Your opinion on new 05' Vibe design

fuel4soul · Post by **fuel4soul** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 1:34 am

Do you like the new 2005 Vibe they "refreshed"?See this thread; http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=1

Charlievibe · Post by **Charlievibe** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 1:38 am

Keep the 03-04 design. One of the reasons I purchased my Vibe was because I thought it had an agressive, kind of sexy look. Had I wanted a minivan, I would have bought one.

fuel4soul · Post by **fuel4soul** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 1:44 am

That's what bothers me most with cars, Is them changing them every 2 years. I like the PT cruiser for that reason, and I also like the new generation Camaro cause it wont change unless they bring it back.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 3:04 am

Pontiac is suppose to be the sport division of GM, and with the new look of the Vibe (and Montana) they miss the target...The 2003-04 looks by far much sport and agressive then the 2005 model...

red · Post by **red** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 4:44 am

i guess i was looking for more of a change.....everything pretty much looks the same inside and out

robdog · Post by **robdog** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 5:41 am

I like the leather seat option, that is one thing i was disappointed in not having in my vibe

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 6:52 am

Exterior needs more work, they can't release it with that flat rounded out (removed) ugly front end thats its got there. Where is the power? the intimidation? Sorta like the Sunfire... personally the 2003 lost the tough look the older models had. Guess my next car might not be a Vibe if they don't make it better.Leather though... nice

Vibe Rater · Post by **Vibe Rater** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 7:37 am

I think what they've done is change it so that it appeals to the age group that is buying most of them. I think the target market is much younger than the people that are actually buying the vehicle. So, might as well appeal to the real market age group.

redlava · Post by **redlava** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:39 am

Quote, originally posted by Charlievibe »Keep the 03-04 design. One of the reasons I purchased my Vibe was because I thought it had an agressive, kind of sexy look. Had I wanted a minivan, I would have bought one.Exactly!! I do like the new options that are coming with the 2005 model, but the front end does make it look like a mini minivan. They have to keep that agressive look because if this is the way it is gonna look after 2 years than I hate to see what it will be in 6.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:50 am

a couple of questions- can someone chop a picture that shows the 2005 and the 03 or 04 side by side to make the comparison easier? I see the difference, but it doesn't immediately strike me as that significant.- fuel, WTH is that in your avatar?

97030=3176-fuel4soul-avatar.gif

huy397 · Post by **huy397** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:10 am

Like most fellow Vibers, I don't like the new style.What really gets to me is that Pontiac uses the same front end from all the models!The Vibe was a very creative car and that's what I love about itTalk about lack of creativity!BTW. the body keyed mirror certainly is nice...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:19 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »can someone chop a picture that shows the 2005 and the 03 or 04 side by side to make the comparison easier? I see the difference, but it doesn't immediately strike me as that significant.best i can do:

millster · Post by **millster** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:23 am

OK, now that just makes the new one look like it has a dopey grin on it's face. It's already starting to grow on me though. Maybe it won't prove to be so bad.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:27 am

I like the CONCEPT the lower fascia is more open than the 03/04 -- venting starts right at the edge of the fogs instead of being restricted to just the center. But I don't like the actual design, mainly, that horizontal louver thing they got going...honeycomb would be ok for me, but no horizontals... and I agree, that front fascia just isn't fitting...for some reason it works on the GXP...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:36 am

Ok, now I was curious, so here is GXP vs. 05: The GXP has a higher grille port and sleeker design. That WORKS with the flush grille design.05, however, IMHO, still isn't pulling it off.

huy397 · Post by **huy397** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:38 am

I like the lower half too but the top just doesn't do it for me.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:47 am

Now the GXP is sweet looking, specially the lower part, I could go for that.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:47 am

I'm starting to think it might just look bad in that color.Imagining it in black, it might not be that bad...

millster · Post by **millster** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 11:17 am

Because you asked for it, a (very) quicky photoshop...

97068=3180-v8.gif

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 11:24 am

nope, still ugly. thanks for taking the time to put my theory to rest though!

millster · Post by **millster** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 11:28 am

Hence the reason I didn't spend too much time on it. I don't know, I'm planning my next car purchase and I'm thinking of keeping my Vibe once it's paid for and buying a Solstice at this point (if they release it). But, I might buy another Vibe if they keep adding options like they have so far.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 11:32 am

I'm LOVING the solstice, but don't want a 2 person car...if they release a 2+2, at least, i'd get it...but i'm under the impression they have no plans to do so...since i also love the G6, that likely will be my next car purchase...

frostyGT · Post by **frostyGT** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:48 pm

Maybe the ugly front-end will encourage third-party front-ends. I think what is holding back the aftermarket on front bumper replacements is that the Vibe already has an agressive after-market look.Just a thought...because that 2005 is ugly I wonder if we can get that subwoofer enclosure as an add-on to our current Vibe moon-n-tunes??? I would like to have that for a nice integrated look

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 2:53 pm

Ok, how disappointing...The painted mirrors, I like...the front fascia, typical Pontiac...ruin something good with crappy plastic. That is horrid! I like the smoothness of the top, but the squared off bottom has gotta go! i was afaird I would have to buy the new front, but no longer a worry! And they left the useless racks on top! They need to take some lessons from the sister over at Toyota. Oh well. Just makes our look better!Oh, and did you guys notice they removed the roof rack crossmembers? HHHMMM???!!!! Someone in the ranks been checking out the site? Nah...ya, right!Keep the comments coming! There's still time to change this tragedy!

Toasted7 · Post by **Toasted7** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 2:59 pm

Unfortunately... I am not impressed. Maybe the '06 Vibe will be a little more attractive (at least I hope so).

SteveP · Post by **SteveP** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:04 pm

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero »Ok, how disappointing... And they left the useless racks on top! They need to take some lessons from the sister over at Toyota. The racks are not useless - this is what made me get a Vibe over a Matrix. The rack is perfect for my sailboard and my sailbag.

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:14 pm

They shouldn't have messed with the grilles. Enough said.

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 11:03 pm

Quote, originally posted by SteveP »The racks are not useless - this is what made me get a Vibe over a Matrix. The rack is perfect for my sailboard and my sailbag.I would bet money that the majority of owners don't use them. They should be an option IMO.

SteveP · Post by **SteveP** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:14 am

I bet you are right, but I am happy I have mine. I've seen Matrices with aftermarket racks and I like the look of the factory racks better.

4X4CHICHI · Post by **4X4CHICHI** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 3:30 am

I'm affraid that I do not like the new looks. The deep grill is one of the things that really set off the vibe. I wouldn't have bought one if that is what they looked like when the 03-04's came out.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 3:39 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish » here's a mazda3 for comparison

4X4CHICHI · Post by **4X4CHICHI** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 3:46 am

I must have those rims. Does anyone know if the bolt pattern is the same as ours?

frostyGT · Post by **frostyGT** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:07 am

The Mazda 3 has 5x114.3 I would've liked to have had a set of those also. Oh well!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:16 am

front end looks like some sissy-(removed) crap that chrysler would come up with, IMHFO

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:23 am

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero »And they left the useless racks on top! They need to take some lessons from the sister over at Toyota. The racks would be more useful if they didn't put the antenna on the roof along the midline.When I had the antenna busted off the roof a few months ago I was able to put a few sheets of plywood on the roof rack. Gotta say that the cross members were dissapointing too as they flexed a bit too much for my taste.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:33 am

the front kind of reminds me of the mask used in the scream movies....

DavidPIL · Post by **DavidPIL** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:52 am

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »front end looks like some sissy-(removed) crap that chrysler would come up with, IMHFOhehehe, I liked the look at first then realized the same thing you did sorta. It almost looks like the front end of a Chrysler mini-van. Maybe that's what Pontiac is doing, making the Vibe a bit more family friendly and not so sporty. One thing that we're not seeing yet is the sports package for the 2005 which might alter the front skirting to make it more sporty, ya think? I'd hope. At least this way Pontiac has their Family Friendly Vibe and an option to make it more Sporty as well. Just a thought...Dave

FusionVGT · Post by **FusionVGT** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:06 am

Quote, originally posted by Triton GT »They shouldn't have messed with the grilles. Enough said.I agree. The 05 nose with recessed grills would look better

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:50 pm

Quote, originally posted by Herb »The racks would be more useful if they didn't put the antenna on the roof along the midline.Notice now that they also placed the pointy XM Satellite Radio/Onstar antenna (different than the '04s since they had the smaller XM-only antenna) back there to the right of the radio antenna. Just another object to interfere with any cargo you may carry on the roof.http://gallery.genvibe.com/gal...vibe3

spideymike1 · Post by **spideymike1** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:22 am

ok to me it looks like a watered down, less aggressive nose. not horrible but something that pontiac thinks will attract more moms?? Guessing and don't mean that in an offensive way...Also, after I saw the pics here, I was out and noticed a Dodge neon and thought - hmmm - kinda looks like the 05; no?

macrosonic · Post by **macrosonic** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 9:31 am

Yeah I was thinking Neon too. I'm half expecting the new Vibe ads to have a cute little "Hi!" on the screen somewhere.

MailGuy! · Post by **MailGuy!** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 3:30 am

You know, at first I was really upset about the "freshened" front end, but now, I think I'll be happy knowing that for only 1 model year they made a Fusion Vibe with the cool looking front end. So my car will be that much more unique.

QWIKGTA · Post by **QWIKGTA** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 5:59 am

I like it, does anyone know if it will fit on the 03. Looks like it mayRob

SGT · Post by **SGT** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 7:28 am

Quote, originally posted by QWIKGTA »I like it, does anyone know if it will fit on the 03. Looks like it mayRobI would be willing to bet that it would. Most times when they 'freshen' up these cars they don't touch the sheet metal, only the plastic fascias.

esjones · Post by **esjones** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 8:06 am

You can see where Pontiac is going.... in the '05 Vibe, they dialed back on the Aztek styling, and moved it more toward the Grand Prix and GTO styling cues.

NY Pete · Post by **NY Pete** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 8:51 am

wow, that smoothed out '05 look makes our '03 and '04's look like they have body kits on them!!! I definately like our "old" look much better...Pete

spideymike1 · Post by **spideymike1** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 10:02 pm

Hey, I got a question - what do you think the odds are that they will sell that interior peice for the rear subwoofer? IT would be great to retro fit it. I really want to add a sub but don't want to lose space and drill holes...

JustinVGT · Post by **JustinVGT** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 10:22 pm

Anyone notice the armrest cover? It looks shorter. I wonder if they added cushion to it. edit: Doesn't look like I can reference the image using [IMG][/IMG] . So, click here: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerofile/3163/v3.jpg It's the v3 image under the 05 official pics link that you can see it clearly.

Post by **NSimkins** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 11:13 pm

Quote, originally posted by spideymike1 »Hey, I got a question - what do you think the odds are that they will sell that interior peice for the rear subwoofer? IT would be great to retro fit it. I really want to add a sub but don't want to lose space and drill holes...I believe you will be able to order the subwoofer piece, but it's only available with the molding, subwoofer, and grill all together in one piece. Basically you get the entire thing with the part.As far as wiring it into an 03/04 Vibe, I'm not sure - they may have altered the amp or wiring to accommodate the additional power needed but I'm sure anyone with audio experience could get it to work.

spideymike1 · Post by **spideymike1** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 11:16 pm

Quote, originally posted by NSimkins »I believe you will be able to order the subwoofer piece, but it's only available with the molding, subwoofer, and grill all together in one piece. Basically you get the entire thing with the part.SWEET! Now all I need is a catalog and a credit card!