2006 Vibe review from automobilemag.com

[joatmon]

http://www.automobilemag.com/r..._vibe/They seem to like it. A few interesting quotes thoughQuote »The Vibe eschews Pontiac’s former overwrought aesthetic for a clean, sharp, wedge-shaped hatchback that makes the sister Toyota Matrix look downright frumpy. A double-kidney grille and cats-eye headlamps lend a Pontiac face to the Vibe. Pronounced wheel arches convey a sense of sport and imply AWD through the symmetrical application at each corner. The angled beltline gives a visual sense of forward momentum. All the cues work together to create a sporting, even adventurous, presence heightened by bodywork on the GT edition.LOL "Frumpy" looking Matrix In the 2006, is there really extra bodywork on the GT (other than the extra GT badge)?Quote »Because this vehicle is based on the Toyota Matrix, it has the kind of tight panel gaps and quality fits and finishes that few other GM products have, yet the GM designers made the interior feel more inviting than that of the Toyota.? I thought the interiors were the same. How can the Vibe's be more inviting than the Matrix ?Quote »You’ll need to buy a power group value package—on the base, AWD, and GT models—to get cruise control and power locks, windows, and external mirrors.power side mirrors are standard on all Vibes.Quote »The base Vibe is powered by a typically smooth Toyota DOHC, 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes 130 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque—although those figures drop to 123 hp and 118 lb-ft should you opt for all-wheel drive. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with this Corolla-shared engine; a four-speed automatic is optional on FWD models and standard on the AWD version.The GT offers more performance, courtesy of a more-powerful 1.8-liter DOHC inline four that makes 170 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. With a six-speed manual transmission—the only choice—the GT will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 8.0 seconds. However, you’ll need to rev this engine to within an inch of its life to see its advantage over the base engine because it develops its power and torque so high in the rev range. .The GT only gets two ft-lbs more torque than the base? That's not much of a difference I got a kick out of the "rev the engine within an inch of its life" comment.

[djpositivek]

Cool, I like this quote:Quote »The choicest Vibe is the base model, fitted with a sweet-shifting five-speed manual and that willing, if underpowered, 130-hp engine. It handles just as well as the GT, requires less shifting, and when fitted with the standard StabiliTrak system is just as safe in most conditions as the all-wheel-drive model. Quote »Others To ConsiderChevrolet HHR 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2006 Toyota Matrix 2003 That must be a typo ? Why would you compare it with a 2003 model and not the 2006...

[tangerine]

after 05 toyota and GM stopped sharing alot of parts so the interior is different. as for being 03 not 06 probably because the 03 was the best year as far as HP?

[goodvibrations]

How can the interior feel more inviting. "yet the GM designers made the interior feel more inviting than that of the Toyota."I test drove a 05 Matrix when I bought my 05 Vibe and they looked the same inside to me except the CD player and the plug. The interior of the 06 Vibe does not appear any different then my 05.

[jasonvibe]

Interior wise, the radio possibilities are the only differences that I have identified between the Matrix and Vibe. Matix has JBL...r

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »In the 2006, is there really extra bodywork on the GT (other than the extra GT badge)?No "extra" bodywork. The only real change for '06 would be the rocker panels as the 04+ 2-tones have which have now been painted and installed on the monotone models. I don't think a single one of those Vibes pictured is a 2006 model though.Quote »The GT only gets two ft-lbs more torque than the base? That's not much of a difference Torque, what's that? That is funny how the super duper high performance GT doesn't have any torque, just like the other two models. Bummer. This is interesting:What's HotSharp looks Intelligent interior packaging Lots of available featuresWhat's NotLack of power Spartan base model Too many options packageWhat the *bleep*? It's great that you have something with plenty of options to choose from, but how dare you give someone options to choose from, that's too confusing!!! Blah, I say just make everything standard and get it over with. And boy, yeah the interior sure looks different. (but just like my car, Toyota's 360 degree view thingy only halfway worked when I tried it, so you may have problems...) The reviewer smokus crackus if he thinks the interior of the Vibe is more inviting. Unless the chrome door handles, the different center stack with the clock and Toyota radio are not inviting as much as what the Vibe have. Toyota may allegedly be using less parts that are common with the Vibe, but that doesn't show on the interior. Still looks the same to me.

[GMJAP]

Quote, originally posted by tangerine »after 05 toyota and GM stopped sharing alot of parts so the interior is different. as for being 03 not 06 probably because the 03 was the best year as far as HP?There is no difference between the model years in actual power provided to the wheels. The different HP numbers are due to different testing standards being used.As for the interior issue, pehaps he means that it feels of better fit & finish than typical GM interiors but is more inviting than typical Toyota interiors (not specifically the Matrix.)

[mcgusto82]

the radio bezel is different on the 05 matrix, but i do agree GMJAP. they may have meant that coment to other toyota products, not the trix.the article also mentioned the favabled nav system that was discontinued from the options list.you know, every review i read has that darn outlet mention as being a highlight of some sort. it isn't all that usefull. i have never owned a laptop that had a 2 prong outlet. it can't power a 12 amp vaccum cleaner without engine reving. (i tried to use it for my vaccum cleaner because the cord came up short. soon after i bought a extension cord)

[kapoki]

this is when Apple laptops come in handy because they do have two prong plugs.. although I haven't tried my laptop out in my car just yet.

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by kapoki »this is when Apple laptops come in handy because they do have two prong plugs.. although I haven't tried my laptop out in my car just yet. YES!!! apple laptops 2 prong adapters rule! i love recording lectures from class in office 2k4 and then listening to them on road trips to the cities.i wonder if the reviewer even drove them or just read other reviews and pieced them together

[gargoyle]

The gauges look almost bluish (like a volkswagon), but it just might be their picture...

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[gargoyle]

The article didn't even mention gas mileage or fuel economy... isn't that a key feature of the Vibe and a pro vs. con compared to other cars?... and he didn't even explain whether a GT needs premium gas or can you get by with regular?

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 » i have never owned a laptop that had a 2 prong outlet. Sony laptops have 2 prong plugs

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Sony laptops have 2 prong plugsso does my gateway.