GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Wow , everyone's come down really hard on that front end. I don't think it looks that bad. It's almost identical to the GXP grill. The only problem is that they should kept the design exactly like the GXP. They should have changed the lower half where the fog lights are at. Also, i think if they are going to do this change, then use the more aggresive looking hood from the GXP. I think that would make it much nicer looking. Plus i would love to see what the sports package looks like on it!Hey has anyone heard if the MAtrix will be receiving a redesign too. Or at least the new goodies that the vibe will get ( EX stabilitrak and onstar and tire pressure monitors!) Some of the matrix guys think that toyota won't do it. And it's pissing them off.

The new front end looks TERRIBLE! It's certainly not appealing to people in their 20s and 30s.

Oh GAH..I just realized...without the roof-rack the side looks like a Matrix! AUGH.No offence to you Matrix people... of course! I just didn't like the look, personally...which is why I went for the Vibe..I agree with some of the insults about the front end though...they needed to change some more of it to keep the aggressive look going..

I agree that all Black design does look much better. I actually also like the flair on the 2004 vibe lower side panels better that the 03 and 05 lower side panelsHas anyone heard the new sub. does it add to the sound? my 04 Moon and Tune does quite nice without it

The '05 front facia changes seem to be a step in the wrong direction. The Vibe's distinction is its muscular, agressive look in a compact body. The '05 looks more conservative - a little less distinctive.

I am probably the ONLY person to think this way, But if they were going to change the nose, I would rather them use the same grills and everything just put the grills the way they are underneath on the bottom part of the grill. Kind of like the 97-00 Grand Prix SE's nose are. Just my opinion. Anyone good at Photoshop wanna try that one?

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Noooo!!!I thought having a ventless front fascia on those model years was one of the WORST design implements Pontiac ever made!!!Part of P's image IS the twin-port grilles. Don't get rid of that!

Well it's typical Gm always plays with the front end of its cars, look at the sunfire how many different front ends did they put on that car. Our older vibes definately look more aggresive but the new line of pontiacs all share the new nose ie the grand prix, oh well maybe now as was mentioned the aftermarket crowd will start designing body kits for it. Does anyone know if the hood has changed to accomadate the new grill?

Got this image from NSAP off of GMI Forums... I like it a little better this way..http://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...&st=0&

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well I like that light blue/steel color....

I didn't say I'd own it - I just said I like it...

My '04 gt picked me out. this '05 wouldn't have picked me.

Quote, originally posted by fuel4soul »I am probably the ONLY person to think this way, But if they were going to change the nose, I would rather them use the same grills and everything just put the grills the way they are underneath on the bottom part of the grill. Kind of like the 97-00 Grand Prix SE's nose are. Just my opinion. Anyone good at Photoshop wanna try that one? ask and ye shall receive!

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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Please don't let GM see that!

Quote, originally posted by fuel4soul »Got this image from NSAP off of GMI Forums... I like it a little better this way..http://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...&st=0&Muuuuuch better! That i'd buy!

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »ask and ye shall receive!OK, now I wasn't going to touch that one but honestly, I'm glad someone did. It would be a little too Saturn-esque for my tastes, but interesting at least.

If they could gie the headlights a diet, and narrow them out, It might make it look a little more aggressive. It kinda reminds me of a vaccuum like that, but still cool. Thanks! I like that kind of look.

If you go to that link I originally posted about, Go check out all the other Vibe-other car mixes.

OK How's this for aggressive style???(I should've listened to my wife when she told me not to purchase my Vibe at that Drug Enforcement Administration auction! "So what if it belonged to a cocaine dealer," I told her!

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is someone having some fun with the fish-eye filter...

Ok, i didn't like the new look at first. But the pics they show in the press release are at terrible angles. I looked over the pictures that Nick took and i Like it. The styling looks like it has gone from 'Bold and Daring' to 'Sleek and Sexy'. The only suggestion i could make would be that they should extend the front closer to the ground to eliminate the minivan look. Maybe a cross between the GXP and the 2005. The actual angle and proportions of the 2005 front end are not all that different than now. Most of the change is in the bottom half that they 'Cleaned up' by removing all the excess indentions and grooves in the design in lieu of a sleeker, cleaner look. Also they gave it larger upper griiles that are flush with the body and resemble the GTO, Solstice, G6, Grand Prix and Bonneville getting away from it's current resemblance to the failed Aztek. This gives the Vibe a continuity with the other vehicles in the brand. I think once we start actually seeing the '05 on the street a lot of minds will be changed.and that's my $.02

Quote, originally posted by ALi3N »Also they gave it larger upper griiles that are flush with the body and resemble the GTO, Solstice, G6, Grand Prix and Bonneville getting away from it's current resemblance to the outgoing Aztek. I read in the Chicago tribune this week that the reports of the Aztec's demise were greatly exaggerated and it will return in 2005. Pontiac is looking to it's 'partners' to pump up the performance and make it more appealing, whatever that means.

After seeing the '05 closeup in Chicago ... all I can say is "THEY KILLED IT!"I retract my previous statement, 03-04 Vibe design is a LOT better. Argh.For this fact alone I would not consider a Vibe for a future purchase, I don't think I would've gotten a Vibe in the first place if it had looked like that.That Mazda3 is looking better and better all the time ... >.><.<

...might i add that i love the way the current design looks. The current design look smashing from every angle. That's not something you see too often these days. I mean, i did spend almost $24k on the car, i would rather keep the one i have than go after the new design... the '05 is not THAT good.

I also saw it at the Chicago show. They had 04s and an 05 on the floor a few yards from each other. Sport entusiasts are going to pick the Matrix. Maybe the 05 Vibe will sell better as a family car but I see the GT sales fading with the new nose. It's very generic looking.

Im a potential VIBE buyer, and since it wont be for a year and a 1/2 im relying on future models to not look like $hit. I love the styling of the '03-'04 Vibe GT. I WILL be getting a GT, but only if it looks sporty as well as having the power. If i wanted a freakin minivan id buy a minivan. I really dont want to choose a Matrix over a Vibe, but if Pontiac insists on making my new ride look like a minivan, then i may have no other choice. Or at least if they are making it look like those pics, they better offer one hell of a Sport Package.The other car ive had my eye on is a Saturn ION Quad Coupe, while its not as sporty as a VIBE GT, it has some kickass features like suicidal doors, and built in MP3 stereo options, not to mention the ION Red Line will have 200+ hp on a supercharged Ecotec 2.0. Not bad, but id rather have a kickass looking Vibe GT with a NA 1.8l 180hp heart.~Jason

That SRT-4 looks better and better all the time.Then I hit myself and remember, "It's a Neon."

Yea i have a friend who has been drooling over the SRT-4s for a while... but i keep reminding him its still a NEON... ~Jason

Some of my co-workers have gone and looked at the new 2005 Vibe and they came back saying they won't buy one now. They went and looked at buying one because of how my model looked but they really don't like this 2005 version.I'd like to see what the Matrix is going to look like I may be swithching models if this new pontiac Vibe styling keeps up.

Not liking the 05 design makes my next car-buying decision easier: G6!!!!

it's ok but I like the old front ends way better the 05 looks like a chrysler vanlove the new guage color.. and the sub... wonder if it will fit 03-04 vibes

I just sent this link of the forum to Pontiac itself. I'll keep you all posted on what they reply back. I personaly think the are shooting for the older people when designing this car. That's not a good idea in my book. 2004 will be my last Vibe if that's the case. 'If I wanted a Chrysler, I'd buy a Chrysler. That 05 Vibe is terrible.

Quote, originally posted by Vibe Rater »I think what they've done is change it so that it appeals to the age group that is buying most of them. I think the target market is much younger than the people that are actually buying the vehicle. So, might as well appeal to the real market age group.Yeah this sentiment has come up twice now..BUT the vibe appeals to older people because of the aggressive look too! If you want the conservative look , then you buy a Buick, not a toned down Vibe...like the saying goes..."you can't sell an old man's car to a young man, but you can sell a young man's car to an old man" So far no one has said they like the 05 better.......including me

Quote, originally posted by Faultline » So far no one has said they like the 05 better.......including me except that one guy who in another thread said he likes the vibes, but doesn't own one.

Does anyone think if GM looks at forums such as this, Will think twice before producing this?

Quote, originally posted by fuel4soul »Does anyone think if GM looks at forums such as this, Will think twice before producing this?IMHO...no.

Prolly not, but It's a start.

Its smoothed over a little, but not really a radical change. I don't think its a really big deal. On the down side for Pontiac, its not going to make a current Vibe owner run into the dealership to get the new design. On the up side, it still looks "Pontiac Sporty" without becoming offensive (re: Azteck). IMO its not going to make much of a difference in sales either way.

People keep mentioning that Pontiac is changing the guage color for 2005 on the Vibe but I can't seem to see any mention of it in the press releases? Based on the pics of the 2005 from the Chicago Auto show it still looks the same to me. What are they doing to the guages?

I don't like the new changes to the front end at all! I see Vibes everyday and would not like to see that front starring at me. The only things I like ar ethe subwoofer option and the painted mirrors. I would like to have the mirrors on mine to be included in the monotone package.The new design makes it looks much less aggressive and much more boring. I still haven't heard of the GXP being brought into production and if they are doing a body syle change in 2005 then it will a long time away for them to change o the GXP styling.Shadow Realm

Quote, originally posted by SGT »People keep mentioning that Pontiac is changing the guage color for 2005 on the Vibe but I can't seem to see any mention of it in the press releases? Based on the pics of the 2005 from the Chicago Auto show it still looks the same to me. What are they doing to the guages?From looking at the auto show pictures, it looks same as 2004. Perhaps people are comparing it to 2003.

Well, let's take a look at the crystal ball to determine what GM brand management must be thinking:1) With Oldsmobile gone, Pontiac is next.2) If it works for Chrysler, its good enough for GM.3) Oh my God, we made it too aggressive in '03-04. We can't build them fast enough! Let's make them ugly, so they won't sell so fast. 4) That '05 design we released was just a 'costume malfunction'. The REAL '05 design will be much more conservative.

I think when you look at the front end it from the side view it's even worse - it looks almost apologetic. "Sorry for having to end the car this way!" Ugh.The changes being made to the design and the specs are good for us present '03 and '04 owners - our cars' resale value will increase comparatively when the '05 is released because of Pontiac's mistakes. That doesn't help owners-to-be that want a new vehicle though.

I have worked for GM for 28 years and know what I am talking about-- this is their way of cutting costs---BUT YET raising the costs of the car. This put more money in the pockets of the Big Wigs.The only reason the new Corvette has flush mounted headlights for 2005 is that they were cheaper to build instead of the concealable ones with motors.I'll bet the nose of the 2005 is cheaper than the nose from a 2003 or4.The GTO is a classic example.........James (Vibe)

You know ... the 2005 Pontiac Vibe is going to be the new Mary Kay fleet car (Mary Kay is a cosmetics company i you don't know). Seeing the new front fascia, the pieces somehow fit together a little better. I really couldn't see a bunch of middle-aged makeup saleswomen driving the '04.

Can't get over how ugly the front is. HATE IT.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll see some of those Vibes in that signature PINK color!

I am an old man( so my son tells me) and I like the aggressive look of the 03-04 Vibe. I have not seen a new one in person. I went to a dealer yesterday but they had none. I did see a new Matrix and it is only OK

Saw a platinum 2005 vibe @ Les Stanford Pontiac In Jackson. Parked my '04 next to it and looked closely at the 2. The grill and front facia look way more "conservative" on the '05 and I think, the chrome trim around the grill opening cheapens the look.

I agree --If they lost the chrome trim around the grilles, I'd likely accept the 05 look without complaint...that's my biggest gripe.