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Comments
I love the looks, but I think that only the silver and grey will look good with the cladding. I must go AWD, so I'm still concerned about the engine lacking power. The back seat is not the huge roomy area that people on here are describing. What cars are people comparing it to. A Metro?
The wheels don't look as bad as they did in pictures, although I'm horribly disapointed (as usual) that they don't have the cool ones from the concept. I know I'll never spring for new wheels unless it would be done before delivery, especially once car payments resume.
I did notice that the steering wheel is really, really close to the dash. I hope it isn't uncomfortable like it was for some others.
The roof rack is cool looking. They should put a larger version of that on the Aztek.
If the AWD doesn't feel too weak, I think I'm in. The only competition now is the Vue (no GM card rebate really hurts it) and maybe the '03 Aztek (I like the '02 better than '01, I just want a little lower roofline, and a back end like the Vibe), provided it comes out this summer.
RE : Gray cladding - Personally I love it! I don't like the ribbing on the Grand Am, but the gray accents look great IMO. Everyone I have discussed the car with also think the Vibe looks great. I don't know which car will sell the most, but I think the Vibe looks better over all. The Matrix XRS moldings/skirt looks way too boy racer for me. The base Matrix looks best.
The dark gray cladding on the Vibe just screams "low-buck model" !! It would look a little better if it were a nice black. The gray almost looks like the plastic bumpers used on the base Cavaliers, Saturns and Neons of a few years ago tho I think they have eliminated that even on the cheapest 2002 base cars. I think that it would not cost that much to just paint ALL the cladding body color from the get-go and not penalize the buyer of a base car $500 (or whatever) to make the car look decent. I would not be surprised if they don't make a mid-year change and do just that or at least drop the price to get a painted bumper/cladding trim pkg.
hud
Initially I thought that I would like this car in the dark gray but I found the car unappealing. Frankly the gray in stead of hiding the cladding seems to make it even more cheap looking by matching the dull gray color.
The red metallic looked much better even with the gray cladding. While I too prefer the wheels on the original show cars, I found the 16in. wheel option on these cars to be more attractive than I had expected. I could live with them even though a nice 5 or 6 spoke would be preferable. The car was definitiely taller than I expected and this makes the vehicle look larger than say a P5 which is virtually the same length.
As for the sticker price well that wasn't it's best point. Vibe base with auto., Sun and Sound, Power Package, 16in alloys priced out at $19,200. A P5 I looked at with all of the same equipment(minus 200 watt stereo) and the addition of ABS, side air bags and of course, monochrome paint also priced out at $19,200. Since I want monochrome that's another $500 so basically you get a P5 for $500 less than a Vibe with ABS and side air bags included less the better stereo that comes in the Vibe.
Also think the P5 interior is more attractive (leather wheel standard-only available on the Vibe GT).
Overall its hard to not see the P5 as a better value and probably a more reliable choice. The price difference isn't huge though so if you really prefer the Vibe it's certainly a reasonable alternative.
As an aside, I looked at the Matrix as well and frankly think the car is butt ugly even in base model format. A lower price on Matrix would mean nothing to me as If I want to save a few bucks it's no contest choosing the P5.
As another possible choice in this catagory I looked at a Vue. V6 AWD topped out at almost $25000 and for that price you don't even get a leather steering wheel. Interior is very cheap though it appeared a little less horrible than I previously thought. Base 4 cyl. is priced decently (under 20k) but the interior is well below the level of similarly priced cars such as the Vibe or P5.
I guess the final decision between a Vibe and a P5 will come down to driving them and assessing the comfort, ride quality and features. If a thousand dollars makes or breaks your decision than I guess you opt for a P5. If the money is not crucial than I guess the test drive should be.
How is the P5 more reliable than the Vibe/Matrix? I'm not saying the P5 is unreliable, just wondering where you get that idea from?
Also, bear in mind that painted cladding has a tendency to scratch easily. Sometimes it doesn't end up looking nice for very long.
If cladding is just hideous to you (and as an Aztek owner, I know a LOT of people find it horrible), then naturally you should keep away from it. If you're on the fence, though, bear in mind that it does have certain advantages.
Oh - just because this post will probably prompt some Aztek comments - I will add this: Mock it all you like, it is a GREAT car if the options fit your lifestyle. We've used the tent, the backpacks, the cooler again and again and just love the versatility. Plus it's amazingly fun to drive for a car its size and has an excellent stereo system (which might be the same one in the Vibe/Matrix).
I still think the Vibe is an attractive car and if the dynamics (ride, comfort, performance) measure up it is well worth consideration.
As for cladding having advantages, I would say if you like the cladding and think it protects your car's body, fine.
As to painted cladding scratching, well my thought is that 99% of cars don't have cladding and if GM made the car without cladding that would not be an issue.
I really don't even care about the cladding being on the car as long as a painted body is available. However, $500
for the priviledge of having a car with the same level of paintwork that virtually every other car on the road gives you for free seems ridiculous.
Hmph. I really had high hopes.
Also a LONGER warranty if you are in the US (powertrain is 5/60 instead of 3/36 as on the Pontiac). Resale should also be much better.
cayennered1 : I see what you are saying, but there are lots of bad cars that have come from Japan also so country of origin is irrelevant. My co-workers Mazda came from Japan and it's been a nightmare for them. You really have to look at each car model on an individual basis.
My experience has been that sooner or later the paint begins to peel off the cladding & it then REALLY looks crappy. My 1993 Grand Am did this after about two years, my nieces 1995 Grand Am did too and my bro-in-law's Grand Prix literally "shed" all the paint off the side cladding & tops of front & rear facias. Of course all "were out of warranty" and GM would NOT do anything about it. I've noticed a lot of GM stuff in the lots at the mall parking & they all seem to do this sooner or later. I have a 2000 GMC Somoma & I'm watching that plastic painted trim VERY closely too.
hud
Isn't cladding simply plastic and if it's painted isn't it the same as painting the bumbers of your car which are also plastic. The concept that painted cladding will inevitably peel would seem to suggest that everyone's painted plastic bumbers would therefore, peel also.
Now if GM has defective paint work that causes it to peel that would be another story. It would also be a basis for a warranty claim whether the car is in or out of warranty. I know of many class action law suits involving chronic paint problems that effect certain vehicles.
But to make a long story short why put the cladding on the car. The majority of people prefer the monochrome look and you avoid possible issues of paint problems.
As to looking at the Matrix as an alternative, frankly I don't know how anyone can find the Matrix even remotely attractive. Looked at one the other day and even without the ground effects it looks downright awful. Actually looks like an elephant sat on the back of the roof. If you find the Vibe ugly than the Matrix would be hideous.
Still don't have one to test at the local dealer. Will call again tomorrow. Apparently some Ontario dealers have them now.
Plus, I'm being told by a Pontiac Rep that the Monotone Pkg CAN'T be ordered on a GT....
geez....Pontiac is sure forcing people to the Matrix with it's pricing and that @#$%#$@% cladding.
Monotone can be ordered with the GT. There is a picture of one in the brochure. Can't be ordered yet though as it's interim available.
hud
Vibe looks nothing like the Aztek. Maybe you were looking at an Aztek in error? The Vibe and Matrix were both big draws at the Canadian In't Auto Show.
hudrahead: What was it about seeing it in person that you didn't like? And you can't say the cladding because that isn't metal....
Best price on a similarly equiped Vibe GT was $22,513.30
and the Matrix comes with Wheel Locks and an Auto Dimming mirror that aren't available on the Vibe (at least not as acutal factory accessories)
Driving by the dealership with my father, who owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, I pointed out the Vibe and he said he didn't like the front end....he said it looked like the Aztek.
We own a Matrix (in black) but I don't really see the Vibe looking too much like the Aztek...it has a Pontiac look but it's not too bad. I also think the cladding will offer an extra degree of protection.
I think both cars are very solidly built. In Canada I don't think the price differences are as severe (except the AWD or GT) ...and the Vibe Matches the Toyota warranty....in the US....with the Vibe costing so much more and having only a 3 yr warranty will hurt sales.
hpulley4: I too ahve a GM card but daler said NO allowance
is permissable on the VIBE yet, BUMMER !!!
tup: I thought both the Matrix & Vibe were both built on the same assy line @ NUMMI plant in California. Are they bolting them together in Canada too ? If they are can I buy one for 62 cents on the dollar ? LOL. Just kidding, we love you guys up there even if you did kick our butts on the ice in Utah LOL. Good on ya, eh.
hud
Driving by the dealership with my father, who owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, I pointed out the Vibe and he said he didn't like the front end....he said it looked like the Aztek.
We own a Matrix (in black) but I don't really see the Vibe looking too much like the Aztek...it has a Pontiac look but it's not too bad. I also think the cladding will offer an extra degree of protection.
I think both cars are very solidly built. In Canada I don't think the price differences are as severe (except the AWD or GT) ...and the Vibe Matches the Toyota warranty....in the US....with the Vibe costing so much more and having only a 3 yr warranty will hurt sales.
All Matrices, meanwhile, are built in Canada. No Matrices built in the USA and no Vibes in Canada. Corolla is built both places.
Got that straight?
hud
Tup : Only vague similarity between Vibe and Aztek is the Pontiac look to the front. It's not really very similar though. 02 Aztek is much better than the 01, but it's still out there.
http://pc99.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.hbs?myrec=121
As for the cladding, I think it looks good unpainted and after feeling it at the Auto Show really don't think it's all that cheap. It gives it an SUV quality a la Ford Escape. I don't hear a lot of people knocking the Escape and apparantly its a sales hit. I did notice though that some of the concept photos had the cladding painted in a two-tone grayish color sort of like Subaru's Outback line. Maybe Pontiac intends on doing this in the future once they phase out the monotone availability.
The Aztek and the Rendezvous are both ugly in my opinion. They are poorly disguised minivans and frankly the Montana (especially now with the Versatrak AWD option) is a much better choice.
hud
golfboy : I like the Rendezvous quite a bit. The interior is beautiful.
What sort of car offering similar utility and price would you recommend??
hud
The Vibe and Proto5 are both on my shopping list. Both have advantages and disadvantages and a test drive of both will seal the deal but in terms of appearance alone, I don't think I would be able to choose one way or the other.
hud : Lady at the local Pontiac dealer says they have 8 orders on the books. No deliveries as of yet, not even a tester. Supposedly there will be one or two next week. It's not going to be a block buster like the PT Cruiser, but it will sell out this year for sure as will the Matrix. P5 is also a decent car, but I have not driven one.
Don't kid your self though, lots of plastic on those Matrix skirts also.
BTW, most of the Vibes built will be the base variety anyway, so of course more of those would sell than the GT or AWD. My local dealer has 3 Vibes on the lot (2 base, 1 GT), all 3 are spoken for and I can't even get a test drive at the present time.