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Once you adjust the mirrors a couple of times and use the dimmer control a couple of times, you don't need the "lighted switches.
As for AWD/FWD choice, I chose FWD mainly because of the cost savings and because I wanted a stick shift. I thought about AWD, since I live in Michigan, where winters can sometimes get nasty, but all of the other FWD vehicles I've owned have done fine in wintertime driving.
As for power, I drove every version of the Vibe before buying, and decided on the FWD stick shift Base. I noticed a distinct power difference between the Base stick and the Base auto. The auto seemed to slow acceleration down considerably. Of course, it may have just been how heavily I used my foot, but that was my perception. I couldn't tell any difference between the AWD auto and the Base auto. The GT wasn't worth the extra money. It actually seemed to accelerate slower, although I've heard if you take it up into the "scream zone" that's where the power really comes on.
And last - reliability. I've had some "bugs" to work out of my new vehicle, but nothing that is major. It's been in to the dealer because the power window "bezel" fell off the driver's door on the second day I had it, and I had an annoying A/C squeal. I think I hear a few minor rattles developing but nothing terribly annoying yet. My brother has a 1995 Prizm, which has the same engine (earlier version of it), and has 280,000 miles on the car with very few repairs. He almost never changes the oil either, so obviously, it's a good motor.
Hope all this helps. I said I was going to be short!
If gas mileage is a main concern, and you don't need to haul anything, I'd concider MANY other small sedan alternatives. BUT, if you do need to haul, and you want the best AWD value on the road since 2003, the Vibe is your best option.
Your assessment is right on. I belong to a Pontiac Vibe club and one of the biggest complaints is the PAINT. It looks great; however, it seems that the smallest pebble or big bug seems to "chip" the front end. Granted, a 3M clearshield ( the best alternative, but expensive) or CarBra would eliminate this...but... this Vibe seems more subsceptible to little chips and dings than other vehicles. From what I have read about this problem it seems the paint job is not the "thickness" as compared to other vehicle paint "thickness".One of the members took some sort of "thickness" test (don't ask me how). In fact one member had so many little chips he had the whole front end repainted (Iassume by a professional paint shop with "extra coats sprayed on)
I know one thing...after all the complaints back and forth....it sure helped CarBra, ClearShield and the bug deflector aftermarket sellers.
I did not see any complaints about the floor fabric (probably most have the rubber type mats "over" the OEM fabric to protect same.
There has not been any complaint postings about the 2006 paint; however, I assume this is because most of the participants are still driving the 2005 and lower year model.
I'm not asking you how, but I can probably tell you how:
http://www.elcometer.com/international%20index%20pages/international/Coatings/index.htm
Cool stuff.
-Mathias
Thanks
Overall very pleased with this car. MPG is low 30;s with manual. Mid 30's on trip. Not bad at all!
1 Gas mileage I average city highway of 7.4 per hundred km same as my wife 2005 Honda Civic automatic 36-38 miles per gallon canadian.
2. Only have 3500 km about 2000 miles nothing done as of yet. Have not required any adjustment.
3. Service life of the vehicle should be quite good as it has the same motor as the toyota corolla. I would think 200k miles would not be an unreasonable expectation of this car.
4. I chose the automatic because of convenience, if you have children you no what I mean. You need one had free. You may sacrifice performance off the line but I have had both and for me automatics require less maintenance. As for AWD or FWD I personally would save the money and opt for FWD. Add a set of good winter tires Michelin ice and you will be fine.
5. I have not had the opportunity to take a long drive but according to others who have it seems to be quite comfortable.
6.The car feels solid, feels bigger than it actually is. I have no concerns about driving this car in the winter.
7.The Matrix would have higher resale value but if your going to put 200k miles on the car I would not be concerned. Also if you compare feature to feature you should be able to get a better deal on the Vibe so you will be ahead and probably will get better financing as well. I visited the toyota dealer and test drove the Matrix, Toyota seems a little too arrogant for my taste. With the savings and the fact that I have a toyota in everything but name I have no regrets.
As I said earlier we have a 2005 Honda Civic Automatic SE and the vibe compares quite favorably. Hope this helps.
1. one looses very little in gas mileage when going to an automatic these days. I'm in a city, and won't consider a clutch anymore
2. while the AWD is probably overkill for most, it does give you independent rear suspension 100% of the time. I drove the FWD, and the AWD suspension made all the difference in the world
3. the Vibe still does not come with telescoping steering, which is criminal these days. Taller drivers like myself find it hard to get comfortable with the Vibe on long drives as a result. I compensate by driving with my leg a lot (or taking my Maxx which is a much better car)
4. the Vibe has GREAT rear seat leg room for the times when you are carrying adults instead of children.
As for the paint: I'm sure I'll have the thing totally repainted by Macco some day since it looks like a golfer walked over my car enroute to the "19th tee", and since I fully expect this Corolla to go 200,000 miles.
believer
Mileage is generally around 30. Replaced front brakes and tires but that's it for "repairs". Hood is a bit chipped.
Overall I find it comfy, reliable and a decent value.
Since I am 6ft 250lbs I cannot get in under the dash very easily without taking it apart. I am new to this forum and do not know whether this is being sent to you or to the publc forum so I won't include my e-mail at this time. Thanks! doitmy
The other potential problem with posting an email addy on a public message board comes in the form of unintended consequences. There are those out there "farming" message boards for email addresses, and it's no fun dealing with the spam that can result!
That's why we'd encourage you to set your email to 'public' if you want other users to be able to reach you. The bots farming for email addresses cannot get your email out of your profile, so that's a safe way to allow other registered users (only registered Edmunds users can view profiles) to reach you via email.
PF Flyer
Host
News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The weekly Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
That way seems easier to me than creating a whole new account for the purpose of posting an address.
This is not on topic, obviously - if you have further questions or comments just drop pf_flyer or myself an email and we'll discuss it further.
Thanks!
2. the fact that you CAN get a roof rack
3. more pontiac dealers than toyota dealers
4. don't have to put up with upity toyota dealers
5. potential for GM conquest rebates (when active)
6. potential for GM loyalty bonus' (when active)
The factory rack on the Vibe is only good for small stuff like skis or a couple bicycles.
7. Potential for GM Card rebate. In fact, put $10k down using your GM Card. There will not be a charge for this, at least not at my Pontiac dealer. Then use the rebate money ($500) on that sum when you pick up the car.
There should be no trouble with that, I checked with the dealership...
-Mathias
believer
My sales lady was very clear: Any amount down on a card (over a few hundred bucks) and I would owe them 2 or 3% to cover their fees.
UNLESS it was the GM Card, in which case no fee would apply, and there was no limit.
So I took that to mean that they were not charged any fees if a customer uses GM's own card, wich would make sense to me.
-Mathias
believer
So, if your dealership accepts MC or Visa for payment on anything, they cannot charge YOU a fee, although it is true that they will have to pay a fee. GM may have a special arrangement with their dealers for their card. Businesses may set a limit, like the $1000 you mentioned. The fees do add up. We pay 2.8% of every transaction that we accept, plus $.08 for each one.
I'll say this: When I bought a '98 Prizm stripper in '98, they let me put $5,500 on my GM Card... at the time, I was full up for the year, so it wasn't a question of getting more rebates, just some time to rearrange money until the bill came due... this was on a $9,800 car, certainly a loss leader, and they didn't bat an eye.
My best guess is the GM Card has no fee for the dealer.
But that's all it is, a guess.
-Mathias
My car is white and the problem is not too evident but looks like crap on some of the metallics and especially black. The black bumpers look like they have been painted in someone's garage with a spray can !! LOL ! Otherwise I love my Vibe. At almost 30K miles now it's been a gem.
believer
steine13, "Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe - Compare Notes" #226, 6 Nov 2005 9:44 pm
-Mathias
If you have a large image that needs to be seen full size to truly be appreciated, a better solution is to post a link to the image rather than insert it in your post. That way, others can view the image in a separate window and we avoid the margin problem.
Thanks!
PF Flyer
Host
News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
It's all fixed now... -m
regards believer
Thanks A. Ozon
I am quoted $17,700 not including tax. What say you on this DEAL?
I'm interested!