GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Soon, I will have a new Vibe. So, enlighten me: tell me what quirks and oddities you have found with your Vibe - good and bad. I'm just curious as to what you all out there in the real world are experiencing with your lil cars...

Welcome to Genvibe! What kind of vibe are you getting, and when will you get it?My probs have been limited to http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... ?id=5933be sure to read http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6503 and the threads in there, especially http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5216

Let's see... I got the base Vibe in blue (what's that, Neptune?) with the cladding; 5 speed; moonroof pkg (why can't I get the 6 CDs w/ a moonroof?); all the power pieces parts; ABS; and a hula girl for the dash given to me by my 4 year old. Because I wanted the ABS, I had to order it, and I did that 5 weeks ago, so I figure it should show up any day. ANyways, I started this post to see what everyone thought of the Vibe. I test drove it a couple of times (they really dislike it when you veer from the prescribed "test drive path", and don;t even think of going 60 mph on a city street ), and it certainly seemed quite right, but I am curious as to what you can tell me of everyday driving, ie the previous post by "joatman".Thanks...

Welcome to GENVIBE!

welcome to genvibe! you'll find lots of great info on our cars...and when in doubt, it doesn't hurt to ask!

Quote, originally posted by hjwii »(why can't I get the 6 CDs w/ a moonroof.According to Pontiac's website you are able to order a 6 cd player with the moon and tunes package. Maybe there was some sort of factory cutoff? Anyway, welcome to the Vibe family. It is a great car.

I had no problem getting mine with the 6 disc with the moon & tunes. Had it since Sept 02.

I've had my Neptune Vibe for about a month now. Mine is very similar to yours, except I didn't get the moonroof.Quirks? The driving position takes a little getting used to, but I actually find the higher seating position quite nice. The dashboard illumination controls kinda suck...you can't lower the illumination without disabling the lights coming on when the doors are opened. The cruise control stalk is kinda funky too, as it rotates along with the wheel. The stock sound system is garbage....I've already replaced it. Fortunately, it's very easy to remove the old one....no special removal tools needed. The cargo cover is also annoying as heck...somebody needs to sell a retractable shade type cover for this car.Other than that, I like it. It's simple and easy to work on, gets good gas mileage, lots of storage nooks, and can haul a lot of cargo. There's an AWFUL lot to like about this car.

there are several 6disc changers for sale on ebay too... relatively inexpensive compared to what the dealer wants.

The only problem I've had with my Vibe is the lack of aftermarket parts availability. This car is great!

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp »The only problem I've had with my Vibe is the lack of aftermarket parts availability. This car is great!Exactly my thoughts as well.

Welcome!The only quirky thing mine does is the left most light in the HVAC controls goes out. I've found the sweet spot to hit in, though! Comes back on everytime!And the actually th other is, when I hit 6 grand, it kicks in REAL hard, and tends to accelerate quite quickly. leaving Honda's in it's wake?Is this just me, or is something wrong?

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero » And the actually th other is, when I hit 6 grand, it kicks in REAL hard, and tends to accelerate quite quickly. leaving Honda's in it's wake?Is this just me, or is something wrong?yes, i thot this was odd myself... but glad i'm not the only one w/ this problem! and yes, the lack of a/m parts is annoying.

Do not accwpt delivery with Conti tires on it, They're garbage

horn sucks,maybe the auto lights, but I for the most part love it more everytime i drive it.

Oh yes, the auto lights. You can't disable them without cutting wires. I think you can request to have the Daytime running lights disabled from the dealer, but they will not disable the automatic lights. Silly if you ask me.

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp »Oh yes, the auto lights. You can't disable them without cutting wires. I think you can request to have the Daytime running lights disabled from the dealer, but they will not disable the automatic lights. Silly if you ask me.Actually, if you pop the sensor out of the dash, you can just disconnect it. Takes less than 5 minutes.

Welcome! I'm a new member, too. No steering probs. over here. Just the nitpicky stuff like the autolight sensor and the wimpy cargo cover. Also, I don't have a cargo mat so stuff slides around a lot. All these troubles go away after 6500RPM... it's just so upLIFTing

ABS wasn't availible when I bought mine. It makes for a ton of fun in the snow and ice though that's for sure

I really like the car. I have a long commute and was really get fed up with it. Now it's more miles that I get to drive, before it was miles I HAD to drive.Don't be surprised by the rear window washer, it is supposed to be like someone is taking a leak down the back of your car.

I find that the gas milage isn't very good on the vibe.

Interesting, i've been getting 29-30 MPG since I bought my base 2wd. With gas prices going through the roof, I was very glad to get rid of my Tundra. The only quirk i've had with mine so far is that the paint on the radio trim is coming off pretty badly. But, I plan on fixing that with my own paint job soon. That, and it smells like a fresh pinto bean fart when I floor it. Dax

Well, it's a great car. Very pleasant to drive, good brakes, communicative suspension and steering, nippy around town, decent cruiser. Lots of storage and thoughful touches,and the interior is finished nicely except for the criminally underpadded armrests. Scads of cargo room and very comfortable even for 4-5 people. Good visibiility, easy to park and see out of. Very nice sport steering wheel. Handles very well when pushed to the limit (chasing a friend in a Subaru WRX on a twisty mountain road, heh). Quirks? The dashboard rattles occasionally. The storage compartment under the shifter is very fiddly. Too much hard plastic on the dash and in the cockpit. Slippery cargo area- you'll need a mat. Engine is unrefined when it;s cold out, and smells like rotten eggs. Seats verge on the squishy side- not bad, but I prefer firm seats in my cars. Great upholstery, though. Basic sound system is terrible. Um....I really think that's about it- all petty little stuff. No big flaws that I've discovered.

I had a quirk but it went away.... when i lowered it 2.5"that big gap between the tire and wheelwell looks better when its smaller and it handles alot better on the on-ramp. other than that no other quirks that i can think of.oh yea the windows tend to rattle when the moons and tunes is cranked up. welcome to genvibe by the way! 30 MPG aint bad

The one thing I find really quirky about my Vibe is that there's no trunk release from the inside of the car. Just a little button to pop the glass part.The other quirk is that the cupholders are different sizes, to me that just seems odd.Otherwise, I love this car.

Quirks... Hmm, let's see... Checking in at number one is the flaky automagic headlight control! Hey kids, it's NOON on a BRIGHT, SUNNY day, so let's turn your lights ON!!! Looks like the problem has been resolved for '04, but when I tried to get my car repaired to the '04 specs, the dealers didn't know how/what to fix. GM basically told me "sorry about your luck, there is not a fix available, go file a complaint with the BBB" when I contacted them about it. The single disc radio has been goofy, I'll be on number three here in a bit. The dealership ordered another one for my car today. Sadly, I traded in multiple problems for a new radio with the infamous scratching/scraping noise when braking. Let's hope the next one works.I have discovered an interesting quirk with the DRL's... If you shut off the engine, then move the key back to the on position within a couple of seconds (without starting the engine) the DRL's come back on without the engine running. Same thing happens at night, only with all the lights turning back on. The keyless entry gives me some hassles - I'll go back out to the car and press unlock and nothing happens. Somehow the lock button gets stuck down on the keyfob, have to press it and wiggle a bit, then it pops back up and I can use the keyless entry again. Blah.As a whole, I love my little blue wagon. It is comfy, roomy, looks good, practical, reliable, and averages about 31 MPG. Not too bad!

My biggest peeve is that little storage area under the shifter. Mine keeps popping open and won't stay closed. I fiddle with the latch to no avail. Does anyone else have this problem?I find the automatic headlight thing more amusing than annoying. There's this one underpass on the way to work that I know will always trigger them. It's becoming a little game to see how quickly I can get under it without them coming on. I had a '97 Grand Am that was the same way so it's really not a new experience.Plus, I can't seem to keep mine clean. But I think that's a combination of where I live and my sheer laziness.

Downsides: cheap thin paint job, compartment under shifter pops open/falls out, headlights are weak, gauges dim automatically during daytime, dash/moonroof rattles, not enough aftermarket parts.Upsides: Style, ease of engine work, pretty peppy car (Even a base auto), tons of cargo room (Or sound system room ) in the hatch, tons of passenger room, toyota reliability, I could go on but it's late and I'm tired

Hey yah, that loose compartment by the shifter frustrates me too. But a patch of duct tape did the job. Big complaint with me is that I can only carry seven young pretty young girls at a time. What's with that?Also cant seem to cruise under 80 mph on the freeway. And when the CHP drives by me he's always giving the evil eye. He he

it's interesting to note that the primary 'quirks' listed have been fixed on the '04.auto lights works fine for me...compartment stays shut...numbering on gauges are whitish/grey and easy to read...no issues with the single disk player...(scratching noise during braking???)dual nozzle rear spray does a good job....hmm.....i'd say GM handled quite a few things? or is my car a 'quirk'?

in my opinion you will not like the vary,vary,vary low cupholdersand the low to far back fixed armrest

The only quirk so far with mine is that the windows rattle when they're halfway rolled down and you close the door, the passenger side regulator actually is very loose and I'm dropping it off at the dealer tomorrow to get it fixed, welcome too!

Quote, originally posted by Winky43402 »The one thing I find really quirky about my Vibe is that there's no trunk release from the inside of the car. Just a little button to pop the glass part.Actually, most station wagons and vans are that way. It's a 5-door, not a sedan. So you don't really have a 'trunk' so much as a 'hatch'. I don't think i've ever seen a wagon (other than the new ones with the motorized rear doors) that have a seperate release for the back hatch..

I have had my Salsa Vibe for 1 week today. We put almost 900 miles on it. (trip to Tennessee for birthdays and Father's Day). We've had between 26 and 32 mpg. I LOVE MY VIBE.The only quirks so far is an occasional skip/stick on the CD player; no power to charge my cell if the key is off; huge blind spot that takes getting used to.I used to stay at work thru my lunch - but now I go out just so I can drive the Vibe!

We've owned our Vibe one week today also. Surprisingly, despite what I've been reading about the stereo system, we are quite pleased with the sound out of our stock system. I guess we have lower expectations :-)I love the 'chair-like' seating position. So far, I haven't found anything I really don't like about the car, but then I've only owned it one week. I will say this, though, compared to what else is out there in the price range (we bought a base Vibe with no options), nothing compares as far as conveniences, sport styling, and great features.

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow »ABS wasn't availible when I bought mine. It makes for a ton of fun in the snow and ice though that's for sure it had to be homie!i got mine in april '02 and i got it!

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »Actually, most station wagons and vans are that way. It's a 5-door, not a sedan. So you don't really have a 'trunk' so much as a 'hatch'. I don't think i've ever seen a wagon (other than the new ones with the motorized rear doors) that have a seperate release for the back hatch..my 98 VW Golf had a 'hatch' release button in the centre storage compartment....would it be considered a wagon?and just unlocking the doors makes the rear hatch on the vibe 'openable' using the lever...why do you want to actually have something that releases the hatch like the rear window if it's as simple as pushing in the lever when you go to lift the hatch using the conveniently provided handle ?

I've had my vibe 4 weeks tomorrow. So far I don't have any of the above problems. I bought the rubber matting from Lowe's someone said to get for the cargo area and it works great and only cost about $15.00 to do. Have a couple of things ordered for it. No problem with radio or CD player.

Left-most HVAC knob light goes out. Hit the sweetspot and it comes back on...weird.

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero »Left-most HVAC knob light goes out. Hit the sweetspot and it comes back on...weird.(removed) is an hvac knob light?

A/C control knobs. The light behind it has a short.

The backlighting for the A/C and recirc switches died the other day as well.

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero »A/C control knobs. The light behind it has a short.talking about lights, why aren't the door and window controls lighted??