Any adavnce and/or tips for buying a Matrix or a Vibe?

[fred]

Hi, there,I am new here and new for shopping car. I will buy a Matrix or Vibe in ten days.I vistied a Vibe dealer (I like the style of Vibe) and was told that they can give me $3000 discount (including $2000 from Pontiac). Would you please give me some advances or tips for buying a Matrix or a Vibe? Thansk a lot.Fred

[wicked1981]

Go for the Matrix. I love my Vibe but dealing with Pontiac is a hasle. They dont know about parts, the paint sucks (4 months with Vibe lots of paint chips) and more aftermarket parts for the Matrix. If you are not going to customize your car I like the look of the Vibe over the Matrix. If you get a Base model and want the supercharger get it installed before you drive off with it for some reason they dont know the price or even that it exists or get the GT but insurance is higher. Either way cant go wrong with any of your choice.

[Robert G]

I like the Vibe styling better as well. If you are trading in a car or own another car (whether you are selling it or not), and it isn't a GM car, ask about an additional "conquest" discount. Also, check the GM website often for current offers. After a disappointing car sales report for January, GM may up the discounts or offers. http://www.gm.com/automotive/v....html

[Reynoma]

Most importantly: get what you want. Do not settle on anything. If it comes down to it, have them special order the car for you. I settled on several things, and I always get a little angry when I see the exact one I wanted with somebody else in the driver's seat!

[kostby]

There are lots of used Vibes coming on the market, too. I saved about $7000 off the sticker of an '04 by buying a gently-used '03 equipped exactly as I wanted it. That depreciation is murder. Vibes are the best selling Pontiacs at lots of dealers, so don't let them jerk you around when it comes time to sign the final deal. Look at the overall selling price, not just the monthly payments. I almost bought an '03 silver GT for $12,995, but the jerky F&I (Finance & Insurance) guy tried to jack the price another $250, so I walked. Remember, the deal isn't done until you've signed the papers, written the check, and driven off the lot.Look at Edmunds.com for lots of good advice on buying a new car, if that's the way you're going to go for sure. There's a series of articles titled 'Confessions of a car salesman' or something to that effect, on their site that gives you real insight into the 'game'.

[Caretaker]

Without a doubt, get a GM in the driveway certificate from Sherry2, or one of our other generous colleagues here at genvibe. The certificate is worth its weight in gold. Oh, and buy the Vibe!!

[joatmon]

When comparing the matrix and vibe, be sure to compare the cost when they have the same equipment on them. I don't know which will be cheaper after incentives. If the Vibe is cheaper than the Vibe, you have to decide how much the exterior looks are worth to you. I figure it's worth some money to not have to think about how I liked the other one better after spending that much money on a brand new car.The Matrix has a longer warranty. The Vibe has a roof rack. I think that the Matrix has slightly better visibility out the back. The Vibe has an extra inch or two ground clearance.When you buy one, make sure you check it over really good before you drive it off the lot. Any scratches or imperfections become your fault the minute it leaves the dealer. Read the Advice for new owner thread.Why do you need to buy one "in ten days"? Even if you are pressed for time, try to get what you want. A particular dealer may not have exactly what you want, but they might be able to find it and get it transferred from another dealer.Be sure to come back and tell us what you decide, and all about what you end up buying.

[jake75]

My $2,003 GM Card rebate plus the regular $2,000 rebate made it a no brainer to get the Vibe. Never thought about the possible warranty difference. In the past I have noticed that Toyota has a 36/36 bumper to bumper but a 5yr/60,000 mile power train warranty. Assume that is true on the Matrix. Also, for whatever reason, the Matrix might have a better resale/trade-in value that would offset some or all of its expected higher price. Pontiac has more dealers - so warranty service is easier. From what I know about the "GM in the driveway" deal, you can get probably negotiate about the same price anyway. Around here, the Toyota dealers are a pain to deal with. I also got a $1,050 discount on a $18,690 msrp. Net of approx. $13,650 plus tax & title.

[18stars]

I shopped for either a Matrix or a Vibe.....I bought a Vibe because the Pontiac dealer was more professional....the Toyota dealership was disinterested in selling cars....plus they didn't have many Matrixes in stock....and last I checked the Toyoyas weren't available in Fusion Orange.....which as far as paint goes has been holding up a-okay....

[fred]

How much did you pay for this car? I prefer fusion orange. I saw one in a dealer. The marked price is $21,7**.00 with automatic transmission, moon roof, all power. The saleman said they can give $3000 discount (including $2000 rebate from Vibe). I didn't talk with them a lot. If they ask for $17,000, I will buy it immediately.

[tbm34]

If you really like the styling of the Vibe over the Matrix, go for the Vibe. If you are planning on doing any aftermarket modifications (Supercharger, spoilers, etc) and want any type of customer service, go with the Matrix.

[JayC]

Make sure you compare the prices of Vibe and Matrix with all the equipments you want. Vibe has higher MSRP than Matrix. Also, many of the options are cheaper on Matrix, i.e. side airbags, ABS, etc. So the $2000 Pontiac rebate may not mean $2000 difference in price. As for the dealer discount, I don't know who gives more discount off the MSRP. Also, when it is time to trade-in or sell, you WILL get more money for Matrix, hundreds or even thousands more depending on where you live. So the cost of ownership may actually be less with Matrix. As for me, I bought the Vibe. I had $3800 in GM Card rebate, $400 in recent Graduate rebate, and $250 in California Registration Fee rebate. So the decision was a no brainer. Plus, I like the look of Vibe better, although the look of Matrix has grown on me.

[jake75]

My best guess is that on a $21,700 MSRP Vibe a deal at $1,350 disc and $2,000 rebate, net $18,350, is about all you can hope for unless GM has some undisclosed dealer incentive, or perhaps if he needs one more sale to make a quota number. Go in about Feb 28th and see what is possible (but the Fusion may be gone by then too).

[Robert G]

Last summer I also got a conquest discount (I believe it was $500 then), on a 2003 Vibe. Of course, the dealer never mentioned it, but I remembered reading about it online here. You should ask for it.

[jake75]

I suspect that these special deals. e.g. "Conquest Rebate/Discount", are limited to certain areas.

[FusionVGT]

Don't let a dealer push you into anything. If you have a trade, consider selling it yourself.

[philndz]

I can't believe nobody has said it yet!!!! Get the Goodyear tires and not the Continentals.........the conti's are complete junk poo-poo!Theres my tip for ya!-Phil

[fred]

Thanks so much for your advances and tip for buying car. I posted the same post on here, GenVibe, and on Toyota-Matrix on the same time. I got a lot of responses from you. However, I only got one response from Toyota-Matrix on three days. After comparing the price (same equipments) of Matrix and Vibe, I bought a Matrix XR ($17,200.00) last evening. It is: 2004 Matrix XR with FE (50 state emissions), CK (all weather guard package), AB (anti-lock brakes system), DC (premium AM/FM/Cass?CD w/6 speakers), QP (extra value package#2 includs: aluminum wheels w/P205/55R16 tires, tilt/slide moonroof, day & night inner mirror, cruise control, front fog & driving lamps, front &rear underbody spoiler), V5 (VIP-RS3200 plus security system), and Z1 (preferred accessory package: carpet floor mats, cargo mat, rear bumpe protector). The MSRP is $19,377.00. Dealer put tinted windows ($589.00), chrome wheels ($1295.00), and low profile tires ($789.00). So, the dealer ask for $22,945.00. After a long time argue, the dealer took off chrome wheels and low profile tires, and put the original wheels and tires back. Finally, I paid $17,200. Is this a good deal?Being they took about 2 hours to change the wheels and clean up, was it possible for them to change other equipments? How can I check all the equipments in the car (such as: all weather guard package)? Sorry for this sample question. This is my first new car. Again, thanks all of you.

[JayC]

Sounds like a good price. How much was the equivalent Vibe priced at after rebates?As for changing equipment, the dealer will normally take out dealer installed parts like rims and tires. Dealer will seldom, if at all, take out factory installed options, even floormats. Is all weather guard package dealer or factory option?

[jake75]

19,377 + 589 + 1295 + 795 = 22,059 not 22,945. But starting with the MSRP I conclude the following.The dealer took off the overpriced wheels and tires, but left the $595 window tint that at most cost him $125. So the car is worth 19.500 retail and you got a $2,300 discount, net $17,200. Vibe discount likely $3,000 ($2,000 rebate & $1,000 discount) but some here say the Vibe MSRP is higher so it may be a wash. Also some here here say the resale on a "genuine" Toyota will be higher, and you do get a 60M/5yr powertrain warranty with the Matrix which ought to be worth $200.Yeh - I think you did o.k. I don't think they stripped anything else from the vehicle either.