GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I've had an 03 GT for three days and have a gripe which a google search can't match. That is the throttle tip in is too quick. What throttle tip in is the rate the throttle opens vs the amount of pedal movement, off idle. This makes launch far too tricky and probably has contributed to many premature clutch failures.

It used to be a notorious Big Three trick to have the throttle open quickly so that people thought the car was powerful and fast. A design was used to make the throttle open fastest off idle and then progressively slower the more the pedal is pushed. I am almost positive this is the case with the GT. After all you probably notice that you can cruise at 80 at about 1/10th throttle, or is it 1/20th. Whatever it's stupid. Even my 140HP Kawasaki needs at least a bit more percent of throttle to cruise 80, Any push of the pedal when not in gear brings the RPMs to 2500. Just try to hold it a 2K.

Am I the first one to notice this. A slower tip in would improve driveablility a lot. Maybe later years changed this by changing the design of the arm on the throttle. I hope so, Trying to design and fab one would be hard but I absolutely hate the driveability now and too boot a more accurate throttle would surely lead to better MPG

On further review I see the issue is not tip in but simply that the total pedal travel is very short. The result is the same. The inability to accurately control the throttle. I guess people are just used to such and perhaps most never cars are like this. With automatic it would hardly be an issue. This is the newest small car with manual that I have ever driven and perhaps having some good power exaggerates the issue. I am a bit surprised that it isn't a total dog at low RPM's as all the reviews always mention that. Then again I've been driving Civics for 8 years. The lack of replies suggests people think I am nuts. Perhaps.

Welcome to Gen Vibe Rapier! I am sure someone here will have some good input on your problem. It may take 24 hours or so for the right person to find your post. I don't have any GT experience and my 05 Base doesn't even have a throttle cable, but I would disconnect the cable at the throttle body and test both throttle pedal and throttle body actuator to see if one of them is sticking. My 2000 Saturn needs to have its TB cleaned yearly to prevent the butterfly valve from sticking at idle position due to sticky fuel build-up. Clean your throttle body?

There is no sticking or problem. It is simply the geometry of the thing. It works perfectly smoothly. Just not the way I would prefer. It is inappropriate for a passenger car in my opinion. Maybe someone could say if later first Gen GT's modified the throttle or maybe the Matrix was different. I would love to broaden the travel and slow down the throttle.

Since its a Toyota, its hardly a big 3 trick.

Just a car with a proper throttle cable and decent power.

My vibe feels quite spritely after driving our 91 golf diesel for a day or two...

Well as I said the linkage is properly linear, just quick. After a few days I've gotten acclimated to the clutch and throttle. Still, I'd prefer a little slower throttle, and maybe a clutch with a longer engagement zone but I'll adjust to the vehicle as I always do.

As long as the travel is smooth (but short) I would think it just takes getting used to.

My old '97 Civic is difficult to launch calmly, but that is because the throttle is old and kind of sticky.