'09 Vibe vs '09 G3, '10 Vibe

[zathrak]

While I'm on my search for the next vehicle, which I'd like to complete within the next few months, two questions came in to play. 1) How does the '10 compare to the '09 Vibe. From what I've read as well as what I've seen, there are almost no changes between the two years and are priced about the same. So having said all that, is there any real benefit to getting the '10? If the answer is potentially better resale, what if GM axes the Pontiac line and resale bottoms out? Would I be better of then sticking with the twin (Matrix)?2) During my ventures, the numbers on the window print of the G3 caught my eye...34 mpg etc etc. I understand this is even more "entry level" than what a base Vibe would be with better mpg at a cheaper price. Nobody seems to know much about it though. From what I've been able to tell, I can outfit almost like I can a Vibe GT, minus a few bells and whistles. If this is the case, how does the general public feel about the comparison between these to vehicles? Would you get a G3?

[prathman]

The Matrix has always had significantly better resale value than the Vibe - presumably based on the brandname since the cars and measured reliability have been essentially the same. But actual selling price of the Vibe has also usually been lower, so if you keep the car for quite awhile the Vibe is a better deal whereas if you trade it in more quickly the Matrix comes out ahead.The G3 is a rebadged Chevy Aveo and is made by GM's Daewoo in Korea. I'd consider it a substantial step down from the Vibe/Matrix pair.

[Neouka]

I would never recommend a G3 to anyone.I'd tell them to get a Cobalt XFE way before a G3. I've had a few people try to tell me that my car is now called the G3. I quickly correct them, noting that the G3 is a Korean Daewoo, and the Vibe is in fact a Toyota. Much better car

[djkeev]

Yes, the G3 is a rebadged Chevy Aveo. My cousin sells Chevy's and he says he sells them for people seem want them but for the life of him he cannot understand the why of it. Based on that, I wouldn't get an Aveo thus I would shy away from the G3 (which is on the chopping block IF Pontiac stays around).If you are jumping brands, the Matrix is a solid popular car, a tad harder to find and priced higher.Honda Fit is a Major competitor for the Vibe, you might consider looking and test driving. The Fit just strikes me as a small looking car against the Vibe yet physical dimension are very close. Something about the design makes it look like a sub compact mini car.Suzuki and Nissan also make similar cars as is the Mazda 3 series. The 3 has proven to be a very good car over time (though my local Mazda dealer bit the big one not too long ago).Just thought I'd muddy your already murky waters of decision!!Dave

[zathrak]

Actually I looked and already test drove the Honda Fit and I thought it was awesome! For what it was, it did amazing things, particularly the "magic seat" in the back. Coming from the super huge SUV, I prefer cargo options. The mpg was also quite nice. However, coming from a Durango to a fit...that's quite the jump. It makes me nervous...

[kostby]

Don't count on there being a '10 Vibe, unless you've already seen them on the dealership lot.I think GM will quit the NUMMI joint venture with Toyota, where the Vibe (also the Corolla, and some Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks) are built, because it's in California, one of the costliest places on earth to build cars, because of environmental regulations and high taxes on business.

[ClunkClunk]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »I think GM will quit the NUMMI joint venture with Toyota, where the Vibe (also the Corolla, and some Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks) are built, because it's in California, one of the costliest places on earth to build cars, because of environmental regulations and high taxes on business.Actually, NUMMI is one of GM's more cost effective US plants, as it's run basically as a Toyota plant. It doesn't entirely off-set the fact that it's here in California, but I'd be surprised to see GM pull out of it before the Vibe's expected run until the 2011 model year.As for the G3 vs. Vibe, I'd go with a Vibe hands down. I've driven a few Aveos, and they're tin cans at best. They rattle, have teeny bits of power, and are uncomfortably small. The Vibe does a nice job of having a good sized interior and cargo space without being a whole lot larger.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Don't count on there being a '10 Vibe, unless you've already seen them on the dealership lot.I think GM will quit the NUMMI joint venture with Toyota, where the Vibe (also the Corolla, and some Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks) are built, because it's in California, one of the costliest places on earth to build cars, because of environmental regulations and high taxes on business.I have not had the opportunity to look for myself, but there are several 2010's on my dealer's website (and other local dealer's websites) and I don't think they post them until they have them.Some of these sport the new increased destination charge of $720 (was $635). So we've already seen the first of the 2010 Vibe price increases.When I come back from my trip to NC I am going in for my first LOF and I can have a look see then. That will probably be right after the Sunday that they have the "doubting Thomas" Gospel.

[zathrak]

Being that the Honda Fit was mentioned, does anyone have any thoughts of this in comparison to the Vibe? It's still apples versus oranges, but I wonder if I should perhaps consider a Fit Sport along side the GT...

[ColonelPanic]

Fit's a nice car, but from what I hear it's pretty noisy. They're geared more for power than fuel economy so there is a lot of buzz going on at highway speeds. I'm sure it's fun to drive, but still... Exchange a small bit of pep for some mpg's man! It would probably be worth a look, but to be honest if I could pick up a Vibe for around the same money I'd go for that instead.I thought about checking out the Fit in '06 when I was looking for a small car to replace the Vibe but the Honda humpers were so proud of their Fits they were charging well over MSRP. So I bought a Hyundai Accent and got a rebate. I suspect that probably isn't an issue anymore since a) people think last year's gas crisis is gone forever and no longer have to worry about pesky things like fuel efficiency, and b) nobody's buying anything now anyway.

[jake75]

I saw the new Hyundai Touring - essentially an Elantra Wagon - at the Auto show, It was impressive for the money. The '09 Fit is an improvement on what was really a good design to begin with. However I would not think someone gaga over a Vibe GT would end up buying a FIT. A Vibe GT buyer is definitely someone a lot cooler (and probably a lot younger) than me! Reminds me of that lady a couple years back who was on here asking all about Vibes and ended up buying a VW Beetle, Nothing wrong with a VW Beetle but that's not apples and oranges it's apples and watermelons. Had not fate handed me that $5,000 opportunity, if I was changing "horses" I think my choice would have been to spend a wee bit more on a Honda CRV or somewhat less on something like the FIT. Absent that windfall I wasn't changing anyway so that is sort of a hypothetical.[I like the Rav4 but just hate that spare tire hanging on the back.]

[michaelgt]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Don't count on there being a '10 Vibe, unless you've already seen them on the dealership lot.I think GM will quit the NUMMI joint venture with Toyota, where the Vibe (also the Corolla, and some Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks) are built, because it's in California, one of the costliest places on earth to build cars, because of environmental regulations and high taxes on business.There have been several thousand 2010 Vibes already manufactured. Many are already on dealer lots.Unless you are a member of the Govt Task Force, I do not believe that you have the knowledge to predict the future of GM.

[jake75]

I suspect it would be more complicated to close a joint venture than a wholly owner operation. The bulk of the environmental costs of the Nummi plant have no doubt already been paid for. That plant isn't building Hummers or Explorers and I am sure that both the private and govt. analysts expect $4 gas to return so Corollas and Vibes are not about to become extinct. Taxes are high almost everywhere.I doubt that ANYONE can accurately predict the future of GM.

[kostby]

Quote, originally posted by Autoextremist.com 03-29-2009 »... The Obama administration has made it very clear in that they will not rest until GM resembles exactly their vision for an American car company even though that beyond the usual smarmy platitudes, they haven't exactly been forthright in delineating what that is, but so be it. This way GM can go right down to two divisions - Cadillac and Chevrolet - with a couple of Buicks and GMC trucks thrown in for good measure, and we can get on with the future of the American automobile business, whatever form that takes, without the Obama administration hovering over GM's shoulder at every turn...Inside information? No. Just opinion, like everyone else here.

[ClunkClunk]

I have not experienced the 2008+ Fit, but I have been in a 2007 Fit Sport (earlier generation) a bit since my friend owns one.Compared to the Vibe, it's a fair amount smaller, and less power (and this was the sport model with 109hp). I didn't find the back seats were nearly as spacious as the Vibe's for adults, though when they were folded down, they were flatter, and the Fit has a bit lower trunk floor, so there might be a bit more overall cargo space. Personally, the trade off of a few mpg versus the overall spaciousness of the Vibe is worth it to me.

[jake75]

Per Edmonds the Fit Sport AT has a msrp of 17,775 / 17,171 invoice; and the Vibe 1.8L AT Power Pkg msrp $19,480 / 18,266. So the FIT wholesales for $1,095 less but with even a modest rebate on the Vibe it becomes a toss-up money-wise SO at that point unless you really like to hug the trees picking the Vibe becomes a no brainer. For some reason I was under the impression that the Fit Sport was at least $2,000 less than the Vibe.

[zathrak]

so wait, your in favor of the vibe or the fit.

[jake75]

Assuming the price is a toss up - more or less about the same, IMO it becomes a no brainer value decision to pick the Vibe over the Fit UNLESS the small fuel economy benefit of the Fit over the Vibe 1.8L is that important to you, i.e. you really really like to hug the trees.

[djkeev]

Search out the Fit's dimensions 9.5 inches shorter, 4 inch shorter wheel base,Just shy of three inches narrower,And the most sobering..... cargo space 49.4 cu.ft. in the Vibe to 20.6 cu.ft. in the Fit.DaveOH,, EPA MPG difference? 1 MPG more for the Fit.

[jake75]

That cargo space comparison can't be right. One must be with 2nd row down - other just the space behind the 2nd row.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »That cargo space comparison can't be right. One must be with 2nd row down - other just the space behind the 2nd row.Hmmm well looky here It seems you are right!!http://www.kbb.com/kbb/Compare...dex=3It seems KBB mistyped some dimensions! "EPA Trunk or Cargo49.4 cu.ft.20.6 cu.ft. "Here are the proper sizes, a whole lot closer in size!!http://automobiles.honda.com/f....aspxCargo Volume (cu ft, seat up/down) 20.6 / 57.3 http://www.pontiac.com/vibe-20...specsCargo Volume with Rear Seat Up 20.1 ft³ Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down 49.4 ft³ Dave

[ColonelPanic]

That's nuts that the Vibe has so much less space with the seats down. Looks like the 2nd gen Vibe took a hit in cargo space compared to the first as well.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »That's nuts that the Vibe has so much less space with the seats down. Looks like the 2nd gen Vibe took a hit in cargo space compared to the first as well. It's not the size of the cargo space, it's how you use - or something like that! Maybe the next generation Vibe will grow a bit - like Toyota did to the Rav4. Frankly I am satisfied with the present cargo area.

[Silversn95]

I can believe the cargo room claim for the Fit vs the Vibe. We test drove a Fit for the hell of it and I was truly amazed at the cargo room and versatility. Only problem was the cheap materials and absolutely gutless performance even compared to the 1.8L Vibe (to be fair it was an auto Fit). The cargo room in the Vibe isn't great and could have been alot more if they didn't have to protect for AWD. I believe this is the main reason the floor is so high in the back of the Vibe compared to regular hatchbacks and the Fit.

[ParknVibe]

All I wished for with my 09 Vibe is to have a 4-foot by 4-foot plywood board to fit through the hatchback. It will not unless I cut off 4 to 5 inches at the Home Depot. But I added the optional roof rack in hopes I could put it up there. I heard that the older Vibe had more opening width in the hatch.Greg

[kostby]

Quote, originally posted by San Jose Business Journal »Friday, April 10, 2009Fremont NUMMI plant braces for GM falloutSilicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal - by David GollFREMONT — The restructuring and potential bankruptcy of General Motors Corp. could impact operations at California’s only auto manufacturing plant, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., and create a domino effect throughout the region and state.The impact reaches beyond the 4,800 “well-paying jobs” at NUMMI, said Daren Fields, Fremont’s economic development director. He counts another 15,000 jobs dependent on the plant through its approximately 1,000 suppliers scattered throughout Fremont and neighboring East Bay cities, the Central Valley and Southern California.Among several suppliers contacted on the issue, business owners either declined comment or did not return phone messages.Future concerns pertain to GM’s mandate by the Obama administration to restructure itself. Last week, federal officials gave the corporate giant 60 days to devise a plan that will revamp its operations. GM and fellow troubled carmaker Chrysler LLC are seeking another $21.6 billion in government bailout funds, on top of the $17.4 billion they’ve already received.Closer to home that could mean GM’s Pontiac Vibe model manufactured at Fremont’s 5.3 million-square-foot facility through a partnership with Toyota Motor Corp. could be curtailed.NUMMI officials would not comment on this possibility, referring calls to GM.“As part of the restructuring, we will streamline brands in addition to eliminating employees and dealers,” said Dave Barthmuss, a spokesman for GM’s Western region based in Thousand Oaks. “We will focus on Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. Pontiac will take on a special niche role. We’re still working out a plan to determine exactly what that will be.”The irony is that sales of the fuel-efficient Vibe hatchback’s production at NUMMI shot up sharply in 2008, with more than 70,000 manufactured, compared with 49,000 in 2007. Its high point was in 2003 with more than 74,000 vehicles built.Fremont officials are cautious about the future of NUMMI, which this winter reduced the hours of its 4,000 employees, members of the United Auto Workers, along with the elimination of Toyota Tacoma production lines.“Although we have some concerns because of the potential bankruptcy of GM, we have heard nothing regarding NUMMI,” Fields said.Fields added privately held NUMMI contributes $1.5 million annually in property tax and business license tax to the city. He said the company’s share of the city’s estimated $34 million in sales tax revenue this year is difficult to assess because its vehicles are not sold on site, though some may find their way to Fremont’s auto dealerships. Some additional sales tax revenue is derived from equipment upgrades at the plant, he said, but that is only done on a periodic basis.Though all car manufacturers are struggling, Bruce Kern, executive director of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, said Toyota and GM have been leaders in trying to retain their work force through cross-training their employees.“They are also making efforts to stimulate demand for their vehicles,” he said. “This is the first such partnership of two giant manufacturers, and I’m optimistic they will find a way to stay competitive.”Yet overall production at the 25-year-old, privately owned plant dropped steeply last year, compared with its peak in 2006 when the facility produced more than 428,000 vehicles. Those numbers decreased to nearly 408,000 in 2007 and 342,000 in 2008.At-a-glance:New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.Location: FremontPresident and CEO: Kunihiko “Kent” OguraFounded: 1984Number of employees: 4,800Web: http://www.nummi.comPhone: 510.498.5500David Goll can be reached at 408.299.1853 or dgoll@bizjournals.com.

[Dog Hauler]

is the tacoma only produced in Mexico now?