VIBE VS GRAVEL

[SHOTGUN]

Hello, I am new to this forum, have several quetions about the vibe. A brief history, have a 2003 pontiac bonnieville and it has 350000km on it, the car owes me nothing. I drive 200km a day 60km are gravel. The bonneville has been stellar in lack of repairs, only needed( brakes, air filters, rear air shock conversion to coil overs, water pump, front wheel bearings) that is it to date. The bonnieville is tired, the gravel has eaten it to death. THE QUESTION: Has anyone driven a vibe on lots of gravel roads, is it good for this application? Also do you think the vibes are tough, I live in central Saskatchewan we get -40 celcuis every year, lots of mud, snow, ice ect and hiways have lots of bumps, potholes, and heaves. I am looking at getting a 2006-08 and running it till it dies just like the bonnieville. Troubles I get with the bonnieville are wheels freezing to calipers(snow), plowing snow alternator belt slips, all plasitc and panels are gravel blasted/ or broken. My bonneville still runs(drove it today), it has been tough but the writing is on the wall. Can I expect a vibeto be similar in performance?

[SeattleJeremy]

Welcome to GenVibe!
The Vibe has been a highly reliable vehicle (as is the Corolla it's based on). Many people have had their cars 350,000 km (215k+ miles).
I've read a few people have experienced -10c to -20c in a Vibe and it's worked very well. Just keep the cooling system maintained and it shouldn't be a problem. An engine block and transmission heater would be a good idea.
I think Vibes are tough, but mine hasn't spent much time on gravel roads. I've experienced snow up to 5 inches, and it does fine, but beyond that not so great. The Vibe doesn't have much Torque down low in the RPM's, so it's not able to plow snow very well.

The body panels are made of the same materials as the Bonneville. However, you can get it in two-tone, where the lower plastic bits aren't painted. That way there's no paint to sandblast off.
There is lots of space between the 16" wheels and the calipers, even more on the 17" wheels

One problem with running Vibes in to high miles is that the Odometer stops at 299,999. Most people track the mileage manually using the trip OD's after that point.

[vibenvy]

However, you can get it in two-tone, where the lower plastic bits aren't painted. That way there's no paint to sandblast off.

If you will be driving on a lot of gravel roads, I highly suggest getting a two tone 2003-2008 Vibe. Vibes are known for not having the best paintjobs, especially on the front ends, so as Jeremy said, the unpainted cladding of a two tone would hold up much better to being pelted by gravel on a consistent basis. The Vibe is a very reliable vehicle mechanically. There are tons of owners here who have 200,000, 300,000, even 400,000+ miles on their Vibes with no major issues, only routine maintenance. There are also plenty of owners here who live in pretty cold, harsh climates (Canada) and haven't had any issues with their Vibes starting, running, etc.

[vibolista]

There was a fellow genvibe member that ran a two tone Vibe up in Churchill Falls, Labrador a couple of years back. Lots of gravel road travel up there. He ran a big tire on it... something like a 235/60 16. Didn't seem to have much trouble with his Vibe up there. Same type of cold and harsh environment. I'd stick some big rubber mud guards on the car for those conditions and would probably find thick rubber to line the rest of the wheel well edges... sticking it out at least 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch beyond the edge for extra protection.

Vibes are sturdy, and fairly stiff car that can take some punishment. I would also tie the strut towers with strut braces just to add a little extra strength. The tires he ran kept the car comfortable and gave it better clearance underneath. A block heater as suggested above, another good idea. Shouldn't have any problems with a Vibe in your environment.

[SHOTGUN]

Thank for the info, I have a 3/4ton 4x4 truck also but it is the days where we get 6+ inches of snow while at work or a down pour of rain and still need to make it home. Have gotten stuck in the middle of the road several times with the car. Reliability and gravel punishment are what I require the most from the vibe. I would like to drive the truck only but cars are so much better on fuel. If anyone else has gravel experience let me know.

[schroeder]

The Vibe/Matrix are light vehicles and with fwd are not known for great traction.
Many of us in Snow Regions use Snow Tires, which help a lot.
These cars are also not low on the decibles and soft on ride.
I would think on the roads you describe, it would get old driving a Vibe/Matrix.

Don't get me wrong, I like my Matrix for its MPG, Hauling Space and overall low cost to run.

Just my thoughts.

[vibolista]

Good aggressive snow tires are best of course, that's what I run most of the time in Winter here. Have traveled on fairly deep fresh snow ( not plowed ) several times and my FWD Vibe did great. Handled a foot of new snow on the way home from work one night at 2 am on a Saturday. I live in a rural area, lots of hills, and have never had a problem getting around in the Vibe. Did a really nasty Winter weather trip up to Sugarloaf ski area last year. I was about the only person out on the road that day once I got north of Farmington, Maine, with lots of blowing and drifting snow up the Carrabassett Valley. Great car in snow... as long as you have a good set of snow tires.

[lannvouivre]

I believe there's a guy with 15 wheels with tall-sidewall tires on here. I think he pulled them off a Dodge Caravan, and he said it improved the ride. That might help out on a gravelly road.

[ColonelPanic]

The glass fog lights will be goners in that environment for sure.

[SeattleJeremy]

The glass fog lights will be goners in that environment for sure.

That's a good point. Even with Lamin-X covers, you might have trouble keeping them intact.

[vibolista]

Fog lamp stone guards! Unless you don't need fog lamps.

[lannvouivre]

The glass fog lights will be goners in that environment for sure.

My fog lamps were cracked before I got the car while it was a rental in Austin. Where do you get rocks in Austin?