-part.com and see if you can find some local cars with power doors, then you know it should have the parts you need for the doors. As for the cruise, it might be a bit harder to get it to work, but I haven't looked at it. The wiring may be there, and all you may need is the control stalk and the cruise control parts for under the hood. I've seen a few places online with the wiring diagrams for our cars and the Matrix/ Corolla.Good luck on it, and post up some pics. These guys will be asking for them now that you own it!

[Rodlucci]

Thanks for the welcome! I have spent a week with the Vibe and the cruise will be the first mode I do. This Vibe is a drive by cable set up (03 and 04), so wiring is not present. I will keep posted on the results of the mod. I will most likely do the locks as well, but I think I am going to live with the windows. They are a great conversation piece. Many people do not remember a window handle let alone how to operate a window handle

[jake75]

No more often than I ever open a window I could live with the cranks. However, cruise and remote keyless entry is a must have.