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Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe - Compare Notes

285 messages,  Last post on Nov 12, 2010 at 7:29 PM

You are in the Pontiac Vibe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, Wagon

Messages Page 24 of 29

#227 of 285 One more time: Vibe/Matrix roof rack by steine13

Nov 07, 2005 (4:22 pm)

I posted this yesterday but the pics were too big the post was removed. Let's try again...
  
Maybe I'll make a separate page and send it to Yakima for comment, but I'll start here.
  
At first blush, this looks good and held up well in 40mph (!) side winds today... it was the nastiest bit of driving I've done since an ice storm in '01...

  
So it's a lot of boat for a little car. So what?

  
So this:

and this:

  
The wind load slid the windward Q tower 1/4" along the bar, which loosened the rack on the lee side of the car... you can see how the black "clip" in pic 3 isn't gripping any more. The whole shebang slid an inch or so backwards, taking the paint down to the metal.
  
Yes it was over the load limit for the Vibe (75 lbs), but not for the Matrix (125 lbs) and it wasn't the weight that did it, it was the force of the wind.
  
These Yakima Q towers are junk, they don't bite the cross bars hard enough. I'm glad I made it home OK.
  
Comments anyone? Is Thule any better?
  
-Mathias

#229 of 285 Re: Vibe/Matrix roof rack [steine13] -- Yakima Replies by steine13

Nov 10, 2005 (4:52 pm)

Replying to: steine13 (Nov 07, 2005 4:22 pm)
Hello, Mathias. Thank You for your inquiry about Yakima Products, Inc!
 
We have since changed the design of the q-towers. Drop us a line with your address and phone number. I will get some new towers out to you.
Other then tightening the tower more it sounds like you have done everything correct in fitting the rack.
 
I'm impressed.
Seems to be a stand-up company after all.
 
I'll let y'all know how the new ones work out.
 
-Mathias

#230 of 285 Re: Vibe/Matrix roof rack [steine13] -- Yakima Replies [steine13] by matrixowner

Nov 18, 2005 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: steine13 (Nov 10, 2005 4:52 pm)
I am looking for a roof rack for my 2005 Matrix. Can I get the list of products or a place to purchase around Leominster?

#231 of 285 '04 Vibe starting problems by pontiac2

Mar 01, 2006 (6:42 am)

Has anyone had any problems with cold weather starts? Only in -20C and colder, my '04 Vibe will start but none of the electronics work. No heater, dash, or any controls. Also unable to shift into gear. After running several minutes I can re-start the car and everything works. It doesn't happen any other time, only extreme cold conditions.
 
Thanks

#232 of 285 Vibe vs Matrix by sccoast1700

Apr 10, 2006 (7:30 am)

Same car,just a matter of syle preference and what kind of deal you get. I bought a 2005 Vibe last August. I prefer it's looks. I have 16000 miles in 7 months. Get 34 mpg. I drive one 1400 mile round trip /month for my job. 700 miles each way. It is very comfortable. I never feel cramped . Nice stereo. I love the moonroof. The 110v outlet is handy. Cruise control is great. No problems.Wonderful car.
By the way , I park my Vibe in the company lot. I try to park next to another employees Matrix. Side by side the Vibe is much nicer looking.

#233 of 285 Is there Toyota Parts beyond the engine in the VIBE? by ronald711

May 17, 2006 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: maxx4me (Oct 13, 2005 12:36 pm)
My concern owning previous GM products, is I had problems with altenators and stuff like that failing eary in the vehicles life. I am wondering how much of the vehicle is toyota parts vs gm contributed parts? Who made the transmission, etc? Or is it safe to say Toyota really has a complete hold on this car and its made with pretty much all their parts except for maybe the onstar and vehicle stability, etc... Just trying to get a grasp as the incentives being offered makes this a great buy over the Matrix with over $2000 customer incentives (Conquest incentive $1000, trading vehicle non GM $500 and $500 cash incentive, and thats on top of my work related GM Supplier Discount, he advised I would be under $15,000 on a base. So Im very interested in going this route, but very scared form my past GM experiences in vehicle reliability. any comments?

#234 of 285 Re: Is there Toyota Parts beyond the engine in the VIBE? [ronald711] by herzogtum71

May 18, 2006 (8:01 am)

Replying to: ronald711 (May 17, 2006 7:22 pm)
When the Matrix was first introduced, people in this forum commented that the interior design was GM and that the engine and other mechanical components were Toyota. The Matrix is built in Ontario, while the Vibe is built in Fremont, California. A year or two ago there were complaints about the paint on Vibes, and I would suggest going back through previous posts to see what other issues there might be with the finishing details on Vibes that you don't have on the Matrix. There also have been issues with how Toyota responded differently than GM did to problems. One issue I experienced first-hand was with the headlight sensor in the dashboard, which on vehicles sold for a few months in 2002 was overly sensitive and resulted in frequent switching from running lights to headlights and back again. Toyota issued a service bulletin that took care of the problem (though I did have to argue with the service technicians at my dealership who claimed it wouldn't solve the problem), but to my knowledge GM never did the same thing for Vibe owners. I do know people, though, who have had good luck with Vibes and who have been very happy with the car.

#235 of 285 Re: Is there Toyota Parts beyond the engine in the VIBE? [ronald711] by jstant01

May 18, 2006 (10:01 am)

Replying to: ronald711 (May 17, 2006 7:22 pm)
I have a 2005 Vibe. I understand your concern completely. I bought the Vibe for two reasons - GM had employee pricing for everyone at the time, and the car was mostly Toyota. I also wanted to support an "American" company, if possible. I had my sights on a Corolla or Civic until I saw the Vibe.
 
Anyhow, to answer your question - from all the reading I have done in several Forums, it is my understanding that the Vibe is entirely a Toyota mechanically. That means, the engine, the suspension, the controls, and all the other parts you mentioned. GM's role was limited to the styling of the vehicle. In other words, it was "engineered" by GM but built with all Toyota parts.
 
I did hear a rumor that I was never able to corroborate that perhaps the Engine Control system (i.e. "computer") was GM's as well. However, I don't think that would make sense, since it would be controlling a Toyota engine.
 
The Vibe has rated "better than average" for all of its production years thus far with Consumer Reports. I believe that puts it at the top of the pack as far as "GM" models go.
 
Mine has been trouble-free, except for a periodic "weird" starting problem. Sometimes it doesn't like to fire up right away on a warm re-start. If you read through the maintainence and repair forums, you'll see others have had the same issue. However, it's never left me stranded, and does always start up eventually.
 
For the deal coming your way, I would take it in a heartbeat. The Vibe is an excellent product. I haven't heard or read anything about early failure on any of it's parts or components.

Messages Page 24 of 29

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