We have two Vibes, a 2006 and a 2010. We have enjoyed the 2006 a whole bunch. It gets 30+ mpg all the time with the 1.8 engine and has been completely reliable in 105K miles. My wife especially likes the way the Vibes sit up fairly high off the ground, as that makes it much easier for her to get in and out of than from other small, lower cars.
When the 2006 got to 100K miles, we decided to get a new car. We wanted another Vibe and preferred the 1.8 engine over the 2.4. Unfortunately by the time we got around to looking for a new car, Cash for Clunkers had hit the dealerships, and virtually all of the smaller engined Vibes had been sold already.
We looked at the Matrix and would have bought a 2009 with a 2.4 engine, but we had a fairly bad experience with two different Toyota dealers. They just wouldn't deal--so we went back to the Pontiac/Buick dealer and ended up buying a 2010 Vibe that is about as loaded as any Vibe could be, for significantly less than the Toyota dealer would have sold us the 2009 Matrix 2.4 with much less options.
The Matrix and the Vibe are very similar cars. I like the Pontiac frontend treatment a little better, but I think the way the Matrix handled the rear side windows is better. The interiors are very similar and I think the drivetrains are just the same. The 1.8 engine and 4 speed automatic transmission is the same as is used in the Toyota Corolla and the 2.4 engine and 5 speed automatic are the same as are used in the Toyota Camry. One thing I really like about both engines is that they use timing chains that don't need to be changed, rather than timing belts that should be changed at about 60K miles (and which costs about $400 to $500 to have someone else do). Toyotas have a great reputation for reliability.
There are a few things that I wish the manufacturers had done differently with both the Vibe and the Matrix. Rear side vision is not good in any of them. Larger windows would have been much better. I also think it is really stupid to require 16" wheels with low profile tires on what I would consider to be an economy car. But that is how they built them. Replacement tires are more expensive than they would have had to be. And the new car has 17" alloy wheels, so it will be even worse that way.
The 2006 Vibe with the 1.8 and automatic has completely adequate performance for what we have used it for. It is also very handy to be able to haul fairly big objects in it. Unfortunately, the back part with the seats folded down is too short to sleep in very comfortably as I was able to in some other station wagons.
Our 2010 Vibe is too new to really see how much the larger engine will bring the gas mileage down. On the other hand, the new Vibe is LOTS quicker than the 2006, probably a couple of seconds faster to 60. Both cars handle OK. The 2006 has been a very good Winter car. I need to buy a set of snow tires and wheels to fit the new car.
We are keeping the 2006 and I will continue to drive it. It is still an excellent car that I would not be worried about going anywhere in. I just like my wife to drive cars with fewer miles on them.
I have read that GM and Toyota are not going to continue the joint venture that produced the Vibe and Matrix anymore. We had thought about ordering a new Vibe with a 1.8 engine, but GM stopped taking new orders in about July.
There may still be Vibes available in your area, and you may be able to get a really good deal on a new one. On the other hand, in the future it might not be totally easy to get specific Pontiac parts for the Vibe, especially after a few years. Many things for the Matrix are the same, but not all. Mechanical parts are no problem, but body and trim parts could be hard to get.
I would anticipate that Toyota will continue to build the Matrix (I think in Canada), as it is selling well and is a good, handy vehicle. Buying a Vibe is taking a little bit of a chance, since it is kind of an "orphan" now. But we decided that the super good deal we got on the new car was worth taking that small chance.
I hated to see GM dump the Pontiac brand. My family has had several over the years, and all were good cars. I was a little surprised when I read that the Vibe would no longer be produced, since at least around my area, they have sold very well. I expected that the Vibe (or whatever they decided to call it) would become a Chevy or a Buick. But apparently the GM management decided to quit marketing Toyota products anymore.
Other than the fact that our first Vibe seemed to attract animals (we have whacked 2 deer and a bear over the time we have owned it!!!), it has been an excellent car. I recommend the Vibe and the Matrix, which are fraternal twins, as being super reliable, competent cars. Good luck, hope you can find one that is a good deal.
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Today's Featured Article - Listening to Your Tractor - by Curtis Von Fange. Years ago there was a TV show about a talking car. Unless you are from another planet, physically or otherwise, I don’t think our internal combustion buddies will talk and tell us their problems. But, on the other hand, there is a secret language that our mechanical companions readily do speak. It is an interesting form of communication that involves all the senses of the listener. In this series we are going to investigate and learn the basic rudimentary skills of understanding this lingo.
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