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Whitethunder46 · #1 12-10-2006, 10:34 PM

Well I've really narrowed down my possible new cars.

My buget is only $13-14K MAX. I really like the Vibe, and with it being built buy toyota with their engine, transmission, and suspension it should have great reliabilty. Also gas mileage is very good. I really want an AWD Vibe though for the weather and especially Ohio's winters.

So, anyone have any thoughts or reviews on these?

supercharged · #2 12-11-2006, 12:02 AM

Never driven one. It reminds me of Toyota Matrix. I think that both of them (toyota and Pontiac) offer AWD. Why don't you test drive both, see what you like, and just to compare.

Good luck.

What color are you going to get?

Whitethunder46 · #3 12-11-2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercharged

Never driven one. It reminds me of Toyota Matrix. I think that both of them (toyota and Pontiac) offer AWD. Why don't you test drive both, see what you like, and just to compare.

Good luck.

What color are you going to get?

Yea, I've done that. And yes they are both almost identical, was a joint venture with Toyota.

I'm trying to find a black AWD one in my area.

qadsan · #4 12-11-2006, 12:56 AM

We have an '04 2WD Matrix in our family among many other vehicles and it's been absolutely terrific. I'm 6.5" tall and it fits me just fine. This is a great little utility vehicle! The seats quickly fold down flat and you can put all kinds of things in the back. It's super easy to park anywhere and it steers very nicely at all legal speeds. Even though our's has the automatic tranny, it's still quite peppy and I'm very pleased with the fuel economy. If we're hammering on it for 100% city driving, we'll get in the low 20 MPG range, but normal day to day city driving usually ends up being ~24+ MPG. If we get any mixed city / highway driving on it, then it's not too hard to bump it up a few MPG. On the highway, we can get ~40 MPG if we take it 'super' easy and that's better than what was listed on the window sticker. If we drive faster than 80MPH for an extended period of time, our fuel economy drops sharply. For instance, if we drive from SoCal to Las Vegas and are driving 80+, we'll usually get ~32 MPG. However, if we simply drive ~70'ish to 75, we'll get closer to ~38 MPG. We do this drive many times a year as we have property in neighboring states that we own / maintain and we keep a record of every tank of fuel we purchase, trip miles, fuel economy, etc. It's been a really fun car and our entire family enjoys driving it.

Also, if you're into servicing this vehicle yourself, it's really easy. Oil changes are very simple. Flushing the transmission is simple. Air filter changes are very simple, etc. The only hard part is around the 60K mark because valve clearances need to be checked and it does require some skill to do this since it involves removing the valve colver, the cams, etc.

Detailing this car is quick, but there's lots of plastic used on the outside (i.e. fenders, doors, bumpers, etc) and even a D/A like the Porter Cable can burn through the finish if you're not careful.

We've owned a lot of different vehicles over the years, but this is one vehicle that I'd buy again. For the price, it's performance and economy and utility and reliability has been great for us.

Surfer · #5 12-11-2006, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercharged

Never driven one. It reminds me of Toyota Matrix.

That's b/c their both the same, badge engineering

. I haven't driven it so can't comment on it, I think both it and the Matrix got decent reviews in the mags though. Personally I'm just not a revy 4 cylinder guy, but for your needs and money your looking to spend sounds like a decent deal if you need awd for the winter. Maybe even look into a used Subie.

supercharged · #6 12-11-2006, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

That's b/c their both the same, badge engineering

. I haven't driven it so can't comment on it, I think both it and the Matrix got decent reviews in the mags though. Personally I'm just not a revy 4 cylinder guy, but for your needs and money your looking to spend sounds like a decent deal if you need awd for the winter. Maybe even look into a used Subie.

Neither am I. I always look at V6, V8, and even V12's.
I love to have a V12 under a hood one day.

abrcrombe · #7 12-11-2006, 03:12 AM

I definitely prefer the VIBE over the Matrix... why, I don't know..

killrwheels@autogeek · #8 12-11-2006, 07:07 PM

Are you sure the Vibe comes with a Toyota motor and not a Pontiac motor ?? I know they are the same unit, but usually drivetrains are specific to unit.

We looked at a Vibe for sister, but ended up getting her a Ram Air GrandAm for same price. (Employee Pricing) Knock on wood, its been bulletproof to date, and if you saw how Michigan roads and my sister drive, well that says alot.

========
Guess even the engines are shared on this platform

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/compa...e=Compare+cars

Whitethunder46 · #9 12-12-2006, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

Are you sure the Vibe comes with a Toyota motor and not a Pontiac motor ?? I know they are the same unit, but usually drivetrains are specific to unit.

We looked at a Vibe for sister, but ended up getting her a Ram Air GrandAm for same price. (Employee Pricing) Knock on wood, its been bulletproof to date, and if you saw how Michigan roads and my sister drive, well that says alot.

========
Guess even the engines are shared on this platform

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/compa...e=Compare+cars

Yea everything is the same from engine, transmission, and suspension set up. Only thing different is the body. Even the interior are very similar. 03-04 have the same stereo and everything.