New member from Phoenix, 03 GT

[treesleavedents]

Hi all,

About a week ago I finally decided to get rid of my trusty rusty Subaru Lagacy that I've grown up in and moved down to Phoenix from Ohio in. The A/C just won't hold a charge anymore and it has almost 220k on the motor as well as rust everywhere...

I got lucky and found a sublime neptune colored 03 Vibe GT with factory navigation and (maybe) the tunes package? It has tweeters and the 6 disc CD changer, but no sunroof and no factory subwoofer so I'm not really sure there... Previous owner was the second owner and drove it 4000 miles in 2 years. He also put on brand new monroe struts and brand new tires all around. It has 95000 miles on it and I got it for $4000, damn good deal if you ask me!

In it's short time with me, I've yet to name the little beauty, but I have given her some presents. I've already replaced the stock horn with a pair of Hella Supertones. I installed an ultraguage to keep an eye on things and because I'm a child who wants to see how much HP I'm making at any given moment. Yesterday I had 3M color stable tint applied, 35% on the front windows, 20% everywhere else. And on monday, I ordered the PPE header and midpipe as well as a set of Eibach proline springs from DD performance research in Texas. (wonderful guys, a pleasure to work with so far!)

My goal is to keep this car well into 200k miles and have roughly 180-190 reliable WHP in a daily driven package that I can use for canyon carving and camping.

I've already bookmarked the list of DIY mods and my next will be switching off the damned reverse beep and maybe swapping in an 04 cluster. pics will follow soon!

[treesleavedents]

[img][IMG]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp12 ... 204119.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp12 ... 181717.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp12 ... 173055.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp12 ... 173155.jpg[/img][/img]

[trb]

Welcome! Nice looking Vibe GT you have there, for sure. Almost the twin to mine, except I have the 17" wheels. Do you know what happened to the original alloys? It should have come with the 16" or 17" alloys.

You have done a few nice upgrades! Better horns was one of my first upgrades too. Got a pair from a Mustang for mine. Right now it has 216K on it, and runs very well, so yours should have plenty of miles left.

The 03-04 didn't have the sub in the upgraded radio from what I've seen. Mine has the same system.

Good luck with it and keep us updated on the mods!

[treesleavedents]

Unfortunately the PO sold the stock 17 inchers because he thought that tires would be cheaper for the 16 inch wheels... More unfortunate is that my budget only covered the parts I've listed, so no new wheels for a while...

I'm glad to know I might have the upgraded sound system, I suppose I should poke around for the amp. It would still have that under the passenger seat right?

I will keep everyone updated on the spring and exhaust install. And I've been looking into sound deadening as well. Mainly on the firewall and floor I think... But I'll have to wait and see how the new exhaust sounds as my decision about sound deadening right now has been made because of how thrashy and course the engine sounds in stock trim. Much muffled, very bad.

Glad to be here!

[SlammedNiss]

Wow, clean looking GT for it's age. Looks to have been well taken care of. Curious about the PPE header, as I've heard the stock header is pretty good for OEM. Who tinted the car? I used to tint for a shop out in Mesa before I moved back home to KS.

[treesleavedents]

I'm curious as well. I called up dd performance research and told them my goals for the build. Basically my budget, and that I wanted to increase mid range power and end up with roughly 180-190 at the wheels. Their suggestion was the exhaust and a CAI although their dyno runs with the 2zz only really showed gains from the CAI once the cam lift comes on. They have hit over 200 whp on a 2zz with just bolt ons, no ecu tuning. But that required a different intake manifold and I don't see that as practical or cost effective. Supposedly the PPE exhaust alone will get me close to my goal, so thats what I'm gonna try. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

As for tint, I want to a place on the corner of van buren and 91st, on the go tint I think? $250 for 3M color stable is a pretty good deal. All the listed retailers of 3M in east valley wanted over $300.

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe Nice Vibe and I like the plans you have lined up for her. Good luck and keep us all informed on progress!

[jarhead]

Welcome! I have a 2006 GT with about 100k on the clock. Any tips on how to silence the ridicules reverse beeper?
Jarhead

[ImUrOBGYN]

Welcome! I have a 2006 GT with about 100k on the clock. Any tips on how to silence the ridicules reverse beeper?
Jarhead

Are you kidding?! I use that along with the other couple beeps to purposely see how long it takes to agitate my passengers. Haha Drives my gf crazy. On a separate note, you may to search for a similar thread ( I believe there's one here or the matrix forum covering this), or start your own thread.

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! Thanks for posting pictures right away! That's a gorgeous two-tone Neptune GT you've got there. If you haven't already, you should start a Garage thread to detail the progress of mods, etc. on your Vibe.

[trb]

Bummer about the wheels, but luckily that can be changed easily. I do like the stock wheels on my cars better than aftermarket. I got a set of the 17s for my son's car, well 3 wheels on ebay from one seller for $150 shipped and the 4th one for $65 shipped. Heck, I have a couple of extra 17" wheels right now since I picked up 3 from another member on here. http://www.car-part.com is a good source too sometimes.

Actually, looks like there is a set local to you for cheap if you are interested.

2003 Wheel Pontiac Vibe A- 000 A
0 DW3808 $45
actual Precision Auto Parts USA-AZ(Phoenix) Request_Quote 1-602-232-5146 1-877-703-3583 Request_Insurance_Quote

2003 Wheel Pontiac Vibe a- 000 A
0 DW3808 $45
actual Precision Auto Parts USA-AZ(Phoenix) Request_Quote 1-602-232-5146 1-877-703-3583 Request_Insurance_Quote

2003 Wheel Pontiac Vibe B 000 A
0 M019TD $45
actual Precision Auto Parts USA-AZ(Phoenix) Request_Quote 1-602-232-5146 1-877-703-3583 Request_Insurance_Quote

2003 Wheel Pontiac Vibe B 000 A
0 M019TD $45
actual Precision Auto Parts USA-AZ(Phoenix) Request_Quote 1-602-232-5146 1-877-703-3583 Request_Insurance_Quote

[Psychobroker]

Wow, clean looking GT for it's age. Looks to have been well taken care of. Curious about the PPE header, as I've heard the stock header is pretty good for OEM. Who tinted the car? I used to tint for a shop out in Mesa before I moved back home to KS.

I was going to say... the finish on mine is shot, but this one looks great. Nice find!

[treesleavedents]

Jarhead, Look in the DIY mods list. viewtopic.php?f=28&t=20710&p=227647&hil ... me#p227647 I found the reverse beep solution there. Fixed that problem in 10 minutes (only took that long because I used heat shrink to keep the two ends of the wire I cut together in case I want to re-attach at some point in the future.)

For whoever posted the wheel suggestions, Thank you! Honestly wheels aren't in my budget right now. The PO just put brand new tires on it and they handle great on my favorite mountain switchback road. (route 89 if you're ever in AZ) I figure about a year or so down the road I might buy some, but they will most likely be aftermarket or some corolla xrs 17s. I'm not a huge fan of the stock ones.

To whoever suggested the garage, I will be doing that shortly, thanks!

[Nasmfell]

Hi treesleavedents. Welcome.