For the vast multitudes following our new car purchase — for which we have yet to pay a single cent, very weird — I’d like to comment on and correct something I said earlier about the steering: no, it isn’t “twitchy.” There may still be an alignment adjustment in the future, but I’ve calmed down about it. As one of my commenters speculated, I think I was just used to sloppy steering! The Vibe’s rack & pinion steering gear has zero play, so what’s needed is a lighter touch. I’m getting used to it just fine.
Getting better all the time
I have a pernicious habit of examining new purchases microscopically and then laying awake at night cursing the flaws, but there are always flaws in anything built or cared for by humans, like the all but unnoticeable two or three marks on the windshield, and the less than elegant spot weld on the bottom corner of the passenger side front door. So far, however, I’m 99.8 percent pleased. Actually, the worst things are a scratch I accidentally made on the front fender that my wife doesn’t know about and the holes made in the “bumper” by the installation of the front license plate bracket, which I plan to remove. (We don’t use front plates in New Mexico.) I found a state-of-the-art hot rod builder and body shop facility where I’ll be able to have the scratch and the bracket holes repaired, so the Vibe has a clean, smooth nose. My nose will be clean then, too!
The DRIVING is excellent, I’m happy to report. I could hardly be more content on that score, unless the thing had double the horsepower. The 5-speed manual transmission is an absolute joy to play with, and my wife loves it. With the stick shift, you can keep the engine RPMs up high enough to have plenty of oomph in most driving situations. The seats are comfortable and slightly elevated over sedan-height cars, and the vehicle is fun to drive.
What constitutes “fun to drive,” though? In this case, it’s the light touch on the delightfully ergonomic controls, good brakes, secure stance on the road, visibility, and the unquantifiable pleasure of the sound of the engine working through the gears. I even like the red dash lights and the chrome rings on the dash!
Related posts:
- Vibe Update [Er, Updated]
- Pontiac Vibe Report
- More Vibe Impressions
- Vibe Report: New Tires! [Updated 2x]
- Vibe Report
Well, I totally believe you. My room at that Best Western was “okay,” just charmlessly...
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so very happy for you and your wife.
To me, the car felt like it had the steering of my MG’s, nice and quick. I like the feel. It always held the road, it was well mannered! The engine has a really nice sound, even better when you let the revs come on up to the top end. Our Vibe came into it’s own at about 5K.
Milage got better about that time.
Enjoy
About twitchy handling:
may I suggest lowering the air pressure about 4 pounds or so from the suggested amount in the front tires and raising the pressure by about the same amount in the rear tires. Over the years (ever since radial tires came out), I’ve had good results with this procedure. But try experimenting to see what, and how much, works for your car.
Best — Joachim
You’re quite right, Joachim: tire pressure — and the tires themselves — can make all the difference in the world. A tad less pressure ought to “stick” the front wheels better. The car is so new, however, that I haven’t even checked the tire pressure yet!
Guess I’ll make that #1 on my list…