GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Ok, so a dealer told me, the price difference of the following package is only $400CAD, what should I do... 1. Base FWD + 1SC (2.4L, 17in, etc) + 5spd auto2. AWD which comes with 2.4L, 4spd auto, 17in, etcThe different is very little, is the gas consumption is a concern... which would you get?

personal choice... but being i have awd but the 06 version. I would hands down get the new 09 awd. I have test drove the new awd's and i love the new pick up and the power.The gas consumption isn't all that bad if you can stay out of the go petal.

Also, is this AWD system the same as the one use on Toyota RAV4?? RAV4 did state there system as 4WD, what does that mean? Does it have a switch to turn it on and off?

the system works in 2wd mode and only ingages the rear wheels when the fronts starts to slip.there is not switch or leavers to throw.. it's all done automaticly

After more research, I find that operating cost of AWD model is higher... both gas and insurance...

The Engine-transmission-AWD trio is taken directly from the Rav4 which exaplains why it only comes with a 4 speed auto instead of the 5 speed auto present in the other Matrix/Vibe 2.4L models.Fuel consumption will be a little higher since the car is now heavier and went from a 5 speed to a 4 speed auto transmission.Insurance will be slightly higher (depending in your insurance company) since the AWD model is technicaly more upscale than the FWD 2.4L.

I would think long and hard as to if the slight increase in sure footedness with AWD was worth giving up both the peppiness of the stick, and the lower mileage. I suspect the 5 speed auto is peppier then the 4 speed.While the official MPG ratings are not that different, your driving style/route may be like mine where an auto tranny just kills both performance and mileage.Knowing how sure footed a FWD vibe is, I would have gone for FWD with a stick over my AWD now. (doesn't mean I don't love it.. ) The fact that to get any pep, I kill my mileage, I don't like it.

The new 2.4 with AWD is very peppy. Even with the 4spd auto. The fuel economy is good. One can easily beat the EPA estimate. The extra weight of AWD is not really felt. Toyota did a decent job with the car. Huge improvement over 1st generation.

AWD I love mine and yours will be much better

My AWD is an 03 but as far as the AWD using more gas, it's very minute. I average between 70 and 80 MPH and get 27-28 MPG. When I'm on cruise on long trips at around 72 MPH I get 32 MPG. Thats 1 MPG better than my father in law got with his 03 base FWD. Put some good snow shoes on it in winter so you're not constantly spinning, but the AWD is there if you need it.

I gave up my AWD for a new 09 manual shift tranny and fwd only and im very happy, i just ordered some winter tires, hope that will help when i need it, and i noticed a big gain in fuel savings so far and way more acceleration and power too

The moment you leave traffic behind at the light on a snowy day is the day you'll never go back to FWD.it puts a smile on my face every time.

My wife just reported to me (I'm on a business trip) that she only drove 10 miles less than the '03 Vibe. Her Matrix AWD has less than 500 miles. So far so good.

Well I gave up my AWD for a FWD manual shift, I missed my stick shift and never needed the AWD alot anyhow, and with it came more fuel consumption and more possible things to go wrong, and harder to work on. but the choice is all yours....It's not realy an AWD anymore ayhow, i'ts an auto 4wd and with no lockers it's more like auto 2wd

I have gone from AWD to the 2.4 GT. Can't really give a good opinion at this point as it hasn't snowed here *YET* (some in the forecast). However, I am hopeful that the traction/stability control alone will be good enough to get around in the winter. You really need to think about how much driving you do in fairly deep snow.

FWD and winter tires for me on my '09 GT. I had winter tires on my 2000 Sunfire for the 8 years I had it and it drove better than my Rav 4 or Jimmy even did in the winter. And I drive into Buffalo for work so I know snow!

Quote, originally posted by wildangel5 »FWD and winter tires for me on my '09 GT. I had winter tires on my 2000 Sunfire for the 8 years I had it and it drove better than my Rav 4 or Jimmy even did in the winter. And I drive into Buffalo for work so I know snow!I used to live in Buffalo... man I miss the WINGS... AND the snow... lol..