2nd time Vibe Owner... From AWD to GT!

[creekhed1]

Used to frequent this forum... but sold the Vibe...
But I am Baaaaaaaack!
I missed the old gal!
Used to own an '04 AWD. Loved it.
So I just sold my Chevy Blazer ZR2 because of MPG's... about 15 avg!!!!
and KNEW I wanted a Vibe... found an '03 GT with 110K miles the dealer 1st advertised it for $5900 on my local CL....then he went down to 55, then 4995, then finally 3995. I called and told him I would buy it IF he could get me OUT THE DOOR for $3500. He said he thought he had a buyer coming from a nearbye city this weekend but if he didnt buy it he might bite. Monday rolled around and I called him. He still had it buyer never came. HE BIT!
$3100 Plus tax and title = $3500 OUT THE DOOR!

The AC needs work...and the wheels were bad... lots of bubbling and peeling. No Big Deal... 1st order of business I took off the wheels and painted them WHITE! Was thinking of Plasti Dip but I dont like MATT finish and that finish looks HORRIBLE to try to clean....if not impossible!
Wheels came out GREAT! Used Good Old basic Rust-Oleum White... total job cost $15 including Primer!!!

Pics Tomorrow!

[creekhed1]

Oh ya...forst impressions:

WOW... HOLY SMOKES this thing is a ROCKET!!!!!! Feels like it has a Turbo when RPM's get over 6K!!!!
While I will rarely take her over 6K RPM's, its nice to know that if I am in the mood (Or NEED IT!) that thus little girl can FLY!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, the Handling and suspension are FAR FAR superior to the AWD version I used to have.
Lastly, it feels SO much tighter and rides WAYYYYYY better than my AWD did.

And...I hear the GT gets great MPG's to boot!

Anyone thinking of getting a GT.... DO IT! LOL

[vibenvy]

Welcome back! Glad to hear you are back in a Vibe and a GT to boot ! Definitely post some pictures of both Vibes when you get a chance !

[creekhed1]

Here she is....just have one photo for now

[mac99d]

Digging the white rims.

[cmpltvertigo]

Congratulations, that is an awesome deal.

Also I thought the AWD was the GT? Is there a difference?

[thebarber]

Nice buy! I like the white rims.

Don't forget the 91 octane!

[creekhed1]

I DIDNT know it needed 91 octane!!! DARN!!!

[tpollauf]

As others have mentioned, nice find It always feels good to get the upper hand on a dealership who thinks they'll have one over on you. From $5900 down to $3100 ... you did awesome at being patient and getting YOUR price The white DOES look so much better than the damaged aluminum look you would have had. Keep this baby for a long time and visit with us here often

[Doug14]

Welcome back, Great deal on a GT, i want a GT so bad, Lift=Awesome. Also nice job on the rims!

[Rayven01]

I DIDNT know it needed 91 octane!!! DARN!!!

This is if you put your foot in it. If you keep the RPMs down for normal driving it shouldn't knock on regular. Edit: I was wrong on this. See further posts below.

Those white wheels look great with the cladding as a buffer. Not sure they'd look so good on an all white model like mine.

[creekhed1]

Heres a few more

Car as I bought it


Orig Wheels b4 paint


After Paint

[thebarber]

I DIDNT know it needed 91 octane!!! DARN!!!

This is if you put your foot in it. If you keep the RPMs down for normal driving it shouldn't knock on regular.

Those white wheels look great with the cladding as a buffer. Not sure they'd look so good on an all white model like mine.

Here's my opinion on the matter.

1. You're wrong. The engine compression is 11.5:1 all the time. Put 91 octane in it. Always.
2. If you're too cheap to spend the extra 20-30c/gallon you shouldn't have bought a gen1 GT
3. If you don't put the car into lolift, you shouldn't have bought a gen1 GT
4. ALWAYS put 91 or higher in a 2zz GT

[Rayven01]

I totally could be wrong here and I'll bow to the experts, but I thought heat had as much to do with it as compression? Higher RPM = more heat which combined with higher compression leads to spontaneous combustion causing knocking. If not, I stand corrected.

Edit: Turns out I was definitely wrong, my understanding of it was way off and fueled by bad posts elsewhere. That's what I get for believing what I read on the internets...

[vibenvy]

The white wheels look great against the white paint and especially the cladding. Speaking of the cladding, did you paint it? It looks more black instead of grey...?

[creekhed1]

I didnt paint the cladding....but the bumpers look darker for some reason.

[creekhed1]

About lolift,...

1. Why do they call it that?
2. I LOVE that sweet spot from 6-8K RPM but it does scare me a bit... feels REAL HIGH lol...even my GF said, "sounds like you're hurting it".
I said no...it likes it!!! But...to be honest... I worry just a hair.... because turning 8K RPM seems risky and has got to shorten longevity some... but I still get her there pretty much every drive. lol