Topic: Why not buy a Pontiac Vibe

[dorin]

^^

Either way, it's not "awful" mileage.

Approx. 6.35L/100km

That's poor mileage?  Seems pretty good to me!  Sure, it's not as good as the newest Corolla, but damn good otherwise.  No Mazda 3 can come close, etc.

Actually, the 2.0L in the regular Mazda3 will easily do 6-6.5L/100km at a steady pace on the open road.

[ovr50]

Jerry, good question, and I agree with most, no reason not to buy it, except for the boring factor. BUT, as an around-town grocery-getter, not a bad deal at all.

[safristi]

..why not buy a Ponty Vibe (are they NOT GONE with Pontiac's demise?)...anyhoo too expensive...esp.2nd HAND as a "grocery getter"..........seems the bane of Toyota connection..........the great unwashed willingly PAY $2K Ov'r the  TRUE VALUE..................

[blairb]

I've owned an '04 Vibe for the last 3 years and it's been the best car I've owned. I've only had to do the brakes and oil changes, plus regular maintenance.  I get over 40 mpg on the highway with an automatic. They are great cars and if the 1.8L is too slow for you, there's a 2.4L now available.  You should take one for a test drive. I'd buy another one.

[safristi]

  LIST YER GROCERIES................................. ....................yes it is COMPETENT.....exciting it is NOT and 2nd hand it is STUPID expensive..............maybe i'll buy a 10 year olde one fer $5k as my next eskimo pie getter.................

[mwqa]

Why not?

Well, let's see. I drove a 2003 Matrix for 11 months before selling it:

1) visibility - I found that the outward view was not very good and actually felt as though I wasn't in control of the car sometimes
2) sound system - I had the XR and found the sound muddy
3) pep - it was the 1.8 litre engine and the car was 'sporty' only on an empty tank (say 20% full)

I have a Suzuki Aerio now and it is better in all the above (great visibility, 6 speaker sound system, a peppy 2.4 litre engine)

And I honestly don't find any difference in the gas mileage.

My 2 cents.

[blairb]

A Suzuki Aerio?  I'm glad you like it...but it looks like it got whacked by the ugly stick to me.  Same mileage as a Matrix?  Are you sure you didn't have any corpses in the trunk?  The Matrix should get way better mileage with a 1.8.  As for visibility, you must be short.  I have no problems in my Vibe, although I'm 6'5". (rear 3/4 view is a little squished I admit).  As for the sound system, I can adjust the sound to different levels and always find good sound. 

Curious, but glad you like your Aerio.

 

[mwqa]

A Suzuki Aerio?  I'm glad you like it...but it looks like it got whacked by the ugly stick to me.  Same mileage as a Matrix?  Are you sure you didn't have any corpses in the trunk?  The Matrix should get way better mileage with a 1.8.  As for visibility, you must be short.  I have no problems in my Vibe, although I'm 6'5". (rear 3/4 view is a little squished I admit).  As for the sound system, I can adjust the sound to different levels and always find good sound. 

Curious, but glad you like your Aerio.

Yep, quite happy with the Aerio. Yeah, it's looks a bit dorky, but that's OK (I'm a bit dorky, too).

Mechanically, the Aerio has been very reliable, except for the front wheel bearings, both of which have had to be replaced. (This is a known problem with Aerios.)

My impression with mileage (not scientific by any means) is that the milegae is as good - if not better - with the Aerio. And I'm tall (at least 6'3").

I was in a 2003, so over the years I'm sure they've improved the Matrix. My Dad bought a 2007 automatic after selling me his manual and he said that it was peppier than the manual.

My must say, however, that my personal preference at this point is for Suzukis and not Toyotas. Stylistically, I just don't like them...