![]() The Matrix got some thumping ads in Canada, where the car was built. This was the Voltz, and its advertising seems notably frantic even by the standards of Japanese car commercials. Toyota had right-hand-drive Matrixes brought over to Japan from Canada, but a NUMMI-built version of the Vibe could be purchased there for a few years as well. The kids, they were crazy about the Vibe (well, maybe not). ![]() Sold in Wyoming, will be crushed in an adjacent state. This car is covered with nasty dents from golf-ball-sized hail (all too common in High Plains Colorado), so it may have been an insurance total that nobody wanted at auction. You'll find plenty of three-pedal econoboxes from this era, because they were significantly cheaper than their slushbox-equipped counterparts, but the Vibe GT had plenty of competition from sportier-looking cars with manual transmissions in 2004. In fact, the six-speed was the only transmission offered in the early Vibe GTs (an automatic became an option later on). The Vibe GT has something you couldn't get in a PT Cruiser or Chevy HHR, though: a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. Sadly, no race series pitting Vibe GTs against PT Cruiser Turbos and Chevy HHR SSs on road courses ever materialized… but it's not too late. Find specifications for every 2003 Pontiac Vibe: gas mileage, engine, performance, warranty, equipment and more. The regular Vibe had 123 or 130 horsepower, depending on the number of driven wheels, but the Vibe GT got the same 1.8-liter 2ZZ engine that went into the Celica GT-S.ġ80 horsepower, which was enough to make the 2,800-pound Vibe GT keep up with the 3,108-pound/215-horse Chrysler PT Cruiser Turbo that year. Today's Junkyard Gem is one of those rare GTs, complete with the nearly unheard-of six-speed manual transmission, found in a self-service yard in northeastern Colorado. The Vibe, sibling to the Toyota Matrix, mostly served as a ho-hum transportation appliance and/or fleet car, but a factory-hot-rod GT version could be purchased. And, unlike the high-strung GT, the base Vibes 4200-rpm torque peak is more. I had a chance at a better autocross car and went for it but I've never regretted owning the Vibe.The New United Motor Manufacturing plant in Fremont, California, built Toyota-derived machinery - badged as Toyotas, Chevrolets, Geos, and Pontiacs- from 1984 through 2010, and some of the very last vehicles that left the assembly line were Pontiac Vibes. Read the latest information about the 2003 Pontiac Vibe with review and road test from Automobile Magazine. I would still own it if I hadn't gotten deeper into autocrossing. It was super reliable while I owned it and I never had any real trouble with it. I replaced it after 4 years with a parts store brand battery with 380 CC amps. The stock battery it only like 230 CC amps and sometimes it was slow to crank during Midwestern blizzards. I ended up using a pair of large slip-joint pliers to loosen it. The oil filter is tiny so its hard to find a filter socket that fits. Same as in the Celica GT-S, Corolla XRS, and the Lotus Elise and Exige. The ONLY difference between the Vibe and Matrix interiors is the Vibe had black door handles and the Matrix had chrome door handles. Put a piece of sponge under it to hold it up high enough for the lock to latch firmly. There is a storage compartment under the shifter and sometimes those fall open since the hinge and lock are plastic. The interior is a little plasticy but mine held up fine. Even had the hatch and rear seats filled with stuff. I once hauled a loaded Uhaul sport trailer from Detroit to Chicago and got 29 mpg. I installed mine in 10 minutes with a clicker torque wrench. The nuts for the hitch are already welded to the rear subframe. You can add a hitch so you can use a hitch-based bike rack or tow a small trailer. They are nice for keeping stuff from sliding in the cargo area. If they aren't there, check under the floor in the spare tire area since most people never use them. SPC OEM HEAVY DUTY CLUTCH KIT Fits 2003-2008 PONTIAC VIBE GT 1.8L 2ZZGE 6-SPEED (For: Vibe GT) Opens in a new window or tab. There should be adjustable tie down points that fit into the tracks in the floor. JDK STAGE 2 PERFORMANCE CLUTCH KIT for 2000-2005 TOYOTA CELICA GT GT-S 1.8L (For: Vibe GT) Opens in a new window or tab. The front passenger seat flips flat too so you can carry a 7 foot item without a problem. Great interior space as the rear seats flip down flat. I got decent mileage even using it as an H-stock autocross car. I used to get 33-34 on the highway on trips. If you can keep it off the 8200 rpm limiter you can easily get 30 mpg in mixed driving. That kick when you hit 6000 rpms is addictive. Hardly anything is different and they were all built on the same assembly line (the old NUMMI plant in California that was co-owned by Toyota and GM). It is a Toyota Matrix with a Pontiac body.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |