CBS MarketWatch review of the 2004 Vibe

[Jahntassa]

Seen through the "Automotive" section of news.yahoo.com.http://www.marketwatch.com/new...1D%7D

[ragingfish]

umm....ouch???one of my favorite parts is they gripe you can't adjust the lower cusion with the door close. well, you're not supposed to adjust your seat with the car in drive anyway (dangerous), so if you're stopped, just open the freaking door!

[AKLGT]

wow. so i take it he didn't like the vibe... too bad. guess we can't all be fans...

[Jahntassa]

Yeah, I replied to the guy and referenced GenVibe. I told him there's a lot about the car that I can overlook because I like the car. The part about the no carpet? I like that. Means easier to clean. And the rails are darn handy, too.I'd just like to stop burning my clutch, and put some Dynamat in.

[ngilbert]

Articles like this just remind me to continue trusting real automotive journalists and not rejects from Consumer Reports. While I find the knob to adjust the seat height a little tight with the door closed, I can still do it. And since I'm on the big side, I get out and do it anyway. And the flexible cargo capability makes up for the slightly noisy engine. I do agree with the pedals/wheel distance thing, still haven't got it just perfect.... yet...

[Stang2Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by ngilbert »Articles like this just remind me to continue trusting real automotive journalists and not rejects from Consumer Reports. While I find the knob to adjust the seat height a little tight with the door closed, I can still do it. And since I'm on the big side, I get out and do it anyway. And the flexible cargo capability makes up for the slightly noisy engine. I have to completely agree here. I can adjust mine while the door is closed too, but it is a bit tricky. Not worth complaining about, though. And one of the major reasons why I bought the car was because of the hard plastic in the cargo area. It makes it like a bedliner in a truck. I have the cargo nets, which work perfectly to keep groceries from sliding around and the adjustable rails/straps come in real handy with larger objects as well.

[Vibe]

In my opinion------------A very poorly written article. Elementary! James

[Stang2Vibe]

I have to edit my previous statement. I can adjust my seat, with door closed and everything, with no problem at all. I tried it tonight on my way back home from dropping my g/f off at school. I'd really like to know how this guy had trouble adjusting it. Maybe the knob should come with a warning label that says "Warning: operation of this adjustment knob by persons with an I.Q. of less than 17 may be difficult. Please ask someone with an I.Q of 18 or above to assist you with this adjustment." I'm not sure how they would fit the label on there but it might be a good idea for people like this guy. I wonder if he is just huge or something and can't reach down there to turn the knob? I'm 5'11" and 235 pounds and my legs are rather large. They always have been big (when I weighed 165 in high school I was able to leg press 700 lbs and calf-raise 425 lbs so they are strong as well--ask my mom--when I was 18 I lifted up the back of her Saturn SL2 by the wheel well so that the tire came off the ground a little bit and I got in trouble for it), so I take up the driver's seat rather nicely. I had to perform no special operation to reach down and turn the knob while driving. I could see if you were like 500 lbs you would have trouble turning the knob with the door closed, but for an average or slightly larger than average ( ) person this should be no problem. Maybe this guy should go back to testing toasers for CR or something.

[Stang2Vibe]

LOL! I just read the full article. This guy defines the word "knucklehead".Well, Ron, you find that the top of the speedometer gets hidden behind the steering wheel when you adjust it?--yeah, but, you dult, how many people are driving at 100MPH AND looking at the speedometer? And yeah, but you could always tilt your seat back just a hair, and, surprise! there is the speedometer again! Oh, and you think that the engine is not the smoothest on the market and it's noisy?--Yeah, but I bet you have no problem with that exact same engine when it's in the Corolla!You feel that ABS brakes should be standard across the GM model lineup?--Yeah, but your beloved Toyota and Honda don't do that, either. And yeah, but some people don't want them, Ron. What WERE you thinking, Ron?You find it difficult to determine where 55 MPH is on the speedometer? (This one's my favorite whine!)--Yeah, but if you had half a brain you'd be able to figure out that it's right in the middle between 50 and 60 MPH. Same way that 55 has been found on a speedometer for decades now, Ron. At the bottom of the article, it reads: "Ron Amadon is a morning news anchor on the CBS MarketWatch.com Radio Network".--Yeah, but the site administrator just found out that you hacked the website, Ron, and has now corrected it to read: "Ron Amadon makes the coffee for the morning news anchor on the CBS MarketWatch.com Radio Network". That's better. LOL! I can take a critical review of the Vibe with no problem, but for God's sakes, whine about actual flaws in the car, not stupid, common sense stuff! Sheesh! (one more for good measure)

[drunkenmaxx]

this is why critics suck. they are always biased towards one thing or another. i have read articles that compare cars like the vibe to cadilacs and lexus cars in respect to power and options. the whole seat thing is a retarded point. if you adjusted your seat every time you drove, i could understand the problem, but really, how many times do you need to fool with it anyway? they suggest the matrix for some reason, but yet admit that it is the same car, (removed)?

[pmh013]

Honestly, how many times do you NEED to adjust the seat? The manual clearly indicates that you're supposed to do this adjustment while you're not in the car (because it's nearly impossible to crank when your own body weight is on the seat). I put mine to the very top 2 years ago, and haven't touched it since.As far as the options that they test drove, well the rear spoiler package is not, and never will be, on my Christmas list. So I don't care that Mr. Amadon hated it, because I don't want it.As far as HP, yes we know it is low on HP. But are you b*tching about gas milage? No, you're not, now are ya?If the base 4-speed is not the smoothest engine on the market, then I guess you're bashing the Toyota Corolla too (which has the same engine). I don't take care too much about these things.Even the 2004 gauges wash out? Well, you should see the 2003 gauges. I hear it's an improvement.If you're having trouble finding 55, you'll find it right between 45 and 65. Perhaps you should drive your Vibe to the optomotrists office.This forum is full of 6-footers that have no trouble finding a comfortable position. You can't expect the comfort of a $70000 vehicle in an economy model. That's just silly.Oh, and if you don't like all the hard plastic, why don't you trade in your spoiler for a cargo mat? Sheesh. Perhaps you've never put anything disgusting/dripping/wet/dirty in your car before. Well I have, and I like the plastic.I shall now step down off my soapbox.

[pwarren4]

Is it true that the spoiler won't let the rear window open? Or is this guy retarded on this point too?Quote, originally posted by pmh013 »This forum is full of 6-footers that have no trouble finding a comfortable position. I'm 6'6" and find this car as comfortable as any other I've driven, so I second the point.

[drunkenmaxx]

> I'm lovin' it.my car is way more comfy than my cavy or taurus were. i give it 2 gulps up! >

[pmh013]

Quote, originally posted by pwarren4 »Is it true that the spoiler won't let the rear window open? Or is this guy retarded on this point too?No, I think this might be true. But who cares? The spoiler is an option, not standard equipment. That's what options are for, it does stuff (like limiting the movement of certain components) that standard equipment doesn't do.

[yank dini]

he needs to test drive a Maybach

[drunkenmaxx]

see, this guy is probably some boring old fart who hates the vibe already because of it's new generation look. im sure he stepped into the test with his mind bent on hatin'. since when is the engine slow? sure, it's no 'vette, but c'mon, it is definitely ample power for highway driving. for f*cks sake, it's a 1.8L!

[VibeINC]

Those concerned with being current might be more attracted to the Toyota Matrix, but they are in essence the same car What does that mean? The Matrix is more current? Huh?

[Stang2Vibe]

I think it is his moronic, round-about way of saying that the Matrix is more "trendy" than the Vibe.

[AKLGT]

now that's really funny to me because i'm all about trend! i love unique things that are different from everyone else. however, i wasn't fond of the matrix as is and would have to do a lot to the exterior. i love toyotas. i will probably only ever buy toyotas or the equivalent. i think both the vibe and matrix are very different in styling. that's why all the other auto makers are copying the design!

[Kari]

Let me just say, also, that I haven't opened my rear window since the day of delivery, just to see how it worked. LOL

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by pmh013 »Honestly, how many times do you NEED to adjust the seat? The manual clearly indicates that you're supposed to do this adjustment while you're not in the car (because it's nearly impossible to crank when your own body weight is on the seat). I put mine to the very top 2 years ago, and haven't touched it since.As far as the options that they test drove, well the rear spoiler package is not, and never will be, on my Christmas list. So I don't care that Mr. Amadon hated it, because I don't want it.As far as HP, yes we know it is low on HP. But are you b*tching about gas milage? No, you're not, now are ya?If the base 4-speed is not the smoothest engine on the market, then I guess you're bashing the Toyota Corolla too (which has the same engine). I don't take care too much about these things.Even the 2004 gauges wash out? Well, you should see the 2003 gauges. I hear it's an improvement.If you're having trouble finding 55, you'll find it right between 45 and 65. Perhaps you should drive your Vibe to the optomotrists office.This forum is full of 6-footers that have no trouble finding a comfortable position. You can't expect the comfort of a $70000 vehicle in an economy model. That's just silly.Oh, and if you don't like all the hard plastic, why don't you trade in your spoiler for a cargo mat? Sheesh. Perhaps you've never put anything disgusting/dripping/wet/dirty in your car before. Well I have, and I like the plastic.I shall now step down off my soapbox.pmh, i just read your post and let me tell you, i'm ROFLMAO! you are killing me! you are right on the nose with this moron! if you dont like the rear spoilers, then don't put em on! that's why they're an option!!

[pmh013]

Well, thanks! Every now and again I get my panties in a twist when obviouly small minded people try to share their ideas with us. 1st of all, don't you (the small minded person) think you should maybe keep those, because you haven't got very many to begin with, and 2ndly, your (small) brain seems to have the holding capacity of a bottomless bucket.I received an email back from the charming reviewer, whose only defence was that he doesn't mind disagreement. Wow. Not one effort towards defending himself (because that is also a fruitless endeavour).Bring it on, CR rejects! We're waiting!!!

[AKLGT]

i second that! besides, who the hell even reads CBS market watch anyways? Everyone knows they look to Edmunds, NADA, and the all powerful Consumer Reports!!! Although Car & Driver does do a pretty good job.

[matty77]

this was the worst car review I have ever read, did this guy actually drive the car...........this is the problem when you let people that only drive Toyota's and Honda's write a review on a Northamerican car.

[Stang2Vibe]

He must have viewed this thread and, seeing the warm reception his review got here, decided to cut his losses and say no more. I guess that they will reassign him back to testing toasters and ping pong tables. LOL.