maintenance schedule differences in Vibe vs. Matrix

[dobo]

I am in the process of deciding between a Vibe or Matrix. While researching on Edmunds.com I found there is a huge difference in costs of maintaining a Vibe vs. Matirx. Over 5 year period there's a $1,700 difference. Here's the link - http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/MaintenanceServlet Does anyone know why? I thought the chassis, and powertrain were the same, so I assumed the maintenance would be the same. The Pontiac schedule requires lubricating the chassis every 6K miles. The Toyota schedule does not mention it. How could this be if the chassis is the same. I've also read in some the the discussions here that Pontiac parts are more expensive and some Toyota parts don't fit the Vibe. For example, the cabin air filter. Has anyone found the Pontiac expensive to maintain? I've had a Toyota for a long time and am having second thoughts about moving to the Vibe, though I prefer the bodystyle. Please let me know your thoughts.Thanks.

[ragingfish]

From what I'm told, there isn't actually a chassis to lube -- rather, only the e-brake cable gets some grease in a chassis lube. Everything else is sealed and does not need lubrication.As to part discrepencies, I havne't had any problems. I use Toyota oil filters, and don't have any reason to believe Toyota parts won't fit the Vibe. Also, don't find our part prices any more expensive than in the past. Found some parts cheaper through the Pontiac dealer than the Toyota dealer. It varies.Only big issue we have is the durability of the paint. But most, if not all, of the Matrix owners I talked to yesterday, expressed similar concerns.

[AKLGT]

i also moved from a toyota to a vibe. it is essentially toyota. i too liked the body style of the vibe over the matrix. as for maintenance, it should be exactly the same. really, the only differences b/w the 2 are the outside body cladding and ecu. you can also get more aftermarket parts for the matrix than the vibe, altho that is improving.check out my new additions:

[joatmon]

I looked at the edmunds site, and couldn't find a way to easily total the anticipated maintenance cost for a five year period, so I had to go through individual maintenance items and total the costs,. The Edmunds site lists them by miles, and since everyone drives different amounts, I chose to compare costs up to 75,000 milesHere is the data for Matrix XR 1ZZ engine with 5 speed, compared to Vibe base with 5 speed. I used a zip code of 20772, cost seems to vary depending on zip code.One important note: The edmunds site lists the vibe maintenance period as every 3000 miles. If the long interval (highway mileage model) is used, the maintenance costs for the Vibe would be less than indicated below. Even so, for a period of 75,000 miles, the estimated maintenance costs are:Matrix - $2,376.53 . . . Vibe - $2,284.52Matrixmileagecostcost to date5,000$89.04$89.0410,000$143.41$232.4515,000$176.12$408.5720,000$143.41$551.9825,000$87.32$639.3030,000$346.88$986.1835,000$87.32$1,073.5040,000$142.60$1,216.1045,000$175.86$1,391.9650,000$142.60$1,534.5655,000$87.32$1,621.8860,000$348.61$1,970.4965,000$87.32$2,057.8170,000$142.60$2,200.4175,000$176.12$2,376.53Vibemileagecostcost to date3,000$36.20$36.206,000$49.80$86.009,000$36.20$122.2012,000$49.80$172.0015,000$176.20$348.2018,000$49.80$398.0021,000$36.20$434.2024,000$49.80$484.0027,000$36.20$520.2030,000$315.27$835.4733,000$36.20$871.6736,000$66.20$937.8739,000$36.20$974.0742,000$66.20$1,040.2745,000$176.20$1,216.4748,000$66.20$1,282.6751,000$36.20$1,318.8754,000$66.20$1,385.0757,000$36.20$1,421.2760,000$482.25$1,903.5263,000$36.20$1,939.7266,000$66.20$2,005.9269,000$36.20$2,042.1272,000$66.20$2,108.3275,000$176.20$2,284.52

[vibecrxsi240sx]

very insightful number crunching, thanks

[johnsoax]

Wow, I never realized that doing my own maintenance would save me so much money. I do my own oil changes and tire rotations(and I only use the factory jack and some jack stands), and everything else that needs done and I have only spent $64 dollars so far for 10 months.