Pontiac Vibe GT

"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany) 03/24/2015 at 10:56 • Filed to: None

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I had no idea the Vibe GT came with the Yamaha designed 2ZZ-GE engine and transmission. What a sleeper. The Celica GT-S engine in that thing with the 6 sp manual has to be SWEET.

There is one for sale in Jersey for $4k. I may have to talk to the finance department (my wife) about it.

That is NOT the redline of your average Pontiac. 8,200RPM!!!!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 10:59

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Some even had AWD too. I don't think the manual and AWD are exclusive options. I could be wrong, but I think the original Vibe could be had with a manual and AWD *edit - Vibe GTs could not have AWD*. Second gen vibes could not do both manual and AWD.

MIATAAAA > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:00

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I have dis.

But mine's the Matrix XRS. It's really fun.

As Du Volant > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:01

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They also had a Toyota Matrix version of this... and get this, a Corolla too. Yes, for a (short) while you could buy a Corolla with 180hp, a 6-speed, and an 8200rpm redline.

MIATAAAA > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 03/24/2015 at 11:01

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If they were exactly like the Toyota Matrices, the XRS (GT - Pontiac) only came in 6-speed manual and was never available in AWD.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:01

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I want a 2ZZ in my AW11 soooo badly. Higher revving, lighter, more powerful, and doesn't take me out of DM for autoX or Light 2WD (or whatever the fuck it's called) in NASA Rally? Yes plz!

alwaysmiata > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 03/24/2015 at 11:01

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I'm not sure you can get manual, awd and the 2zz though, but that is based off my limited knowledge of the matrix, and the vibe is mostly just a rebadged matrix.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MIATAAAA 03/24/2015 at 11:02

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Ah. Lame. Oh well, the 6-speed 2zz is good enough as-is.

MIATAAAA > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 03/24/2015 at 11:03

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Yeah - it's a real blast! I would have liked AWD though.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MIATAAAA 03/24/2015 at 11:06

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I'd like one to strip out and make a simple ITB or whatever class touring car for SCCA track rat fun.

Milky > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:07

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If you're gonna have a shitty small/weird hatch do it right.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > MIATAAAA 03/24/2015 at 11:07

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My parents had a base Vibe when I was in college. When I drove it, I noticed it would hydroplane more than other cars I've driven in the same class. Do you have this problem with the XRS?

rockingthe2 > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:08

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my wife has the base model vibe, I once watched a slug beat it off the line.

MIATAAAA > Where have all the lightweights gone? 03/24/2015 at 11:13

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Yes - I have noticed that it hydroplanes (and is terrible in snow and ice) significantly more than other cars I have.

But, honestly, I'm chalking it up to the stock tires (which I still have on the car), which I think were probably not very good. But damn they last forever, I'm on my second set and I have 140,000 miles on the car (though, I'm due for a new set now).

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > As Du Volant 03/24/2015 at 11:16

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What years did the Corolla have the 2ZZ-GE engine?

As Du Volant > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:19

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2005 and 2006 only, after that they still made the XRS but it had the rather meh 2.4 engine from the Matrix and Scion TC. And on that note I just realized I posted the wrong photo.

thebigbossyboss > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:24

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That is cool!!! Good to know!! What years? I should get one.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > thebigbossyboss 03/24/2015 at 11:27

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2003-2006 in both the Pontiac and Matrix. 2004-2006(?) for the Corolla.

thebigbossyboss > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:28

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Cool.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > As Du Volant 03/24/2015 at 11:30

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I wonder how many people who owned the car ever revved it enough to even take advantage of the variable timing and lift features that made the engine as over the top as it is. I know I drove my friends Elise and you really felt it kick in, but it was at SUCH a high RPM that I just cannot imagine the average owner of these cars ever tipping into it.

HammerheadFistpunch > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:40

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You would think, but they are heavier than that engine was meant for, so they are slow until the cam profile switch and pretty heavy on gas.

MIATAAAA > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:41

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I did ;)

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > HammerheadFistpunch 03/24/2015 at 11:44

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I noticed that when I drove my friends Elise with this engine. Below 6k it was...casual. Above that...RACECAR.

HammerheadFistpunch > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:44

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now imagine that with more weight and drag.

HammerheadFistpunch > MIATAAAA 03/24/2015 at 11:46

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Correct, the Vibe was available with AWD, but never the Vibe GT. You either got the 1zz , 4 speed auto and awd, or the 2zz 6 speed manual and fwd. To be fair, the 2zz with awd wouldn't be a lot of fun. Too little torque.

MIATAAAA > HammerheadFistpunch 03/24/2015 at 11:51

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Yeah. Low end torque is the serious shortcoming of the XRS.

handyjoe > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:55

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The base Vibe with the 5-sp was slow. Like, dangerously slow.

Never got a chance to drive the GT. Seemed like it would have done ok, and gotten decent mileage too.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 11:57

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It's a pity the 2ZZ never made it to the second generation - they were almost good looking, especially after the f*ck ugly first generation's plastic cladding.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > HammerheadFistpunch 03/24/2015 at 12:00

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Nothing you can't fix with a hole-saw and saw-z-all. Add lightness and speed holes!

feather-throttle-not-hair > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 03/24/2015 at 12:03

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The last time I saw one , it was screaming down the highway. So probably.

I drove a friends celica gt-s once. The engine isn't extremely "good" but it's incredibly entertaining.

feather-throttle-not-hair > HammerheadFistpunch 03/24/2015 at 12:05

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basically just a civic Si minus some handling magic. Still fun, but it ain't no Elise.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > MIATAAAA 03/24/2015 at 12:22

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Well...you are an opponaut. Of COURSE you did.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) 03/24/2015 at 14:21

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My Mom has the second generation GT, and while the engine is kind of dull, it's still decently quick. Also, on the right tires it's decently fun to drive.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/24/2015 at 14:49

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Those used the 2.4L from the Camry, correct? With AWD, that sounds like a pretty useful package, and not bad looking to boot. It's a pity they and their Toyota-badged siblings died with the NUMMI deal.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) 03/24/2015 at 15:00

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Yeah, pretty much. I don't think I would want an AWD version though.