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Comments
Of course, at base price, the Subaru has a bunch of things the Matrix doesn't have, like power windows, locks, A/C, keyless entry...
I love my Matrix, but I should also mention to anyone coming out of an SUV that is less than 5-7 years old, that the Matrix will be slower at highway speed than their old SUV. In return for this slower performance, it will give you SIGNIFICANTLY better gas mileage (almost 30), not to mention ULEV low smog emissions.
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)
Then the VIBE caught my eye, specifically one with virtually everything I wanted except for the colour and monotone. I didn't feel like waiting 6 months as my GM points would have started dwindling away. So I went for it, going from a '96 Voyageur. I have really enjoyed this base 5spd with (moonroof/abs/side impact airbags) and now have put about 9000 miles on it since August. As I have noted in previous posts, i have complaints about the quality of the battery for our severe winter conditions, the Continental tires (I put winter ones on), and this week the cd player problems and the crack in the liftgate plastic. The mileage is fantastic (though I haven't matched the supposed advertised levels) especially considering the increase in fuel this winter.
I hope, over the long haul, that the Toyota qualities of this car supercedes the GM qualities and thus, maintains its reputation.
But I do think the Subaru has one major advantage. I'm pretty sure they all have AWD all the time. I think it's a 60/40 f/r split and I'm not sure of the max to one axle. Drawback is the mileage is significantly lower than the Vibe
Does the AWD Vibe have that? or does it have the usual config. where it's all in the front until slippage and then some power transferrred to the rear?
Steve
Base Vibe/auto is:
Loud.
Active ride.
Good mpg.
Good through 90mph, then starts to feel weak.
$2000 off if you are paying by cash, otherwise 0% for 60 months.
Use GM Card incentive (if applicable)
Efficiency - about 27mpg vs 20mpg.
Using less gas than my Van.
Van is now limited to weekend use.
Power -
Van (99 Sienna) goes 95mph and I do not notice.
In the Vibe, around 85 mph, I feel like the engine is starting to be taxed.
For now, I'm slowing to 70mph due to rising gas cost.
Back down = lots of room, otherwise, not too big.
This is one area you need to check if this is big enuf for you, other ppl, and stuff.
One thing that is undeniable about the Vibe/Matrix: it is enormously versatile.
As luzer was saying, the engine does feel pretty taxed at 80 mph. Acceleration above 65 mph is a leisurely affair. (base engine)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
- I don't want to wait until next year to buy.
- Vibe more compact compared to Equinox.
(Very important in the DC Metro area)
- Fuel efficiency.
- Just as versatile as the Equinox.
- Most importantly, price.
I love everything about the Vibe and am even more excited that I can get a monotone package.
Well im planning to make my purchase in September, however if I decide not to go on vacation this year I will get it earlier.
1) Upromise. A college savings plan. GM gives $150 to members when they purchase a GM car. Have to be a member for 30 days. If you have no need for future college savings, I think you can give the money to someone else. Check it out http://www.upromise.com .
2) The GM Card. http://www.thegmcard.com can save you money on the purchase. Check the site to see what the Vibe amount is.
maxx4me
GM Card would probably not help at this stage.
UBS I'll have to check out.
I do belong to a Credit Union and plan to purchse through them as banks and Automaker financing is a big ripoff.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm going to be buying a new car this summer and and am interested in the AWD, mainly b/c of the price...I've got one of the old blue GM Cards with $3,500 built up that is starting to expire, and I believe I can use all of that money towards the purchase (there's no limit like the "new" card.) This combined with the current $2,000 rebate and what looks to be about an average of about $1,000 off MSRP makes the Vibe quite a deal.
Also, anyone have the nav system? Is it any good? I wouldn't normally consider it, but given the level of discount I might have to throw in this toy.
Thanks!
U.S./Canadian parts content: 60%
Major Sources of Foreign Parts content: Japan 20%
Final Assembly point: Fremont, CA USA
Country of Origin:
Engin: United States
Transmission: Japan
Could anyone explain?
I was also told by dealer that VIBE = Matrix. Then above parts content information could be true to Matrix, too.
The reason the parts content is tilted towards U.S. content is because only the transmissions come over from Japan. Most other stuff, including the engine, is sourced in the U.S.
The only thing that differs between Matrix and Vibe is that Matrix is built at Toyota's solely owned Ontario, Canada factory, along with the corollas. (well, that and visual exterior design cues obviously)
jthorsen: it just came out last year, I doubt there will be revisions for the '04 MY except for ironing out one or two of the quirks of the first-year version, like the twilight sensor.
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)
Nummi (Vibe and Corolla)
Ontario, Ca (Matrix and Corolla)
Got closer to 28mpg by slowing down a little bit.
27.2 mog, most of highway travel at 75 to 80mph
27.9 mpg, trying for mostly 70 to 75mph when I remember. This last fillup also had more traffic than usual.
Still trying for the 28/33 mix which should get me closer to 30mpg (Base -Auto T)
The Yamaha is sourced exclusively from Japan.
I don't think there are too many model changes expected. I believe there will be a new color added to the mix.
Vibes and Matrixes are NOT built on the same line anywhere. Vibe comes from NUMMI, Matrix from Cambridge, Ontario. Voltz (a Vibe in Toyota clothes) is made at NUMMI and exported to Japan.
And engines are Toyota design and manufacture except for the stronger 1.8, which is Yamaha, I believe, and comes from Japan
Has anyone noticed any other problems with the Vibe?
Thanks for your input.
Has anyone had this problem? please e-mail me at elev8taman@aol.com if you have this condition also if it has been resolved for you and what was done as I really do not want to get rid of the vehicle.
and what do I get ...
A leak somewhere in the roof / sunroof.
After a moderate rain I had a visible wet
spot on the roof liner just above the hard plastic
column the goes up by the windshield- driver's side.
As soon as I drove forward a steady stream
of water came out.
I took it to the Pontiac dealer.
Of course he could find nothing !
this Thursday the car goes in for a shower bath to find the source of the leak... maybe.
Does anyone have a suggestion???
The sunroof looked fine... no trace of leak.
Seemed to be too high up to be windshield.
I even considered condensation
but it was a lot of water !
As per the rotten egg smell...
I do get it, especially when car is idling high.
I suspect it might go away with warmer weather.
If the northeast ever gets warmer weather!
Has anybody noticed the tendency of the car to lean to the right on slippery roads when accelerating from stop?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
The Vibe was much more open feeling inside, with the high roofline and interior design. The Vibe won me over with being fairly nimble, excellent gas mileage (30+ mpg on the highway), and it's been decent this past winter in Buffalo. My biggest gripes are the instrument cluster in it's red backlighting (on all the time), the slippery load floor (easily fixed for $2.49 using that foam spongy stuff you use for cabinets), and not being able to get the little storage compartment under the shifter fixed by 4 different dealerships...no one has a clue how the spring goes in there.
Hope that helps a little!
The cargo area of the Vibe can easily be made less slippery by adding the optional mat.
The red gauges are very Pontiac, so if you have ever driven a Pontiac there will be no surprises there.
You will do at least 5 mpg better in the Vibe, but have significantly less power as a result. If you really need the AWD (in the snow for months every year) the Subaru system is more sophisticated than the Vibe system, which allows more wheelspin.
Mainly the difference in interior room is ENORMOUS. You have to scrunch your head down to get in the back of the impreza and when you get in there you have no leg room. Both entirely opposite in the Vibe - lots of leg room and head room back there, and a way bigger cargo area if putting the back seats down and cramming stuff in is your thing.
More comfortable ride in the Vibe, especially on bad roads, but more body roll in turns too.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As far as content, the Vibe is all Toyota Corolla mechanically, but GM had a heavy hand in the body and interior design, and the Pontiac version has a number of apparent design differences from the Toyota, especially on the outside. Check out the differences in the lights, front and rear, as well as the cladding on the Pontiac.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Interior - same, or similar.
Exterior - Totally different.
Vibe MSRP is higher than the trix.
Pricing is getting to be the same since Toyota has a rebate as well.
quasi-optional cladding on the 'trix may defeat the purpose of AWD.
Toyota exhaust system replacements are 100% guaranteed for life. Buy one replacement muffler, and get as many as needed forever. Although I expect to need a replacement every 5 to 7 yrs because it S. Steel.
and lastly, trix are for kids.
the AWD is not meant for offroad situations or even snow really, so the skirts will not defeat its functionality, which is intended to be wet weather and icy traction.
Toyota is doing 0% financing for three years on the Matrix right now. (at least on the west coast)
But GM has deep discounts on the Vibe, or did until recently, at least.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)