sbzero - 09 Vibe AWD "The Bug"

[sbzero]

Hello everyone! I've been meaning to post a thread in here for a long time but I just got a new chord for my camera so I can upload pictures..So, meet "The Bug", which is a nickname my gf gave to it and it just kinda stuck.2009 Vibe Carbon-Gray AWD just under 60k milesUnder the hood all stock 2.4L 4-cylinder Toyota 2AZ-FE 2362cc engineThe Good-All around a very reliable, solid, and safe car-AWD with Stabilitrak, which is super awesome in the snow-All standard maintenance projects fairly easy for a do-it-yourselfer-2AZ-FE engine has some customizable/racing parts available since they're used in Scions-I got a really good freaking deal on it. (Purchased in 2009 w/ 4k miles on it for about $16k)-It's good for everything I need and want in a car, since I can't afford a Subaru Impreza WRX STI wagon and this gets better gas mileage anyways-My favorite thing of all:A place right under the hood to keep all my tools and loose nuts and bolts while doing work on it! SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!The Bad-Couple of dings in front passenger door, slight dent in front driver side fender, as well as a scratch on the rear driver side fender from a hit n' run -Needs front driver side brake caliper replaced(I have no idea what the previous owner did to this thing in 4,000 miles), as I have to every six months or so take the lower caliper pin out and re-grease it.-***EDIT: Turns out that I am a moron. I read my owner's manual and the AWD actually IS full-time. The dealership misinformed me on how it works....I think.-I can't move my seat back far enough. This is not a super-long-legged person's car, but I've learned to get comfortable with it.-It vibrates(ha-ha). It's really annoying and apparently it's a motor mount issue I'm hoping is still under warranty.-Not a fan of the 4-speed transmission. I'd like a 5-speed auto-stick.-Oil drain plug replaced by a ****ty Everlast drain plug. Thanks, JiffyLube! You lying wreck-tech *******s.-Oil pan gasket is leaking -Most all of the miles on this car are from pizza/sandwich delivery jobs. But hey! It's still going strong!-Daytime running lights. Won't turn off. Ever. Why even bother having a knob to control it? ****ing stupid as hell.-Pontiac is retarded and has some wrong information in the Owner's Manual, for example listing the transmission fluid as T-IV when it is ACTUALLY Toyota WS.So Far-Had the rear main axle seal replaced, as it was leaking rear differential fluid(again I have NO idea what the previous owner did to this thing in 4,000 miles!)-Installed K&N air filter-Replaced spark plugs at 50k miles-Using Mobil 1 75w90 diff fluid in the rear differential and transfer case-Did transmission service early on, since pizza delivery was really tearing up the fluid. Used one of those risky "universal" synthetic fluids, to much success. It has been running just fine with no signs of internal wear. (Wolfshead Universal Synthetic ATF http://www.wolfshead.com/)Coming Up-In a few weeks I will be replacing the leaky oil pan gasket, and while I'm at it I will be replacing the transmission filter for the 60k service schedule. I did the trans not too long ago but I want to be sure the filter is going to last until 120k miles. I plan on making a YouTube video of the project, as well as a thread!-Taking it to the dealership to have this vibration issue investigated...In The FutureI want to do all kinds of stuff to this car, from pointless to fun and everything in between. If anyone has any advice or resources for any of this stuff, pass it along! I won't be doing any of this stuff for a while (probably when the warranty is up) so the more I know the better.-install sway bar-install strut brace-Amsoil everything-custom roof racks-get nice rims-get snow tires to put on stock rims-get a better transmission-replace brake calipers-raise it an inch or two-fix dings-paint it black-"fix" the daytime running light problem -MAKE CAR GO FAST Haha pretty much I mean deck out the engine with performance parts. Starting with CAI or something, as well as improved exhaust.-(edited out due to stupidity)That's all I can think to share for right now! Bye!

[A Psycho Martyr]

Ah, you have the problem so mny have had before Silver letters on your engine cover peeling offCheck here for a cheap, easy, stylish fix And I noticed you're planning to raise it and get wheels....so are 20" wheels in the cards?

[sbzero]

Hey thanks for the link! I'm not sure if I'm gonna go for 20's.....I'm not big on spending a lot on rims but we'll see.

[vibenvy]

Great looking AWD you have there ! I sometimes wish I had gone with that color instead of Liquid Platinum Metallic .Quote, originally posted by sbzero »-Daytime running lights. Won't turn off. Ever. Why even bother having a knob to control it? ****ing stupid as hell.-install sway bar-install strut brace-get nice rims-get snow tires to put on stock rims-MAKE CAR GO FAST Haha pretty much I mean deck out the engine with performance parts. Starting with CAI or something, as well as improved exhaust.Check out this thread on how to disable the Automatic Headlights (AHLs) and Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). I did this to my Vibe about two years ago and absolutely love it! It's so nice to have full control over all the lights!To my knowledge there are no anti-sway bars that will fit the 2009-2010 Vibe AWD/GT because they have Independent Rear Suspension (IRS).TRD makes a nice strut brace. There is also an OEM one that came standard on 2009-2010 Vibe GTs (pictured below):I personally think some OEM 2009-2010 Vibe GT wheels would go great with your Carbon Grey Vibe. When you're looking at aftermarket wheels, keep in mind your Vibe's bolt pattern is 5 x 114.3 and the offset is +39 .Having two sets of wheels and tires is a great idea ! You defintely don't want your nice wheels to get ruined by salt, sand, etc. during the winter.I suggest the K&N Typhoon CAI. Myself and many other 09-10 2.4L owners have it and it is by far one of the best modifications for the 2.4L engine. Check eBay for the best prices.Magnaflow makes a direct-fit cat back exhaust that will fit the 09-10 AWD. This is also available on eBay.Also, if you're interested, check out this chrome shifter overlay that I have for sale .

[star_deceiver]

Very nice!!! Two sets of wheels are great!!! XXR makes a great product http://www.xxrwheels.com/wheels.shtml

[A Psycho Martyr]

i just checked out the xxr'sim pretty impressed for a brand I've never heard ofReally nice looking wheels

[sbzero]

Hey thanks for all the links you guys!Good news from the dealership...Apparently there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car and it's pretty much in perfect working order. The vibration problem I have (idling in D or R), apparently is an attribute of the vehicle. The compared it with another '09 which apparently does the same thing. Okay, annoying, but good news at least.