Matrix vs. Vibe

Hi, All:

Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:

1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
Vibe?
4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?

TIA,
-Bubba

Can't comment on the above, I don't know of strong evidence one way of
the other for questions 1-3. I DO believe a Matrix will have superior
long-term resale value if you care about that. I also think the Matrix
is much better looking than the Vibe, but that's just a personal
preference. I've owned a Matrix XR for 3 years and am extremely happy
with it.

Yes the huge difference in the total drive home price between the two. The
Matrix will cost you thousands more to drive home

mike


"Bubba Bubbs" <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi, All:
>
> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>
> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
> 2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
> can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
> a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
> 3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
> specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
> Vibe?
> 4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?
>
> TIA,
> -Bubba
>[/color]

In article <1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
Bubba Bubbs <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi, All:
>
> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>
> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
>[/color]
I'm no expert, so give credence to anyone contradicting me....

A while back Toyota and Chevy had a similar deal on what seemed to be
nearly identical models. Chevy's was the Prizm; was Toyota's the
Corolla? I was told that the differences lay under the skin, such as
the better specs on the Toyota's bumper strength and stuff like that.

I offer that mushy comment by way of suggesting that the buyer might be
hard-pressed to discern differences that the driver might discover
later. As Pogo said, "You pays yo' money, you takes yo' chances."

Brent,
whose file of pithy sayings crashed with his hard drive. :-(

wrong.
matrix is cheaper even with the GM discounts.
also the matrix has a longer warranty.
pontiac only has a 36,000 mile warranty-toyota 60,000 mile.
check prices at carsdirect.com

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:KP6cnXKuKcJM6LXeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=blue]
> Yes the huge difference in the total drive home price between the two.
> The Matrix will cost you thousands more to drive home
>
> mike
>
>
> "Bubba Bubbs" <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> Hi, All:
>>
>> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
>> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
>> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
>> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
>> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>>
>> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
>> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
>> 2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
>> can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
>> a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
>> 3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
>> specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
>> Vibe?
>> 4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?
>>
>> TIA,
>> -Bubba
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

Is this a toy with the pontiac body?

[url]http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/corolla_verso/index.asp[/url]


"Brent Secombe" <bsecombover@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:140920051520331478%bsecombover@yahoo.co.uk...[color=blue]
> In article <1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> Bubba Bubbs <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hi, All:
>>
>> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
>> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
>> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
>> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
>> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>>
>> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
>> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
>>[/color]
> I'm no expert, so give credence to anyone contradicting me....
>
> A while back Toyota and Chevy had a similar deal on what seemed to be
> nearly identical models. Chevy's was the Prizm; was Toyota's the
> Corolla? I was told that the differences lay under the skin, such as
> the better specs on the Toyota's bumper strength and stuff like that.
>
> I offer that mushy comment by way of suggesting that the buyer might be
> hard-pressed to discern differences that the driver might discover
> later. As Pogo said, "You pays yo' money, you takes yo' chances."
>
> Brent,
> whose file of pithy sayings crashed with his hard drive. :-([/color]

Cannot answer any questions except #2.

You really have to check it out yourself. I do know several bad Toyota
dealer service departments. I have no experience about Pontiac dealers since
I have never own any cars other than Toyota.




"Bubba Bubbs" <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi, All:
>
> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>
> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
> 2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
> can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
> a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
> 3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
> specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
> Vibe?
> 4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?
>
> TIA,
> -Bubba
>[/color]

"Bubba Bubbs" <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi, All:
>
> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>
> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
> 2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
> can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
> a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
> 3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
> specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
> Vibe?
> 4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?
>
> TIA,
> -Bubba[/color]

Edmunds lets you compare vehicles. One example is
[url]http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?tid=edmunds.n.comparelanding.vdpcomparator..6.Pontiac*&styleid=100395251&op=21&basestyleid=100389756[/url]

The true cost to own on the Vibe is much higher.

Pat

"Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:564We.583$jS.176@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
> "Bubba Bubbs" <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> Hi, All:
>>
>> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
>> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
>> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
>> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
>> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>>
>> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
>> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
>> 2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
>> can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
>> a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
>> 3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
>> specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
>> Vibe?
>> 4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?
>>
>> TIA,
>> -Bubba[/color]
>
> Edmunds lets you compare vehicles. One example is
> [url]http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?tid=edmunds.n.comparelanding.vdpcomparator..6.Pontiac*&styleid=100395251&op=21&basestyleid=100389756[/url]
>
> The true cost to own on the Vibe is much higher.
>
> Pat[/color]

Says who? Specifics please. They are the same vehicle mechanically.

-Philip

"Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:Hi4We.12424$FW1.10301@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:564We.583$jS.176@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...[color=green]
>> "Bubba Bubbs" <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Hi, All:
>>>
>>> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
>>> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
>>> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
>>> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
>>> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>>>
>>> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
>>> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
>>> 2. Pontiac vs. Toyota dealership service departments: Statistically,
>>> can I expect a better quality of service at a Toyota dealership than at
>>> a Pontiac, or is there no difference?
>>> 3. Independent repair shops: say I find a reliable shop that
>>> specializes in Toyotas. Would they be willing to work on a Pontiac
>>> Vibe?
>>> 4. Anything else I may need to be aware of?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>> -Bubba[/color]
>>
>> Edmunds lets you compare vehicles. One example is
>> [url]http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?tid=edmunds.n.comparelanding.vdpcomparator..6.Pontiac*&styleid=100395251&op=21&basestyleid=100389756[/url]
>>
>> The true cost to own on the Vibe is much higher.
>>
>> Pat[/color]
>
> Says who? Specifics please. They are the same vehicle mechanically.
>
> -Philip[/color]
The specifics are in the link. Edmunds says. It's economics, not mechanics.
Pat

"Brent Secombe" <bsecombover@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:140920051520331478%bsecombover@yahoo.co.uk...[color=blue]
> In article <1126720174.661965.72520@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> Bubba Bubbs <bubbabubbs@yahoo.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hi, All:
>>
>> Considering buying a brand new (or "almost new") Matrix/Vibe (auto
>> tranny, not sure yet about the AWD/ABS option.)
>> I've seen a number of discussions on this message board on this
>> topic. Basically, the consensus seems to be that Pontiac Vibe is a
>> better value-for-the-money deal than Toyota Matrix. My questions:
>>
>> 1. How do the two compare as far as quality/reliability? Long-term
>> cost of ownership (maintenance/repair costs)?
>>[/color]
> I'm no expert, so give credence to anyone contradicting me....
>
> A while back Toyota and Chevy had a similar deal on what seemed to be
> nearly identical models. Chevy's was the Prizm; was Toyota's the
> Corolla?[/color]

It was the Geo Prism and the Toyota Corolla. They were both, in fact, made
on the same assembly line at Fremont California. I own one. The Prism only
had a 1.6 engine, the Toyota came with either the 1.6 (4Y) or 1.8 (7Y) and
could come with a 3 speed AT, a 3 speed + OD AT or a 5 speed manual. My
Toyota has 203,000 miles on it, and has the 3 +OD tranny on the 7Y.

My guess is that the Matrix will have 'better' options than the equivalent
Vibe. Find the specs online and compare them. . . .

I was told that the differences lay under the skin, such as[color=blue]
> the better specs on the Toyota's bumper strength and stuff like that.
>
> I offer that mushy comment by way of suggesting that the buyer might be
> hard-pressed to discern differences that the driver might discover
> later. As Pogo said, "You pays yo' money, you takes yo' chances."
>
> Brent,
> whose file of pithy sayings crashed with his hard drive. :-([/color]

Charles of Kankakee ..._0) (Happy snorkeler)

"Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:e85We.1238$D42.71@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:Hi4We.12424$FW1.10301@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:564We.583$jS.176@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...[/color][/color]
snip[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Edmunds lets you compare vehicles. One example is
>>> [url]http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?tid=edmunds.n.comparelanding.vdpcomparator..6.Pontiac*&styleid=100395251&op=21&basestyleid=100389756[/url]
>>>
>>> The true cost to own on the Vibe is much higher.
>>>
>>> Pat[/color]
>>
>> Says who? Specifics please. They are the same vehicle mechanically.
>>
>> -Philip[/color]
>
> The specifics are in the link. Edmunds says. It's economics, not
> mechanics.
> Pat[/color]

The link is NOTHING more than two specifications tables comparing Vibe and
Matrix. You'll have to do better to make your case.

-Philip

Welcome back Philip, I have missed your wry commentary.

"Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:M78We.11975$_84.1151@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:e85We.1238$D42.71@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:Hi4We.12424$FW1.10301@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>>> news:564We.583$jS.176@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...[/color][/color]
> snip[color=green][color=darkred]
>>>>
>>>> Edmunds lets you compare vehicles. One example is
>>>> [url]http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?tid=edmunds.n.comparelanding.vdpcomparator..6.Pontiac*&styleid=100395251&op=21&basestyleid=100389756[/url]
>>>>
>>>> The true cost to own on the Vibe is much higher.
>>>>
>>>> Pat
>>>
>>> Says who? Specifics please. They are the same vehicle mechanically.
>>>
>>> -Philip[/color]
>>
>> The specifics are in the link. Edmunds says. It's economics, not
>> mechanics.
>> Pat[/color]
>
> The link is NOTHING more than two specifications tables comparing Vibe and
> Matrix. You'll have to do better to make your case.
>
> -Philip[/color]
The link contains other links to "true cost to own" and those contain links
to details of how the costs were determined. You need to go deeper.

Pat

Have had house repair projects going on ... now complete. Then we
vacationed up to San Francisco. And now that the grandkids are back in
school, I've got time for myself again.

"Mark" <bogusmailmark@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126782029.631340.323850@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Welcome back Philip, I have missed your wry commentary.
>[/color]