Vent visors/window deflectors - AVS, GM or WeatherTech?

[vibenvy]

I have really been wanting to get vent visors/window deflectors for our Vibes for a while now. The only problem I am having is I can't decide which ones to get; AVS, GM or WeatherTech. I overwhemingly prefer the sleek look of the WeatherTech ones, but I have read that the rear ones don't fit very well and I am worried about them putting undue stress on the window regulators having the additional material squeezed into the window channels along with the window glass itself.

I am looking for opinions from Vibe owners, preferrably 2009-2010, but any year owner will do, about what you have on your Vibe, any issues/problems you've had, installation tips and tricks, etc.

For reference:

AVS on lowincash's 2009 Vibe GT:



GM on GeoffGT's 2009 Vibe GT:



WeatherTech on blackrayne's 2009 Vibe:



Thanks in advance!

[KITT222]

I would (and did) go with AVS. Simple, cheap(er), and no undue stress to the window regulators. Mine are great. I couldn't imagine going without them. GM ones look too wide, and the third window one looks chintzy to me. The Weathertech's are very expensive (2x what the AVS ones are) and would leave me worried about one falling out while driving with the windows down.

[vibenvy]

I would (and did) go with AVS. Simple, cheap(er), and no undue stress to the window regulators. Mine are great. I couldn't imagine going without them. GM ones look too wide, and the third window one looks chintzy to me. The Weathertech's are very expensive (2x what the AVS ones are) and would leave me worried about one falling out while driving with the windows down.

Yeah, I am sort of leaning toward the AVS ones considering I could get them for both Vibes for about the same price, if not cheaper, then one set of the WeatherTech ones. I too would also worry about the WeatherTech ones falling off going down the road with the windows open .

[09vGT]

Whatever you do, keep it off the third window. I don't like the look at all. Unless you like it of course!

[gimmegimme]

I got the WeatherTech ones. The front ones work fine, but do cut visibility somewhat. It doesn't help that the A-pillar is already huge! The back ones (when I bought them) weren't the right size and looked weird. They removed them from their site, so if it's back, they probably redesigned them. They didn't stay in well either. I had one fall off while driving with the windows open... at least it fell into the car.

[tpollauf]

OK Carrie ... as the "unofficial" GenVibe Summer 2012 meet szar, I prohibit you from performing any more mods to your Vibe until you've saved enough $$$ to cover your expenses to the future 2013 GenVibe meet Nuff said I'm done venting my frustrations.

Getting back to this post, definitely stay away from the GM ones. Either of the other two look good. It all depends on price & durability. You're going to be missed this weekend in Erie

[vibenvy]

Whatever you do, keep it off the third window. I don't like the look at all. Unless you like it of course!

I always thought the 3rd window one was kind of cute . I don't think I'd actually want it on my Vibe though.

I got the WeatherTech ones. The front ones work fine, but do cut visibility somewhat. It doesn't help that the A-pillar is already huge! The back ones (when I bought them) weren't the right size and looked weird. They removed them from their site, so if it's back, they probably redesigned them. They didn't stay in well either. I had one fall off while driving with the windows open... at least it fell into the car.

The rear ones are still not listed under 2009-2010 Vibe, but they are still listed under the 2009+ Matrix which is weird considering they're the same exact thing (are they not?). I would definitely be worried about them falling off.

OK Carrie ... as the "unofficial" GenVibe Summer 2012 meet szar, I prohibit you from performing any more mods to your Vibe until you've saved enough $$$ to cover your expenses to the future 2013 GenVibe meet Nuff said I'm done venting my frustrations.

Getting back to this post, definitely stay away from the GM ones. Either of the other two look good. It all depends on price & durability. You're going to be missed this weekend in Erie

LOL! Will do Tim !

I am thinking I may just stick with no vent visors/window deflectors since I can't decide ...

I'll miss you guys and girls too . Have fun and take lots of pictures!

[jazzvibe]

After our recent midwest heatwaves, we have had sub-tropical style rainstorms. Drenching! Twice now I have had to get a meal at a drive through when it was raining like crazy. Both times I was sopping wet before my food came. That is when I noticed that the Vibe is wider at the beltline than at the top of the windows! That is just stupid. Having only owned three prior cars, I have not run into this design feature before.

A couple of questions: am I asking for shorts in my electric windows when the rain pours in and drenches the window control buttons?
will the aftermarket window deflectors help, or do they not stick out enough?

TIA for help. I know you Genvibers will know what I should do. Off I go to find a spot to complain about plastic interior parts that are popping out of position...

[vibenvy]

After our recent midwest heatwaves, we have had sub-tropical style rainstorms. Drenching! Twice now I have had to get a meal at a drive through when it was raining like crazy. Both times I was sopping wet before my food came. That is when I noticed that the Vibe is wider at the beltline than at the top of the windows! That is just stupid. Having only owned three prior cars, I have not run into this design feature before.

A couple of questions: am I asking for shorts in my electric windows when the rain pours in and drenches the window control buttons?
will the aftermarket window deflectors help, or do they not stick out enough?

TIA for help. I know you Genvibers will know what I should do. Off I go to find a spot to complain about plastic interior parts that are popping out of position...

If I were you I would try to keep the window closed as much as possible when at a drive-thru in the rain. I know it's kind of a pain to keep putting the window up and down, but it's better than leaving the window down and getting tons of water going all over the door panel. I'm not sure if it would cause any problems with the power window controls, but I'm sure it's definitely not good to get water all over the door panel and switches.

I am thinking some window deflectors may help. I will be able to give you more of an opinion once mine are installed and we actually get some rain around here...

Well, after much deliberation... I've decided to give the WeatherTechs a try. I will be about 10 minutes from WeatherTech's manufacturing facility and factory store today, so I am going to swing by there and pick up a set. Picking them up directly will save me about $20.00 over ordering them online since Illinois residents have to pay 8.5% sales tax plus shipping.

I will of course post pictures either tonight or tomorrow once they're installed.

[vibenvy]

Well, went to the WeatherTech factory store in Bolingbrook, Illinois this afternoon. They have an entire complex, but the store itself is small but pretty neat. They have floor liners, window deflectors and all their other products on display for you to check out. The woman I spoke to was very nice. Unfortunately the 2009+ Matrix window deflectors are on back order, but they are going to ship them to me for free ($99.95 + $8.50 sales tax = $108.45) so I still saved about $20.00 versus ordering them online (even on Amazon and eBay). They should arrive sometime next week. I will definitely post pictures once they are installed...

[vibenvy]

I received and installed the WeatherTech dark tinted front and rear side window deflectors this past Friday (August 10th). I am very pleased with them so far. They look and fit great. My only concern is the rear ones falling out, but if they do, no big deal... I'll just put new, stronger adhesive on them. Unfortunately, I haven't really driven my Vibe since installing them, so it will be interesting to see how they effect wind noise inside and how they do in the rain (it's supposed to rain tomorrow!) this week going to and from work. I will be sure and report back in a few days. In the meantime, here are some pictures...

[vibenvy]

Well, after only a few days of having the WeatherTech window deflectors installed, they have been removed. The rear driver's side one fell out today as I was leaving work. Fortunately it fell into the back seat so it didn't break or anything, but I have decided to return them to the WeatherTech factory store this weekend. I am very disappointed with the rear ones. The fronts fit great, nice and tight and the front windows could be left open quite a bit without letting any rain in (it did rain yesterday), but the rear ones fit like c r a p and could barely be left open without letting rain in. I am very disappointed and I don't recommend the WeatherTech window deflectors to any 2009-2010 Vibe owner.

[thebarber]

sucks to hear, i really like the in-channel visors...i had oem toyota ones on my yaris (3dr) and loved them

my parents have GM ones on their 03 malibu and i think they look like garbage...

oh well

[beemerphile1]

Would you recommend just the front ones? That is all I am interested in anyhow. I don't care about rears.

Are you going to buy the others now? A review by someone that has installed both would be very valuable to the rest of us.

[vibenvy]

sucks to hear, i really like the in-channel visors...i had oem toyota ones on my yaris (3dr) and loved them

my parents have GM ones on their 03 malibu and i think they look like garbage...

oh well

Yeah, I was bummed, but I was also expecting the rear ones to suck because that is a very common problem amongst many makes and models, not just Vibes and Matrices.

I am going to pick up some better quality 3M double sided tape this weekend and see if that improves the hold of the rear ones, if not, they're going back.

Would you recommend just the front ones? That is all I am interested in anyhow. I don't care about rears.

Are you going to buy the others now? A review by someone that has installed both would be very valuable to the rest of us.

I highly recommend the front ones. They fit great. They're nice and snug and definitely will not fall out. As I said above, I am going to give the rear ones one more chance with some better quality adhesive, but if that doesn't work I am going to return them and just leave the Vibe without anything.

Lowincash had the WeatherTech ones on his 2009 GT, then he switched to the AVS ones.

[hotbug1776]

That's why I went with the AVS. The 3m adhesive is super strong. Also, AVS is a direct supplier to GM, as that is what my parents got from the dealer for their Sonic.

[vibenvy]

Okay, I just got done putting some 3M Super Strength Molding Tape (#03609; just under $5.00 @ Walmart for a small roll which was just enough to do both rear deflectors) on the WeatherTech rear window deflectors. It is grey double sided foam tape and it is slightly thicker then the original tape that was on them, but that actually seems like it will work better. They do seem to be attached much better with the 3M stuff, so I've got my fingers crossed...

If they fall out again, they're definitely going back!

[VibeOnAWhim]

Can't speak for the vibe, but on my pt I had the in chanel visors and after almost a year the front driver side decided to snap in half on the highway and go tumbling down the street. This was just out of the blue one day when I rolled the window up. This happened twice to me as well as another PTer (but was her passenger side).

Was thinking of getting the stick on ones, but every car I see with those I think they look ugly and the tape would be a pita to get off if I decide to remove for whatever reason.

[c918]

WeatherTech is the way to go, just don't bother with rear ones. I had a front set on my 98 Maxima for 13 years. Loved them but the rear ones fell out. Oh well.

[vibenvy]

WeatherTech is the way to go, just don't bother with rear ones. I had a front set on my 98 Maxima for 13 years. Loved them but the rear ones fell out. Oh well.

It's been almost 2 years since I added the 3M Super Strong Moulding Tape to the rear WeatherTech in-channel side window deflectors on my Vibe and they are still firmly in place. They have gone through 2 Chicagoland winters and even when my dogs stick their heads out the rear windows, the deflectors are not affected one bit. My Vibe also sits out in the direct sun all day every day while I'm at work and they're still held into the rear window channels as strong as ever.

It has been about 1.5 years since I installed the WeatherTech deflectors on my mom's Vibe. Obivously after going through what I did with mine, I went ahead and removed the tape that came on the rear ones and added the 3M stuff before I even installed them. They have also been fine since installation and are still firmly attached.

I highly recommend anyone considering the WeatherTech front and rear in-channel side window deflectors for any year Vibe (2003-2010) or probably any vehicle for that matter, go to your local Walmart, spend the $5.00 and get yourself a roll of 3M Super Strong Moulding Tape. Don't waste your time installing the rear deflectors with the tape that comes on them. They will fall out. Put the 3M stuff on and you won't have a problem.

[zbyers]

My WeatherTech window deflectors keep falling out of the rear. Had them about three months. I definitely will try the 3M tape. I can't believe they still sell them like that.