Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe - Compare Notes
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Thanks in advance.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Thanks again
But, you DO get what you pay for in this case.
I thought Toyota was the king of adding unwanted options to beef up the price - I stopped by the Pontiac lot, and those vibes are mostly stickered above $20K. At least the Toyotas I have seen so far have been in the $18K range...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I know that the 6 spd. and the engine is the same, but I have heard (from edmunds' long term of the GT-S) taht the clutch is "difficult."
Personally, when I test drove the Vibe GT, I stalled it - twice, something I usually never do, both times it was at a stopped position - oh well, perhaps I was just not concentrating.
Any thoughts on Eibach springs to lower the car 1.5" or should I be looking elsewhere??
Seems like
http://www.progressauto.com
has a set to drop it 2" and will offer a rear sway bar in approx. 2 weeks. I found this info on the Generation Vibe Forum:
http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=160
Thanks in advance for any info.
Phil R
It should be noted that the instructions indicated that Toyota matrix models, except for the base model, would require removing part of the fascia in order to complete the installation.
Hope somebody finds this information useful.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Personally, I think they build decent trucks (and excellent transmissions), but the only GM _car_ I would consider owning is the Vibe, which they don't build, and whose mechanicals they didn't design.
Your Malibu/Grand Am/Le Sabre/... all look and feel as if they'd been designed by committee -- not just one, but least 3 different committees. The new Caddys look distinctive; let's see how they hold up. But Cadillac isn't going to save GM's bacon; they need to build good, pleasant, modern automobiles. Good luck...
-Mathias
East Lansing, MI
Today, I will just post as my rebuttal:
http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0209/01/b01-576018.htm
TWO YEARS. In two years NO current GM car model will have been unchanged. Pretty amazing.
Time will tell what the effect will be.
Well, Mathias I don't see myself making a GM vehicle purchase in the near future, ether. Nonetheless, do not underestimate the Chevy brand loyalty that many many Americans consider a "birthright". Chevy trucks, SUV and vans will still sell well in our country for at least a couple of decades, lol! BTW, can I interest you in my co-workers 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, he will give you a good deal....
-Larry
The first car I ever owned new was a Saturn S-series - the import fighter from America! Of course, that was a mistake, but...........
BTW, I don't really think GM will be out of the car business in ten years...it is just that SO LITTLE of the Vibe is GM and SO MUCH is Toyota...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Thanks for your comments!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
"both the Vibe and Matrix are built at the same assembly plant in Fremont, Calif. where Corollas are also made."
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm getting tired of stuffing things into a sedan trunk.
Like montanafan says though, go to your dealer and bring the stroller and luggage if they fit in your current car and see for yourself.
Would prefer a light weight fabric...
washable, rattle proof, etc....
Am thinking of making by own !
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The good thing about the base or XR AWD Matrix is that it does not have all of the ground effects of the XRS model, so should do a bit better. Plus it has narrower, all season tires. From my experience, narrower treads tend to handle snow better as well. I would hazard to guess that it will do quite well especially if you get a snow-specific tire on it. There are many times when we're clearing the lot after a big snowfall overnight when our Landcruisers, 4-Runners and most of the other vehicles we have are stuck until we plow/shovel them out, but the RAV-4's just plow right through. The only time we've had most of them really stuck was last year when we had the 7 feet of snowfall in 48 hours. *LOL* and I don't think we can blame the vehicles for that. Hope this helps
Ground clearance for the Matrix is listed at 5.9 inches. When my wife and I saw that figure, after we agreed to buy one, we were concerned that we would scrape on the bump at the end of our driveway. Our '94 Corolla has scraped when fully loaded, and our '87 Nova (aka CA-built Corolla) scraped regularly. But we haven't had a problem with the Matrix. Does anyone know what it is that only 5.9 inches from the ground?
The AWD Toyotas (currently RAV4, Matrix, Highlander) and the automatic Subarus use computer sensors to detect when wheels are slipping and then use an electronic clutch to divert more power to the wheels with grip. As such, they are reactive rather than proactive, and is certainly not full-time 4WD, in the sense it is used by the Germans for their cars.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
OTOH it will certainly be enough to scramble up an icy driveway at your favorite ski resort!
It is TOTALLY not the same as Audi's Quattro system with the Torsen center. That is a mechanical gear apportioning torque front to back, and operates fronts and rears near a 50/50 ratio depending on conditions.
The advantage to the Toyota system is gas mileage, at the expense of a little 4WD traction.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Mailman
I know you can get base Matrix (wheel covers) with AWD, because I have seen some around. That may just be in my area of course.
My advice would be to approach the biggest dealer in your area, and ask if they will either order you the car you want (long wait, not 100% guaranteed) or get you one from a dealer in another area where different option combos are available.
But then, why not just get the Vibe? What is it about the Matrix that you prefer, and is it something you could live without?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am a Toyota Fan, means Corolla was the choice.
I like the Matrix for the usability of fold down etc - but this was too steep at an extra $2000+
Things that changed my mind -
1) $2000 from GM.
2) $1050 off the MSRP (about $350 over Edmunds invoice of $18602, but about $50 over the dealer invoice at the place, which included advertising cost and some other BS which total about $300)
3) $700 discount on options pkg, listed on sticker.
MSRP was $20005.
I will pay $18550.
Base Vibe with:
Auto Tranny
Moons and Tunes
Power pkg
6 CD changer
Aluminum wheels
Side Air Bags
They're adding in wheel locks and cargo net gratis.
Working backwards:
$20550 - $2000 cash rebate= $18550.
Starting from $20550 -
- $299 doc fee (here's their profit!!)
- $159 tags, reg etc (I get back balance)
$20092 - 6% tax = $18954.71
Use $18954 for reference as to my price paid before Tax, Title Doc etc.
Tax in my state is calculated on the $2000 cash as well.
A previous deal was $900 under MSRP of $19100.
(no al wheels and CD changer) But that car had 150 miles. We checked after the price was set.
Note also GM increase prices recently. Base is up $25, option pkgs up $25 each; Al wheels $40 increase. Edmunds reflects new pricing. Older priced cars are still around - not sure when increase happened.
If you've read this far, try this site -
http://www.gmbuypower.com.
Test drive for yourself.
Car and Driver comparo rated this 5th out of 6, not too good, in April(?), 2002 issue.
Seats were an issue to them.
My thoughts - a little under power, but so what.
Good overall for the next 15 years.
Use $18954 for reference as to my price paid before Tax, Title Doc etc
But don't forget GM's $2000 back.
Finance guy offered the usually "$2500" extended to 75K miles at a GM special price of $995.
Check AAA plan for extended warranties - should be about $700.
Friend just bought a Sienna van- extended warranty was asking $995, but came down to $850.
Everything is negotiable....