GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Howdy all
I just picked up an 03 vibe GT for $350 cause clutch was toast. Fixed the car and I love driving it so I figured id find a site with more info on things I can do to the car to increase performance and the "cool" factor. It's maroon and grey plastic with 2013 Scion FRS takeoff wheels that I had laying around. I'm a mechanic and even remember driving the first Vibe GT off the transport truck in late 2002 when I worked at Pontiac dealer in Wichita.
Open to anyone's suggestions for what these cars like. I have a 65 shot Zex wet nitrous kit from my old Civic still complete I was gonna sell, but now.....
Glad I found this site.

Hi trdVibe. Welcome to the forum. You obviously got a steal for a deal! Can't wait for pictures.

Sorry car is filthy right now

Wow, what a screaming deal! What clutch did you use? I just had to replace the one in my "new" 03 GT since the POS Seco brand the prior owner's mechanic installed (for $1,400!) blew to pieces in only 12,000 miles. I got an Excedy replacement with a freshly turned flywheel for about $150 and spent a couple of days installing it. Not as easy as my Mustang, but not too bad.

Those wheels look really good on it, and I like the color a lot. Congrats on a great deal!

Looks like it's in great condition for an 03, congrats. Welcome to the club.

Welcome to GenVibe. Definitely a STEAL and in the best color too! Was the clutch the only thing wrong with this Vibe or did other factors affect the price you got it for?

I'm a kinda a cheap (removed) so I replaced the clutch with an O'Rielly (luk) but it had one in it so I warrantied it for free thx to my buddies there, and I cut the flywheel on my shop brake lathe so basically free except my 6 hours of labor. The car also needed a heater core but I flushed it a few times and it works good currently. Also the odometer has been stuck at 299,999 for a few years according to prev owner est around 400,000 by now but it runs amazing and the engin and trans VIN match body so these things are tough. I pulled valve cover and it's very clean inside engine. Ran a 16.0 quarter in it

wow... crazy deal you got there!

as others have said, welcome to the family!

now you just have to lower it, and it'll handle like a slot car

Hi. Welcome.

gorgeous vibe brotha! I want those rims! U have the same color config as me , aint it beautiful?

Thx for all the compliments and positive comments welcoming me. Yes lowering it is a must. Any suggestions, I want at least 2" drop but prob closer to 2.5 or maybe even 3"

trdVibe wrote:I'm a kinda a cheap (removed) so I replaced the clutch with an O'Rielly (luk) but it had one in it so I warrantied it for free thx to my buddies there, and I cut the flywheel on my shop brake lathe so basically free except my 6 hours of labor. The car also needed a heater core but I flushed it a few times and it works good currently. Also the odometer has been stuck at 299,999 for a few years according to prev owner est around 400,000 by now but it runs amazing and the engin and trans VIN match body so these things are tough. I pulled valve cover and it's very clean inside engine. Ran a 16.0 quarter in it

Wow, another bit of luck(luk)! Someone on here said the OEM in their Vibe was a luk clutch, but I doubt that one was the original at a potential 400K!! 6 hours is good time. Removing the CV axles was a pain to me since I ended up having to remove both to get the case back in place. But at least I didn't have to remove a rusted in place H pipe!

CV axle removal confirmed to be the work of the devil.

I did have a lift and air tools. Also I was a Toyota master tech for 5 years and Pontiac for 3 so I did tons of axles and trannys and learned the tricks. Ya I know it wasn't stock clutch cause guy was pissed that this one only lasted 2 yrs. he was 75yr old medical driver who was hard on clutches but I don't think the car ever saw "lift" While he owned it and put 300k on it, he also had another 03 same colors which also had 299,999 on it but wanted $1500 for it and it was just 1zz auto.