Vibe / Matrix '09

[GT_4]

So my decision is pretty much made as to which engine i want on my '09 Vibe, The 2.4l, is for me the way to go. I tried the 1.8l and there's just isn't enough ummmph.Last night i went to see the Matrix XR with pretty much the same equipment and stuff, and while discussing with the sales guy, he pointed that the only components that both the Vibe and Matrix share are the engine and tranny, Nothing else, he said.This is probably a sales speech and nothing else, but i was under the impression that both cars had a lot more in common then what he claims. Any thoughts?Ciao

[Racemedic]

I have yet to get my 09 vibe but I was in a dealership today looking at what is to come. I looked inside the little covers back by the rear lights and there are toyota stickers ont the metal. in talking to the parts manager he said that it is a hard car to get parts (accesories) but they are finding it just faster to get the toyota parts and put them on.IMO Toyota costs more but has a higher resale... but if you spend more I guess it should. I like the looks of the Vibe better and it even comes with Onstar. Just some thoughts and only MO but there you go. I did sit in a matrix the other day and thought it odd to see the toyota on the steering wheel as I have spent so much time looking at the vibe... the dash looks the same but for the typical little toyota clock found in almost all thier cars.If I were selling toyotas I would say anything I could to keep you from going and getting the vibe as it costs less and seems to come with more standard features.That said I have nothing against the matrix a friend of mine has one and loves it.Good luck in your choice.

[lowincash]

the interiors are pretty much the same, the gauges, doors and other stuff. i'm pretty sure the suspension stuffs are the same too. the two cars are pretty much all the same just different body sheet metals and stuff.

[urk]

I was behind the dash of my 09 on the weekend and everything is labeled toyota. If you open the glove box and pop it out of it's rails to open it up all the way you'll see all the wires and stuff all with toyota lables.

[kowell]

With the exception of the exterior sheetmetals, the cars are 99% identical. Don't let any crappy salesman tell you otherwise.

[Caretaker]

kowell is right. What a bunch of crap. The car is 99% Denso. Only the body is different; and what a differnce it is. Congrats Toyota....you went from designing the '03-'08 to look like a woman's shoe, to now designing the '09 matrix and making it look like a bug. There's no choice: GM styled it far better once again.

[renate]

A woman's shoe!I was trying to put my finger on why I didn't care for the '08 Matrix style,and that's it! It looks like cinderella's missing slipper!

[Caretaker]

you betcha. I love toyota to death, but geez....who on earth up at the Ontario plant thought that thing was good looking?? Now put the two '09's side by side. I can't imagine anyone chosing the Matrix. It actually looks smaller (lower and shorter) than the Vibe due to its design.

[Vibe2009]

http://www.nummi.com/ Our Vibe is made by this assembly line along with Corolla and Tacoma! Two of Toyota's most reliable vehicle!The salesman forgot to do his homework....

[musicmanmu]

On the contrary, the salesman DID do his homework...to try and dupe you into buying a Toyota Overall, I think the Vibe is a MUCH better value. 3,100 miles on my 09 and I'm still in love

[nuggyboy]

My family has been a Honda and Toyota family forever so when I wanted a new car, I went and looked at the Toyota Matrix. Was looking at it for 2 weeks but still couldn't make up my mind. The look wasn't impressing me and I thought it was overpriced.I decided to go against my family and look at a domestic car, the Vibe. Saw the GT and new it was the perfect car, then to find out it has a Toyota engine? SOLD! The looks got me, the egine got me and the GM Employee pricing got me. I bought the car within 3 days.I love the vibe and don't regret it over the Matrix at all. I seriously think Toyota are way overpriced! Oh, and their service suck too! Esp. the salesmen!

[Caretaker]

Toyota is a take it or leave it company because they make great cars. Their salespeople are losers and are rated near the bottom in satisfaction. Your new Vibe is a whole lot more Denso than just your engine. You essentially have a Camry-Corolla with a Vibe body. I'm not even sure Delco is making the radio this time around. The Matrix is higher priced because it comes with Automatic Transmission standard; the Vibe does not. But when you throw in the better looks, XM, Onstar and other features, it continues to be a better buy since 2003.

[Vibe2009]

Quote, originally posted by nuggyboy »My family has been a Honda and Toyota family forever so when I wanted a new car, I went and looked at the Toyota Matrix. Was looking at it for 2 weeks but still couldn't make up my mind. The look wasn't impressing me and I thought it was overpriced.I decided to go against my family and look at a domestic car, the Vibe. Saw the GT and new it was the perfect car, then to find out it has a Toyota engine? SOLD! The looks got me, the egine got me and the GM Employee pricing got me. I bought the car within 3 days.Plus Vibe look better! I think majority agree...I love the vibe and don't regret it over the Matrix at all. I seriously think Toyota are way overpriced! Oh, and their service suck too! Esp. the salesmen!Exactly! If I were to buy a similar equip Trix, it would cause me over 27K with high interest finance, no road side assistant... and on and on...

[SinisterMind]

This time around I prefer the looks of the new Matrix. 2003-2004 Vibe looks great too, but the new one does nothing for me. And I love the Sundace color that Toyota offers. That was the color we bought. And the Toyota dealership we got the car from is located in a nice area, so the sales people were very professional. Also the Matrix wasn't that much more expansive than Vibe. Just buy whichever you like best. I was willing to pay a bit more to get what I liked. Either way, both cars are great values.

[GT_4]

Scott, i would agree with what you're saying, i guess he's only doing his job. I do not beleive i should pay almost cdn $ 1500.00 more to get a '09 Matrix when the '09 Vibe is almost entirely a Toyota.Anyway, your Vibe looks awesome

[musicmanmu]

Thanks, GT_4!I really do think the Vibe is a better deal than the Toyota given all the known facts about shared parts, etc. My ONLY wish would be to have bluetooth technology to allow hands-free phone use through the car.I enjoyed my 30 free minutes via OnStar, but I've already got a phone plan, and I'm not buying more minutes just for the car .

[lowincash]

yah i wish the vibe has the bluetooth thing...i guess they left that out so we can buy minutes from onstar if we need to make calls =/

[DownTheShore]

Quote, originally posted by musicmanmu »Thanks, GT_4!I really do think the Vibe is a better deal than the Toyota given all the known facts about shared parts, etc. My ONLY wish would be to have bluetooth technology to allow hands-free phone use through the car.I enjoyed my 30 free minutes via OnStar, but I've already got a phone plan, and I'm not buying more minutes just for the car .I picked up some extra minutes. I'm finding OnStar's hands-free phoning very convenient - saves me from having to pull off to the side of the road to make a phone call here in NJ. Very convenient for ordering take-out when I'm on the road, too.

[TheGames]

I agree with you lowincash.The in-car phone is annoying me.. Wow, i got a number.. for my car! What the ...Do you have law in US about having a phone in your hand while driving?

[Whelan]

I liked the last generation Matrix over the Vibe, thats why I got it. The 16" alloys looked better, the body lip kit that came on the XR was more slick and gave a lower profile look, and no roof rack.As for the 09s. I like the Vibe better. It has sharper creases and better lines IMO. Plus the wheels on the Vibe are MUCH hotter, take musicman's as an example. So for me it would be the Vibe in this fashion with the AWD and the 2.4L. The Matrix just looks like the sheet metal was draped over it, not a big fan of that or the Scion style grille, and the lack of rear visibility compared to my '05.But it won't be my next car, upgrading to an Audi or something of the like next.

[musicmanmu]

Don't get me wrong - the in car OnStar phone is pretty sweet, but like I said, I already have a phone, so why would I want to buy extra minutes for a second phone?I heard that if you had Verizon, you could actually share your minutes with your OnStar car phone because that's the service provider. But, I have AT&T, so no dice.For now I'll just deal with a bluetooth headset.

[isaaclud]

just for the record....i liked the 03-08 Matrix...i bought the Vibe, and like the styling...but IMOthe Matrix/Vibe styling was always on the samelevel of attractiveness....

[safooma]

I am in a pretty good situation to comment on the whole vibe vs. matrix thing. We bought an 09 vibe last month. My mother-in-law like d it so much she wanted one too. She wound up getting an 09 Matrix S. Last weekend we parked them side by side and compared them.The interiors are identical, although the vibe 'feels' bigger. We all agreed, but have no idea why.Mechanically they are identical(right down to all the stickers and such on the chassis and under the hood).There are subtle differences in the bodies, however--slightly different lines and bulges and the placement of the lights(and the lights themselves) are slightly different.the bumpers are also slightly differnt, as are the back two windows(although the back two windows are equally useless on the matrix).

[vibolista]

Shoud have taken some comparo pictures! Would be interesting to see them side by side.

[GT_4]

I've been so busy over the last two weeks that i haven't even visited genvibe once to announce that i took delivery of my '09 Vibe Vibrant Red, 2.4l , 5 speed auto, Chrome Mags, etc... on October 24th.Pretty sweet ride and getting to like it more each time i get behind the wheel.So i guess that i am officially part of the "family"ThanksCiao

[Eloi]

My wife's sister just bought a 2009 Matrix XR, Red Metallic, same color as my 2009 Vibe. I tried to "sell" her the Pontiac instead (longer warranty, more equipment, OnStar...), but she's more of a Toyota buyer (already owned a couple Toyota previously), and it seems that GM's big difficulties scared her a bit too. In any ways, when she gets her new Matrix, I'll be able to compare both cars side by side.