Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe?

mikester · 08-22-2005, 10:53 AM

Anyone have one of these?

We're thinking about going to look for one to replace our SUV. We have one child and honestly don't drive a whole lot during the week. We wanted something that was economical on gas and the wallet in general (the Hybrids just cost to much and aren't enough car right now).

Hones opinions from folks who have or had one are appreciated. Mileage info, etc...

All the reviews are good of course and since it's a toyota basically I expect good things.

Thanks!

TerryBPP · 08-22-2005, 11:05 AM

I think you would get better resale out of the Toyota. That Vibe is a close relative to the Aztec, that cant be good.

RKC · 08-22-2005, 11:22 AM

Scion xA is much the same, much better equipped, and much cheaper. Drive it and see if you like it....

legion · 08-22-2005, 11:43 AM

Um, they are exactly the same vehicle IIRC. I think GM buys the Vibe from Toyota.

Oh Haha · 08-22-2005, 11:51 AM

Run, don't walk from the Vibe. I drive one everyday. Most uncomfortable car I have had. I have the base model and it is a dog. They suck in the snow as well. Mine is a company car so I can't complain too much but I would not spend MY money on one if given the choice. You got a stiff setup on the 911? You'll like the Vibe 'cause it rides like a track 911!!!!!!! Hard and buckboardish.
Sorry about the rant, just thought I would offer my .002.

Check out the Ford Freestyle if that is in your price range. That is a very nice American vehicle. We looked at one recently and I was very impressed. Not so much SUV but more car like ride and handling. Lots of rrom for kids and stuff. I have never owned a Ford but I really like this one.
I, myself, am holding out for an Audi wagon for our next family truckster. Not new but a few years old, mind you.

Rot 911 · 08-22-2005, 12:32 PM

My wife bought a Vibe GT and kept it for about 14 months. We test drove all the models and the Vibe GT was the best bang for the buck. She liked the paint colors and the roof rack gave it a more sporty look than the Toyota. I would not get the AWD version as it definitely is lacking in horsepower. Even the basic one has a hard time getting out of its way. The GT was actually pretty fun and comes with a 6 speed manual. You can load 8' lumber in it if you don't have a passenger. Fit and finish on the Toyota was a bit better than the Vibe, but GM offers a better deal. The drive trains on both cars is pure Toyota.

glenncal1 · 08-22-2005, 12:39 PM

Rented a vibe for a week last week, wasn't a bad little car. The version I rented had an auto, decent power, relatively comfy seats. 5 gallons of gas gave me a half a tank.

tcar · 08-22-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TerryBPP
I think you would get better resale out of the Toyota. That Vibe is a close relative to the Aztec, that cant be good.

Not true. The Vibe IS a Matrix, a Toyota, built in a jointly owned factory. Only the badges, etc are different.

Not remotely an aztec.

But, on resale you're probably correct- Toyota=good,
Pontiac=so-so.

Oh Haha · 08-22-2005, 01:29 PM

Update to my first post:
The gas mileage is EXCELLENT! I just got home and I went 403 miles since my last fillup. I did not fill up on my way home so I do not know how much I have left. I can post the figure after dinner. That is about the only good point I have found with the car. Well, the stereo sounds good, I guess.

BlueSkyJaunte · 08-22-2005, 02:20 PM

Noah, that would be me.

Well, the Vibe and the WRX are in the drive, the P-car and the chopper project are in the 2-car garage.

Anyway. The Vibe is the EXACT same vehicle as the Matrix except for cosmetics.

They are both built at the NUMI plant in Fremont, CA. Platform is the Corolla.

My recommendation is to find a dealer (Pontiac or Toyota) that you trust and buy from them. Be sure the service folks are the ones you trust--you'll never have to deal with the sales staff after the purchase.

mikester · 02:34 PM

Wow; I actually HAVE been in one and didn't experience any of those bad things. But it was my uncle's and I wasn't paying that close attention.

The gas mileage is a big seller for us, the cost in general for either is very reasonable. I told her to go to the local Toyota dealership on her own one day and look at it so she didn't have me standing over her pressuring her (not that I would).

If she can do that this week - maybe we will go look at it together this weekend.

It's a tough sell, she's a car snob and more or less wouldn't be caught dead in a Pontiac. The Toyota might be more acceptable but she is quite a car snob.

I on the other hand drive the Porsche - so I don't care. I had a pontiac sunfire for a bunch of years until I wrecked it. It was fantastic in that it got GREAT gas mileage and was only $10k new. Money well spent as it never had any problems at all.

dd74 · 08-22-2005, 02:33 PM

Matrix are nice - for a "car." (Is it an SUV or a car?) The Vibes look as tacky as any Pontiac since "Smokey and The Bandit."

The high-end Matrix does have a redline of 7,800 RPM, which seems to conversely suggest it has little to no torque. So if you do get one, get a manual transmission with it. You'll need it...

mikester · 08-22-2005, 02:37 PM

Automatics are for Sissies. I was doing the "Build your car" applet on their website last night and I Asked the wife "Automatic or manual" and she said "what's an automatic?"

Answered my question...

dd74 · 08-22-2005, 02:41 PM

Why don't you put her in a WRX wagon? That has to be a more pleasing vehicle.

mikester · 08-22-2005, 02:50 PM

Because it's AWD and gets crappy gas mileage. We don't need AWD at all.

dd74 · 08-22-2005, 03:00 PM

I see. Hey, does it have to be new? There's a hell of a secondary market out there. A thread a couple weeks ago suggested you could get a fully loaded Mercedes wagon only a few years ago for the mid-teens $$ wise. Yeah, it's an automatic, but those MB wagons can store more stuff than SUVs. Plus some schmuck's already eaten the depreciation for you...

Dottore · 08-22-2005, 03:12 PM

For a few dollars more - you can get into a Golf or Jetta TDI and get 54-60 miles to the gallon. These cars are also very well built and have good reslae values.

mikester · 08-22-2005, 03:16 PM

I have thought about used but we again get to the crappy mileage issue. I've already got an SUV that can carry a lot, I might consider one of those wagons as MY beater. But I need to get rid of this gas guzzler first.

The wife likes the mercs though...

The VW TDIs aren't legal to sell in CA anymore due to their emissions last I checked. Otherwise - she'd be all over it as she loves the VWs.

dd74 · 08-22-2005, 03:39 PM

I wouldn't buy a new Mercedes. Cost too much for what they really aren't, which was what the old Mercedes were, and their build quality is sometimes suspect. Used, sure. Because at that point, like with many others, it's just a car.

Oh Haha · 08-22-2005, 05:31 PM

NOAH-You are right, the beeping is just ridiculous!!!! I almost punched the dash one day cause I was parked and on my phone in a heated conversation and the car was beeping at me. I turned the car off instead. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!
Stupid beeper.
Anyway, I filled the car tonight with 12.4 gallons (13 gallon tank)of fuel so that equates to 32 mpg. Pretty close to factory specs for the base model. I have 26,000 miles on mine since January 05. I can't wait to get to 50,000 so I can turn it back in and get something else.