Good Vibe-rations

[jcarter]

I love my Vibe! I got my 2003 Vibe the first of last month, and even with the high miles, 289 thousand and change, I've really enjoyed working on it! Here's a list of what I've done:
1. Cleaned the headlights. (3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit)
2. Fixed a non-blinking right turn signal. (Ran a bypass line from the relay/flasher to the bulb through the firewall)
3. Engine Flush/Oil Change (ShopPro Motor Flush - Castrol EDGE High Mileage Full Synthetic, STP Extended Filter)
4. Replaced the O2 sensors and Cat (New cat is an high flow)
5. Plugs (Autolite Iridium XP XP3924)
6. Titled and registered! (After the P0420 went away)

I keep track of mileage between fill-ups... Just after the cat and plugs I filled up. Went 314 miles, filled up at 8.6 gallons.
314 divided by 8.6 = 36.5mpg
Very Happy Viber @ 289000 miles!

Here's what's Next (Not necessarily in any particular order)
1. Fog Lights (Replace)
2. Clean the backup lights. (They are very cloudy)
3. Re-Black the gray body surround. (Looking for advice on best/longest lasting treatment)
4. Brakes and rotors/drums.
5. Struts and Shocks.
6. Clutch/Brake Flush (See #4)
7. Hubcaps/Rims and Tires, definitely tires. (And a alignment!)

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Picture taken late evening... The paint is not this good!

[VibeNation2024]

Welcome and congrats on your new Vibe! Glad it found a new home and that you are taking care of it! And agree with you that these cars are easy and fun to work on! I actually think the paint and exterior looks very good for the age/miles. I have seen ones with less miles that have curb rash, clear coat burned off, exposed rust, etc.

As far as re-blacking the trim, I have used Mothers Back to Black trim restorer and have had decent luck. It does not last as long or give it the super shine but I like a more subdued trim. I have seen several posts about people using the CERAKOTE Ceramic Trim Coat Kit and liking the results. I have not used that for the trim but I used their headlight restorer and was very pleased with the results. You might also see people that heat up the trim with a heat gun but I never did that b/c I read reviews that it will make the trim brittle, could melt if not careful, etc.

Keep us posted with the progress and post any questions if you have them!