GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Purchased a 09 Vibe GT for my wife recently...thus far, we're fairly happy with it but the ride is kinda rough...I'm assuming it's due to the 18" wheels...would dropping down to a 17" rim help? I have a 10 month old son and my wife and I plan to do some travelling this summer but would like to make it a bit more comfortable. 2009 GT manumatic with 36K on the clock. Tires are practically new GoodYear Eagle GTs roughly 1k on them. Thanks.

Welcome! Great to have another GT! What color?Yeah, the ride is rough. Though, the more you have in the car the less harsh the ride is.Sorry, can't help with the tire size info, because I would NEVER change my wheels! Others will be of help though!

Welcome and congrats on the purchase!

Welcome to GenVibe!!! Dropping down to 17's won't do much... try 16's and a nice all season tire... I prefer the rough ride and tight suspension, though!And what you have is a top gear limiter, not a true manumatic...

Welcome to GenVibe! Great to see another '09 GT owner join !Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »What color?x2Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »I would NEVER change my wheels!Same here! One of my absolute favorite things about my GT!Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »I prefer the rough ride and tight suspension, though!Same here! I spent a lot of money on aftermarket suspension parts trying to get my Sunfires to ride and handle how the Vibe GT does from the factory .

Welcome to GenVibe!

I would take a rougher ride for bigger wheels. But smallr wheels = more rubber giving it a more plush ride. In theory it works. But its only a minimal change for the most part.

Welcome Did you by chance purchase one of the several fleet rental Vibe GT's being offered by Gustman up there in Wisconsin? They were all part of a fleet out of Utah and then sold at auction. Just curious as to the condition of it. Also the price & color. Anyways your ride will be a bit stiffer due to the tires and the suspension that is offered on the GT. Smaller tires will help a little bit but nothing substantial. Several of us here run 16" rubber during the winters here in the Midwest so we can honestly tell you the difference. Let us know more details soon and post pics when you get a chance. Again .............................. Welcome

Yep...got my 09 Vibe GT in Silver at Gustman...they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. They had several colors but my wife liked the Silver best. Thanks for the warm welcome from everyone too!

Another cheesehead. Cool.I like the 18's on my GT, the car handles so much better. I run 16" snow tires in winter - not much improvement as far as ride comfort. Couldn't wait to change to my summer shoes this spring.

Welcome to GenVibe....move further South so I don't have to drive so far to meets.lol

Quote, originally posted by yakobo75 »Yep...got my 09 Vibe GT in Silver at Gustman...they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. They had several colors but my wife liked the Silver best. Thanks for the warm welcome from everyone too!

Welcome!I wonder if the spring rates and IRS of the GT are more the culprit than the tires? I have 17 wheels with the exact same sidewall height as the GT and I would not describe the ride as harsh at all.Not sure if the RS-A's are different compounds or belts or stiffer sidewalls on GT's than the optional 17" wheels on my base 2.4L.Or maybe just varying sensitivity by owner?

Welcome to GenVibe!

Quote, originally posted by yakobo75 »They had several colors but my wife liked the Silver best.Your wife has excellent taste !Quote, originally posted by vit »I run 16" snow tires in winter - not much improvement as far as ride comfort.I agree. There's only a marginal difference, at best, in the ride with my 16" winter wheels and tires. Quote, originally posted by Kincaid »I wonder if the spring rates and IRS of the GT are more the culprit than the tires? I have 17 wheels with the exact same sidewall height as the GT and I would not describe the ride as harsh at all.Not sure if the RS-A's are different compounds or belts or stiffer sidewalls on GT's than the optional 17" wheels on my base 2.4L.Or maybe just varying sensitivity by owner?It could be the IRS. I personally think of the ride as being "stiff and sporty" not "harsh", but that's just me I guess. I really think it comes down to personal preference.

To me the GT ride is not harsh, it is more of the noise you hear as going over the bumps. It's the suspension - and I love it in the twisties .

Welcome to Genvibe! The rough ride maybe relative to what you drove before? But 18" may have some effect, what's the tire pressure?

Maybe my wife and I just have to get accustomed to the ride...Used to own a 06 Maxima and a 03 Saab 9-3 but maintenance was costly as was gas prices. Vibe seems to fill our niche as a secondary/baby transport vehicle nicely for the time being.

Really? I just switched from my 16" snow tires to my 18" regular tires, and find that the snows do offer a softer ride.

Quote, originally posted by themrfreeze »Really? I just switched from my 16" snow tires to my 18" regular tires, and find that the snows do offer a softer ride.The 16s do offer a softer ride, but the difference, in my opinion, is negligible.

The ride was much softer with snow tires.... and louder...How big are the potholes and ruts there?

Quote, originally posted by yakobo75 »Yep...got my 09 Vibe GT in Silver at Gustman...they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Nice deal you must have made. Now I.M. me or e-mail me with the details. I too am looking at one of those many rental fleet Vibe GT's that they are selling and want to know what you haggled them down to on price so I'll know if/when I contact them ......................... Thanks & enjoy the ride You won't regret it

Quote, originally posted by tpollauf »I too am looking at one of those many rental fleet Vibe GT'sAnother Vibe GT Tim!?! Would this one be for your son?

http://application.gustman.com...n=All15 used VibesLooks like $13,999 is the ask for 2009 GT's with low 30's My guess is that he has about $11,500 in it.

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »Another Vibe GT Tim!?! Would this one be for your son?You're GOOD Carrie Yes, and he'll be putting close to half of his own money down on it! Dad (me) will possibly help out with the rest if/when we were to purchase. These are all automatics and mine a stick. Otherwise I'd allow him to drive mine BUT he's lazy and want's no part of driving stick (for now anyways). They have a VERY RARE "mystic Blue Metallic" which they have listed as "Green" up there that is still available. It's a long shot but if the prices are right, I'd make the drive to get one

Quote, originally posted by tpollauf »You're GOOD Carrie Yes, and he'll be putting close to half of his own money down on it! Dad (me) will possibly help out with the rest if/when we were to purchase. These are all automatics and mine a stick. Otherwise I'd allow him to drive mine BUT he's lazy and want's no part of driving stick (for now anyways). They have a VERY RARE "mystic Blue Metallic" which they have listed as "Green" up there that is still available. It's a long shot but if the prices are right, I'd make the drive to get one Wow, that's awesome that he has that much money of his own saved up ! Somehow... I highly doubt a teenage boy would want a Mystic Blue Metallic Vibe though. Seems like more of a girly color to me .

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »Somehow... I highly doubt a teenage boy would want a Mystic Blue Metallic Vibe though. Seems like more of a girly color to me .Coming from a teenage boy, I'm not a fan of that rare color. It actually seems milky and without depth to it, if you understand what I mean. It is also kind of a girly color, I guess you could say. I couldn't see myself getting one of those.Good job on getting your son hooked on one! Now I just need to get my dad to replace his truck with a Vibe...