GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I know what AWD do. I know the benefits. But on hot dry places like AZ, where there is no snow. Is AWD really necessary for daily driving?AWD Vibe/Matrix owners. Give me your feeback if you had to do it over again.

Nope not at all, why settle for a slower slightly more sluggish AWD Vibe when you don't need it? Go front wheel base or GT.

Nah, not needed... I do not have it and I am in Michigan, FWD is enough. Had a Blazer and a Jeep and used 4X4 only a handful of times in four years, for each truck lease. The Blazers control module broke once too, very disappointed with that. Unless you tow a trailer in the snow, or live in a remote area, to me it is a waste.

Depends on how you want to drive. It snows here very little, but it does rain quite a bit. I got the AWD, because AWD handles better. I can corner like I am on RAILS BABY! I'm so spoiled that if Pontiac doesn't up the HP on the Vibe, that my next car will be a 'ru or an Infiniti G35X, or an Audi Quattro something....I love the AWD.....PS, my wife loves it too, so much that she almost wants to trade her S10 in for an AWD Vibe....

Considering all the SUVs I see in the ditch in the winter - I think AWD gives people a false sense of security. It only helps move the car - not with stopping or steering.

Quote, originally posted by Rivet » I think AWD gives people a false sense of security. It only helps move the car - not with stopping or steering.actually it does help stop the car, engine braking can be applied to all 4 wheels not just 2, which can help maintain speed and for a controled decelerationand it does give some people a false sense of security, about the same number of who cut their own (removed) off on webcam giving the human race a bad namepoint being: snowy hill, wanna walk or wanna drive? is 7hp worth it? do you have kids, do they wanna walk it? if you say awd gives people a false sense of security then airbags give an even larger farse cause awd is used by the people who drive the cars, not all cars with airbags are wrecked, but you paid extra for thatbesides7hp is diddlythe awd has independent rear suspension, which is far far far better than a dummy axle

Then there must be a lot of people missing their members.Cons: Added Weight Added Cost (~ $2000) Added maintenance cost down the road Lower gas mileageSave the money and get a decent set of snow tires if you really have problems in the winter.Most highways are plowed and sand/salted sufficiently (some would say too much salt), so traction is not a big concern 99.99% of the time. Other than that, drive slower when conditions warrant.

Thanks everyone. My question comes from looking into another car (wagon/van). Subaru came to mind and they made a big deal about full-time AWD. I know many top line cars are going AWD to handle the extra HP, improve performance, etc. But I don't need a WRX or Carrera 4S. So I'm just wondering.

Quote, originally posted by Rivet »Save the money and get a decent set of snow tires if you really have problems in the winter.like i saidif you wanna walk

Ummm ... the thread starter was asking about places where there is no snow.

I stand by my answer, and agree with Tecton on the I-R-S point he made. I drove a FWD base while my Vibe was getting the FartSmell work done, and I couldn't believe it was the same car. I wish the AWD had more HP and a manual transmission, but I wouldn't trade mine for a GT. The AWD is great in the dry, and just bloody AWESOME in the rain.

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy »I stand by my answer, and agree with Tecton on the I-R-S point he made. I drove a FWD base while my Vibe was getting the FartSmell work done, and I couldn't believe it was the same car. I wish the AWD had more HP and a manual transmission, but I wouldn't trade mine for a GT. The AWD is great in the dry, and just bloody AWESOME in the rain.what is the difference? is the ride in the 2wd really bumpy or something?

Quote, originally posted by GoLowDrew » My question comes from looking into another car (wagon/van). Why are you looking, need something bigger, or just time to move on? Something in addtion to the Vibe or instead of it?I like in a temperate zone, hot summers, snow in winter, occaisional hurricane/tropical storm, long wet springs, autumn full of slippery fallen leaves, no earthquakes worth mentioning though. Never had an AWD car, and haven't needed one.

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »what is the difference? is the ride in the 2wd really bumpy or something?Not bumpy, it just doesn't handle as well. I had a Infiniti G20 before the Vibe, and it also had IRS, and I looked into buying a 1993 Sentra SE-R (same driveline as the G20 but 2 less doors, and NO IRS). After driving it, I passed, the handling was sloppy, turn-in felt numb, ect. I got the same 'feelings' from the FWD Vibe versus the AWD. I think AWD is the coming thing, and I'm glad to have it. Didn't really buy it for the snowy season, we don't get enough of that, got is because I love the look of the Vibe, and wanted the stability of AWD.

The smaller gas tank and worse fuel economy is reason enough not to get it unless you really need it. I hate stopping for gas and that extra 50 miles per tank over an AWD is great.

Quote, originally posted by Pick »The smaller gas tank and worse fuel economy is reason enough not to get it unless you really need it. I hate stopping for gas and that extra 50 miles per tank over an AWD is great.youve got a very keen eye for picking vehiclesrofl

there seems to be a misconception that the AWD sucks total (removed). i can tell you it doesnt. it still gets good gas mileage, and once you get it out of first, it has quite an ammount of pep.test drive the SOB, then decide for yourself instead of listening to people who bash a car they have never even driven and really know nothing first hand about.

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Why are you looking, need something bigger, or just time to move on? Something in addtion to the Vibe or instead of it?Vibe is our family car, and looking to replace it. We can live with it fine. There are times we need more room. Not minivan room, but maybe a midsize wagon. There are only three choices. VW Passat, Subaru Legacy, and Mazda 6. That where this AWD question came up. Taurus is too old, and Focus may be too small. Don't want a SUV or SUV type with the price of gas. We get about 40mpg hwy in the Vibe. Hard to change that. There isn't much of a choice? Or is there?

The VW diesels get some pretty good mpgs, but I haven't been paying attention to the price of diesel and how many stations carry it. Diesels are supposed to be pretty torquey, which is a good thing, and if the biodiesel movemnet picks up, you'd be prepositioned to burn that fuel I think the gasoline Passats take premium, and get worse mpgs. None of the subarus get remarkable mpgs.scion xB is rated about the same as Vibe for mpg, if you can handle the look. Some people rave, some rant. Toyota Rav4 isn't too bad, but I've never been in one.Then there's the Malibu Maxx and Saturn Vue, not sure how they compare to others but at least they are made in the US, which is a good thing.I hate picking out a new car. always a compromise betweeen what I want, what I need, what I can sit in comfortably, what I can afford, etc

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »there seems to be a misconception that the AWD sucks total (removed). i can tell you it doesnt. it still gets good gas mileage, and once you get it out of first, it has quite an ammount of pep.test drive the SOB, then decide for yourself instead of listening to people who bash a car they have never even driven and really know nothing first hand about. I did a lot of test driving before I decided against AWD. I don't think AWD "sucks total (removed)" but it does have more negatives than positives. The Vibe is in itself an underpowered noisey little car. AWD knocks off another 7hp and adds a little drivetrain noise. Then add the fact that it gets about 3 mpg worse gas mileage than the base auto and costs more. I tested on both dry and wet roads and found no advantage to AWD. These were dealer test rides so I really didn't push the car to it limits. I floored the base auto on a wet level road and could not spin the tires. I don't think it has enough power for the AWD to be of much advantage in wet raod traction. If I was on an incline or if there was some oil on the road, maybe. But I couldn't test all conditions. So if you don't drive in snow country why get AWD.I happen to drive in snow country and still didn't get it. Instead I got a base auto with StabilTrac and Traction Control and plan on adding a set of good winter tires like Michelin ICE. I can't wait for the for the first winter storm so I can put it through a test to see if I made the right decision. My wifes car is a RX300 AWD with Michelin Cross Terrains. This combination has many good reviews for winter driving. I plan on doing a comparision between the 2, comparing traction going up a snow/ice covered hill and a manuvering comparsion on an empty parking lot. I know they are not the same car but I have to work with what I have. I will post the results when that day finally comes.

you cant argue with idiotsfwd = chancing it, no plan bawd = back up plan, keeps feet warm and dry

Quote, originally posted by tecton »you cant argue with idiotsfwd = chancing it, no plan bawd = back up plan, keeps feet warm and dryYeah ok buddy, everyone without AWD is an idiot. You bought a version of the same car that gets worse gas mileage, make more noise, has a smaller fuel tank, has less power, will require more maintenance for the rear axles, cost $2000 more so you could have peace of mind. Good for you but don't call the rest of FWD guys idiots (removed)

Quote, originally posted by tecton »you cant argue with idiotsfwd = chancing it, no plan bawd = back up plan, keeps feet warm and dryYou're not arguing with Idiots. Your opinion is just different than theirs.I agree that the AWD has less power, but I don't think it's underpowered by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, as an AWD driver (can't say owner, the bank owns it, I just feed and care for it) I'd love to have another 40 hp or so. But Toyota (and/or GM) decided to stay with the 1ZZ on the AWD car. We are all Vibers here, we just prefer different powertrains.

Great idea. If you have no facts, and don't agree with someone else's, call him an idiot. That works well.

hey y'all, I'm not feeling the love in this thread.. This thread isn't about whether someone should buy a FWD vibe or an AWD vibe. He has a FWD Vibe, and wants something else, and is wondering if AWD in a different NON-VIBE vehicle is worth it for good weather places. Let's leave the feuding aside,and just relate what we know. So,if you have, or have had an AWD vehicle, did it make any difference on nice clear dry roads? If you don't have an AWD, have you had any problems that you think AWD would have helped (again on good non-snow/ice covered roads)?I have a FWD, and haven't had any good weather situations where I thnk AWD would have helped

I have an AWD and live outside the snow belt. I use mine almost daily on gravel/grassy/inclined/slightly rutted paths (can't call them roads) for work. So it is worth it for me. Also, down south where there isn't a good scraping plan when we do get snow on the roads, the AWD can prevent you from walking.As previously mentioned, the AWD is only as good as the sensible driver behind the wheel. Without a limited-slip diff. or locking diff. you can get the Vibe AWD stuck in the snow/mud. I looked hard at the Subaru, but just liked the Vibe more in many aspects. Don't regret getting the Vibe over the Subie, but next time...

Quote, originally posted by Mike-NC »Without a limited-slip diff. or locking diff. you can get the Vibe AWD stuck in the snow/mud. .Another very good point that many people don't know. With some AWDs and 4WD's that don't have locking or limited slip if one tire gets stuck it is the ONLY tire that gets power and sits there spinning freely while the other 3 with traction sit there doing nothing. I've experienced this first hand (not in a Vibe) and it is truly frustrating and is very easy to get into that situation.

I owned an AWD R32 Nissan Skyline in Japan (Okinawa) and it never snowed there oe even got cold. Having AWD was great for performance, I didn't care about gas milage or hauling kids around.Now, my car had around 250hp while the VIBE obviously does not. I don't like FF cars because you can lack to performance control that AWD offers. Running touge with AWD inspired a lot of confidence that I din;t have while drifting FRs.Yes, the VIBE could stand a little more power (and I'm investigating that right now), but if you're not really into performance and don't live where the weather gets rough, then you don;t have a really compelling reason to go AWD.Wouldn;t be a bad decision, but for your needs going FF would not be considered a mistake.That's my .02 Yen but your milage may vary.

Lets try to have a mature discussion here please. I agree joatmon I don't feel the love here.Thanks! Sam

Well from reading and reviews, the AWD model was in consumer reports a 3rd best in its group of small suv things. (my dad read it and told me). AWD is always great for snow. Now since the FF isnt super powerful (non-GT) ive read that you dont over do the power when in snow because it cant. now if you are a decent driver in snow and have driven with FF before you should be fine. make a list of postive thigns and negative about each and compare them...fair way i say.

My best advice about any vehicle with an active AWD system is don't drive one through a snowstorm. You'll be hooked for life and wonder why you didn't get one sooner.Guess if you live somewhere it doesn't snow, it's not necessary but I do like it better in the rain than FWD. My buddy got a FWD Vibe. I also think he's an idiot but for different reasons.

i have found that the so called smaller gas tank on the AWD is false...if i'm only supposed to get 11.9 or so gallons in Why can i get 13-14 gallons in this is as the light first goes on. unless i got lucky and they put the standard tank on my AWD!!

Now that you mention the gas tank capacity, I've noticed the same thing too. I've gotten just over 12 gallons in it. I thought I rread somewhere that these cars have plastic gas tanks and they flex a bit.Regarding AWD, if I lived someplace where it never snowed, I'd pass on it, definitely and go for a GT or a 5 speed base.Agree, with a previous post that AWD can give some people a false sense of securtiy. On a snowy day, I often see people in 4wheel, and AWD, going excessively fast. I also notice a lot of SUV's in the ditch. AWD is not any less immune to hydorplaning either.Note the ad campaign that the govt. has out advising people how to drive their SUV's.

I have 3 cars in my household.2003 base Hyundai Accent. I install 4 winter tires and the traction, breaking and handling is great.2003 Hyundai Elantra GT. 4 all season tires, this car has ABS and Traction Control, doesn't go through the snow as good as the Accent.2005 Pontiac Vibe AWD, all season OEM tires, yet to find out how this thing drives.I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada where we get alot of snow. Can't wait to try out the AWD.

lol, made in the US? You do know that most GM vehicles are made in Canada, right? And you also know that the Vibe you're driving is 95% Japanese Toyota that was made in the US alongside the Matrix?

as for made in the us, that could be 2 things, either made by a US manf. or produced in the US. but for the toyota part, im pretty sure everyone who buys a vibe/maxtrix knows this and if you have seen how manyposts joatmon has im 110% sure he knows this, no need to be snippy this thread is going the wrong way.i think AWD helps but only if you know how to drive and handle your car correctly, same goes for any car that isnt AWD.