Automatic or Stick Shift?

DopeVibeGT · Post by **DopeVibeGT** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 5:57 am

6 speed all the way!!! My grand am has a 3 speed auto and it loses SO much speed with the auto. I wanted the 180 HP Vibe GT anyway. The 130 HP is a little whimpy for me.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 6:15 am

quote:The 130 HP is a little whimpy for me. See http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=625 There is only a 1 second difference between the base and the GT to 60 mph. Also it appears that the dyno sez the base 1zz engine is under rated!See http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=976 Also the Base could have a factory supercharger installed.see http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=976 So enjoy your GT superiority complex, while you can.Don't look down on a base Vibe

DopeVibeGT · Post by **DopeVibeGT** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 6:32 am

I thought the Base vibe only did 0-60 in like 8.8 seconds? Thats more than a second different. And lets not talk 1/4 miles. When you add 50 HP to a vehicle and a manual 6 speed, you will get a much faster vehicle. You took me the wrong way and I have no "GT superiority complex", as you said. Dont label me, please. I've been driving a GA SE for 8 years, and it can smoke many newer GA GT's, so dont judge. I told you what *I* perfer. Whether you take it as an 'attack' on the base is your own interpitation. Sorry you didnt see the little wink at the end. People seems to miss the Emotiocons. And you will be able to get a turbo or S/C on theGT also.Peace.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 6:52 am

quote:Peace. Agreed. Stay tuned.

PBFlash · Post by **PBFlash** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 11:44 am

Manual all the way. Besides the performance, it's just more fun to drive.

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:58 am

I wanted a manual, but I demanded AWD. So, priorities rule, and I got an AWD, tagged with the AT. Hopefully they can figure out how to pair the 6 speed with AWD ... that would be sweet!!

Project Shadow · Post by **Project Shadow** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 3:32 pm

quote:6 speed all the way!!! My grand am has a 3 speed auto and it loses SO much speed with the auto. I wanted the 180 HP Vibe GT anyway. The 130 HP is a little whimpy for me. I would like to see just how much faster the GT is 0-60 or 1/4 mile.5 foot pounds of torque seperate these two engines, don't be fooled by 50 HP. HP=torque*RPM GT is rated at a much higher RPM giving the higher HP number but torque and gear ratios are what move you.I realize the GT is faster, but not by much.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 10:18 pm

quote:5 foot pounds of torque seperate these two engines, don't be fooled by 50 HP. HP=torque*RPM GT is rated at a much higher RPM giving the higher HP number but torque and gear ratios are what move you. I realize the GT is faster, but not by much.It's about .8 sec to a full second faster which is a good amount. Remember, these engines are almost the same to 6400 rpm where the base has to upshift but the GT keeps pulling. When the base shifts, it's gone past it's peak torque while the GT is still climbing to its peak.But don't take my word for it. My car knowledge is merely adequate.

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:35 pm

quote:Maybe. Only if there was more horsies and stronger off road capabilities.Well, that's just a given! Who would want to waste 6 gears on 123 HP? That's just silly. I would hope that even GM wouldn't do something that dumb.

Project Shadow · Post by **Project Shadow** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 10:19 am

I know the GT is faster but I am defending the base with S/C addition plans because it will be much quicker for the same price basically. I have read GT owners knocking that idea of base S/C for weak reasons. Plus .8 sec for $3000.00 more and a decrease in mileage, higher insurance (and four wheel disk)? If I would have seen a 2 sec better time then I wouldn't have been able to resist. Don't get me wrong, I love the high revving GT and don't dissagree with its charms at all but I am not going to agree that the little GT badge makes it SO INSANE compared to the base 5 sp.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 12:22 pm

quote:I know the GT is faster but I am defending the base with S/C addition plans because it will be much quicker for the same price basically.I agree. Hence the reason for my base Vibe purchase.

DABEAR95 · Post by **DABEAR95** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 12:08 am

quote:For anyone that wants to put some kind of forced induction on there vehicle or nitrous also a auto trany will probably work out best for you.With Nitrous has anyone ever seen a vehicle that missed a shift while spraying nitrous? It's not pretty when the engine goes way beyond redline. Your not fast enough to back off the gas before you destroy your engine.A $100 part can solve this problem. It's called a window switch. It turns on the juice at X RPM and turns it off at Y RPM. Say on at 3,000 and off at 8K. So it doesn't matter what you do. However if you go from 3rd to 1st or something odd, it will bend a valve because no rev limited can stop that!---Who ever said torque is what moves you is right, but drag racing is all about HP to weight. Bottom line...(if its geared to use it) HP is the total amount of power put to the ground. Torque is kind of at the moment! Do some research, its interesting.I should know the difference! My golf has 165 ft/lbs at 1900RPM. What does the Vibe have at 1900RPM? The Golf redlines at 4,500 and really stops pulling at 4K...Jason

KSNeptune · Post by **KSNeptune** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:59 am

I test drove a six-speed Vibe GT, and hated having to repeatedly reach for the dash mounted lever. It might have been fun when I was 20 to always be shifting gears, but it's not now that I'm 45. I still drive a 5-speed Nissan pickup, and it's gears are such that:1st is for starting out2nd is for anything 15-25mph3rd is for anything 26-394th is for getting to highway speed, and5th is for cruising at 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80.And those ranges meant I shifted very little on any trip I took. But my test drive in the 6-speed had me shifting every half-second, it seemed, just to keep the RPMs high. Yes, I know there is a 5-speed base Vibe, but the shift lever location is still crappy for someone 6'1" who has the seat pushed back. Thus the only version of a Vibe I would buy would end up an automatic. And I love it! It needs more power, but I'll get the supercharger if they ever actually sell one. Otherwise I'll trade the Vibe in on something with a higher power-to-weight ratio.KSNeptune

DABEAR95 · Post by **DABEAR95** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 4:40 am

Yeah, with the gearing in the GT you do shift alot. High differential, and close ratio in 1st - 4th. Sometimes I find myself going 1st, 3rd, 5th, then 6th when above 47-50MPH.I'm 6 foot flat and don't mind it. Oddly enough, my only automatic is my Camaro!Jason

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 5:33 am

quote:... the shift lever location is still crappy for someone 6'1" who has the seat pushed back. I'm 6'4" with the seat pushed back, and the shift lever feels like it's right where it ought to be for me. It's also in a good spot to rest your hand on while tweaking the radio. Guess it's what you get used to. Last manual I had was an old 66 Falcon, 3 on the tree with unsync'd 1st. Vibe is a dream compared to that.I test drove both auto and 5 speed, and the auto shifted sooner than I would, which made it feel like it took a lot longer to get up to speed. Then again, I've been caught in some heavy, slow traffic and would have liked the auto then.I hadn't had a manual for a while, and my daily commute is pretty long. Having the manual (and the Vibe in general) makes the commute a lot easier to put up with. Also, because of the long commute, I got the 5 speed for the better gas mileage. Only real gripe on the manual so far is that sometimes it feels like I have to really mash the clutch into the floor to start the engine, but don't trust myself enough to bypass the interlock.

geezer · Post by **geezer** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:13 pm

I'm 50 and I've never owned an automatic and don't intend to until I'm either too feeble to push in the clutch or I lose a hand or a leg. The biggest selling point to me for getting the XRS over the XR was the 6-speed vrs the XR's 5-speed. Hell, if some carmaker offered a 7, 8, or 9 speed, I'd probably be lined up to get one -- I love going through the gears.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 12:28 am

quote:... Only real gripe on the manual so far is that sometimes it feels like I have to really mash the clutch into the floor to start the engine, but don't trust myself enough to bypass the interlock.... No need to bypass the interlock.Using the search feature I found...http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1533 ....where you will find your fix. Cheers!

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 12:32 am

quote:I'm 50 and I've never owned an automatic and don't intend to until I'm either too feeble to push in the clutch or I lose a hand or a leg. I'll 2nd that at 43 yrs. My dad just recently sold his last daily driver with a manual at 65 yrs old. He still has a 28 model A and a 51 chevy with manuals though.

red · Post by **red** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 3:40 am

i've driven both over the years and i prefer both dependent of the type of vehicle i am driving. my current is a auto/awd...a stick would have been nice with the small engine but toyo's auto is pretty good for extracting what it can out of the engine....had a fiero gt v-6 with a 5 speed and loved it to death, same with my 4 cylinder renault fuego, not so with my s10 manual (ugh)...my trans am, amx and gto (hurst slaptstick) came with an auto and they were responsive...but one thing i do notice is that when it gets really cold the manuals tend to be less friendlier to shift and you dont dare use your parking brake at -20 below or colder 'cause they can sometimes stick...with my auto, i just slap a pad heater on the tranny pan and its alot easier to operate at these temps...plus anyone can drive an auto vs. a clutch...manuals are becoming a endangered species though which is a shame...they come in handy when you are learning to ride a motorcycle or racing atvs.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 2:53 am

From http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 3Apr9.html , Prince Georges County MD (suburbs of DC) Crime report:MANDAN RD., 7800 block, 8:45 p.m. March 21. A food delivery person was robbed of his wallet and car keys by three males, one armed with a sawed-off shotgun. The robbers attempted to steal the person's vehicle but were unable to operate the manual transmission. The three then fled on foot. No injuries were reported.

rubberman · Post by **rubberman** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:21 pm

The wife and I both enjoy driving standards all of our cars have manuals in them.The one thing they should fix is the gearing in the transmission, third gear drops off to much same with fourth fith gear is alright but it still geared more for fuel milage then performance(120kph and under 3000rpm) this makes the car a dog unless you drop a gear.The motor (base) has power but the tranny could make it more useful(better final drive) like my 91 Si

PhantomII · Post by **PhantomII** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 6:21 am

I also prefer the manual and the shift location is fine for the most part. My two gripes are the terrible box-o-rocks feeling with the sloppy feel. Also depending upon what you have plugged in to 12V or 110V outlet, plugs can get in the way.

goodvibe · Post by **goodvibe** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:49 pm

I've had an auto or 2 over the years and they're just not for me. I wouldn't mind a crisp shifting auto that had some engine braking on a car that had more power than it needs and easy manual gear selection. I might even like it more than a manual but all Vibes are not in this catagory and rev matching when downshifting is not really possible, abrubt and hard on the auto. Autos can be great in a straight line when you've got enough juice to spin your tires with the gas peddle but you'll get there faster with a stick in any Vibe. If I needed an auto(only had 1 car for me and the wife) I'ld buy a base SC. We also have an Accord v6. I think people that say they wanted a GT but didn't buy it because of the stick are better off without it. It's not the same car with an auto and was a bad combo in the SRX and celica GTS. I love my 2zz 6sp and I drive 70 mi a day into Chicago traffic.

TrojanGT · Post by **TrojanGT** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 9:29 am

From http://www.washingtonpost.com/....html , Prince Georges County MD (suburbs of DC) Crime report:MANDAN RD., 7800 block, 8:45 p.m. March 21. A food delivery person was robbed of his wallet and car keys by three males, one armed with a sawed-off shotgun. The robbers attempted to steal the person's vehicle but were unable to operate the manual transmission. The three then fled on foot. No injuries were reported.--------------------------------ROFLOL!I love stick, and one of the arguments my mother and aunt couldn't beat was just this - there's a huge hunk of moron criminals out there who are just too dumb to drive stick, therefore my car is safer from theft! Since our GT is often driven in a larger urban locale, this argument holds up to Mom really well.Not that my Mom dictates my adult choice of a car (not giving my age but we have a now-13 year old kid), but Mom still gives us her two-cents regardless. Thankfully, we haven't faced a test of this theory (knock on wood)Mahalo (and still laughing)Dawn

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:56 am

The only risk you face owning a stick is sure, maybe the criminals won't be able to drive, but wwhat if they try real hard and end up destroying the clutch!!!Could go either way.But I agree, if someone's walking along, looking for a car to steal, I'd put money on it they're less likely to touch a stick than an auto...

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:09 am

I have to say that I'm very happy in general with my GT and the manual transmission that comes with it, however I recently came accross a very inconvienent situation.Last Friday I hurt my back so bad I couldn't move, much less drive. Trying to find a co-worker who supposed to 'know' how to drive standard was difficult, and when I found one he stalled it 4 times, burned the clutch 3 times and shifted into the wrong gear several times.If it wasn't for all the pain and the morphine I had I would have insisted on trading places with him.

MJN2 · Post by **MJN2** » Thu Jan 29, 2004 4:52 am

My vibe is my 6th car. 2 have been autos and they both required transmission rebuilds within their warranty periods.Nothing but manuals for me nowadays.

Roadpig · Post by **Roadpig** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 11:58 am

Stick, even though my wife can't drive it I told her that I would be more than willing to teach her how to drive it...so the ball is her court.Her big fear is stalling the car on a hill. Not much I can do about that.

champcaracing · Post by **champcaracing** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 10:05 am

stick baby, if you've got the gt go stick. nothing like reving it up slamming the gears and HITTING lift!!!!

goodvibe · Post by **goodvibe** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 12:40 am

Stick for me. I generally don't care for the way you can't stop an auto from downshifting when you floor it or having to wait for it to downshift when exitting a slow corner. In more powerful cars with low end torque that don't need as much throttle, a good auto doesn't get in the way. I even find my wifes auto V6 Accord ok but I much prefer driving my Vibe. CVT trannies look to do the best of everything if someone ever gets it right, though I'm sure the engine sound would take some getting used to.

kcinmi · Post by **kcinmi** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:04 am

I had to give in for " Harmony." My Wife will NOT even learn how to drive manual. This is the third car Ive had to give in on, and it will be the last!!!!

Reynoma · Post by **Reynoma** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:18 am

Quote, originally posted by kcinmi Â»I had to give in for " Harmony." My Wife will NOT even learn how to drive manual. This is the third car Ive had to give in on, and it will be the last!!!!I guess I have it pretty good. It was my wife who taught me how to drive a stick in the first place.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:46 pm

manual tranny was a REQUIREMENT!!! autos are for wimps!

GMJAP · Post by **GMJAP** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:33 am

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe Â»manual tranny was a REQUIREMENT!!! autos are for wimps! Hear hear!!That's why I wound up with a Vibe - no Matrix was in existence with manual & the options I wanted. (Which turned out to be a good thing - rather have the Vibe now anyway!). And though there was a vibe in existence, I had to get it from Illinois!Better mileage and better performance - what a deal!

ToolGuy · Post by **ToolGuy** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 2:27 am

Auto for daily drivers, manual for my fun cars!Sports cars should be manuals, everything less is a sissy sports car!

fjf511 · Post by **fjf511** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 4:45 am

Automatic where I live you would shifting all the time your either up the hills or down the hills

AzFusionGT · Post by **AzFusionGT** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:39 pm

5-speed all the way! My first car was an auto, but every car after that has been manual trans. When I bought my Saturn, I had to order it as the dealer only had automatics. (Does anybody want a stick anymore???)When I test drove my GT, I LOVED it. My Brother is a mechanic, and he had a hard time with it. "Too many damn gears." he said. That's okay 'cause nobody asks to borrow my car.I will drive a 5/6 speed until my knee gives out - then get it replaced and drive some more.

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rAERRK · Post by **rAERRK** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:08 pm

6spd or bust

clwcrw · Post by **clwcrw** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:14 am

Stick shift, most definitely!!!I have owned plenty of both. My first real car was a stick. My wife could not drive a stick shift vehicle when we first met. Her father tried to teach her several times, but he would get frustrated with her, so she never really got the handle of it. When we met, I had an '83 S-10 Reg cab, short bed, 4X4, with a 2.8 carburated, 4 speed. It took me one night to teach her. We actually traded in her 2001 Venture mini-van for her Vibe. During the test drive, she said several times that she missed having a manual shift vehicle!Chris Lansing, MI

technomobile · Post by **technomobile** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 5:55 pm

lol would LOVE stick, but my feet are too big, hit brake and clutch at same time

tecton · Post by **tecton** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:49 pm

yeah...wellpersonally autos leave me with more time to concentrate on drivingall you have to do is just massage the auto...downshift when you need some power bla bla bla...its not that big of a deal0-30 1st30-70 2nd70-100 3rd100+ OverDrivebut then again, if i didnt get an AWD i would have gotten the XRS....so...cant say much.All the auto needs is a higher stall torque converter, or a transbrake, and a shift kit, thats all

theangrydwarf1 · Post by **theangrydwarf1** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:52 am

Stick all the way! I bought my GT and the ex didnt know how to use it so, it was and still is all mine!

BlueCrush · Post by **BlueCrush** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:43 am

Silly Rabbit! Sticks are for kids!I wanted the AWD!

B18B · Post by **B18B** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:03 am

Gotta go with the manual tranny in this car!! Not only does the Automatic SAP power out of the overtaxed 4 banger, but its ratio's are ridiculously high and highway acceleration is tepid at best.I will admit, the autobox in the car is pretty smooth and more convenient in traffic...

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:45 am

I'm lazy, so I got the Auto, plus I wanted AWD, and you can't get it with a hogleg.

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:46 am

Quote, originally posted by theangrydwarf1 Â»Stick all the way! I bought my GT and the ex didnt know how to use it so, it was and still is all mine! Exactly!

21Rouge · Post by **21Rouge** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:47 am

Quote, originally posted by tecton Â»personally autos leave me with more time to concentrate on drivingI do enjoy using a 5 speed but my wife does complain when I use the cell while simultaneously upshifting from a stop

cknight725 · Post by **cknight725** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:22 am

Drove them both .. honestly didn't like the hydraulically assisted clutch ... I'm used to old detroit big iron muscle cars with mechanically actuated clutches and the wierd hydraulic feel was not comfy.Went with Auto, more because I couldn't get the options I wanted in short order with a manual car.Now, the 6sp manual in the 04-05 GTO -- NOW THAT IS A TRANSMISSION!!!

AZViking · Post by **AZViking** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:15 am

Test drove an 03 GT last year, 5spd, but wasn't ready to buy at the time. Found my 03 Base Auto last week and signed up. The 5spd was nice, but either way was fine with me. My wife's first car was a manual, so it didn't matter to her, but she didn't want to sit in traffic riding the clutch pedal here in PHX.

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goodvibe · Post by **goodvibe** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:52 pm

Either you drove a 5 spd base or 6 spd GT. That's the only way they come. 04-05 GTO like most everything = hydraulic clutch.