09' Vibe/Matrix gets slammed by MT in Car of the Year contender comp

[Sublimewind]

http://www.motortrend.com/ofth....htmlQuote »Room For Improvement: Dull styling, passion-free performance, out-dulls the MatrixOn paper, there is little to distinguish Pontiac's Vibe from Toyota's Matrix. Both wagonettes offer up front- and all-wheel drive variants, with the same combination of four-cylinder engines (1.8- or 2.4-liter) and transmissions (five-speed manual and four- and five-speed automatics).Differences are mostly confined to sheetmetal and interior treatments, though neither found favor with our panel. Kiino characterizes the Vibe as "pudgy" while Reynolds finds it "difficult" both inside and out.In the plus column are fuel economy and packaging efficiency. Along with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg on the highway, our Vibe packed numerous cubbies and a spacious rear seat that folds nearly flat to reveal a configurable, multipurpose cargo hold.Too bad such features couldn't hide the faults. Kiino calls the steering "rubbery" and notes a whine from the 2.4-liter engine not present in either the Corolla or Matrix. "Tranny seems hyperactive and has a nasty surge. We'd almost accept this in a Korean or Chinese car. GM [and Toyota] have no excuse," says Markus, though he does credit the Vibe for a slightly quieter ride and intriguingly, better handling from the torsion beam rear (versus the Matrix's IRS).While some may take comfort in the Vibe's Toyota-sourced mechanicals, our judges criticize Pontiac for not doing more to separate the two."The Vibe has no brand DNA. Slapping on a Pontiac nose and some unique sheetmetal doesn't connect it with anything else Pontiac sells. [StabiliTrak] beeps at you in fast corners, just like in a Toyota, and that's supposed to be the antithesis of Pontiac," says Lassa.While there are a few reasons to consider the Vibe over the Matrix, including a lower cost of entry and better 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, our judges agree there is a good argument for selecting neither. Mazda3 5-door, anyone?- Edward Loh

[AKLGT]

ouch. i've been seeing a lot of the new 09 trix and vibes around town lately. still.... 03/04 is my fave yrs.

[shemp]

I don't disagree with most of that, although it sounds like they may have gotten a bad car (with the transmission whine and surge issues they mentioned... I've never heard that complaint on a vibe) I don't think the steering is great, but it's not that bad. I'm not a fan of the styling either, and the undefeatable Traction Control is a steaming pile of hog-droppings. grrrrr. (had I known it was undefeatable, I may not have bought the car)Most of us bought the vibe for different reasons than MT is concerned with though. I agree that the Mazda is a funner car to drive, but Mazda doesn't have the longevity reputation that Toyota has. The Civic SI is a sweet car too, but it wasn't available in a hatchback. Plus neither one of those have an american badge on them, which is important for me when I have to take customers out from american OEM's, park at american OEM plants, etc. For the price that I paid (with discounts, etc) I still think the Vibe is a good value.

[Caretaker]

ah Motor Trend. Didn't they give the Car of the Year honors to the 1976 Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare and then have to recind their decision some months later because it was a piece of carp?

[shemp]

lol... Yea, IMHO MT doesn't have much street-cred. I let my subscription lapse years ago.... I much prefer Automobile and Car & Driver.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by maxx4me »ah Motor Trend. Didn't they give the Car of the Year honors to the 1976 Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare and then have to recind their decision some months later because it was a piece of carp?Wouldn't know, I was 3... lol..

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by shemp »I don't disagree with most of that, although it sounds like they may have gotten a bad car (with the transmission whine and surge issues they mentioned... I've never heard that complaint on a vibe) I don't think the steering is great, but it's not that bad. I'm not a fan of the styling either, and the undefeatable Traction Control is a steaming pile of hog-droppings. grrrrr. (had I known it was undefeatable, I may not have bought the car)Most of us bought the vibe for different reasons than MT is concerned with though. I agree that the Mazda is a funner car to drive, but Mazda doesn't have the longevity reputation that Toyota has. The Civic SI is a sweet car too, but it wasn't available in a hatchback. Plus neither one of those have an american badge on them, which is important for me when I have to take customers out from american OEM's, park at american OEM plants, etc. For the price that I paid (with discounts, etc) I still think the Vibe is a good value.agreed. the vibe is a great value for the type of car it is. it's not a sports car, so don't expect great things from the suspension/handling. it's an econobox made to haul cargo and get great fuel economy. it hits those two points very well. and the price tag that comes with it is pretty impressive imo. Ya, the Mazda is a great car, fun and more sportier, but it doesn't hold the capicity of either Vibe/Trix. I love my 08 STI hatch, but again, it also doesn't hold as much as our old Vibes. No front folding passenger seat either. oh well, it still handles great. LOL

[ColonelPanic]

Motor Trend often picks the biggest pieces of crap to win COTY. Hell, they picked the 1997 Chevy Malibu - those were absolutely horrible, turdtastic pieces of garbage. After owning one, what they deem is a good car doesn't quite mean that much to me now.

[Caretaker]

man, I think the steering is excellent. I was shocked when I drove it home.........my brain was going....geez this feels like electric steering like the Malibu Maxx I just pawned off on the dealer. Then I looked it up in the book only to find out I was right. I can't find a fault with the steering.........other than the radio buttons are not on my Corolla-Vibe

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Motor Trend often picks the biggest pieces of crap to win COTY. Hell, they picked the 1997 Chevy Malibu - those were absolutely horrible, turdtastic pieces of garbage. After owning one, what they deem is a good car doesn't quite mean that much to me now. well, that is true. LOL

[shemp]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »...Hell, they picked the 1997 Chevy Malibu - those were absolutely horrible, turdtastic pieces of garbage. I worked on that car. I designed parts of the Hood Assembly system, and oversaw the decklid (Trunk) assembly system. I also did some work on the floorpan. Hopefully all of those parts were to your liking.

[ColonelPanic]

That's interesting to know! I had to go through lemon law proceedings for A/C issues (and lost,) had tail lights constantly burning out (and I still rarely see a Malibu or Cutlass with all the bulbs working back there,) constant problems with the front brakes, ate through intake gaskets every 36k, had 2 rack and pinions go bad, transmission leaked, yada yada yada... Lots of people had lots of the same problems. But I must say the parts you designed were 100% A-OK! Good job on those, too bad the rest of the car was a bummer.

[psiu]

I like their vague complaints. "pudgy" and even better I thought was "difficult inside and out". (removed) does that mean? Oh, and "passion free performance" Maybe they want that Cadillac that apparently brings that girl advertising it...err, happiness.Mazda3 would be great. If all you ever wanted to stick in the back was a bag of groceries. And wanted to put your own little personal stake in the american car co's.And I exempt Subie drivers from that. I don't think any car company comes close to their drive system + performance combo.Doesn't MT do the weekly auto show on PBS also? Whoever does that show has absolutely no sense whatsoever IMO.

[dzknmd1]

The bit about the Matrix having an IRS as opposed to the Vibe's torsion beam caught my eye. This is pure BS. I went to the Toyota site to verify this. The two cars are mechanically identical. I can't believe that Motor Trend is this sloppy.

[tribalman]

pfft. i love my vibe! i find it to be a perfect (to me) blend of performance and economy. i find it fast when i need it to be, plus versatile for what i need it to be. wasn't the point of it not being a typical Pontiac just that, to branch out into something other than the racing they are normally associated with? and the "pudgy" comment, i like my girls with a little meat on them! more pushin' for the cushin'! xD

[808 Vibes]

Quote, originally posted by tribalman »pfft. i love my vibe! i find it to be a perfect (to me) blend of performance and economy. i find it fast when i need it to be, plus versatile for what i need it to be. wasn't the point of it not being a typical Pontiac just that, to branch out into something other than the racing they are normally associated with? and the "pudgy" comment, i like my girls with a little meat on them! more pushin' for the cushin'! xD+1 everything he said, especially the last part, the honest truth...that we are! LOL You're a good man, tribalman! though you got it backwards...we're "more cushion for the pushin"

[tribalman]

Quote, originally posted by HawaiiPontiacLover »though you got it backwards...we're "more cushion for the pushin" i am going to review the rules of the forum before i respond. (removed).on topic, if it isn't a good car, why are they still being sold without major changes being done?

[Caretaker]

""Doesn't MT do the weekly auto show on PBS also? Whoever does that show has absolutely no sense whatsoever IMO.""Good lord no.....that's Motor Week psiu, NOT Motor Trend.

[shemp]

Quote, originally posted by tribalman »...to branch out into something other than the racing they are normally associated with? I never thought Pontiac had a particularly strong association with racing. In fact I can't think of many examples of Pontiacs in racing. I think there was one or two in Nascar about 5 years ago.....

[psiu]

Quote, originally posted by maxx4me »""Doesn't MT do the weekly auto show on PBS also? Whoever does that show has absolutely no sense whatsoever IMO.""Good lord no.....that's Motor Week psiu, NOT Motor Trend.Motor something or another

[808 Vibes]

Quote, originally posted by shemp »I never thought Pontiac had a particularly strong association with racing. In fact I can't think of many examples of Pontiacs in racing. I think there was one or two in Nascar about 5 years ago..... GTO and Solstice

[tribalman]

Quote, originally posted by HawaiiPontiacLover »GTO and Solstice plus the firebird, trans am, and Fiero

[shemp]

All those cars are sporty, yes....and raced on occasion no doubt. That being said I wouldn't say Pontiac is normally associated with racing more than any other brand... that's all. just a miscommunication me thinks.

[ou.grizzly]

There are more than a handful of Pontiac Enthusiasts on this site, that is for sure.GTO is missed.

[dmsween]

Quote, originally posted by maxx4me »ah Motor Trend. Didn't they give the Car of the Year honors to the 1976 Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare and then have to recind their decision some months later because it was a piece of carp?Parents actually had a 1978 Plymouth Volare when I was growing up. I think that was what lead me to vibe and why I liked it, because I already like the looks of a wagon. The '78 Volare was actually pretty decent. I do remember something though about the '76 where they were brand new cars rusting on dealer lots.

[mikey123]

If you check out the specs on the Mazda, they say you can't tow with it, but the Vibe has a towing spec of 1500 lbs, which I need for my 1000 lb tent trailer.The Vibe is such a nice car to drive and I don't notice extra engine noise (of course, i always have the monsoon blasting, so I don't notice any noise - even drowns out the sound of the seatbelt alarm beeping away for the first couple of minutes of my drive) except when I wind 'er up, and most cars make noise when you stomp on it.The other day I was driving back from the mountains in the dark (very scaaaarrry) and there was a deer on the road. I was doing about 90 km/hr (that's about 55 mph for you US folk) and had to swerve pretty hard to miss the deer - the car handled spectacularly and got me home safe (to my wife's disappointment).Looks are personal taste, and I personally think it is a great looking car. Would not trade mine for the Mazda any day. The reviewers can go fly a kite as far as I'm concerned.The AWD doesn't handle corners as nice as I would like, but hey, it isn't a sports car!!! It is a versatile, all around kind of car. I wasn't looking for something to take on the track.

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