Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

General discussions about the Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix. New members, introduce yourself here!
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Linuxrick
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:54 pm
Location: Madison Heights, MI USA

Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by Linuxrick »

Decided to get rid of the gas guzzling Jeep and move into something better! :D

The 5 speed seems to move pretty good! Drives nice and tight!

Anything I should look for in the vibe as far as common wear parts? What about common or suggested mods?

I guess I can do a search on here, just joined and checking out all the great info!


Photo from dealership..
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2006 Vibe 5spd
2003 Audi A4 -sold it
2005 Saab 9-2x aero -sold it, regret it
1999 BMW M3 -sold it
2000 Jeep Wrangler -sold it
OmniDimensional
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon May 07, 2012 9:52 am
Location: Sarnia, ON

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by OmniDimensional »

Good looking vibe! Welcome to the forum man. As for common wear parts, I'm a lucky young pup with only 100k on my AWD vibe, so nothing worn out yet. Just redid the front brakes last year because the right one seized.

My favourite mod so far is definitely the Short Ram Air Intake (I have the K&N one). Changes the sound dramatically under heavy acceleration and you can feel a definitive change in power. If you live in a warmer area, you can maybe go for the Injen intake.

Enjoy your ride!
2003 AWD, black. K&N CAI, 16" Montegi, 15% tint, sunroof, premium audio.
Garage
Mariachi
Posts: 620
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:03 pm

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by Mariachi »

oh nice vibe! welcome!
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sideshowalan
Posts: 425
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:27 am

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by sideshowalan »

The 05-08 vibes are pretty solid. Just follow the recommended maintenance. Check out the cabin air filter behind the glovebox, it would have been easy for the previous owner to overlook it.

For mods, check ebay for vibe or matrix brass shifter bushings. They replace the rubber ones on the transmission side and help to firm up the shifting action.
2008 Pontiac Vibe
2008 Toyota Sienna XLE
(Former 2003 5-speed Vibe owner)
tpollauf
Posts: 4147
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:37 am
Location: Toledo/Oregon, Port Clinton Ohio
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Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by tpollauf »

Welcome to GenVibe :D Update your profile so we know where you're from. That Vibe looks real clean and you should have no troubles whatsoever with it. Also gotta love the manual 5-speed ;)
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2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
2014 Silverado, 2004 Vibe GT

"everything is modifiable"
hotbug1776
Posts: 585
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:58 am
Location: Erie, Pa and Bellevue, Oh

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by hotbug1776 »

sideshowalan wrote:The 05-08 vibes are pretty solid. Just follow the recommended maintenance. Check out the cabin air filter behind the glovebox, it would have been easy for the previous owner to overlook it.

For mods, check ebay for vibe or matrix brass shifter bushings. They replace the rubber ones on the transmission side and help to firm up the shifting action.
Get the bushings from a known supplier and supported of our cars. it may cost you a little more, but, they will still make them if they have buyers
http://speed-source.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I just bought mine from there.

Welcome, enjoy the ride.
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zyzyix
Posts: 188
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Cleveland Oh

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by zyzyix »

Hi and welcome. Nice vibe.
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trb
Posts: 1670
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 4:06 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by trb »

Welcome! You are getting a very nice looking Vibe there. Good luck with it!
Thomas
the "Mustang Guy"
1987 5.0 LX Mustang
2016 Mustang GT - current daily
2004 Satellite Vibe &
2009 Red Vibe GT -twin's cars
2003 Neptune Vibe GT - prior daily
2010 Red Vibe GT - RIP 6/16/14
2006 Platinum Vibe - son's car
thebarber
Posts: 1162
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:01 am
Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by thebarber »

lol, the 5 speed transmissions kinda suck long-term...
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hotbug1776
Posts: 585
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:58 am
Location: Erie, Pa and Bellevue, Oh

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by hotbug1776 »

thebarber wrote:lol, the 5 speed transmissions kinda suck long-term...
I hear ya. I can't wait to get a Japanese spec 6 speed from monkey wrench. I think the 8lb. flywheel and a heavier clutch will join it as well.
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vibenvy
Posts: 7121
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Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by vibenvy »

Welcome to GenVibe! That is one beautiful Vibe ;)!
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
Linuxrick
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:54 pm
Location: Madison Heights, MI USA

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by Linuxrick »

Thanks all!
thebarber wrote:lol, the 5 speed transmissions kinda suck long-term...
Weak link in the drive train? Seems to shift great, although the shifter reach is pretty long, I wonder if they make a short shift kit for this vibe :o

Taking a nice road trip so we'll see how it does loaded with camping and fishing gear!
2006 Vibe 5spd
2003 Audi A4 -sold it
2005 Saab 9-2x aero -sold it, regret it
1999 BMW M3 -sold it
2000 Jeep Wrangler -sold it
Wingnut
Posts: 216
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 7:23 pm
Location: IL

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by Wingnut »

thebarber wrote:lol, the 5 speed transmissions kinda suck long-term...

I have 143k on my 04' that I bought brand new. Not to mention that most of my miles are local mileage. No problems what so ever except clutch went out. Kind of expected that at my mileage though. Bought an ACT clutch and a light weight fly wheel. Since then I have had no problems with mine and I drive mine like I stole it! :lol: The things I would say to look at is the cabin filter, bushings, struts and trans. Other then that, no probs so far. Running strong! 8-)
2004 Vibe 5 speed with factory oem body kit and wings.
Mods: Sound system, 18" Excel MR7 Rims, 225 40 R18 tires ACT 4 puck clutch.

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hotbug1776
Posts: 585
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:58 am
Location: Erie, Pa and Bellevue, Oh

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by hotbug1776 »

Linuxrick wrote:Thanks all!
thebarber wrote:lol, the 5 speed transmissions kinda suck long-term...
Weak link in the drive train? Seems to shift great, although the shifter reach is pretty long, I wonder if they make a short shift kit for this vibe :o

Taking a nice road trip so we'll see how it does loaded with camping and fishing gear!
See Monkey wrench racing for a short throw shifter
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thebarber
Posts: 1162
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:01 am
Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by thebarber »

Does twm still make a shortshifter? I used to have one in my 04 XRS...but I prefer stock
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hotbug1776
Posts: 585
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:58 am
Location: Erie, Pa and Bellevue, Oh

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by hotbug1776 »

thebarber wrote:Does twm still make a shortshifter? I used to have one in my 04 XRS...but I prefer stock
As far as I've been able to find, no. I think the MWR one is the same as the TWM one though, or darn close.
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Linuxrick
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:54 pm
Location: Madison Heights, MI USA

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by Linuxrick »

Thanks for the info! I found this short shifter on monkey wrench website:
http://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/produ ... ts_id=1195" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Maybe I will get used to the reach, if not at least there is another option...its only been a day :mrgreen:
2006 Vibe 5spd
2003 Audi A4 -sold it
2005 Saab 9-2x aero -sold it, regret it
1999 BMW M3 -sold it
2000 Jeep Wrangler -sold it
hotbug1776
Posts: 585
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:58 am
Location: Erie, Pa and Bellevue, Oh

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by hotbug1776 »

Linuxrick wrote:Thanks for the info! I found this short shifter on monkey wrench website:
http://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/produ ... ts_id=1195" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Maybe I will get used to the reach, if not at least there is another option...its only been a day :mrgreen:
That's the one. I may be making that purchase in the next couple weeks. Maybe.
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CharlesinGA
Posts: 100
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:40 pm
Location: Southside of Atlanta 50 miles or so.

Re: Picking up my 2006 Vibe this evening!

Post by CharlesinGA »

Linuxrick wrote:Thanks all!
thebarber wrote:lol, the 5 speed transmissions kinda suck long-term...
Weak link in the drive train? Seems to shift great, although the shifter reach is pretty long, I wonder if they make a short shift kit for this vibe :o

Taking a nice road trip so we'll see how it does loaded with camping and fishing gear!
I have a automatic, but everything I've read both here and elsewhere is that the 5 spd will fail, not if, but when. Bearings will destroy themselves. Apparently happens anywhere from 50K to 150K miles.

Charles
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