GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

We have had or Vibe now for a few months and we are very happy with it but.....driving on the highway a couple of weeks ago we encountered 'wind' resistance! yikes! I swear the wind really blew us a lot and what a scarey thing that was....I couldnt believe it! Anyone else have this happen?

The Vibe is sentitive to laterals winds. I use to drive a mini-van, so the wind does not bother me in my Vibe, as it is worst in a van. You'll have to live with it. As you should know, the Vibe is much highter then other vehicule in the same class. As an exemple, the vibe is 4" highter then a P5.

I haven't been driving on the highway on a really windy day yet, but like the others said, the Vibe does sit higher than a regular car so you will be affected by high cross winds. The Vibe is really stable though, so I don't think it should present too much of a problem.

quote:driving on the highway a couple of weeks ago we encountered 'wind' resistance! Did you happen to drive directly into the wind (or at a 45° to it)? Did you find that the car was having trouble keeping it's speed? I only ask because I've been having problems with this ... at first I thought it was only the cold, but the other day it was above freezing, really windy, and the Vibe did not enjoy going uphill. GM is working on this problem, but so far I am the only one to report it.

I agree with everyone else about the height difference with the Vibe. Being an owner of a Geo Tracker for close to 6 years I can say that it is one of the worst vehicles as far as wind and highway driving goes. Comparing the Vibe to the Tracker the Vibe is completely quiet, and has emaculate handling. I should have my Vibe by next monday, and I can't wait. Just remember that being blown around on the highway isn't all that big of a deal, you just have to get used to it. And once you do you'll wonder why you ever found it difficult.

I parked in a row of several "normal" sedans yesterday, and only when coming back the the Vibe did I realize how much higher it stood than the surrounding cars. But that height is why I bought the Vibe. It gives my 6'1" plenty of headroom even with a sunroof, and a good view of the road. I've been driving a Nissan Pickup with topper for the last 16 years, and it too gets buffeted by crosswinds. But the Vibe has a better stance and stiffer support. So in my experience it's no where near as scary as driving that truck in the wind was.Wind load will make all cars slow down somewhat. The VIbe isn't exactly "smooth" in form, and with only 130hp it is probably right at the minimum needed to keep the car at highway speeds with a strong headwind. I've also got a 175hp Nissan Altima, but it's power and better wind profile makes it seem indifferent to wind loads on the highway. That's why I want the supercharger for my Vibe. KSNeptune

abronco1, coming monday is the last day to get the extra $450 upromise money. you do have to be upromise member for at least 30 days already. so if you are, make sure you get your new Vibe by 03/31.

i noticed that too, i wonder if lowering the car 2" or 3" inches would help??

I've noticed problems with strong crosswinds, but compared to my old Golf it is not too much worse.

quote:Anyone else have this happen? Yes, and the faster you are going, the more it seems to throw the car around. Most of my driving to and from work is @ 75-80 on I-75. There's alot of open fields around here, and also the Z-bridge over the Saginaw River which gets some good cross winds. I'd bet a front sway bar from TRD or Hotchkis would help alot, but installing the front bar sounds quite difficult, so I'm living with it for now.

I love the Vibe but the wind resistance I do not like, my other car is a Grand Caravan and it does drive better in the wind.If the road conditions are icy and windy, I will drive the Grand Caravan.

I have a Vibe and a Grand Caravan also, and the minivan is more stable in cross winds, maybe because it's heavier. In ice/snow, I usully drive the minivan because it's older (less to lose) but the couple times I drove the Vibe in snow it did great.edit upload for use elsewhere

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Can anyone who has added bigger anti-roll bars comment on the effect if any re cross winds?