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Wagons Toyota Matrix Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe - Compare Notes
282 messages, Last post on Jun 17, 2008 at 1:32 PM
You are in the Toyota Matrix Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Replying to: rocky101 (Jan 28, 2007 9:28 pm) |
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Replying to: steine13 (Sep 13, 2006 3:33 am) |
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Replying to: oubaasjohn (Oct 02, 2006 5:47 pm) |
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1. The Matrix looks better inside and out. The Matrix has a sleek look for a wagon, the Vibe is more box shaped. Matrix has tighter interior. 2. The Vibe is a little less expensive, but doesn't hold its value as well as Toyota. Is the Pontiac name associated with quality or cheap plastic? What is your visual when you hear the Toyota name? 3. The "Matrix" has a cooler name, the "Vibe" would have a cool name if this were the 60's. "Matrix" might be the coolest car name after the "Mustang". "Vibe" is a cooler name than "Yugo". 4. Vitamin D is not overrated. Sun roof is cooler than a luggage rack. 5. Carpet in the cargo area is just stupid. I give the edge to the Matrix in every aspect except price, where you might see a $400-$500 difference depending on options. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative, look at the Ford Focus Wagon. Both the Matrix and the Vibe are the two best SUV alternatives on the market in my opinion. If the 2009 Blade doesn't get better gas mileage than these two its not an improvement. These two models have the smartest engineering I've seen in terms of efficiency and functionality. I predict they will be popular used cars for years to come.
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Replying to: kevinarnold (Jun 13, 2007 7:43 pm) Why do you think these cars (Matrix/Vibe) don't appear to be selling very well? I'm interested in one of these as a vehicle for daughter. Haven't test driven yet, but have talked to a couple owners who absolutely love them. Looks to me to be a pretty nice package, but I don't see many on the roads, and see diminishing models/options (awd dropped). I would want all the latest safety (side curtain air, vsc), and find availability slim to none. It just may be that it's coming to the end of the model run and everyone knows it, like I've decided to wait. |
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What about this car? The Dodge Caliber seems directly designed to be competition for Matrix and Vibe. - The Dodge Caliber looks almost military (an interesting design trend for a country at war) - The Dodge C has bigger wheels than the Matrix or Vibe. - The Dodge C has a built in cooler (for beer?) - The Dodge has a (I think stupid) removable sound system and cabin light. - The Dodge is about $2000 dollars cheaper. So why is Chrysler not selling these like hot cakes? I will answer that question as I drive a toyota - the quality is not there. Some not so obvious differences are that the door seems on the Japanese designs are filled with resin while the Dodge relies on a paint coat to protect the seems. The Dodge Caliber design leaves body panel overhangs around the wheels which appear unsupported and look cheap. The Dodge C also looks cheaper on the interior and some of the seat covers looked poorly designed with colour stripes - these may appeal to younger drivers but I look for classic long lasting appeal in a car not flashy, get tired of it tomorrow trendy bits. |
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| Correction to my message previous. | |
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I was looking for a used Matrix/Vibe and they are not easy to find! They sell quickly too. Probably the high gas prices are a factor. Around my area, dealerships would get maybe one or two and they would be gone in a week. Same for the new ones. I finally found an '04 Vibe. So far we really like it. It would be a good car for a teenager. It has enough power to do what you want but isn't a pocket rocket. It handles very well and would be forgiving of new driver mistakes like oversteering or misjudging room to turn (very small turning radius). Because they are considered an economy car the safety equipment has not tended to be standard until very recently. For new small cars like the Vibe, Honda Fit and NIssan Versa, only the Honda Fit has side airbags and ABS as standard equipment, and talk about hard to find! In our area there may be one or two in all the dealerships. Nissan Versa has side airbags standard but not ABS. |
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Replying to: oubaasjohn (Jun 14, 2007 6:08 am) With that said I do agree the interior is cheap looking, the color matched interior is an option not standard so those who like a classic look can opt out of that. Oh the sound system isn't removable but the overhead light IS a flash light and does remove easily.
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Replying to: caliberchic (Jun 14, 2007 10:27 am) |
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