Well, I have had the Vibe for three weeks now and I must say, although I miss the Sunfire very much, the Vibe was definitely the right decision for me and what I was looking for.

I traded the Sunfire in for it at the Pontiac dealer here in town on Saturday April 11, 2009. It’s fully loaded with power everything, sunroof, 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission, theft deterrent alarm system, XM, OnStar, 18” polished face/gunmetal painted insert wheels, fold flat rear seats, fold flat front passenger seat, tire pressure monitors, outside temperature gauge, tons of storage compartments, Monsoon sound system with subwoofer and much much more.

So far I have only done a few very small things to it, but the mod list is already nearing completion because of the warranty and the fact that there is zero aftermarket support for the Vibe (one of the main reasons I got it!).


Here are the first pictures of it the morning after I got it (April 12, 2009):












Here are two pictures of it from the WI GM Tuners April Meet in Milwaukee (April 18, 2009):






The first thing I did was remove the dealer license plate frame and dealer sticker. The sticker was such a PITA. It wasn’t vinyl like a normal sticker, it was the same material that the license plate stickers are made out of. No matter what I did (let it sit in the sun, hair dryer, etc.) it would only come off in little tiny pieces. It ended up taking me a total of three hours over an entire week to finally get it totally removed, but it’s gone now and looks so much better.


Dealer crap removed (April 20, 2009):




The next thing I did was get the windows tinted 35% all around. I went with 35% all around because here in Illinois the front windows are not supposed to be tinted at all, so I am hoping since the 35% is pretty light I won’t get bothered about it *crosses fingers*.


35% tinted windows (May 3, 2009):








Earlier today I finally got around to installing my Cobra radar detector. It’s grounded on a screw under the trim panel by the driver’s side door and tapped into an empty fuse spot under the driver’s side dash. I was able to hide the wires perfectly under the rubber trim that runs along the driver’s side door.


Cobra radar detector hard wired (May 3, 2009):






Interior, Engine & Wheels (May 3, 2009):


































Last but not least... TOYOTA FOLDING MIRRORS !!! Unfortunately they're not power folding mirrors though .




Please excuse the dirtiness in the latest pictures. Everytime I plan on detailing it, it either rains or is going to rain the next day.

One night this week after work I am going to remove the “PONTIAC VIBE GT” badges from the hatch. The arrowhead badge will be staying though because I <3 Pontiac and it has some small holes under it.

Today I ordered a strip of black vinyl on eBay. I am going to put it on the inside of the windshield because the windshield has dot matrix on it and I knew tint wouldn’t stick to it, so I figured vinyl would be the only option. It will go down about 8” to the AVS line, just enough to keep the sun out.

I also have a silver “GenVibe.com” sticker coming. It will go somewhere on the hatch glass.

Here is the very short and simple future “mods” list:

- K&N 69 Series Typhoon silver powder coated short ram air intake
- Sylvania Silver Star bulbs (9145) in the fog lights
- Sylvania Silver Star Ultra (9006 / 9005) in the headlights
- color matched lower rear fascia
- GM premium all weather rubber floor mats
- GM premium all weather rubber cargo mat

I will continue to post pictures as more “mods” are completed. Thanks for looking.

had one of these but awd as a rental and hated it.but yours looks nice.i found it small.but it was replacing an impala.so thats prob it

Yeah, there is a huge difference between the base model and the GT. For starters, the GT looks way better, it has the 2.4L compared to the 1.8L, it has more gadgets and fun stuff, etc.

I couldn't be happier with it. It's a nice change for me coming from a 2200 powered Sunfire Sedan.

we have one here as a shop car at my school and i was doing some tests on it and was definitely digging it.

That's a really nice looking car, I love the new design. If I was going to order one, it would be a twin to yours!

I can't believe your sunfire is gone, that car was my inspiration! The Vibe looks really good, probably a lot more get up and go than the old 2200 eh! Nice to see that the mods to this car follow the theme of the old sunfire, clean and simple. Hope you will continue to visit this site, I'm sure I will be needing your opinion on things as my sunfire project progresses!

Nice! I have the same radar detector. Personally, I'd rather have a Matrix, but that because my dad had the 04 XR below. It was awesome. The car I learned to drive with and was sold to get my vert... So I'm rather partial... lol






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I wish I had some extra money to burn.




"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein

^oh my. carrie: definately do another spoiler on the lower part!



WiGM-Tuners member.

Should have gotten the Matrix...Resale value FTMFW!!!! Same car but perception sux as its the pontiac variant. Dont forget if you need any aftermarlket supprt see whats available on the Matrix as most stuff is interchangeable.

Btw the intake wont do to much...try a K&N drop in filet and save yourself a few bux and spend the money on the ehaust if you are looking for noise





Not unintentionally accelerating since 2009!!!!

Carrie you know i love ya but i'm just not feeling the vibe.

Glad your happy with it and keeping it clean

Im just more partial to the matrix myself.








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In Loving Memory of Phil Martin December 14 2005
Alexis: Dustin, you're ghey, lol. I am better. I have tits, and tits rule all.

I think the new Vibe's are beautiful. MUUUUUUCH better then the previous look. Fit and finish is WAY better.

Congrats on the new ride. I'm sure the 158hp/162tq is a welcome difference over the Sunfire.

You know what, a little drop on that (like 1"-1.5") and that car might actually look... dare I say... sexy? Thats the same motor thats in the TC's now, right? If thats the case.... turbo! lol




Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said

Luis Marroquin wrote:we have one here as a shop car at my school and i was doing some tests on it and was definitely digging it.

Yeah, I couldn't be happier with it.

stargrrrl wrote:That's a really nice looking car, I love the new design. If I was going to order one, it would be a twin to yours!

Yeah, I like the looks of the older ones, but definitely prefer the look of the new ones. Thanks for the kind words.

Chris B. wrote:I can't believe your sunfire is gone, that car was my inspiration! The Vibe looks really good, probably a lot more get up and go than the old 2200 eh! Nice to see that the mods to this car follow the theme of the old sunfire, clean and simple. Hope you will continue to visit this site, I'm sure I will be needing your opinion on things as my sunfire project progresses!

I definitely miss the Sedan, but I was spending way too much money modding it which is why I got the Vibe since it has zero aftermarket support. I will still be around here everyday helping out wherever and whenever I can. I am always willing to give my opinions and advice. I'm more than happy to help out anyone I can on here. It will definitely be staying clean and simple just like the Sedan.

98z24ragtop wrote:Nice! I have the same radar detector. Personally, I'd rather have a Matrix, but that because my dad had the 04 XR below. It was awesome. The car I learned to drive with and was sold to get my vert... So I'm rather partial... lol

Yeah, I'm so happy to have my radar detector installed because it is just way too easy to speed in this car . I have had it for 6 years now and have yet to get a speeding ticket! That's definitely a nice looking Matrix.

Dave wrote:I wish I had some extra money to burn.

Yeah, there is a thread about that over on GenVibe and it is definitely a sweet little car. Unfortunately the pictures aren't coming up on eBay anymore .

02 redbadged (now premi) wrote:^oh my. carrie: definately do another spoiler on the lower part!

The pictures are gone .

KandyMan... Das Deutsche. wrote:Should have gotten the Matrix...Resale value FTMFW!!!! Same car but perception sux as its the pontiac variant. Dont forget if you need any aftermarlket supprt see whats available on the Matrix as most stuff is interchangeable.

Btw the intake wont do to much...try a K&N drop in filet and save yourself a few bux and spend the money on the ehaust if you are looking for noise

I do like the look of the Matrix, but the Vibe offered more standard features for way less money. I have always loved Pontiac and that is another major reason why I got it. It's the only Pontiac (aside from a G8 GXP ) that I absolutely loved and had to have. I have been checking out Matrix aftermarket parts, but there's still not much out there and that's okay by me because one of the main reasons I got the Vibe was so I wouldn't be throwing money away modding it like I was with the Sunfire. I had fun with the two Sunfires I had but I blew way too much money on them and have nothing to show for it. With the Vibe I am only doing a few small, simple things and that's it. It's a great car the way it is and doesn't really need too much done to it IMO. I am definitely NOT looking for noise. I want to remain as inconspicuous as possible to avoid trouble with the cops and all.

I SATCHMOE YOU!!! wrote:Carrie you know i love ya but i'm just not feeling the vibe.

Glad your happy with it and keeping it clean

Im just more partial to the matrix myself.

I really like the looks of the Matrix, but again, the Vibe GT offered more standard features for a much better price which makes a huge difference.

Trevor Blesh wrote:I think the new Vibe's are beautiful. MUUUUUUCH better then the previous look. Fit and finish is WAY better.

Congrats on the new ride. I'm sure the 158hp/162tq is a welcome difference over the Sunfire.

Thanks for the kind words. The horsepower definitely took some getting used to over the 2200 that's for sure .

Thanks for all the input guys. Keep it coming!

JerseyJLN2 (Scarab) wrote:You know what, a little drop on that (like 1"-1.5") and that car might actually look... dare I say... sexy? Thats the same motor thats in the TC's now, right? If thats the case.... turbo! lol

While I have to agree with you on that, it won't be getting anything major like lowering or a turbo. It rides great stock and I like not having to worry about dodging bumps, pot holes, etc. although I still drive like I am driving the Sedan with the blown AGXs .

Yes, it shares the 2.4L VVT-i with the Scion TC & XB and Toyota Matrix & Corolla.

not the same year. but here u go:





WiGM-Tuners member.

I think you should go HID's rather than Silverstar's. 4500k for headlights and 3000k for the fogs.

Always liked the Vibe, definitely looks great

Glad youre happy with your purchase.

02 redbadged (now premi) wrote:not the same year. but here u go:

Eh, it looks good on there, but I wouldn't want another spoiler on mine. I'm not too fond of the spoiler that's on there already .

Trevor Blesh wrote:I think you should go HID's rather than Silverstar's. 4500k for headlights and 3000k for the fogs.

Nah, I'll stick with the Silver Stars. The stock halogen bulbs are really bright as it it. I'm sure the Silver Stars will be even better. I am just not really a fan of HIDs.

Zenith wrote:Always liked the Vibe, definitely looks great

Glad youre happy with your purchase.

Thanks for the kind words!

Everyone has their preference. I personally am accumulating parts to do an HID retrofit with Bi-Xenon projectors in my Spec5.

J TO ENVY wrote:Yeah, there is a huge difference between the base model and the GT. For starters, the GT looks way better, it has the 2.4L compared to the 1.8L, it has more gadgets and fun stuff, etc.

I couldn't be happier with it. It's a nice change for me coming from a 2200 powered Sunfire Sedan.

Also and very important, on the GT & AWD, you get a sophisticated independent rear double wishbone suspension as opposed to a torsion beam on the base.




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

I like the new Vibe over the Matrix styling. My only complaint with them is that they dropped the 2ZZGE / 6-speed manual gearbox. That combo was nuts! Now you just get a low end Camry drive train in a smaller car.


2010 Honda Fit LX

Well, after over a month I finally detailed the Vibe for the first time last weekend. I spent about 6 hours total on it. It looks even sexier now that it's all cleaned up . I just snapped a few quick pictures, nothing special.













Since the original post in this thread, I have added Silver Star bulbs in the low and high beams and fog lights. I couldn't be happier with them. I got them all uber cheap on eBay and they are bright and white as hell. I am definitely not worried about driving at night anymore. I can literally see a half mile down the road in the country.

I also added an 8" strip of black vinyl on the inside of the windshield to help block the sun out. It doesn't look perfect because of the damn dot matrix, but it does it's job and looks pretty decent.

I also got rid of the PONTIAC VIBE GT badges on the hatch which took all of 5 minutes (gotta love a new car with adhesive that hasn't had a chance to harden ).

I also added a silver GenVibe.com sticker to the hatch glass.

Last but not least, I got the premium all weather floor and cargo mats from GM. I didn't get any pictures of the floor mats, but the rear ones are just plain black with no logos and the front ones have the Vibe and arrowhead logos just like the cargo mat.

Aside from the K&N short ram intake and having the lower rear fascia color matched, I am officially done with the Vibe w00t!

Those wheels 5x100 still?

Lookin' good btw!

^nah. those should be 5x110 i believe!



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