GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I don't need it for kayaks and bikes, just general tying oversized items or lumber to the roof to transport a short way. I've looked at the Yakima and Thule racks, and I don't like the way they look like an afterthought, just tacked on. They look like they don't belong with the car. The worst part is the idea of drilling holes in the roof. I don't want to do that. I need a rack that fits into the existing standard hardware that came with the car. I like the pictures I've seen of the original factory rack, nice and rounded - no ends sticking out, although they seem hard to get. I've looked all over the internet and I can't find one or a place that sells them. How do I find one? The only other alternative is to try the Toyota Matrix rack, although it doesn't look quite as nice. Does anyone know how the Vibe and Matrix racks compare? The car we have is a 2.4 L 2009 black Vibe.

Junkyard maybe? Midnight Auto parts?

I think all the AWD Vibes came with the roof racks. I did a quick look on http://www.car-part.com to see if I could find a wrecked AWD Vibe in the Chicago area. I searched for an AWD transmission and I found several cars within 200 miles, and a couple cars in Chicago. Might be worth it to call and see if they have the roof racks still on their AWD cars. Bionic Auto Parts - PRP Midwest USA-IL(Chicago) Request_Quote 877-445-1520 LKQ - A-Reliable Auto Parts USA-IL(Blue-Island) Request_Quote 1-800-385-2385 ext 6578One other note, LKQ is a chain and some of their other locations show AWD Vibes. Maybe they could pull it for you and ship it to your local yard. Also, most of the places on car-part will ship parts. But you might end up missing a few bolts or pieces that way.Good luck!

I just looked up a Matrix rack on ebay, it looks to be a bit sturdier based on the way it mounts. Plus since it is black, it is not as prominent on the car, especially a black one. You might just barely notice it on your car.

Anyone know how much weight the factory rack is able to carry? I thought I saw pictures of some that are black, does it only come in silver? I might decide on the Matrix rack if it's sturdier.

Found this on an ebay ad:Rated up to 60kg load capacity - (that's like 130 lbs I think, a bit much IMO)http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota...ntentAnd all I've ever seen on the Vibes is a silver one.

My FWD 2009 Vibe has the roof rack. What I intend to do in the future, is to make two front to back support rails out of 2 x 4's - 8 feet long. They will lay flat over the alum bars. I will make notches in the wood to lock them around the bars. Then I will clamp the wood to the bars with a strap of wood or metal under and bolt them with bolts and Wing nuts. I will provide eye hole fasteners along the 2 x 4's to be used as attachments for rope or string to tie down the plywood or item. I hope with this setup, I will be able to support sheets of 4'x8' plywood. Then drive home slowly from the H. D.Note that the car manual states NOT to place anything on the rack that is larger then the footprint area within the racks. or words to that effect.

These multipurpose, galvanized steel crossbars supply the backbone for your aftermarket roof-rack system. Bars provide stability to your rack system and carry the accessories that secure your gear. Round design fits all Yakima towers. Roofing Lancaster PA can help to give the best quality in this regards.

Although this original post is just over 5 months old, click this link which pretty much shows a detailed installation of a factory Matrix roof rack going on a 2009 Vibe.

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This is pretty much "hands down" a winner & a no brainer. Now go out and find one