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Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe - Compare Notes
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Comments
HUD :)
Maybe it's the manual transmission, but I find my car has plenty of zip and I haven't yet had it in the VVTI range over 6k rpm.
I am still in the break in period and although I am trying to baby it, I find it very hard to do so. The car seems to want to go.
So far I only have one real complaint. I don't like the speedo markings. The most used range is only the lower left quarter. The range from 0 to 60 feels compressed and the markings aren't where I am used to them.
Have you had the dreaded "stinky exhaust" syndrome yet? Most of the time it smells like you are following a septic tank pumper truck ! Have tried different brands of gas per the dealer but it still comes back from time to time.
HUD :)
I have not had the stinky exhaust syndrome yet. I've tanked up twice using shell 93 octane.
I have smelled other cars that do (various makes). My 89 Pathfinder had it, but it wasn't totally nauseating. It was a rather distinct smell. Even now I can smell a Pathfinder when one is nearby in traffic.
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)
So I guess this means the S/C makes engine output too high to hook up to the auto trans. But I thought the auto in both models was the same? Have not really checked it out though...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2004's also allow 17" wheels with moonroofs.
I think the issue with the S/C is the torque not the HP. The XRS is no longer available with an auto trans. When it was, the torque on the XRS is only marginally higher than that of the XR. With the supercharger the base 1.8l engine is supposed to generate almost 170 lb-ft of torque and the tanny might not be able to handle that.
The obvious next question is whether the manual transmission in the base and XR versions can absorb that 35% increase in torque. Clutches aren't usually warranty items so maybe Toyota won't care.
How about dealership treatment. On the whole are people who buy a Vibe from Pontiac treated just as well by GM dealerships as those who buy a Matrix from Toyota? The dealerships closest to me in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago are O'Hare Pontiac and Scaumburg Toyota. Experiences with either of those two?
The only real differences I see between the two is the Pontiac has lower resale value (probably due to the mass amounts of rebates and discounts GM offers I would assume yes?), available grey plastic bumpers as opposed to painted, a lower price after rebates, a shorter powertrain warranty, and a navigation system available across the board for those of us who are directionally impaired but don't wish to purchase a car with a manual transmission and a peaky engine. ;-)
Oh also the insurance rates on the Vibe are slightly (by $4 a month) higher than the Matrix for me. Any clues as to why? All my insurance company can say is that's the price symbol that was assigned to them. *shrugs* Not a big deal at all just curious.
Any opinions on the material of the cargo floor? My brother often hauls largish amplifiers (Marshall half stack) and I'm wondering
a. does cargo slide around more than it would in a vehicle with carpeted floor (which I have now)
b. are the floors durable (i.e., would said amplifiers likely damage the cargo floor)?
Things slide around on the carpet in my wife's Civic and they slid around in every car I've ever had. I think the reason it gets more attention in the twins is the hard plastic floor makes it a noisier proposition. But the twins have the option for nets, and the tie downs to take care of it.
IMO, the only advantage of the hard plastic cargo area would be the easy cleaning (possibly cost savings as well).
Finally, what dork of an engineer decided to put the antenna sticking up right in the middle of the roof rack?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
"What idiot engineer decided it was a good idea to put the antenna in the middle of the roof?"
I hope it can take a kayak or canoe...
So I can tell you that the antenna unscrews completely. If you are going to put something on the roof rack and the antenna is in the way, you can just take it off and put it back on when you are done.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
--
Bill
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) you can indeed unscrew the antenna, and then put it on when the canoe is in place... just don't forget, or you'll break it when you take the boat off... ask me how I know.
(ii) You can buy cross bars from Thule or Yakima (I've got the latter) and put a canoe on the car, but the spread is marginal... Yakima only recommends putting a couple bikes and a basket up there.
(iii) You can attach one crossbar to the factory rack and get Q towers and clips for the front... I've done this, and it's very secure for carrying one boat. Use a piece of inner tube to protect the finish from the clip though.. ask me how I know THAT...
Unfortunately, the load limit with this setup is a lousy 75 lbs., which is ridiculous. I'd love to be able to carry two 60-lb canoes, but no such luck. The Matrix, oddly enough, is allowed to carry 125 lbs with a Yakima carrier. Go figure.
-Mathias
(who wants his rain gutters back)
I wonder if I get one and try that with a certified 2004 AWD Vibe....
How does that discount work?
ty
I have a GM card that works this way - I earn a 5% rebate on all purchases, up to $500 per year, that can build up for a maximum of seven years. For instance, mine is now $3000 after 6 years and 11 months. They still offer rebate cards, but I do not know if the new ones work this way. One of their cards let you build up more per year, but "caps" the total rebate based on the model (which kinda stinks).
I am at the end of the "build-up" period so I plan to get something soon - either a colorado or a vibe I guess. Just glad there is one decent choice from GM - this vibe seems good.
Hope that helps.
I seriously considered the Vibe GT. The Matrix I purchased and the Vibe I eyed and drove were both silver, six-speed, 7-speaker sound. The only real difference between the cars is the front end styling. The Vibe GT I was considering was tagged at a "no haggle" $19,900 and the Matrix at a "lets talk" $20,800. I wount up paying $20,200 for the Matrix. The Matrix and Vibe both had the moonroof installed. Add window tint, security system upgrade, and auto-dimming mirror (the Vibe came with the mirror and On-Star package) and the Matrix came out @ $20,700. Thousands of dollars less than the car I gave up and always a blast to drive.
From the first drives the two cars felt different to me. The Matrix seems more eager to rev and the JBL sound system in the Matrix sounds better to me than the Monsoon sound system in the Pontiac did. The Matrix's engine makes a much better visual presentation than the Vibe (although they spec as being mechanically identical I beleive). Both cars behave as though they are basic, practical transportation. Keep the tach low and they sip gasoline and putter around nicely. The fun begins merging onto a highway or beside a smirking challenger at the light. Get the revs up above 6,000 and keep them there and the car will at the very least hold its own against most everything out there. So even if you are over-ambitious the car at least won't totally embarras you.
If one were considering a small SUV or small-medium sized pickup I would highly reccommend spending some time with one of these cars. This car will haul while you haul! If you truly enjoy driving then you'll love this car - I reccommend the GT or XRS because having a car with a split-personality is truly a blast! While the 6 speed is no Getrag it has a nice feel to it and allows you to really drive the car.
I've not stuck a roof-rack on mine. I wouldn't do that to my baby
But it's not very good. Max load is 75 lbs, when the Focus wagon hauls 200 lbs using two cross bars on the factory rack.
So I'm not sure the rack is a big attraction, but yes, I have hauled one canoe with it successfully. A small Kayak might work OK using just the factory rack + two cross bars on it, but the spread between the bars is very short. I've done it.
I solved my problem by getting a 2000 Villager. That'll haul anything. Two large canoes, 70 mph, 21 mpg. Who-hoo!
Anybody need a good used 04 Vibe w/ 15k, cheap? :-)
-Mathias
04 Vibe base 5sp
The designer, and all those who aproved the design, must never have used it. It is quite a impractical spot for an antenna.
Thanks
Thanks.
The Vibe also has a less than satisfying ride. The AWD version has independent rear suspension, which makes a BIG difference in the ride. I test drove both and got the AWD.