Article: The Pontiac Vibe Was Very Nearly Flawless

[joatmon]

https://www.theautopian.com/the-pontiac ... t-or-miss/

gives a pretty good history and overview of the VIbe, in a favorable review

[SlammedNiss]

Great article, except for one thing I didn't agree with...

"What’s more, the Vibe was actually better than its Toyota Matrix counterpart."

Now, I know it's pretty bold to say this on a Pontiac Vibe-based internet forum, but I've always thought the styling of the Matrix was a lot better than the Vibe. Especially in the earlier years when the Vibe had the non-painted moldings everywhere. But opinions are like buttholes, and everybody has one.

I will say this. My 6-spd Matrix Xrs was the most fun I've ever had in a car I owned. Purchased new in March of 2002, I quickly added an Injen CAI and TRD exhaust, and I just loved the sounds coming from under the hood and out the tailpipe. After my motorcycle accident in 2009, I had to get rid of my manual trans car and I eventually found the exact Xrs, including my Lunar Mist Metallic paint that I had before, albeit mated with a slow and sluggish 4-spd auto. It just simply wasn't as fun to drive anymore. I kept her until it hit 100,000 on the odo, and sold it and am now the owner of a 2011 Rav4 Sport. It's a good looking SUV, but it simply doesn't match my original Xrs in looks or drivability.

[joatmon]

well, I like the look of the vibe better but the visibility out the back is better in the trix. That's 1st gen, never been in 2nd gen vibe or trix.

But now that the Vibe's been out of production for over a dozen years, Toyota definitely wins the long term support contest

[Mark]

Very cool article, thanks!