new here-tons of questions

[kntr]

I just bought a 2009 Vibe AWD for my daughter. The car has 69k miles and I only paid $5500.
Few questions.

My daughter wants wheels. How bad do 18s hurt the ride? What about fuel mileage?

I bought Weathertech front mats, but they don't make a rear floor mat. I read that the Corolla Weathertech rear floor mat will fit? Is that true?

Thanks in advance and I look forward to being here on the forum.

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe. You're an awesome dad to put your offspring into such a safe and reliable vehicle ... Congrats! I did the same six years ago for my son and paid a similar amount of $6500. My son paid the other half with his $$$. $13K for a two year old 2009 Vibe Gt at the time was a good deal. We now have THREE Vibes in our fleet (2003 Vibe GT not shown)

The Vibe GT's have 18" standard wheels on them and they ride OK. It's more about performance than comfort. Mileage difference will be very minimal and you probably won't notice any changes. Expect a slightly bumpier, stiffer ride. LEt us know what you do and keep us informed of any/all work. Thanks for joining and visit often

[kntr]

Thanks.

Weathertech doesn't show a rear mat for the 2009 Vibe, but I found this on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Floor-Mats-for- ... qL&vxp=mtr


Also, the car is super loud over 60. To the point where you cant have a conversation from the back seat to the front seat. Is this common? The car needs tires and I'm hoping its the tires.

[petervivian]

Could be the tires. Also, I think these carpet floor mats help with the noise reductions.

[vibrologist]

Welcome kntr!
Indeed tires are a major factor when it comes to noise. The struts are bolted directly, metal to metal, to the body. That transmits a lot of road noise. If it needs new tires anyway search http://www.tirereview.com/
and https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirera ... 13214443:s for quiet running tires. My Michelin defenders made a huge difference vs the worn out Goodyear RSA's

[kntr]

I'm thinking about ordering wheels and tires and I don't want to spend the extra $200 for the TPMS. Is there a way to turn the light off?

[Zimm]

weathertech must have made mats for the rear at some point, because i have one in my '10.

as for the wheels, less rubber is just going to make for a bumpier ride in what is already not the most comfortable riding car. there are plenty of owners here who have actually downsized their wheels in order to get more sidewall and a more comfortable ride. but if it's all about looks, get the bigger wheels.

i too have a set of michelin defenders and they were a major upgrade over the stock tires. i have about 50,000 on mine and will probably keep them around for another 30,000 or so (2 more years.) i'll probably get rid of them for rubber fatigue before the tread is actually spent.

[vibrologist]

I'm thinking about ordering wheels and tires and I don't want to spend the extra $200 for the TPMS. Is there a way to turn the light off?

Yes: it's called black electrical tape. I would shy away from taking the instrument panel out in order to remove the bulb.

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! Disabling the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is, in fact, possible and very easy to do. I did it a few years ago on both our GTs to avoid the light coming on during the winter when we switch to 16s. In March of 2015, when we got new tires installed on the OEM 18" wheels, I just had the tire shop replace the sensors with good old rubber stems.

Be sure and post pictures of your daughter's "new" Vibe when you get a chance !

[kntr]

Thanks for the info

[kntr]

Which strut tower brace does everyone recommend for a decent price?

[vibrologist]

Go for the one that looks the best to you. They are essentially non functional because the towers are so close to the fire wall, cowl and A- pillars anyway. In other words: it's plenty rigid around there.

[kntr]

Go for the one that looks the best to you. They are essentially non functional because the towers are so close to the fire wall, cowl and A- pillars anyway. In other words: it's plenty rigid around there.

So it doesn't make a big difference?

[vibrologist]

I posed the same question on the FB page and I was told that "it is mostly in your head."

Shock tower braces look cool and racy when you park the car and open the hood. There certainly are cars where they make a difference in normal driving. Those are cars of larger size with structural weakness up front. For example GM H bodies have a tower brace right out of the factory. Imagine a Buick Park Avenue needing a tower brace!
The Ford Thunderbird/ Mercury Cougar (MN12 platform) had a weakness up front as well and improved significantly with tower braces and additional bracing under the car. Some reported that adding the lower reinforcements put an end to squeaks and rattles in the instrument panel.

Unless a body has a structural weakness the bars are for looks only.