UPDATE!!! Please offer your advice? About to buy a vibe and torn ....

[SgrPlum]

Hello Everyone!! I am so happy to have found this forum. I am 23, and have just gotten my first full-time job as a high school math teacher!! I have been admiring the Vibes ever since they came out. Now, with my new paycheck, I am ready to buy, but I don't have much saved up since I just started. I am torn between buying a Base Vibe (automatic) or the AWD model. The reason why I wanted the AWD originally is because I live in Rochester, NY and we get HORRIBLE winters here. I thought I could be much safer with AWD and I plan on keeping the new car I buy for the next 7 years at least. The reason why I'm leaning more toward the Base model, is that its about $2500 cheaper!!! Not only that, if the price can come down that much, I am more likely to take the $2000 rebate, because I can then pay off the car a lot faster, probably within the next 5 or 6 months, I should be done with all of the payments. If I go w/ the AWD, then I will be opting for 0%, but in the end, it will end up costing me another $2000 more, since I didn't take the rebate .... (now this will sound corny) .. I'm worried if I don't get the AWD, my life might be in danger with our nasty road conditions up here...Can someone please help me in this decision? Its a huge one. Thanks everyone for reading my post!! I hope to be posting a lot more in the future!!Oh, by the way ... I'm going to get a Neptune monotone. ~Sarah

[MrRich]

Hi Sarah and welcome!Where I live the winters are pretty bad too.I have a base Vibe,but never had problem with it.I drove almost every day in 6-8inch snow with no problem at all.And I didn't even use snow tires.Of corse the AWD is better in snow,but it is more money.I say:save the money and go with base!But again that's just me.

[rasermon]

Welcome to GVC and enjoy your stay.Most cars sold these days are FWD, not AWD. FWD is far from hazardous in the snow, since most of the weight resides over the drive wheels, aiding traction. Common sense is most often your best answer. If you think AWD is something that you need, you probably do. If you think AWD is something you might need one day just in case, then you probably do not.

[SgrPlum]

Guys, thanks for responding!!! I honestly don't know if I need it or not .. maybe I've just been brainwashed into thinking I do!! Last year, on my way home from work, I saw 7 cars that ran off the road and into a ditch off the expressway. I don't want to be like them!!! If that ever happened to me, I would be thinking "If I'd only gotten the AWD!" .. but then again, if I bought AWD, I would always be thinking "If I'd only saved myself the money" ... haha!~Sarah

[JayAyeEm]

Congratulations on your new job, and I don't think you'll have a problem with the base. We're in the same town, so I know of what I speak.I originally went to look at the AWD drive model, but after I tried the GT, I could not resist it. The fact that the AWD was automatic only was also a strike against it. Anyway, if you were in Rochester last winter, you know it was a bad one and the car was fine in the snow. It should be even better this year, as I am going to get better tires this month. As bad as winters get here, the road crews know how to deal with it, so a safe driver can get by with FWD (and AWD is not going to save a bad driver). Besides, you are a teacher. You don't have to drive to work when the roads get really bad. They close the schools. If the buses can make it, a base vibe can!

[SgrPlum]

JayAyeEm, Thanks so much for writing.... It's good to see a fellow Rochesterian! Yes, last winter was awful, and I'm glad to know that you didn't have any problems with your vibe! You are right about another thing too... AWD won't make a difference when it comes to bad driving! I live pretty close to the school I teach at too. I think I'm getting closer to making my decision .... ~Sarah

[joatmon]

Winter weather here is like hawaii compared to what you get in Rochester, so I'm no expert. I have a base vibe and had no troubles in the snows we did have last winter. I couldn't justify an AWD, and also wanted a 5 speed for the better gas mileage.Not knocking AWD, but I think the base with automatic gets slightly better gas mileage, has slightly more power, and also has slightly fewer components to break than an AWD. Would a base with good snow tires be better than an AWD with the stock tires? You probably would want to get snow tires regardless of which model Vibe you get.Welcome to the site. What were you driving last year? Let us know which you do get.Math rocks. One of the few subjects where there is one right answer.

[SgrPlum]

Joatman, thanks for writing. I'm glad to hear you had no trouble either with your base model! The less gas mileage was another strike against the AWD. I have been driving a Geo Tracker for the past 7 and a half years! I got the car when I turned 16 . It is a 1996, 2 door, AWD convertible. I love that car... but I'm looking for someone to buy it from me before I go out and get the Vibe. It only has 45,000 miles on it!!! The Tracker's AWD is great on the roads here in the winter. I get the option to use it or not though. I can put it on when I need it, and leave it off when I don't. It will be hard to say goodbye to the car I grew up in, but I am definitely excited to get the Vibe!!! I have a friend flying in from Idaho to see me in February, and we will be going to Toronto and Niagara Falls together ... and my cousin is visiting from Italy next summer, and having the Vibe will be perfect to show them around places! I just want to make sure I get the most I can from my Tracker, and know exactly what I want before I make such a big purchase! You guys have been a big help, thank you so much! ~Sarah

[macrosonic]

If driving in snow or ice is a big concern you could also get snow tires. They do make a difference and they are a whole lot cheaper than AWD.

[AKLGT]

i live in alaska and our winters are pretty harsh. i have the GT and just got my ugly studded snow tires on for winter. i'd go w/ the base and get 4 snow tires, add a sandbag in the back and you'll be set! it's the other drivers you'll have to be careful of!

[Thewolf]

Get the base and a set of Blizzaks (4!) for the winter. We lived in upstate NY for about 10 years, and while I always had a 4 wheel drive, it was only because I _had_ to go all the time (Firefighter/EMT). Otherwise NYS does an awesome job of keeping the roads passable for a regular car.

[russ257]

i have the awd and i think it's worth it. It costs a little more but you are gonna keep this car for 7 years then think it's 285 bucks a year. and you're getting zero percent so i say go for it.

[18stars]

I just went through the same dilemma and went with the FWD....I read in several magazines and its in the Pontiac brouchure that the AWD adds weight and has less horsepower.....I decided a decrease in power wasn't worth it.... plus you end up with worse gas mileage and the added potential for something to go wrong due to the added complexity of a AWD system!....I'm all for winter tires (I've used Bridgestone Blizzaks and they are outstanding).......and besides all of this, let's not get too wussy!....I hate to sound like an old man but when I started driving we used bias ply tires and rear wheel drive and got where we were going....when you see people on the side of the road its usually not the lack of AWD that got them there its the lack of brains! Good luck with your decision....

[snowman]

I have driven through countless Canadian winters, commuting 45 minutes on backroads and up to the ski hill on the weekend and always drove front wheel drive. (civics and even a CRX right through the winter). One day in a blinding snowstorm I drove a full loaded four wheel drive durango and then my CRX and felt way more comfortable and in control in the CRX. Go figure! Needles to say I got a base vibe but snow tires will be coming.....

[cohocarl]

quote:I hate to sound like an old man but when I started driving we used bias ply tires and rear wheel drive and got where we were going....when you see people on the side of the road its usually not the lack of AWD that got them there its the lack of brains! Couldn't agree more, but you forgot to mention we didn't have ABS either.

[joatmon]

quote:Oh, by the way ... I'm going to get a Neptune monotone. I recommend the power package. I don't really mind the manual windows, but I often wish I had the cruise control, power locks, keyless entry, and rear hatch glass release button

[SgrPlum]

joatmon, I forgot to write that I am definitely getting the power package!! It will be worth every penny. Again, thanks for all of the good advice!! Its great to hear from people who have had the experience!~Sarah

[Craigmri]

Sarah,One thing that wasn't mentioned was the smaller gas tank the AWD model suffers from. That coupled with the lower MPG rating equates to a much shorter range per tankfull. That should mean alot to a math teacher I personally hate having to fill up alot so this is just one reason I'm getting a base 5-speed.For me it looks like Monotone Salsa! Craig

[Dave_ca]

I drove a Pontiac Firefly for 2 straight canadian winters (freezing rain mixed with snow) and I never once had a problem. I remeber traveling on the highway and seeing 4wd vehicles in the ditch all the time. 4wd seems to give some people a big head, wich is a bad thing to have with icee covered snow roads. Personally I would get a base, unless you plan on driving through old roads that dont get sanded or plowed.

[SgrPlum]

Update everyone!!! I just got back home from a Pontiac dealer! After all of your posts, I decided that the Base model was fine for me... it's exactly what I need. I wanted:Neptune Base VibeMonotone AppearanceAntilock brakesPower PackageNOT the moon and tunes...They located only 1 in all of New York state!! (Probably since most of them have the moon and tunes)I'm going to offiially sign the contract on Monday, and I am paying $16000 with the GM discount and rebates. I'm also trading my Tracker in, and putting 7000 down, so I will only need to finance $8000 for 3 years. Yay!! I'll let you all know the next update when it happens.. Thank you all for your help and advice!!~Sarah

[Robert G]

Congratulations. I second the comments regarding snow tires. Although I have an AWD Vibe, my other car is rear wheel drive. I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks that I put on the RWD car every year, and do not have a problem driving it in the snow.

[fuel4soul]

Wow! Sounds like a good deal to me! Now if only I could find one.

[KSNeptune]

Way to go, Math teach!I love my Neptune Base. I've been nagging over needing a supercharger, but the longer I drive the Vibe the less I think I need it.Since you're a math teach, could you challenge your students with this one:If you cut and remove a 10" circle from a 10" square, it leaves a certain percentage of the square behind. If you cut and remove a perfect 10" x 15" ellipse from a 10" x 15" rectangle, does it leave a larger percentage, smaller percentage or the same percentage of the rectangle behind? Please assume that there is no loss in the cut line.Another related challenge: If I cut a the largest possible octagon from a 10" square, does it leave more or less of the square than the 10" circle did? Is there any equal-sided polygon (triangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc..) that could be cut from the 10" square, that leaves more of the square behind than the circle did? No, using a a square is not permitted. What would be the practicle application? Cutting cookies from cookie dough. The remaining dough could be re-rolled to make more cookies.Just for fun.KSNeptune

[Reynoma]

Congrats and welcome to Vibe ownership! You won't look back. Not to sound corny (I know it does) but this car adds the fun to functional!

[JayAyeEm]

Looks like a good choice. I forgot to recommend the antilocks the other day when we were chatting. Definately worth having. Standard on the GT, so I never really thought about it much when I was looking for the one I wanted.

[drunkenmaxx]

quote:Way to go, Math teach!I love my Neptune Base. I've been nagging over needing a supercharger, but the longer I drive the Vibe the less I think I need it.Since you're a math teach, could you challenge your students with this one:If you cut and remove a 10" circle from a 10" square, it leaves a certain percentage of the square behind. If you cut and remove a perfect 10" x 15" ellipse from a 10" x 15" rectangle, does it leave a larger percentage, smaller percentage or the same percentage of the rectangle behind? Please assume that there is no loss in the cut line.Another related challenge: If I cut a the largest possible octagon from a 10" square, does it leave more or less of the square than the 10" circle did? Is there any equal-sided polygon (triangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc..) that could be cut from the 10" square, that leaves more of the square behind than the circle did? No, using a a square is not permitted. What would be the practicle application? Cutting cookies from cookie dough. The remaining dough could be re-rolled to make more cookies.Just for fun.KSNeptune first one, i have no clue. second one, i would think the circle would be the biggest piece left no matter what since it is the most space efficient shape

[Reynoma]

BTW, welcome to the world of High School Math....my wife is a math teacher at a regional high school here in NJ....has been for 10 years...and she really likes her job.

[SgrPlum]

Jay, I did get the Antilock brakes also. Thanks for the suggestion. I forgot I wanted it until the dealer located the car I wanted that happened to have it. Reynoma, thanks for the welcome! I am loving it so far! As far as that math problem, I'll post the answer to it later today. ~Sarah

[yank dini]

get the base and change the Tires.

[tots]

Good Job -I've ordered a base myself and am still waiting for delivery. I grew up in Western NY (small town SW of Rochester) and had to deal with lake effet all the time. I think the key is a good set of snow tires. If you search, there are numerous threads on this topic. A number of folks have outfitted there vibes with steel 15" wheels and snow tires -- cheaper solution if you don't mind the look of a smaller plain steel wheel.Congrats!

[Pablo1669]

quote:Last year, on my way home from work, I saw 7 cars that ran off the road and into a ditch off the expressway. I don't want to be like them!!! If that ever happened to me, I would be thinking "If I'd only gotten the AWD!" ~SarahPersonally, I'd be thinking, god, I'm a retard. Why didn't I respect the road conditions, and drive responsibly. You'll be fine without the AWD, just don't drive like a maniac in the snow. slow down a bit around the corners, and just learn how your car reacts to snow. The best way to do that is in an empty parking lot after a nice 2-3inch snowfall. Michigan winters are Miserable... anyone can agree to that. I've never gone off the road or gotten stuck and I've always driven small FWD cars. respect the road and you'll be fine with a base Vibe. My GT is fine in the winter

[AKLGT]

up here, the most cars and trucks in the ditch are 4x4 or awd! they think 4x4 or awd means all wheel stop! so they slam on the brakes and keep going into the ditch! just drive careful and slow, you'll be fine!

[Wrx-2-Vibe]

maybe I can help?http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6640

[SgrPlum]

WRX, Not sure if you read all of my posts, but I did purchase my vibe on Tuesday last week. Thanks Silver for updating him! You can check out my Vibe in my signature.~Sarah

[rasermon]

WTG! Nice looking vibe you have there.

[ArcsVibe]

You know you've picked the best color for your Vibe Welcome aboard!