And the timing belt was sent to torment mankind with the idiotic BS you have to go through to change it.vibrologist wrote:I wholeheartedly agree with blasting the driving position. In fact I am considering raising the the seat with spacers about 3/4 of an inch.
About 5 years ago I had a test ride with the Focus and that seat is straight from medieval torture chambers. In worn seats you can actually see a steel rod sticking out of the side bolster.
The PT cruiser is too heavy and thus guzzles gas. Also the quality is hit or miss.
See your point about the Vibe, had an 88 Old, built a set of rails so I could slide it back an extra 3". The good news, the Vibe is easy to modify. Slide seat back; two bolts, slide seat forward; two more bolts. Trip to the hardware store for longer bolts and spacers, hour plus you get a great car with a custom seat. Unlike those new GM SUV's seat mounts with their inverted star bit #%@& requiring a special trip to the auto parts store for a custom socket. If you modify, share the measured lift, instead of a Sleep number guess you could have a Vibe numbervibrologist wrote:I wholeheartedly agree with blasting the driving position. In fact I am considering raising the the seat with spacers about 3/4 of an inch.
Almost. The right rear mounting point of the driver's seat is at the tunnel and sideways. That will require a piece of flat iron with 2 holes. That could turn into a weak spot. I think I get away with raising the front only.The good news, the Vibe is easy to modify. Slide seat back; two bolts, slide seat forward; two more bolts. Trip to the hardware store for longer bolts and spacers, hour plus you get a great car with a custom seat.
It's not that I want to sit higher. I hope to gain a bit better relationship between pedals, steering wheel and seat. As it is I can get the distance to the pedals right, then I have to stretch the arms out too much, or I get the distance to the steering wheel right, then I am too close to the pedals. Even then the steering wheel is not low enough. It is impossible for me to really relax.Haha I actually find the driving position a bit high.
Forgot about the tunnel mount. Some more time and a little added challenge to get the extra metal bent right.. But your rear passengers will love the added foot room.vibrologist wrote: The right rear mounting point of the driver's seat is at the tunnel and sideways. That will require a piece of flat iron with 2 holes. That could turn into a weak spot. I think I get away with raising the front only. I may do it this weekend and of course I will write it up-with Vibenumber, of course.
As a result, when you take a corner you move your back forward and give up all the lateral support of the side bolsters. And on long distances you feel the elbows pulling down which moves your shoulders forward and bends the lower back.if I adjust the seat to where I'm truly comfortable with my legs, I can barely reach the top of the wheel
Nasmfell wrote:For owners of later Vibes (20005+) is the driving position any better?
Kincaid wrote:Nasmfell wrote:For owners of later Vibes (20005+) is the driving position any better?
I am 5' 10" plus and I'd say I probably have slightly shorter than average legs. I find the driving position in my 2009 to be just great. The only car I could not like was a mid-90's Grand Am, which seemed to have the bottom cushion tilted backwards so I felt like I was in a recliner.
vibrologist wrote:You have telescoping steering wheels in your '09 GT's? If so can they be put into the older ones? Mine is "05. That would make a big difference.
vibrologist wrote:Thanks, Dairgo.
Now I need to find out if a telescoping column was an option in the Gen 1 Vibe/Matrix or if I can swap a '09 and later column into my '05 base. The columns can be bought from junk yards.
That car was made for you.I'm short and have long-ish arms