Gm in the driveway and anti lock brakes

[ccowden]

Hi Vibe enthusiasts,I am trying to purchase a 05 lava vibe automatic, front wheel drive, monotone, power package, moon and tune, aluminum wheels, and 6 disc cd changer. Is it worth it to pay the extra to get anti lock brakes? Also, if anyone has a GM in the driveway certificate they would be willing to let me have, I would really appreciate it. or I guess it is a number that you are assigned now, Thanks,CC

[ragingfish]

You're going to get conflicting answers on the ABS question.It's personal preference realistically.But I would NEVER own a car WITHOUT ABS!

[ColonelPanic]

Welcome aboard, fellow Indiana person! Glad you found us! I think I may have heard someone mention the GM in the driveway certificate was going away at the end of the year... ? Not sure though. But someone around here should be able to hook you up. Raging's right, the ABS question varies from driver to driver. In general, ABS is nifty to have... My last two cars had ABS, the Vibe does not. My dealer only carries base/auto cars generally, so there wasn't one on the lot to check out with ABS when I was buying this one... The only thing they had with 'em was a GT, too much money and too much shifting for me. I was kinda worried about another car with ABS, since the last car was plagued by intermittent wheel sensor failures, so I just decided to live without it for a few years. But in hindsight, ABS problems on Vibes seem to be rare...ABS is very helpful in the snow - doesn't stop you any faster, but you have more control over where the vehicle is heading. That's the one big thing I miss about not having ABS. But I've had the Vibe through a few snows now, and have become used to not having ABS... Takes a bit more work on the driver's part but the brakes are still reasonably easy to modulate, and I haven't had too many issues... *knock on wood.* If it snowed more here, I would probably have tried to find an ABS car...I still wouldn't mind finding an '05 with Stabilitrak and all that stuff!

[GMJAP]

After 2 fender benders in my previous car when the brakes locked up, I will never get another car without ABS.Would you buy a car knowing the steering wheel might get stuck on you?

[vibe-04]

I didn't opt for the ABS. I've had it in the past on two cars and it would kick in and tick me off with its grinding and grabbing (and traction control, grrrr, I hate it). I never found it usefull on daily driving but I suppose that having it in an emergency is why you get it: panic stops. I would get it if cost was not an issue and side curtain air bags (I forget if that is an option on the Vibe?). You could also wear a helmet (?)You do run the risk of higher maintenance costs for repairs in the future. I'd put my money on better tires hence why my Contis are going come spring. I hope I don't have to eat my words one day.A\

[StampedeVibe]

I remember reading a stat somewhere about how cars with ABS in them had a slightly higher accident rate (it's my memory, so I could be wrong). The rationale was that people with ABS tended to be in more control of their cars and tended to drive through the snow/ice harder, and voila, end up rear ending someone or in the ditch.Anyone notice that significantly more than half of the cars in the ditch/along the railing are SUV's/trucks? That seems to be the case in Calgary.Bottomline, it'll help you keep control, just don't end up driving faster because you have ABS!

[Merzbow]

For some reason mine doesn't have ABS I don't remember it being an option when I got it in 2002. Anyways, I've gotten through 2 winters going on three this year without any problems except my little fire hydrant incident last Thursday that cost me a new rear bumper, but that was entirely my fault and had almost nothing to do with ABS. I was just being an idiot and screwing around on the icy roads.As long as you know how to drive and you remember that you don't have ABS when you stop than you'll be fine SUV and truck drivers seem to think they are invincible against the snow and ice...4wd doesn't do anything on ice!

[kep427]

My advice is it depends on how attentive you are, your driving experience, and how you react to emergancies.I drove for 12 yrs in the Wisconsin hinterland (including driving trucks). It was instinctive to learn how to control the situation when you lost traction or had an emergancy brake to perform. Usually it required some pumping action and turning the wheel the appropriate direction. I went many years w/o ABS because I preferred to be more in control of the emergancy situation.I got 'em on my '04 Vibe, mostly because I'm becoming a bit lazy and because the 'experts' kept saying they were so much better. On the lazy part, it's related to me getting power everything and an automatic. It is more easier to just slam the breaks and rely entirely on the ABS system. But, in the two instances (in less than a year) I've had to use them on the X-way (not unusual considering the crowded highways and aggressive drivers out here) I found I would've preferred more control over the situation.....

[nismo]

I would definitely recommend getting ABS. It's definitely worth it. It's saved me a couple of times so far.Inder