Replacing 2-tone molding with monotone parts?

[Lancer]

I got my Base Vibe in March when they where first getting to the dealers. And a monotone body wasn't an option then. I stopped by a local dealer and saw 2 Satelite Vibes (one 2-tone one monoton) next to each other and I was wondering if I could get monotone molding's and bumbers for my 2-tone Vibe?I called my dealer and they seemed confused at my question. They told me only the little molding part on the doors comes in my color (Satalite) from the factory. And anything else THEY would have to paint for me, for about $1200 of course.But the more I'm modding out my Vibe the more I want to make it a monotone so I can eventually get the sport package for it.Any opinions or advice for me? I don't see why I couldn't swap the parts?

[d_m_kolb]

The monotone option has been available since the vehicle was released to the public. Also your dealer is full of it. The mono tone package is available in every color. You might be able to have the molding replaced with the monotone molding but looks like you'll have to call another dealer to get the answer since your dealer sounds clueless.When I went and was looking at the Vibe the dealer said they could paint the molding for $500 to $700. $1,200 sounds really high to me.Shop around at different body shops. You can probably get it done cheaper but make sure they are sure the paint will be durable and stay on the molding. Of course painting your molding won't give you the smooth appearance as the monotone option since the molding is some what rough to begin with. This could be sanded smooth though.

[csjrishere]

Why would you waste your money to purchase the monotone parts or paint when you will have to ultimatley buy the sport package which will include new bumpers and side skirts????

[MA-VIBE-FAN]

quote:The monotone option has been available since the vehicle was released to the public. +++Production of th eVibe started the very end of Dec 2001/First week of Jan 2002. The Monotone Appearence Package was announced Mid-Jan for late Feb/ early Mar production. Also your dealer is full of it. +++The Dealer is actually correct. The mono tone package is available in every color. +++When first introduced, the package was only available in Frosty, Abyss, and Shadow. And available for only 30% of production. It was late May/June before all Vibe colors where available and almost July before the percentage limits were taken off. You might be able to have the molding replaced with the monotone molding but looks like you'll have to call another dealer to get the answer since your dealer sounds clueless. +++Only the body side moldings (thin and mid door), ARE available from Pontiac pre-colored. The other parts and bumpers are available gray or primed for painting. (An interesting aside, the bumper part numbers are the same for gray and paint to match)When I went and was looking at the Vibe the dealer said they could paint the molding for $500 to $700. $1,200 sounds really high to me. +++Dealer took a quick look in the Pontiac Warranty Time Book and came up with over 13 hours of time and $245 of material allowance Pontiac would pay if it was a warranty repair (less then what someone would do for a retail customer). I have no body experience but to remove 10 pieces of trim, two bumpers, prep them and paint them , would seem to be an expensive deal. My sister-in-law just got hit in a parking lot and her insurance estimate included more then $500 just to remove and paint the rear bumper cover.Shop around at different body shops. You can probably get it done cheaper but make sure they are sure the paint will be durable and stay on the molding. Of course painting your molding won't give you the smooth appearance as the monotone option since the molding is some what rough to begin with. This could be sanded smooth though.Just thought you might what to know.

[Lancer]

First, no the monotone was not an option when I bought my car. I still have all the brochures from then and no where is a monotone option mentioned or pictured. (Otherwise I would have gotten it that way.)Second.Are you SURE that the sport package will replace the bumber and all the molding? The body kits that I have seen on other cars only replace the bumbers, and the kit for the side rocker is usually just attached to the panel, not replacing it. Then you'd have half of all the wheel moldings gray and silver (rough and smooth). That would be a very goofy looking Vibe!

[JustinVGT]

I ordered my Vibe GT back in February and the monotone option was available. It was not listed in any brochures, I had to ask the sales manager about it. He did some research and found only the Shadow, Abyss and Frosty were available in monotone, like MA-Vibe-Fan said.Later,

[PhantomII]

I was at SEMA and saw the Vibe with the new sport package and Supercharger accessories. It looks as though the package is just extensions for the side skirts and bumpers(just remembering what I saw, you still need to verify with a dealer). You would need to have the side and wheel well moldings replaced with the monotone package. I thought the front and rear bumper just had extensions also but I can't say for sure.Working in the aftermarket business and having some experience supplying for OEM's most likely they are all just extensions to the factory parts. Dealers would not want to have a package where they would have to remove bumpers and replace with something different then be stuck with a new/used bumper. The body kit is most likely just extensions that go on with 2-sided body adhesive. This would mean that it would have to be on a Vibe that has the Monotome package. Also if you just paint your standard panels without sanding them down the adhesive would not stick as well. There are several body shops that will block sand those parts smooth and then repaint them. That may be cheaper than buying the monotone package parts since you have to have the front and rear bumpers painted anyway.