Looking at buying a vibe.... AWD or Traction Control??

[miketothesteve]

Hi all,I'm brand new to these forums, and am here because I have a few questions I can't seem to find written answers to.I have recently decided I would like to buy a used Vibe, but my process of arriving to this decision is a little out the window now. I orignally wanted the vibe because I was looking for good fuel economy, and AWD for the winter. Well after test driving a vibe (I'm looking in the 03-05 range), the salesman said I have no reason for needing AWD, because traction control will work just as well in the winter, given that I have winter tires.The salesman was never really able to answer my question of, Do these vibes come standard with traction control?Now my next few questions are, If they don't come standard, how can I tell if a Vibe has traction control? And is it only certain newer model years?For those of you who have experienced AWD and traction control, what do you think is better? All things to consider...And lastly, I have found a 2005 Vibe, with a "Street Force" sticker on the back, and am wondering if this is an actual Vibe Model? It has hood scoops, and a Chrome exhaust tip (perhaps even a little bigger exhaust)... it also has alloys but I'm fairly certain they are not stock.Here is the car:http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-car...77106Thanks for all your help, and opinions!

[bull77]

1st welcome to the site 2nd the AWD/TC is a common debate on the site -- IMO you'll be fine with a good set of winters and TC.3rd the SF sticker on the back should be removed once you buy it - it's not for a different vibe model the hood scoop is aftermarket and it looks like a magnaflow exhaust tip on it -- bonus!!

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by miketothesteve »Hi all,I'm brand new to these forums, and am here because I have a few questions I can't seem to find written answers to.I have recently decided I would like to buy a used Vibe, but my process of arriving to this decision is a little out the window now. I orignally wanted the vibe because I was looking for good fuel economy, and AWD for the winter. Well after test driving a vibe (I'm looking in the 03-05 range), the salesman said I have no reason for needing AWD, because traction control will work just as well in the winter, given that I have winter tires.The salesman was never really able to answer my question of, Do these vibes come standard with traction control?Now my next few questions are, If they don't come standard, how can I tell if a Vibe has traction control? And is it only certain newer model years?For those of you who have experienced AWD and traction control, what do you think is better? All things to consider...And lastly, I have found a 2005 Vibe, with a "Street Force" sticker on the back, and am wondering if this is an actual Vibe Model? It has hood scoops, and a Chrome exhaust tip (perhaps even a little bigger exhaust)... it also has alloys but I'm fairly certain they are not stock.Here is the car:http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-car...77106Thanks for all your help, and opinions!NO the 03-06 two wheel drive vibes do not have traction control.The new 09's have traction controlNO there isn't a "street force" vibe edition. That sticker adds 10000000 horse power though. LOLThe hood is an aftermarket SLP hood.Those rims are not stock, again they are aftermarket.There are a lot of 2wd guys driving around in the winter with out issue, with snow tires on though.I have awd and frankly i'm sorry i got it.. lol I hardly ever need it.

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome! Keithvibe was mistaken when he mentioned how much hp that SF sticker adds. It actually is 10000003. I hope you won't hold that against him for too long.

[AKLGT]

the car looks nice.No traction control in the 03-08 models as stated previously. Yes, AWD will make a HUGE difference in the winter, no matter what others may say. I will tell you I will never go back to 2wd/fwd as a winter vehicle again. HOWEVER, the Vibe AWD system is quite lacking and you will definitely be getting a commuter car. Not much you can do to the AWD version. If you want a good AWD used car, look for a Subaru Impreza or Legacy wagon (non turbo). You'll get pretty good gas mileage, a superior AWD system and a lot more power and torque, but will lose the larger cargo capacity. You can also find the Subies (older models) with both MT and AT transmissions (if that matters to you). and you are all wrong, that rear hatch sticker doesn't add HP, it adds 1000000 ft-lbs of TORQUE!

[northvibe]

Like those said...I had a snow tire set on my 2wd vibe. It went through a lot of snow in Duluth MN. I also think it has to do with how much experience the driver has and the tires. Honestly I will never drive in the winter with out snow tires, awd or 2wd. They are so freaking helpful. That SLP hood is actually a very cool hood and has a usable ram air slot...well if they installed it right. So depends on the price difference between the awd and fwd. I would rather have fwd with snow tire set as it gets better gas mileage too. Also traction control isnt really needed if you know how to use the gas and brake pedal properly.

[miketothesteve]

Wow, you have all been very helpful so far, and have given me a lot to think about. But I think I will end up gettin a FWD model, because they are generally cheaper, so I could find one with fewer km's (mileage), and get slightly better gas mileage.I have thought about a few more questions, Do Vibe's come standard with keyless entry? Because I think all the ones I have seen have it.Next question, this one about winter driving with FWD; I was on the fence about gettin a manual or auto, so I got my friend to let me drive is 07 manual corolla, and it seemed like a nice 5speed, so I think I would like a 5speed. So the question I have is, are 5speeds any harder than automatics to drive in the snow?I don't think it should be, but I would feel better asking those with experience Thanks again all

[keithvibe]

I can only help with one of those.EDIT:Yes all vibe's have keyless entry that have power locksI'll let those who have a manual talk about driving in the snow.My AWD auto is fantastic in the snow... but i do have four snow tires too.Half the time the awd doesn't kick in because of the snow tires.

[wyatt89]

Manuals aren't bad to drive in snow with, I usually start in 2nd so I don't get wheelspin, it helps a lot if you stay in a high gear. I have a gt with all seasons and I never had a problem with snow.Did they make AWD vibes with a 5spd? I thought they were all automatics...

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by miketothesteve »Wow, you have all been very helpful so far, and have given me a lot to think about. But I think I will end up gettin a FWD model, because they are generally cheaper, so I could find one with fewer km's (mileage), and get slightly better gas mileage.I have thought about a few more questions, Do Vibe's come standard with keyless entry? Because I think all the ones I have seen have it.Next question, this one about winter driving with FWD; I was on the fence about gettin a manual or auto, so I got my friend to let me drive is 07 manual corolla, and it seemed like a nice 5speed, so I think I would like a 5speed. So the question I have is, are 5speeds any harder than automatics to drive in the snow?I don't think it should be, but I would feel better asking those with experience Thanks again allno, I believe you will have better control in the snow with an MT than an AT. with a MT trans you can down shift instead of only using your brakes. You can also start in 2nd if you get too much wheel spin.

[northvibe]

I had a auto fwd vibe, had no issue in snow just knew how to use the throttle. I had a manual mazdaspeed3 and now a SS. If you are good at manual driving and enjoy it, get it. Manual driving in snow is not bad its nicer than a auto because you can downshift to slow down and use a gear of choice for starting.

[keithvibe]

awd's only had autosI want to correct myself. Not all vibe's have keyless entry. only those with power locks have keyless entry

[psiu]

I will chime in that the FWD Vibe with some cheapo all season tires, blows chunks in the snow IMO. I actually prefer the way our 95 Neon handles compared to the Vibe--except for the imminent threat of explosion and falling apart-ness. Our old Corsica was better too...I think the smaller tires and more weight towards the front contributed to that.And no, I haven't paid for snow tires either. But hopefully there will be a nice 09 AWD Vibe up for sale in a year and a half for me to pick up.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I had a auto fwd vibe, had no issue in snow just knew how to use the throttle. I had a manual mazdaspeed3 and now a SS. If you are good at manual driving and enjoy it, get it. Manual driving in snow is not bad its nicer than a auto because you can downshift to slow down and use a gear of choice for starting.and we had 2. One 03 GT 6MT and an 04 Base Vibe 5MT. I can tell you we don't miss spinning our tires with no traction (studded winter tires) at stop lights or stop signs. I won't have anything other than AWD/4WD for the winter. However, you may not have the snow and ice like we do here. And though Mav seemed to think the car did OK in the winter, once he got behind the wheel of his AWD STI, well..... you couldn't pay him to take his old Vibe back. LOL. I think I liked that car a lot more than he ever did.

[miketothesteve]

So I found the Vibe I mentioned earlier on another site:http://www.canadatrader.com/re...cotiaAnd now I'm wondering if the seats are factory or not.. I would just like to point out the Street Force emblem

[keithvibe]

Yes the seats are stock... they added another 1,000,000hp with the sticker on the seat

[northvibe]

Those "street force" stickers are what I call dealer rice. Dealers get a big book of extra crap for cheap they can throw on the car but call it a package, like those. Im sure many have seen the "special edition" ones...Here is a friend of mine we taped showing a cobalt "xray" at a cobalt meet this spring LOLhttp://videos.streetfire.net/v...2.htmyes there were base vibes with no power locks or windows, but I only know that for 03-04. Not sure if in 05 they went standard to power.

[ToolGuy]

I have a FWD and no snow tires. My car, as all my FWD cars do just fine in the snow. You can also downshift in an automatic trans while in the snow instead of using the brakes for more control.

[Snake]

The nice thing about having a slushbox and 4 snow tires in snow is that you can lock up the brakes and get it into reverse if you run into trouble in the snow. done it here in the frozen north. Another little trick is putting your tranny in neutral and using your E brake just to keep you straight going down a hill(This is when you're going slow of course)That way you don't have the front drive wheels trying to hold you back, if you're in too low a gear on a fwd,that makes for a quick 180 if your drivers grab on the hill

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by Snake »The nice thing about having a slushbox and 4 snow tires in snow is that you can lock up the brakes and get it into reverse if you run into trouble in the snow. done it here in he frozen north. Another little trick is putting your tranny in neutral and using your E brake just to keep you straight going down a hill(This is when you're going slow of course)That way you don't have the front drive wheels trying to hold you back, if you're in too low a gear on a fwd,that makes for a quick 180 if your drivers grab on the hill Both so true! I think a lot of people do not understand down shifting or placing an automatic trans into neutral, to help with control in snow.

[northvibe]

yes...I dislike when people go down a icy hill...then at the last min slam their brakes and turn the wheel like that will do anything and then slide through a intersection.... ugh. Seriously they need to teach winter driving places that get snow.

[AKLGT]

the seats are probably made by katzkins, same vendor I had mine made. great seats, high quality.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »yes...I dislike when people go down a icy hill...then at the last min slam their brakes and turn the wheel like that will do anything and then slide through a intersection.... ugh. Seriously they need to teach winter driving places that get snow.You need to take a visit to Vancouver, it snows about 4 times a year. 1 inch of snow and EVERYTHING closes!

[miketothesteve]

Ok, so I will most likely be getting FWD. Now its a matter of finding the Vibe for me. Just last night, I found a 2008 Vibe, 5Spd, A/c, Pwr Grp, Tilt and Cruise, with 94000km (58400 miles) for asking $11000CDN. The car is a 3-4 hour drive away, 1-way. So before I consider looking at it, just curious what everyone thinks. It has everything I want in a Vibe, except I'm hoping to pay $10000.Here is the link to the ad:http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-car...65765I know its high km's for the year, so what are the pros and cons of this. I believe it still has power train warranty to 160000km right?

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »Yes the seats are stock... they added another 1,000,000hp with the sticker on the seat Keith, I hate to correct you twice, but the sticker on the seat only gives 9,999,992 hp.

[ned23]

The 2009 traction control works very well. I got through a pretty hefty winter with it with no problems. You'll really only need AWD if you live in a hilly area or an area where you have to drive through chronically deep snow. AWD will help you get up steep hills. If you're in a relatively flat area, TC should be more than sufficient, IMHO.