GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

hey, i'm looking into buying an '03 Vibe GT. I just found out that this runs on premium gas only. I was wondering how big of a difference this made in cost in general. I am looking at the vibe as opposed to an suv (because im looking for something bigger than my cavalier to carry my surfboards), because of the better fuel efficiency. Do you HAVE to put premium in these, or could you maybe put Super, or even Regular. Any opinions?

Quote, originally posted by brother chai »hey, i'm looking into buying an '03 Vibe GT. I just found out that this runs on premium gas only. I was wondering how big of a difference this made in cost in general. I am looking at the vibe as opposed to an suv (because im looking for something bigger than my cavalier to carry my surfboards), because of the better fuel efficiency. Do you HAVE to put premium in these, or could you maybe put Super, or even Regular. Any opinions?Please do a search about premium gas, your going to get slammed about that question.Your looking at 10-15 cents more per gallon for premium. I have a GT and really like it. You'll get within 2-3 miles per gallon of a base vibe with a lot more pep.

Here you go bro.....This will help.....http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6520by the way - Welcome...to Genvibe

thanks! if i do go through and buy it, i'll definetly be putting the premium in.

At least you researched before you bought. There has been several people that have asked that question and it's kind of became a board pet peave.

I have a base, not a GT, and I recommend test driving both a base and a GT before you decide. Sure the GT has more power when the RPMs are up over 6K, but you should decide if that top end power is worth the extra purchase, insurance, and fuel cost. Drive both, do some math, see if it is worth it to you. It is for many people here. I am happy with my base, and don't miss not having a GT at all, especially at the pump.

I third joatmon, i love my base.

Agreed, i'd love to have more power but the added cost is not worth it to me. I bought this car to save money.Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I have a base, not a GT, and I recommend test driving both a base and a GT before you decide. Sure the GT has more power when the RPMs are up over 6K, but you should decide if that top end power is worth the extra purchase, insurance, and fuel cost. Drive both, do some math, see if it is worth it to you. It is for many people here. I am happy with my base, and don't miss not having a GT at all, especially at the pump.

I love the utility of the car too. My wife loves it. If she didn't have one, I'd sell my GTI, buy the base model, and drop a supercharger in there.

my family owns a dealership and that means discount for me, so there happens to be a Vibe Gt down there, and thats why I am looking at it as opposed to the base. they deal mostly chevy's, chryslers/jeeps, dodges, so who knows when another vibe will come along. so if you were me, deciding between a 16-20mpg suv with a 15gal tank, or the GT with a 25-30mpg with a 13gal tank..which would you go with? even with the premium gas prices..?

You'd still save money with the Vibe. The 10mpg difference will out way the difference in fuel price.And being a vibe forum, of course I'll say go with the vibe. The only exception would be if you jet ski too or need to tow something then the SUV might be the better bet.

Personally - if I could do it again I would of waited for a Vibe GT.But have no regrets with my base model.I just get GT envy when I hear every one talking about "lift".......

gt's have to use premium gas?

yes, it would be 4wd because there's really no sense in an suv/truck without 4wd in my opinion..

Quote, originally posted by brother chai »my family owns a dealership and that means discount for me, so there happens to be a Vibe Gt down there, and thats why I am looking at it as opposed to the base. they deal mostly chevy's, chryslers/jeeps, dodges, so who knows when another vibe will come along. so if you were me, deciding between a 16-20mpg suv with a 15gal tank, or the GT with a 25-30mpg with a 13gal tank..which would you go with? even with the premium gas prices..?didn't know it was a choice between one specific Vibe GT that you could get a sweetheart deal on or other non-Vibe things, so having that extra info I'd say scarf up the Vibe GT and have fun with it.

I would take the Vibe GT over an SUV. Between those two the Vibe GT is a better deal in the long run. I chose the base because there was no GT's on any dealers lot in my area. If there was it would have been a tougher choice.

I'm sure the Vibe GT is one heck of a lot of fun to drive. I have an AWD. I't's a little undpowered but I'm not sorry for buying it so far and I know I'll like it even more on a snowy day Best MPG so far is 33.6 with cruise at 74mph and some hills. All depends on what your priorities are.

Yeah, I agree with Man of Steel, even my base '05 is a little underpowered, but not for what I need right now.Granted, it doesn't accelerate like a 340 'Cuda, but I also can't throw my mountain bike in the back, and gets much better than 10mpg!If you have the chance to get a great deal on a GT, then go for it.My experience is that if you think you want the GT, but settle for a base (or something else), you could end up regretting it, and always wondering just what exactly "lift" is.I don't know too many people that have bought the fast car and wished it were slower!It's ALWAYS the other way around.Get the GT and have a blast with it.

I personally like the GT for the all disc breaks as well..

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »I personally like the GT for the all disc breaks as well.. Yeah, that's a bonus - the GT's are fun and if you got an "in" go for it.Although the premium is outragous right now - the summer driving season is winding down - you'll start seeing prices drop again. 13 gallon tank x 20 cents more per gallon = $2.60 more at the pump... Frankly - it isn't that much money.But I guess it depends on how many times you'll be hitting the pump... I catch it once every 4 days and have racked up 5k in 6 weeks. So a GT wouldn't be the best choice for me.

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I have a base, not a GT, and I recommend test driving both a base and a GT before you decide. Sure the GT has more power when the RPMs are up over 6K, but you should decide if that top end power is worth the extra purchase, insurance, and fuel cost. Drive both, do some math, see if it is worth it to you. It is for many people here. I am happy with my base, and don't miss not having a GT at all, especially at the pump.I'm sorry, but lift is a beautiful thing! Not just more power.. It's like a 50hp shot of nitrous at 6200 rpm (6800 for 04's I think). The GT gives you the best of both worlds -- econobox under 6200, and a whole lot of fun above it

On a recent trip, we took, which included fwy, city, stop and go, and ocean hwy driving. We got 36 mpg, I spent alot of time in 5th-6th just crusing along and resisting the urge to rev higher then 5k ...Our GT's can get good mpg......its just the temptation to rev that always gets me...its like not biting into your tootsie pop.. you know you have to