Introduction and first post
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2016 4:50 pm
Hello.
I joined in 2015 but haven't posted until now. I always found the answers to my questions with the search function. I own a 2005 Vibe AWD that I bought new in May of '05. It's Lava Red with Graphite interior. It's my wife's daily driver and currently has 114,000 miles. I drive it too but find getting in and out a challenge as I am 6' 5" tall and the wrong side of 250lbs. But once thusly ensconced I find it to be a very enjoyable car to drive. Roomy enough and reasonably comfortable seats for long drives. MPG varies depending on where we drive and season. Ranges 23 to 30. On a long straight flat trip we once got over 35mpg. For a car rated at 26/31 I'm satisfied with that.
Over the last 12 years I have replaced or had replaced both rear wheel bearings. one at 50K and the other at 83K. Tires were another issue. I had 3 sets of new tires on the car in the first 25,000 miles. One of those sets was a freebie from the dealer on a TSB that I discovered here on GenVibe.
I now try to find tires with a higher UTG wear rating. I also up sized to 205/60-16 from the stock size and tire wear is now acceptable.
I do my own brakes too. 3 seats of pads and a set of rotors so far since new.
The only other issue is exhaust. No Cat back systems apparently are made for the AWD so I have been repairing my OEM system. The flange broke off at the muffler to pipe joint and I replaced that with something sturdier. Also the inlet pipe to the muffler rusts away about every 2 years and I just build a new one and weld it back on.
I have a decent shop to work in and the tools to do the work so it saves me a lot to DIY. Ever price a new OEM exhaust system?
I do have the car dealer serviced. I know the service manager where I take it and he treats me right. Since it's my wife's car I don't mess with
The car runs and drives as good as ever and we plan on keeping it till the end.
Thanks for listening.
Mike T
I joined in 2015 but haven't posted until now. I always found the answers to my questions with the search function. I own a 2005 Vibe AWD that I bought new in May of '05. It's Lava Red with Graphite interior. It's my wife's daily driver and currently has 114,000 miles. I drive it too but find getting in and out a challenge as I am 6' 5" tall and the wrong side of 250lbs. But once thusly ensconced I find it to be a very enjoyable car to drive. Roomy enough and reasonably comfortable seats for long drives. MPG varies depending on where we drive and season. Ranges 23 to 30. On a long straight flat trip we once got over 35mpg. For a car rated at 26/31 I'm satisfied with that.
Over the last 12 years I have replaced or had replaced both rear wheel bearings. one at 50K and the other at 83K. Tires were another issue. I had 3 sets of new tires on the car in the first 25,000 miles. One of those sets was a freebie from the dealer on a TSB that I discovered here on GenVibe.
I now try to find tires with a higher UTG wear rating. I also up sized to 205/60-16 from the stock size and tire wear is now acceptable.
I do my own brakes too. 3 seats of pads and a set of rotors so far since new.
The only other issue is exhaust. No Cat back systems apparently are made for the AWD so I have been repairing my OEM system. The flange broke off at the muffler to pipe joint and I replaced that with something sturdier. Also the inlet pipe to the muffler rusts away about every 2 years and I just build a new one and weld it back on.
I have a decent shop to work in and the tools to do the work so it saves me a lot to DIY. Ever price a new OEM exhaust system?
I do have the car dealer serviced. I know the service manager where I take it and he treats me right. Since it's my wife's car I don't mess with
The car runs and drives as good as ever and we plan on keeping it till the end.
Thanks for listening.
Mike T
Hopefully you don't got another year without a post 
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