Vibe - A "Cool" car this summer !

[Dan]

Hi folks, I just wanted to share this with you ! http://www.chicagotribune.com/classifie ... ay18.story "Want to find a "cool" car this summer without overheating your budget? The Kelley Blue Book people recently published a list of "top 10 coolest new cars under $18,000."The 10 vehicles are expected to appeal mostly to younger audiences, say these experts on car pricing and trends since, aside from their affordability, "they all allow for extreme personalization and customization ... buyers can add their own personal style to these vehicles and really make the car their own."....Also on Kelley's list are the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, starting at $17,045 and $15,155, respectively. Mechanically similar and based on the Corolla, they're appealing small wagons aimed at young buyers whose lifestyles call for more cargo room than a coupe or sedan.Both wagons offer true five-passenger capacity and room for mountain bikes, camping gear and the like. The standard engine is just adequate, though. Turbo models are better but more expensive. All-wheel drive is available."Long live to the Pontiac Vibe !!

[Geo]

Cool little article! And ya know, it's 100% right. I can't fit my lifestyle into a sedan, and I was sick of the gas mileage of my Jeep Cherokee. With camping, mountain and road biking, and carting around my friends, a Vibe seemed like the perfect vehicle for me. Yay! :DAlthough, "Turbo models" throws me off there. That a misprint or did I miss something major?!

[ragingfish]

Suzuki Aerio as a cool car? PLEASE! Seems the list is more of a "10 cars under 18000" than 10 COOL cars under $18000 list...And MINI? That's not cool IMHO...it's flat out ugly..."Dad, you spy car's a mini?""Remember Austin, it's not the size that matters, it's how you use it!"

[Sputnik]

quote:And MINI? That's not cool IMHO...it's flat out ugly...I find the mini kinda cool, but I wouldn't want one.

[ragingfish]

I think they're made by BMW or something, aren't they?

[Sputnik]

Yup.. probably why they are so expensive.

[ragingfish]

It says in the article they aren't comfy and the cabin is noisy...I'd expect more from BMW...

[ragingfish]

They have a new color: Solid Gold. EWWWWWWWWWW

[PBFlash]

When I got my Vibe the dealer picked me up in a Mini to drive me to the dealer. I didn't like the car at all. The cabin was kinda noisy and the seats were not very comfortable. After 15 mins I couldn't wait to get out of it.

[ragingfish]

quote:The cabin was kinda noisy and the seats were not very comfortable. After 15 mins I couldn't wait to get out of it. Same flaws the article pointed out...Surprises me. For what the price tag is, it should be near-flawless.Plus, it's a poor reflection on the BMW name...

[PBFlash]

quote:Maybe they are a better experience driving?Did you read my post? I drove in one and it was nothing great. What difference does it make if I was the passenger or the driver? Is it going to be quieter on the other side of the car? Is the same seat going to be more comfortable on the opposite side of the car?

[ragingfish]

Now wait...No need to start another heated debate.I think what he meant is the driving experience in the sense of how it handles, the power in the engine, the shifting, etc.

[PBFlash]

You're right. I edited my post as I don't want to offend anyone. The engines don't have a lot of power. The base has 115 hp and the S has 163. The one I was in was a base and it was pretty slow. The S is probably much quicker. Can't say much about the handling or shifting as I wasn't driving. Even if they were better I would never consider one as I am in my car for at least 2 hours a day and could not sit in those seats that long.

[ragingfish]

quote:Even if they were better I would never consider one as I am in my car for at least 2 hours a day and could not sit in those seats that long. I wouldn't consider ever buying one for that and a hundred thousand other reaons...

[Russiaville]

OK you guys. I own a Mini Cooper as my daily driver and I just bought my wife a Vibe in March. They are both great cars. The Mini is very roomy and comfortable for the front seat occupants (I am 6'1"). The back seat is very small but that is not why you buy a Mini. It is so much FUN to drive. Even though the engine is small, it is much quicker that my Vibe. And the amount of stares and questions it gets, even after 1 year, is amazing. Just today I had an old man ask me if it was and electric car, another ask me who makes it, and another stranger ask me about it in the bathroom at BW3's. The interior is top quality and I think quite comfortable. I had a blast on a recent rally with 70 other Mini owners. My wife and I are just as enthusiastic about our new Vibe. It came in handy this week-end buying gardening supplies. But for pure driving fun, not much can beat the Mini for the price (I paid $20,000 for a fully loaded Cooper (non S). That matches the sticker on the Vibe (but I got $5,000 off of it because of rebates). Personally, I think the Mini is beautiful and I enjoy the interest it generates. Here is a picture of my Mini and my Vibe. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

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[Russiaville]

Sorry about the size of the pic. And my Vibe pic didn't make it. Here it is.

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[Vibe Rater]

Sweeet!