2005 - One Week/1000 Miles Observation

[hjwii]

Okay... after 6 months, 2 weeks, 3 days after my initial visit to a showroom, I finally got my new Vibe...So, I got a 2005 Vibe, Neptune with: M/T, pwr pkg, ABS, side air bags/curtain and leather (which was a mistake, so I only paid $200 for it)...oh, and 5 speed - which was one reason for such the long wait.Now, allow me to preface this lil unscientific review with a some history of my previous car, a 2000 VW Golf TDI. I loved this car. Unfortunately, mechanics didn't, and between 125K and 175K miles, I spent entirely too much on it on repairs. Seems no one wants to work on a VW or a diesel. So, this might turn out to be a compare/contrast between the VW and the Vibe...LIKES- ride, especially on the interstate; responds well to evasive moves- utility, ie cubbies and storage and the flat folding seats- seating position, especially rear; altho it did take a lil getting used to...- $20 oil changes vs $65 oil changes- styling, yes, even the new 2005 nose, which has really grown on me (not literally)- tire pressure monitor- large moon roof, which is relatively quiet when opened- dash: I like all the different colors, and the way the needles light up on the gauges before the faces do- 33 MPG @ 75 MPH... not too bad...- auto headlamps... they seem to work quite well; perhaps they have been improved- plastic back on passenger seat; I have a four year old in a booster seat, need I say more?DISLIKES- no auto locking doors- no "BEEP" when I lock the doors- no heated, folding outside mirrors- needs more lights on the dash and buttons- no pieces parts for 2005 specific models, ie rear mat or front mask- 33 MPG, but, I came from a car that was giving me 48 MPG, but that would like comparing apples to granola bars- no auto up/down power windows- no reading lamps- altho enough "oomph", could use more power- only one 12V plug; needs one in the hatch- the cargo cover; what's up with that?Needless to say, I am still thrilled with my car. It's comfortable and fun to drive. And my lil boy says it's awesome; that alone should be all the review you need.Anyways... I love the car, glad I waited for it, go get yourself one if you haven;t already.hjwii

[pmh013]

Quote, originally posted by hjwii »-no auto up/down power windows, no reading lampsJust a couple of questions. I admit I haven't bothered to find out what stuff they've changed for the 2005 because there's no way in hell I can afford to trade in my 2003. But I digress ...What do you mean "no auto up/down power windows"? On mine, if I hold the button for the driver's side window just a half second longer, it lowers all on its own. And you can't just push a button and have the raise, because of safety concerns (some little kid or drunk college student will decapitate themselves).I thought that you still got reading lamps of some variety, even if you got a moon roof (I don't have a moon roof, so my lamps are on the rear view mirror). Did Pontiac save another $0.25 by eliminating this too?

[hjwii]

Allow me to make myself more clear..."auto up/down windows" - my driver side is auto down, but not up; and the passenger is neither auto up or down. No biggie, just something I've had in the past and liked. But, I didn;t realize some DKE got his head cut off because of it...that would explain the moonroof stopping halfway, huh?"no reading lamp" - I have a moon roof, and the reading lamp is just the one overhead lamp, and it produces entirely too much light/glare for nighttime use. And no rear ones. My "dislikes" aren;t so much complaints; maybe more observations or suggestions for future models.hjwii

[neptunev]

The car my wife drives is a 2003 Nissan Murano and it has auto-up on both the driver and passenger windows.

[GMJAP]

My 2005 withOUT moonroof has the reading lights in the rearview mirror. Can't imagine why a moonroof would prevent that mirror from being used....PS- The window controls (among others) are Toyota (straight out of our Camry) and Toyota doesn't do auto-up, probably for safety reasons. Personally, I find auto-up more useful than auto-down.

[Mavrik]

that rear mat is available, I looked up one for Big_Red and the option was regular rear end or sub-wuffer rear end.But glad to see you love the car, but gotta agree with ppl... the auto up window funtion is available on more pricer cars...almost a year in mine and the only complaint is... she demands more mods then I can afford!

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by neptunev »The car my wife drives is a 2003 Nissan Murano and it has auto-up on both the driver and passenger windows.One would think these would be against the law for safety reasons. Now that the US is requiring the Toyota style controls, I'd bet auto up is out lawed. Little kids have been killed!!! A minor inconvenience if it saves one life.

[kostby]

Re: The dangers of auto-up windows...Quote, originally posted by jake75 »A minor inconvenience if it saves one life.Applying that logic the way the US Government does, they will soon enact legislation eliminating doors, engines, wheels, hoods, and trunks from automobiles, because people have been killed in cars that have them. LOL!

[ColonelPanic]

Pretty sure that most cars with auto-up windows have the ability to sense obstructions and reverse if one is detected...

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Pretty sure that most cars with auto-up windows have the ability to sense obstructions and reverse if one is detected...The auto down and up on GM models like Lesabres, Regals, Centurys, the new Allure and such do not stop if you place your head or hands into the opening when the window is going up...

[ColonelPanic]

I stand corrected. I've read about some expensive luxury models having this, figured it would be on the others as well - it's a good idea. lol So I guess the legal concerns are still there.

[hjwii]

Well, as I stated, my last car was a VW Golf, and it came with the auto up/auto down windows on both the driver and passenger. So, not always on the expensive cars...

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by hjwii »Well, as I stated, my last car was a VW Golf, and it came with the auto up/auto down windows on both the driver and passenger. So, not always on the expensive cars...when it comes to GM it does. Oh and I'm sure some cars have a sensor that would stop the window from going up on someone's head but not on GM yet.

[nismo]

Okay. Honestly, VW's and Audi's are very heavy cars. The reason is, the luxury features. For example, your up/down windows/auto dimming exterior mirrors, heated leather seats. You get a lot of toys with those cars. The basic thing for this car is for economy. But I don't think that the GT is really a economy car because right after you hit lift you mpg goes down the tube. Like some people already said, you get what you paid for. Don't get me wrong, the Vibe is a great car and so is the Golf. Not dissin either car.Inder

[RoundUp]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »The auto down and up on GM models like Lesabres, Regals, Centurys, the new Allure and such do not stop if you place your head or hands into the opening when the window is going up...The Lesabres, Regals, Centuries, and the Allures/Lacrosses have express down, but they don't have express up. I believe the Cadillacs have the express up, but they have the anti pinch feature as well. I have a friend that used to work at a window regulator company. Even when the windows had the anti pinch feature, he refused to test it out with his own fingers. Those motors have enough force to cause a finger to explode if it fails. I would frankly rather not have the express up feature on my car.

[michaelgt]

Over time, you may decide you like the cargo cover. I was originally disappointed, but it is easy to take down and fold when you neet to remove.

[discojunkie76]

Your driver window is autodown, my 05 is anyway, and you have 4 way programmable power door locks, read the manual, you can have them lock when you shift into gear, or unlock when engine is shut off and a few other ways. just check the mannual

[discojunkie76]

05 is missing: roof rack bars ($350.00) option from dealer (screw it). thats all i know of.

[GMJAP]

He doesn't have programmable door locks because he has a 5-speed, as I do. The programmable locks only come with the auto tans.

[nismo]

Sweet. I'm gonna try this later, like when it stops raining here. Inder