2003 Pontiac Vibe

The base-model 2003 Pontiac Vibe comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. With front-drive, it has 130 hp and a choice of 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. With AWD, it has 123 hp and automatic transmission only. But it has an independent double-wishbone rear suspension and standard anti-lock brakes. The sportier 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT has 180 hp and comes only with front-drive and a 6-speed manual transmission. AWD Vibes are not intended for off-roading and have the same ride height as 2WD versions.

With seven less horsepower than the base front-wheel-drive model, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe AWD did feel slightly slower when accelerating, but not significantly. Its all-wheel-drive system is transparent to the driver and passengers - there’s no additional noise and it engages automatically when the front wheels start to slip.

The 2003 Pontiac Vibe’s tapering side window lines are reminiscent of the Ford Focus Wagon. The distinctive roofline has an integrated roof rack that’s said to create a fastback shape. Bold Pontiac-based features include a vented front fascia with a twin-port grille and recessed fog lamps. Multilayer taillights flank the rear liftgate and glass opening.

The 2003 Pontiac Vibe combines spunky acceleration with downright sporty handling. The Vibe is very tossable in tight corners and exhibits little lean when sawing the wheel back and forth. This car feels like it was built to slalom. Blast through a high-speed sweeper, lift the throttle a little and the rear steps out ever so slightly - not in an alarming way, but in a controlled, point-and-shoot kind of way.

Interior

2003 Pontiac Vibe Interior

The base 2003 Pontiac Vibe is amazingly well equipped with air conditioning, a CD player, a two-prong household-style power outlet (as well as two standard automotive power outlets), the rear cargo track system with adjustable tie-down anchors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a rear hatch that features a glass window that can be opened without having to open the entire hatch.

The 2003 Pontiac Vibe interior offers plenty of space and versatility. The elevated roofline provides generous headroom for the front and rear passengers. The dashboard looks sharp and sporty with round gauges and chrome trimming. The driver’s place offers tall seating position and easy to use controls. 2003 Pontiac Vibe’s optional 115V power outlet could be very handy when you need to charge your laptop or a cell phone during a long trip.

The 2003 Pontiac Vibe ’s cabin contains eight tie-down anchors and 16 anchor tie-down points, plus storage nets and plastic storage trays in the spare-tire well. A roof rack, which follows the roof’s downward slope from the B-pillar back, is standard. The Vibe’s rear liftgate has a standard wiper and defogger, even on the basest of base models, and the glass may be opened separately from the gate.

Front and back seats were firm and supportive, and there’s plenty of head room. Anything that’s not tied down has a tendency to slide around on the plastic load floor. Pontiac could remedy this by offering a removable floor mat as an option.

In addition to the storage available on the cargo floor and roof rack, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe provides 11 interior storage containers, and nine of them provide concealed storage, including a compartment behind the base of the back seat, where an umbrella or fishing rods can be stored in a covered pocket.

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