Is the Vibe A Feminine Car?

[MadJoe]

Let me start by saying I'm a 63 year old male that has owned a number of Corvettes over the years. I recently bought my girlfriend's 03 Vibe when she decided to get a new car. I bought the Vibe for my everyday vehicle since I have 2 other automobiles.

I have to assume the Vibe was probably not designed to appeal to guys my age. To me it looks like the car a soccer mom or college student might own. Yes, I know I am making some general statement here, but who was the car exactly designed for?

Thanks

[KITT222]

It was meant to appeal to the 20-somethings who want a practical car that can do everything. Which means, a few years down the line, it hit their target demographic with me, a 19-something who got a Vibe as his first car. Then again, they never strike the 20-something demographic when they go for it. That's why Scion hasn't done too well for itself. The do-all cars end up being bought by people who can afford a car that does everything, which happens to be young adults, young parents, middle-aged moms, and anyone who wants a good car.

In short, no, it was designed for someone more of my age. And I bought it never remembering how GM marketed it. However, feminine is not the word I'd use for the Vibe. I'd say it doesn't really have a gender descriptor, unlike, say, the Beetle. The Vibe is what you make of it.

[cptnsolo77]

Well its definitely not a masculine car I bought my Vibe 6 years ago at 35. I needed 4 doors a hatch & good fuel economy. The Vibe fit my needs & still does. Its just a very practical car.

[SeattleJeremy]

I wouldn't say it's a Feminine or Masculine car. It's just a funny looking Toyota.

[Derf]

Agree its not a gender specific car. If the thought is it being a "cute" car, I can say I have heard that comment, but more often I hear, "What is that car?, looks practical" Have several pieces of original Vibe literature, they all refer to the college student or someone just starting out needing practical set of wheels with a fun sporty look. The Vibe could take them on a day trip to snow board, ski, beach etc. and not break the bank. Funny thing, all the literature mentions the GM accessories that can be purchased to individualize and make the car more fun.

For our area (rural farm area), most of the Vibes are owned by people 50 or older who need economical transportation and the ability to move the occasional oddball object or pet. I would add, I usually see more female drivers, but I think that is by choice. The guys take the truck to run errands, (Vibe does not have a truck bed to share cold ones over while solving the worlds problems) the laddies take the fun to drive Vibe which will park nicely between two land yachts that are bulging over the white lines.

I bought mine used off a 40 something mom, her only reason for selling was the mileage 185k otherwise she wanted to keep it. Driving suburbans pickup and trucks, was looking for more economical way to run errands. Plus my 94 Taurus keeps trying to rust away. So far love the 33+ mpg vs 15 in a full size vehicle, the cargo area is just what I needed. The support of this forum and the vehicles straightforward design further enhance the experience.

[vibenvy]

I totally agree with what has already been said.

I see a pretty even mix of guys and girls and a pretty even mix of ages driving Vibes around my area.

[kumquat]

I thought the original Vibe, with the plastic lower panels, was meant to be somewhat masculine. It certainly wasn't cute, with the sharp angles at the grille and the utilitarian plastic.

The 09 version is also a little aggressive looking, especially compared to the Matrix. The Matrix is much more innocent and feminine looking. I've had a few random people ask me what my car was and say it looks pretty cool.

[09vGT]

Most Vibe drivers in my area are "old people". I rarely find a 20-something driving one.

As far as being a feminine car, I have to agree with everyone else also.

[Salsa Guy]

The Matrix looks more Feminine than the Vibe IMHO.

[clw3388]

Feminine in the sense that it's a girly car, or that a real man wouldn't drive one? NO.. feminine in the sense that I refer to her as a her, or call her sexy pet names when I'm washing off grime? SURE!! My car is a she.. That's all there is to it.. I accept that I'm strange and that my car has a feminine persona.. She surely is beautiful and likes to be wooed with accessories, bathing and TLC..

[Caretaker]

The Vibe is much more masculine than the Matrix. The first gen Matrix is definitely girly. The car looks like a woman's shoe. I wouldn't be caught dead in one.

[Melophile]

I've seen about 5 Vibes at my community college (not including mine) and 3 of them are driven by males.

If you include me, it's 6 Vibes with 4 of them being driven by males.

In my honest opinion, most hatchbacks are feminine.

[hotbug1776]

let's race and see who's car is more feminine. LOL