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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 2 of 29

#10 of 285 Gearbox by edchen

Apr 01, 2002 (5:03 pm)

The gearbox is an accessory that is shown in the brochure with an Edmunds MSRP of $95. If anyone has seen the Vibe accessories brochure it may have more information. The Pontiac dealer told me if I wanted one to go see the Toyota dealer.
 
erisynne: The under-floor compartment is where the spare tire and jack are stowed. Not much room in there for anything else.

#11 of 285 Gearbox and other accessories by tomkist

Apr 01, 2002 (6:42 pm)

I have a Vibe accessories catalog and it claims that everything may not be stocked at your local dealer, but can be ordered by the dealer. And the Matrix and Vibe add-ons are the same, except for the logos.
 
It looks like the gearbox (trunk organizer) is not compatible with the cargo mat. MSRP in the Vibe catalog is $120 US.

#12 of 285 Gear box by dlh3

Apr 04, 2002 (4:35 pm)

The gear box is made of hard plastic. It comes with 2 D-rings that can be screwed into 2 corners of the base. Two Velcro straps are included so that one can lash it to the D-rings on the sides of the cargo area or you could lash it to the tie downs that fit in the floor tracks. Self-adhesive rubber pads are also included. The cargo area mat cannot be used if you want to lash to the floor. It also comes with self-adhesive velco patches that could be used to keep it from sliding around on the cargo area mat.
 
The dimensions of the gear box are:
 Collapsed: 41" x 18" x 2-1/4" high
 Expanded: 41" x 18" x 9" high
 Interior storage area: 35-1/4" x 12-3/4" x 8-1/4" high
 
It also includes 2 removable dividers which can be used to split the interior storage area into thirds.

#13 of 285 Vibe Active Package by dlh3

Apr 04, 2002 (4:47 pm)

The description for the Vibe Active Package in the accessories catalog or on the GM Goodwrench web site does not provide a detailed list of what is included. I have found out that the contents are: rear bumper protector, front and rear all-season vinyl floor mats, driver and front passenger water-resistant seat covers, and the multi-purpose trunk organizer (gear box).
 
The water-resistant seat covers for the rear seats are NOT included. You will have to order them separately if you want them.

#14 of 285 Vibe power package by dlh3

Apr 04, 2002 (5:18 pm)

The Vibe power package has a MSRP of $1000, but then you get a $400 discount so the net cost is $600.
 
There is a $700 discount when you buy both the power package and the Moon and Tunes package.

#15 of 285 matrixorvibe by dindak

Apr 09, 2002 (5:30 am)

Go with whatever you like best. The cars are the same mechanically. Some people dislike the looks of the Matrix and some dislike the Vibe. I think they are both fine though I prefer the rugged looks of the Vibe.

#16 of 285 Hi Folks- This discussion is now linked to both the Hatchbacks and Station Wagons boards. by revka

Apr 12, 2002 (9:06 am)

This means you will be able to access this discussion from either one of these message boards. Hope this is helpful.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

#17 of 285 Are the Premium Stereos the same? by joelis

Apr 12, 2002 (12:01 pm)

Is the 200 watt stereo in the Moon & Tunes package on the Vibe the same stereo that is a $100 option on the Matrix?

#18 of 285 2 CENTS by mpgman

Apr 13, 2002 (11:33 am)

I like the looks of the Vibe. The cladding will save a lot of elbow grease getting rid of road grit and the charcoal bumpers won't scuff and lose paint like those on the Matrix when someone parks by sound. The Matrix looks like they ran out of window glass as you move from front to back. Matrix should have higher resale though. However, after seeing a couple stickered at $22,000+, I'd get a CR-V or a Passat for that money.

#19 of 285 Drove 'em both. by lancerfixer

Apr 14, 2002 (7:59 am)

I drove, on separate days, the 180hp Matrix w/ 6 speed and the base engined- Vibe with a five speed. A few notes:
 
I thought the interiors were laid out extremely well, and they used every last square inch of space efficiently. Both cars (don't fool yourselves; that's definitely a Corolla underneath there;) also handled pretty well. A few fatal flaws, though;
 
1. Neither engine is a good match for the vehicle. The base engine, even with a stick, couldn't get out of its own way. The 180hp unit, while definitely not lacking in peak power, unfortunately required alot of attention to keep in the powerband. Clutch engagement wasn't smooth, and I felt way more shifting than necessary had to occur. Great fun for, say, a Celica (go figure) or an RSX, but lousy for what will most likely be a family hauler.
 
2. The hard plastic load floor-- dumb. Period.
 
3. Visibility out the back of the Vibe sucks. It's not great in the Toyota, either.
 
All in all, they're OK cars, but definitely not for me-- I think money's better spent on, say, a Jetta wagon.

Messages Page 2 of 29

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