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Preliminary '09 Torrent research...

4 messages,  Last post on Jun 22, 2009 at 7:30 AM

You are in the Pontiac Torrent Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Torrent, Pontiac Vibe, Dodge Durango, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Car Financing, Buying Insurance, Hatchback, SUV

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#2 of 4 Re: Preliminary '09 Torrent research... [zathrak] by steve_ HOST Apr 09, 2009 (9:43 pm)
Replying to: zathrak (Apr 07, 2009 5:57 pm) I like the Vibe a lot. Is it better? Just depends on what you are looking for (and it doesn't sound like you are sold on the Vibe). Drive what you like.   It's odd, but some new cars are "cheaper" than used ones right now. link   I'm not a big leather fan, but I've heard lots of good things about aftermarket leather.   Incentives are really hard to predict. Edmunds has a Predictive TMV that can give you hints about which way prices are going.   I've had both AWD and FWD (and used both in snow country). Good winter tires will get you most places with FWD.   For insurance, try asking an agent.   Black paint? Yikes! I hope you enjoy washing and dusting your cars.   I don't even believe in waxing cars and don't think a sealant is worth it. Check out Paint and Body Maintenance & Repair for other opinions.
#3 of 4 Re: Preliminary '09 Torrent research... [zathrak] by aksid May 28, 2009 (9:26 pm)
Replying to: zathrak (Apr 07, 2009 5:57 pm) It probably late, but I do my comments: I owned Vibe 2004, base model for more then 2 years. Vibe is good car,it has never gave me any mechanical problem, but it was just a car. Torrent is different story. I loved the Torrent from the moment I saw the pictures in internet. Traded-in Vibe for Torrent 2006, AWD. Since then I am happy owner of nice car and never regret about this decision. Every day I start engine in Torrent I get a wave of excitement (even though I was two times at dealership: 1. front rotor resurfacing. 2. some hose got disconnected and brought "check engine" light on). Answering your questions: 1. Torrent is better in all instances except mpg. 2. For me better mpg does not overweight all other features of Torrent. I did not have chance to drive Vibe GT, but base Vibe is seriously underpowered, getting annoying high tone engine noise when accelerating. It could be surprise, but Torrent has much better road handling, even taking on consideration it noticeable tilt at cornering. Vibe had handling problem when road had some small bumps or patch holes: rear axle just shifted to the side. It was extremely severe at turns. 3. If you count thousands of miles your car should run per thousands of dollars you want to spend, then used cars are better in general, but if you get lemon then it could be otherwise. I would consider 2-3 years old Torrent with low mileage, but very low price ("very low" depends on car). 4. No suggestions on seats. My first priority is leather steering wheel. 5. For Vibe I had 0% financing. For Torrent GM did not have 0% for that moment, but I got really good deal on that (at least I think so). 6. Base Vibe had FWD. Torrent has AWD. I live in NYC and do not have issue with deep snow. In regular NY winter AWD helps only when I need park car at the curb after snowfall. It helps, but it is not something essential. 2006 Torrent AWD system automatically transfers torque to rear axle when feels that front axle slips. It has all good and bad features of automatic system. 7. One of the reason I bought Torrent that I wanted car with front and side airbags and good crash test ratings (when I bought Vibe I did not pay attention to that). 8. Insurance was very high for Vibe. I got the same full coverage with all same options from the same company for Torrent 1200 less! It was one of the major considerations. I did little search on why it is so and found that insurance companies accident related expanses 15% less for covering Torrent and 70% higher for covering Vibe if compared with average expanses per car. 9. I have strike blue color. Very nice, but dust and dirt very visible on it. Also when it scratched, the white primer paint is extremely in contrast to my dark blue... 10. I do just regular car wash on "as required" basis. For me overall paint quality is very good for Torrent. But it was the same with Vibe. 11. In my comparison Vibe did not dropped the price so quickly as Torrent does. But now days can affect this trend.
#4 of 4 Re: Preliminary '09 Torrent research... [zathrak] by kathyc2 Jun 22, 2009 (7:30 am)
Replying to: zathrak (Apr 07, 2009 5:57 pm) Just ran across your message, but it may be too late. I have a 06 Torrent I bought last fall as a Certified Preowned. It has AWD and got through the Northern Indiana snow without a problem. I'm used to smaller cars, and never got used to the bigger vehicle. I can't just whip into parking places like I'm used to. . Anyway, I'm thinking about replacing it with the Vibe.

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