Base vibe + GM SC vs. Stock GT?

[lombard]

Well, I'm looking at picking up a new Vibe in the next week or two. There's a couple of GTs available locally, but no base vibes with the 5 speed. But I'm kind of curious....not really sure I want to deal with the peaky power delivery of the GT engine (winding it up past 6000 RPM all the time), so I'm kind of wondering how the power/torque curves of the GT engine match up with the curves for the base engine with the GM SC. So besides the added benefit of a 6th gear ratio and anti-lock 4 wheel discs, how does the GT stack up against the base model with a SC added? anybody think it would be worth the wait to track down a base model with a 5 speed and then add the super charger?Thanks

[NovaResource]

Well, the supercharger isn't available yet so there are no test number yet but I believe there will be no contest. A base with a supercharger will have more torque than a stock GT. Actually, a stock base already has more low-end torque that a stock GT. The GT is quicker due to it's HP advantage in the upper RPMs.In my opinion, the base is a better daily driver if you aren't looking to race everybody away from the stoplight. If you want more pep but don't want to do any mods, the GT is better. If you want the best of both worlds, get a base and then add the supercharger.

[Shadow Realm]

The Vibe with the SC should have 175-180 HP and about 160-165 torque which will meak it faster than the GT model. Latest word is in the first quarter of 2003 the SC, the spoiler, and the ground effects should be available. As soon as I hear from GM I will post when and how much.

[d_m_kolb]

I have heard the price will be around $2,500 installed. This price can all ways change.I'm going to say a supercharged Vibe 5 speed will do 0 to 60 in mid 6 second range. A auto trany Vibe probably about what a GT will do it in now. The auto might even beat it. I don't know yet. Still waiting for some numbers to go off of. I have the torque more in the range of 170 ft. lbs of torque but no one is really for sure yet.The GT even when it hits lift will never catch up and probably wont gain any groud because the SC Vibe is going to be making power from idle to red line.

[lombard]

Thanks for the replies guys. I test drove a GT last night, but didn't really care for having to wind the engine up to 6000 RPM to feel the power. I almost bought it anyway, just so I could get my hands on a Vibe with a manual tranny. They just refused to make me the deal I really wanted, so I walked away. I'll probably stop by again this weekend to see if they could find me a base with a manual tranny, then have them slap on the SC next year. Sounds like the SC would give me the driving experience I'm looking for. I'm used to driving a pick up, so low end torque is definitely valuable to me.Edit: Mixed up turbocharger and supercharger. Doh!
[Modified by lombard, 8:03 PM 12/5/2002]

[DopeVibeGT]

Well, since you want a SC on, you obviously want to mod your vehicle. Now, you can get a base vibe and slap a SC on it and make it a little faster than a STOCK GT, but, the GT slaps on an intake, exhaust, SC of it's own, etc, the base vibe with the same mods wouldnt stand a chance. So, my opinion is, if you're going to make a tuner vehicle from a Vibe, the GT is the choice, hands down (Thus, why SCC used a 2ZZ engine to mod). And I dont see why you dont like to rev it up past 6K. The engine is designed to do this, and it just sounds mean when it does. LoL If you want to save fuel and cruise, the 2ZZ has plenty of power up the range, it just slacks off from around 5K-6K. Peace.

[Jethro]

quote:the GT slaps on an intake, exhaust, SC of it's own, etc, the base vibe with the same mods wouldnt stand a chance.Funny, not a single one of the GT's I looked at had a SC.I think the base with a SC is a viable option to the GT if what you're looking for is low end torque. It's not always about the high end! That low end would benefit you better in the "light to light" sprints and the high revving GT would benefit on the high speed open highway runs.All depends on your style of driving.Personally I went with the base car to get an automatic due to potential health concerns. If the GT was available with an auto I'd have considered it much more for the 4-wheel discs w/ABS which I really miss on my car.

[DopeVibeGT]

Umm, maybe thats because the GT's SC is still in development? See any base Vibes with SC's yet?

[MA-VIBE-FAN]

I will let Scott handle the technical end. But here is a thought. (Of course without enough info on your needs) If you can not find a Base 5-Speed, Why not order one. You get the color and options you want. Plus when it comes in the superchargerer may be out and you can wrap it all up in one package and get the SC financed with the whole car.

[lombard]

Well, the stealer tracked down a base vibe with a 5-speed for me. I've had it about 3 weeks now and I'm just short of 4,000 miles on it already (cross country holiday travel will do that). I'm happy with it, but I would prefer just a tad more low end torque. Looks like I'll be signing up for the supercharger when it's available.Base, shadow, 5 speed, ABS, moon and tunes, power package.