GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Looked closely at a Matrix today and noticed they have painted exterior mirrors which look nicer to me than our black versions. Is there a reason for this, our simpily a cost saving measure?

Not sure if it's the reason, but most of the Pontiacs my family has ever owned always had black mirrors, with the exception of our Grand Prix. But I agree, matching painted mirrors would be much cooler.

Did notice that...... I also think the matched mirrors look a little cleaner.... I think it was done just to be different... And the chipping scratching things sound plaussible....... but I have noticed the black mirrors get the small swirl marks in them.

I like how the mirrors on the Vibe match the paint around the windows. It is a clean look. Granted, match painted mirrors look nice. But, if they do start to chip, they are a pain in the (removed).

Actually, the Vibe doesn't have "painted" window frames. It's actually BLACK TAPE. I thought it was strange. Also, check out the black strip of tape on the B-pillar (the post between the front and rear doors). This is to block out the body color from being seen between the doors.All Vibes have this black tape on the window frames, so do all XR and XRS Matrix. However, base Matrix have body colored window frames. I think that's stupid. Base Matrix has unpainted black mirrors but body colored window frames. XR and XRS Matrix have body colored mirrors but black window frames. How stupid is that? Either way the mirrors and window frame are different colors (unless you buy black). Base:XR/XRS:The Vibe always has black mirrors and window frames (thankfully).

I'm sorry...black tape??? There is black tape on my car??? If I were to remove it, would I have Satellite colored window frames and pillars?

quote:I'm sorry...black tape??? There is black tape on my car??? If I were to remove it, would I have Satellite colored window frames and pillars?I believe so. Check out this thread to continue about the tape issue:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=192

i was thinking of having a decal place just place white vinyl over the upper portion of the mirror...it worked on a jeep cherokee i had and it looked nice + if it got chipped or grungy, just had a new block of vinyl applied....aaahhhh the magic of tape!!

quote:aaahhhh the magic of tape!!worked for the windows! LOL!

My mirrors had swirl marks on them when I drove the car off the lot. I've thought about getting them painted bodycolor (not sure how good it would look in Neptune though.) If they were actually painted black and clearcoated, that would be OK. I just don't like the glossy black plastic, it really doesn't hold up as well as if they were painted.I'm afraid in a few years they'll look as bad as they do on my friend's Sunfire.

quote:My mirrors had swirl marks on them when I drove the car off the lot. Same here. I try to purposely wax the mirrors more frequently and that seems to keep them looking in like-new condition.quote:I'm afraid in a few years they'll look as bad as they do on my friend's Sunfire.My Cavalier's mirrors faded so bad they looked like a light gray within a year after I bought it new. Even a good coating of wax or two doesn't restore it to the best condition, but better nonetheless.

I've never had a car where the mirror plastic faded in color. Not even my Sunfire. *shrug*

You actually wax the shiny plastic on the mirrors?

quote:You actually wax the shiny plastic on the mirrors? Yep. Gives it a brand new look and is harmless to the mirror finish. I've always waxed my exterior mirrors (not the mirror itself) with no problems. Gives it a layer of protection and from fading.

I have. Mothers Back to Black works well also.

I wanted to revive this thread b/c I found out some pretty cool info yesterday. My buddy just purchased a grey matrix a few weeks ago and We parked our cars next to eachother so we could compare them. The dise mirrors look alot alike. It turnes out they are the same mirrors. so when the Matrix gets aftermarket side view mirros like the M3 style we can buy them and put them on our VIBES. Just thought I ould give you a little FYI.

Quote, originally posted by NovaResource »Actually, the Vibe doesn't have "painted" window frames. It's actually BLACK TAPE. I thought it was strange. Also, check out the black strip of tape on the B-pillar (the post between the front and rear doors). This is to block out the body color from being seen between the doors.They do this on quite a few cars actually. On the Grand Am and Nissan Sentra people have been swapping the black for Carbon Fiber:I could do these for the Vibe as well if anyone's interested.- RyanGrafxWerks