Pontiac Vibe
<div class="IPBDescription">Is it worth it? Or worthless?</div> I've been doing some car shopping over the past week or so, as I plan on getting a new vehicle towards the end of summer. My job pays pretty well, but I'm still not going to be spending an excessive amount of money on a new vehicle.
As the topic title would suggest, the Pontiac Vibe is at the top of my list at the moment. I've got the official Pontiac pimpage brochure for the Vibe, but that's not much good for real-world numbers (<i>unless, of course, the numbers make the car look good</i>). What I'm after with this topic is honest and real opinions, based on any personal experience if possible.
I haven't done a test drive of any of the vehicles on my list yet - I'll be doing those over the course of the next few days. Obviously, the Vibe is going to be my most anticipated test drive. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
And yes, I'm already aware that the Pontiac Vibe is the same as the Toyota Matrix. The Vibe also costs a little more than the Matrix, but it has more standard equipment and better options.
A few stats, for the mechanically-inclined:
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Pontiac Vibe GT</b>
1.8L DOHC VVTL-i
Horsepower : 180 hp @ 7600rpm
Torque : 130 lb.-ft. @ 6800rpm
6-speed manual transmission
Base price is somewhere in the range of US$19,500.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src='http://www.cmallard.com/myfiles/vibe.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
For those who are interested in knowing what else is on my list, here goes:
- Pontiac Sunfire <span style='color:green'>(my current car is a '95 Sunfire and I love it.. going to test drive the 2003/2004 to see if it's just as nice)</span>
- Pontiac Grand Am <span style='color:green'>(just in case I decide to go with a step above the Sunfire)</span>
- Toyota Corolla <span style='color:green'>(not sure why this is on the list, but it's still considerable)</span>
- Honda Civic <span style='color:green'>(reliable, inexpensive, and looks good.. not too powerful though)</span>
- Mazda Protege5 <span style='color:green'>(a friend of mine has one, and it's quite nice)</span>
- Mazda 6 <span style='color:green'>(pricey, but worth every penny)</span>
- Mitsubishi Lancer <span style='color:green'>(heard a lot of good things about this one)</span>
As the topic title would suggest, the Pontiac Vibe is at the top of my list at the moment. I've got the official Pontiac pimpage brochure for the Vibe, but that's not much good for real-world numbers (<i>unless, of course, the numbers make the car look good</i>). What I'm after with this topic is honest and real opinions, based on any personal experience if possible.
I haven't done a test drive of any of the vehicles on my list yet - I'll be doing those over the course of the next few days. Obviously, the Vibe is going to be my most anticipated test drive. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
And yes, I'm already aware that the Pontiac Vibe is the same as the Toyota Matrix. The Vibe also costs a little more than the Matrix, but it has more standard equipment and better options.
A few stats, for the mechanically-inclined:
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Pontiac Vibe GT</b>
1.8L DOHC VVTL-i
Horsepower : 180 hp @ 7600rpm
Torque : 130 lb.-ft. @ 6800rpm
6-speed manual transmission
Base price is somewhere in the range of US$19,500.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src='http://www.cmallard.com/myfiles/vibe.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
For those who are interested in knowing what else is on my list, here goes:
- Pontiac Sunfire <span style='color:green'>(my current car is a '95 Sunfire and I love it.. going to test drive the 2003/2004 to see if it's just as nice)</span>
- Pontiac Grand Am <span style='color:green'>(just in case I decide to go with a step above the Sunfire)</span>
- Toyota Corolla <span style='color:green'>(not sure why this is on the list, but it's still considerable)</span>
- Honda Civic <span style='color:green'>(reliable, inexpensive, and looks good.. not too powerful though)</span>
- Mazda Protege5 <span style='color:green'>(a friend of mine has one, and it's quite nice)</span>
- Mazda 6 <span style='color:green'>(pricey, but worth every penny)</span>
- Mitsubishi Lancer <span style='color:green'>(heard a lot of good things about this one)</span>
Comments
Too many imports there, they all suck <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I use to have a grandam, It was written off after I got broadsided by a guy that ran a red. its a reliable car and I guarantee it will leave a fart-pipe civic in its dust <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
EDIT: Vibes come with a 6-speed manual??? too much shifting I would go with a 5 speed or automatic transmission
Too many imports there, they all suck <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
EDIT: Vibes come with a 6-speed manual??? too much shifting I would go with a 5 speed or automatic transmission<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, it's sort of the same idea as the Aztek. Only not hideously ugly. Or expensive.
I'm mainly going for something different. My friends have their typical Cavalier/Malibu/Sentra types of cars. They're all good autos, but I'm a bit anal about buying the same car that a friend/family-member already has.
Yes, I'm weird like that.
The Vibe GT is 6-speed manual. Can't change it unless I go with another engine. The other choices are the base Vibe (130hp, 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto), and the Vibe AWD (123hp, 4-speed auto).
<img src='http://www.fordvehicles.com/images/2003/EN/wallpaper/suvs/esp_wall800_7.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
<a href='http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escape/index.asp?bhcp=1' target='_blank'>Buy a Ford Escape</a>
I love mine and I've had it for almost 3 years now.
Buy a Ford Escape
I love mine and I've had it for almost 3 years now.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'd really love to be able to afford something like that. Unfortunately, I'd be making the payments (<i>in addition to rent, bills, etc</i>) on my own. The budget for a pricey vehicle just doesn't exist. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
I've had no experience with anything like "imbalance".
Check the MSRP. It's only a few hundred more than the Vibe <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
I'm driving a 2002 Mistubishi Lancer right now, and yes, its a good car.
It has decent power (even in stock form).
And it also looks pretty good.
BUT i have plans to buy a new car soon.... (if all goes according to plan, its gonna be a Ford Explorer Sport Trac)
A Ford Explorer Sport Trac may not be much for a regular American, since this may be a common car in the USA, but in the Philippines (Asia), id be like one of the few who owns these and it'd pwn everyone in school. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
That is all.
That is all. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, the Lancer is pretty high on my list as well. I would have put the autos in order in my first post, but then this thread would probably be crushed by people complaining about my order of preference. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Anyhow, nobody I know around here has a Lancer. Therefore, it's a good possibility. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
The brochure doesn't say much about it (it's mostly pictures), but the Lancer LS model is the most likely choice in my case. Unfortunately, the LS is 4-speed auto only. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
The ES model doesn't even have the <i>option</i> to get ABS, power sunroof, A/C, power windows, or power locks. They're all standard with the LS. If only it was available with that nice 5-speed manual....... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->
Take the money, and use it to build a robotic exo suit. Then you can show them!
grrr them!
*shakes fist at "them"*
<span style='color:green'><i><u>disclaimer</u></i>: being completely oblivious to the sarcasm.....</span> <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I would, but my house and my work are about 40km apart (<i>mostly highway driving</i>). It'd be a few hours' drive to get to work in the morning on a Segway, then another few hours to get home.
.....although the Alienware systems would do well in overclocking the Segway to a sweet street racin' machine. I'd probably have to install a harness or four, however.
Too bad Segway sucks for transporting more than one person. Well, unless I get a really hot chick to agree to sit on my shoulders the whole way..... <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
dont get a brand new evo 7 or evo 8...
get a 2nd hand/slightly used evo 6, it will be almost as fast when you get done with modding it...
thats just my opinion <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I'm just looking for a vehicle to get me to work, back home, to the clubs, and so on.
But anyhow, back to my original question - does anyone have any personal experience with the Vibe?
I certainly appreciate all the comments that have been posted so far, and I've shifted my list of preferred autos around a bit because of them. If anyone has anything else to add, whether they be recommendations, comments, rumors (good/bad), technical details, and so on, feel free to post any of it!! <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->