GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Here's a link to the full article --> Buying a car: Models that are being discontinued - MSN Money Excerpt from the MSN article (The 10 best discontinued cars): "Meanwhile, here are 10 cars that should top the list for shoppers looking for a good deal on a discontinued car:1. Toyota MatrixStarting price: about $17,000.Discontinuation date: unconfirmed.Five-year residual value: 35%.This cute and practical wagon isn't as trendy as the Honda Fit or as spacious as the Toyota RAV4. But it's comfortable and affordable, with a strong reliability record and gas mileage close to 30 mpg. Because it has been a popular car for years, the Matrix should remain appealing for a long time.It's worth noting that the Pontiac Vibe is nearly identical to the Matrix; the two models are built on the same assembly line as part of a joint venture. And the Vibe is being discontinued as part of the Pontiac wind-down. But the Vibe's residual value -- 27% -- is lower than that of the Matrix because Pontiac has a weaker brand image than Toyota."And here's the discussion over at matrixowners.com --> Matrix Discontinued?

I was just reading that article!.....well the Ford Focus looks promising! Not much left for sporty compact wagons.Until I have to shoot the the Vibe in the backyard I wont be in the market for a new car for a anyhow. Just hit 89K & looking for another 100K at least.

Toyota and Hyundai were quick to respond to this article last week. There are no plan to discontinue the FJcruiser, Matrix and Veracruz. I don't know where Yahoo found those "car specialist" but half the article was pure speculation.The article about the matrix is ridiculous.... "isn't as trendy as the Honda Fit or as spacious as the Toyota RAV4" This has got to be the first time I see the Fit and the Rav4 put into the same sentence.

Residual value comparisions are based on original msrp and thus not very meaningful when comparing Car Brand X to Car Brand Y. For example, comparing a Vibe to a Matrix.In Jan. 2003 my 2003 Vibe MSRP 18,690 was bought new (after disc and rebates) for $13,701 plus $1,017 sales tax.Six years later I sold it for $9,500. Granted, I got a premium as it only had 33,000 miles on it, but I figure my residual was 69% of msrp. [64.5% if you consider sales tax.] If I had chosen a Matrix it is obvious I would not have done anywhere near as well dollar wise.I got my 2009, msrp $19,480 for $11,900 plus tax after discount and rebates. If I can sell it in 6 years for $9,500 my residual is 80%.I paid $18,500 for a 2004 T&C - sold it 45 months later for $11,500. That's a 62% residual. The identical replacement 2007 T&C only cost me $15,500 plus tax so I think I will do even betterl when I sell it.

The article was written by an idiot. It assumed that the Matrix will be canceled based on the closing of the California plant, even though the Matrix is built in Canada. Take it with a grain of salt.

"It's worth noting that the Pontiac Vibe is nearly identical to the Matrix; the two models are built on the same assembly line as part of a joint venture."Ha, ha, they weren't even built in the same country let alone the same assembly line.

...and, THAT my friends is *why* you should not believe everything you read!

Lots of news stories online today citing a Toyota press release stating the Matrix is discontinued for 2014

joatmon wrote:Lots of news stories online today citing a Toyota press release stating the Matrix is discontinued for 2014

But - "Although it is done here, the Toyota Matrix will be sold for one more year in Canada. A Toyota representative tells us that all-wheel-drive versions of the Matrix are quite popular in Canada, so it makes sense for Toyota to continue selling the car there for 2014."

No tears here - I doubt I would buy a 3rd one - probably wouldn't have bought the 2nd one at today's prices. But a good question is which came first, the chicken or the egg. You could hardly find one on display at an auto show, let alone at a dealer. The same was true with the now discontinued Ford Focus Wagon.

The resale value on the vibe is not as bad as they say. When I sold my 2004 Vibe in 2008 to buy the 2009, I got 42% of what I paid for it back, after 5 years and 58.8k mi.