Anyone own a Toyota Matrix or a Pontiac Vibe?

[emmagata]

My wife just bought a 2004 Pontiac Vibe last week and really likes it. She sat in one in the GM showroom (the ultimate gift shop) at EPCOT last year.

It's a big change from what she had before. A 98 Dodge Durango at 12-13 MPG.

I'm looking for something in that price range that's not a sedan. The Vibe and the Matrix sit a little higher off the ground than most small cars.

 

[NHAnn]

Don't own one, but when we were in the Tampa area last month our rental ended up being a Toyota Matrix.....we LOVED it.........it handled really well....we thoroughly enjoyed it. You're right, it sits a little higher and you don't get that "small car" feeling at all especially with the roominess inside that I didn't expect when looking at it from the outside. I had a Mazda 626 that my DD-17 now drives...(I bought a Sebring convertible to replace it - midlife crisis kind of thing ) . But if I was in the market for a new mid-size vehicle I'd definitely consider the Matrix (or Vibe) over a sedan.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

If I could afford one, I'd go with the Matrix. I hope to buy one when I graduate from college and get a real job.

 

[crazelion]

I would with the Toyota Matrix for reliable. I don't have one. I have done my researched and I like Toyota Matrix over the Pontic Vibe.

 

[DMRick]

I would with the Toyota Matrix for reliable.

We just started looking at the Vibe..and I see no difference between the Matrix and the Vibe...where did you see that the Matrix is more reliable? Just curious, since they are both made by Toyota and I thought were sister cars.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by DMRick
We just started looking at the Vibe..and I see no difference between the Matrix and the Vibe...where did you see that the Matrix is more reliable? Just curious, since they are both made by Toyota and I thought were sister cars.

As far as I can see, they share the same drive train but little sheet metal. The Vibe is assembled in California while the Matrix is assembled in Canada.

The Matirx has a 3/36 bumper to bumper and 5/60 drive train warranty while the Vibe is 3/36 for both.

I don't believe there's any differences that would make one more reliable than the other.

The Vibe has much fewer options than the Matrix but when equipped with popular options, the Matrix is a wee bit cheaper than the Vibe.

However, there's a $2500 "rebate" on the Vibe right now until the end of the month which make the Vibe a better buy.

I'm going to look at the Matrix because I like the color choices over the Vibe. But if I can't get a good "deal" on the Matrix, I will probably get the Vibe.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I don't have either one but I had been looking at both models since I saw the Vibe when it was first introduced. The Vibe is first on my list, but I thought the Matrix was cheaper, and as was mentioned, has the better warranty. I like the look of the Vibe over that of the Matrix. If I could do it today, I'd trade in my Neon on either one.

 

[Snoozan]

My DH owns a bright red Matrix and just loves it! We like the extra space as all the seats fold down as we recently gave up our minivan and were concerned about not having a vehicle to truck stuff in. We can fit all kinds of stuff inside our(excuse me, HIS!) Matrix.

We chose the Matrix over the Vibe mostly because the value of a Toyota stays higher much longer than a Pontiac. I also like the fact you sit higher in a Matrix than other sedans - like my Honda Accord.

 

[Kimberle]

We just bought the Vibe about 3 weeks ago.

So far, so great! Really like it!!!

 

[Mercy]

No, Toyota does not also make the Vibe...

The Vibe is a GM made vehicle.

I would go with the Toyota also, much more reliable and they really hold their resale value.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Mercy
No, Toyota does not also make the Vibe...

The Vibe is a GM made vehicle.

I would go with the Toyota also, much more reliable and they really hold their resale value.

Actually the Vibe is made at the NUMMI manufacturing plant in California which is a joint venture between Toyota and GM. The Vibe consists of almost all Toyota parts including the Engine and the transmission. The Matrix is made in Canada as has been said. The Vibe is built alongside the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Tundra in the plant in California. The Vibe took up the space that the old Chevy/Geo Prizm had on the assembly line. The Vibe has the same engine that the Corolla, Matrix and Celica have.

The reliability between the Matrix and the Vibe should be similar. Resale may be better on the Toyota nameplate but that should remains to be seen. There is a pretty good website out there with Vibe and Matrix information if anyone is interested www.genvibe.com. It is just a discussion site similar to this, but related to the Vibe/Matrix cousins.

 

[Growin'upDisney]

You are right sgtdisney. My stepdad works at NUMMI in Fremont, CA and spends 8 hours a day buliding the Vibe. NUMMI is indeed a Toyota owned and operated plant with some GM input. They have the Tacoma truck line there as well. The Vibe and the Matrix and virtually identical.

My stepdad likes the Vibe and says they are a well built car!! If you have any specific questions I can certainly ask him anything.

 

[Mercy]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
Actually the Vibe is made at the NUMMI manufacturing plant in California which is a joint venture between Toyota and GM.

Well I stand corrected then, I didn't know that and I work for Toyota, but not on the manufacturing end - on the financial end, and I had never heard that.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Mercy
Well I stand corrected then, I didn't know that and I work for Toyota, but not on the manufacturing end - on the financial end, and I had never heard that.

I don't think it is widely promoted especially on the Toyota end that they are making a car for Pontiac. I know when I bought my Vibe the salespeople were pushing the Toyota engineering. I got the "you get the best of both worlds, Toyota reliability and Pontiac styling." I really like my Vibe, this is my 6th Pontiac.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I saw a Matrix for the first time last week and thought it was really cool! I have a Trailblazer but may downsize soon if gas $ doesn't get better--what kind of mileage do those get?
Robin M.

 

[DMRick]

Well, I've rented one..and I'm cured. The pick up was lousy and we felt the engine was too small for the size of the car..and that was with just two of us in it. The dealer said there had been many complaints and they now have available a booster. The engine noise was also louder than we are used to..the dealer said to turn up the radio..nice.

I hated backing out with it, since it seemed the corners made it hard to see.

We are long time Toyota people, but we'll be looking at the Camry next...no Vibe/Matirx in our future.

 

[sgtdisney]

Rock'n Robin, I am averaging around 31 to 32 miles per gallon in my car. It can get up to 35 or 36 according to the window sticker, but I assume you have to baby it. I have an automatic. DMRick, strange about the pick up. I am really quite content with mine. It has a reported 130 horsepower but rumors are that it actually has 140. The AWD version has slightly less HP because of a more restrictive exhaust. You can get a GT/XRS model with 173 horsepower, but it has a 6 speed manual. As you mention a supercharger is available on the car too to add additional power, but I think it costs about 2000.00 extra. It is a 4 cylinder so I guess there is a trade off between the power and the gas mileage.