GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Now that the informative participants here have helped me sort out which model year AWD Vibes had which features, the next step is to find one. And that seems to involve a very basic 2-way choice.

Since I want VSC/Stabilitrac, which comes with several other safety features, the choice comes down to a 2005/2006 or 2009/2010.

The general price difference between the two generations is not a problem. You get what you pay for.

(My) pros for the 2005/2006:
- styling
- deeper cargo area
- apparently higher clearance and approach/departure angles would occasionally be handy for us
- I don't mind the smaller engine of the first generation
- I've heard it's a higher quality build than the second generation

(My) pros for the 2009/2010:
- far more available
- more safety features

I'd prefer a 2005/2006. However, after a couple of days looking, it's clear an awd 2005/2006 with the VSC features and the extra airbags, which were options at the time, is going to be extremely hard to find. It may take a year, if possible at all. On the other hand, there seems to be a good supply of 2009/2010's, and all of them have the desired features.

I welcome opinions about what to do.

Personally, I would go with a 2009-2010 because of the standard safety features and because you'd be getting a 2-3 year old vehicle compared to a 6-7 year old vehicle. There's also going to be a much better chance of finding a 2009-2010 with significantly lower mileage.

vibenvy wrote:Personally, I would go with a 2009-2010 because of the standard safety features and because you'd be getting a 2-3 year old vehicle compared to a 6-7 year old vehicle. There's also going to be a much better chance of finding a 2009-2010 with significantly lower mileage.

True, but AWD models for those model years came with the 2.4 engine which has lower fuel economy, lower than some competitors with 6 cylinder engines. Plus, the 2009/2010 models have a big blindspot

zyzyix wrote:True, but AWD models for those model years came with the 2.4 engine which has lower fuel economy, lower than some competitors with 6 cylinder engines. Plus, the 2009/2010 models have a big blindspot

My mom and I average right aroud 27-28 mpg with 50/50 driving in our 2009 Vibe GTs. I have gotten as high as 33.9 mpg with 100% highway driving. If you drive conservatively, you can easily get good mileage out of the 2.4L.

The blindspots are easily rememdied with blind spot mirrors .

vibenvy wrote:

zyzyix wrote:True, but AWD models for those model years came with the 2.4 engine which has lower fuel economy, lower than some competitors with 6 cylinder engines. Plus, the 2009/2010 models have a big blindspot

My mom and I average right aroud 27-28 mpg with 50/50 driving in our 2009 Vibe GTs. I have gotten as high as 33.9 mpg with 100% highway driving. If you drive conservatively, you can easily get good mileage out of the 2.4L.

The blindspots are easily rememdied with blind spot mirrors .

Thank you that is good to know. Thanks for sharing.

zyzyix wrote:Thank you that is good to know. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome. That's what I'm here for !

The 05-06 4WD (THEY ARE NOT AWD) DO NOT have VSC. And I doubt the 09+ has AWD also but I do believe it has the VSC

Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control were standard on all 2009-2010 Vibes.

I honestly do feel 2009+ Vibe build quality is lacking... I would stick with a 2003-2008 Model if you can find it.

ou.grizzly wrote:I honestly do feel 2009+ Vibe build quality is lacking... I would stick with a 2003-2008 Model if you can find it.

That would not be surprising. The 2009 did come out around the time GM was flirting with bankruptcy. Workers art NUMMI were right to be concerned, little did they know they were going to lose their jobs in the near future.

the 1zz awd is gutless and it still sucks on gas

at least the 2az awd has a bit of power

Funny how ever since I became interested in Vibes, I see them all the time now.

The power matter isn't a big concern for us. Any modern car has adequate power, and the horsepower race is not doing anyone much good except the manufacturers.

For better or worse, as we contemplated the difficulty of finding a 1st gen Vibe with the options we want, or instead having a 2nd gen, a somewhat different choice came to mind and has grown deep roots. We've decided to buy a used Prius. This would walk some of our enviro-talk by greatly reducing our gas consumption. It hadn't occurred to me that there seems to be no premium on the price of a used Prius, but that's the case. In general, they lose half their value in 4-5 years, they have racked up an excellent reliability record, and even 10-year old Prius main batteries perform like new. Should you need one, Prius batteries sell on eBay for about $1000.

Like the Vibe, the Prius has a versatile hatchback interior. As for winter use, choosing a Prius with the stability control option (not hard to find) and getting snow tires for it will have to do. For really demanding winter stuff, we still have the Grand Vitara.

Thanks for the help here, and best of luck with your Vibes.

Salsa Guy wrote:The 05-06 4WD (THEY ARE NOT AWD) DO NOT have VSC. And I doubt the 09+ has AWD also but I do believe it has the VSC

Technically I think the awd Vibe is a "slip & grip" awd. It's normally fwd, until the car senses front wheel spin, and then transfers some power to the back wheels. I believe the system allows the front and rear wheels to turn at different rates, which they would need to do to maintain traction on corners. Both of these aspects rule out classifying it as a 4wd. The AWD version was not offered in '07 and '08, but the other model years had an awd version. But it was always a separate model that sold in far fewer numbers than the more common fwd models.

At least the later, if not all 1st gen Vibes had stability control as a $1000 stand-alone option, so practically no one bought it. Probably the stability control was called Stabilitrac on the Vibe and VSC on the Matrix. VSC on the 1st gen is a bundle of traction control, ABS, brake force distribution and brake assist. You could get ABS without VSC, but you could not get VSC without ABS. All these features are standard on the 2nd gen.

thebarber wrote:the 1zz awd is gutless and it still sucks on gas

at least the 2az awd has a bit of power

Have owned the following Vibes:

2003 AWD
2008 FWD
2009 AWD
2009 FWD

By far, the 2003-2008 had the best build quality I feel. If the 2009+ did, I would of kept my 09 AWD.

xspirit wrote:The power matter isn't a big concern for us. Any modern car has adequate power, and the horsepower race is not doing anyone much good except the manufacturers.

the issue with the first gen awd is it was UNDERpowered. my 5speed yaris with i/h/e was quicker than a locals supercharged awd

xspirit wrote:Funny how ever since I became interested in Vibes, I see them all the time now.

The power matter isn't a big concern for us. Any modern car has adequate power, and the horsepower race is not doing anyone much good except the manufacturers.

For better or worse, as we contemplated the difficulty of finding a 1st gen Vibe with the options we want, or instead having a 2nd gen, a somewhat different choice came to mind and has grown deep roots. We've decided to buy a used Prius. This would walk some of our enviro-talk by greatly reducing our gas consumption. It hadn't occurred to me that there seems to be no premium on the price of a used Prius, but that's the case. In general, they lose half their value in 4-5 years, they have racked up an excellent reliability record, and even 10-year old Prius main batteries perform like new. Should you need one, Prius batteries sell on eBay for about $1000.

Like the Vibe, the Prius has a versatile hatchback interior. As for winter use, choosing a Prius with the stability control option (not hard to find) and getting snow tires for it will have to do. For really demanding winter stuff, we still have the Grand Vitara.

Thanks for the help here, and best of luck with your Vibes.

Good luck finding a Prius ! Glad we could help you out with Vibe info.