What else did you consider (or are considering)

Fformula88 · Post by **Fformula88** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 5:52 am

If you own a Vibe/Matrix, what other vehicles did you consider before deciding on your Vibe? What did you like/dislike?Me? I am very undecided. I have some specific desires that no one vehicle really fits and it has left me in a dilema. I am planning on replacing my 97 Probe daily driver sometime within the next year... all depending on how soon I can find what I want. My main desires are having decent ground clearance and preferrable 4wd/awd for the snowy Buffalo winters I have to commute thru. When there is 8 inches of snow on the ground, I really need to get thru. I also want something that drives fairly sporty and has some pickup without breaking the bank.Most of the Vehicles I have checked are trucks/SUV's but most seem very cheap inside, and get horrible gas milage. I like the WRX for its performance, but its design is on the bubble for me and it really doesn't have any more ground clearance than another car.The Vibe may be my frontrunner as I like its styling, good ground clearance and plenty of options. I would be sold if the GT came with AWD, but with the high ground clearance in the GT and FWD I may be able to make it work nearly as good with a set of snow tires!Just thought it might be interesting to hear what others considered and why. Thanks!

Fformula88 · Post by **Fformula88** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 9:29 am

I agree on the WRX price. It is a good bargain for the performance you get, but its still beyond the reach of some buyers, and just outside of what others would like to spend. Even with all-season tires, I would still highly recommend a good set of snow tires for anyone who sees a lot of snow in the winter. Here in Buffalo, we see more than just about anywhere else in the country. Although all-seasons generally are acceptable, snow tires offer far better grip! I wouldn't go a winter without them! With a set on a Vibe, I think it would make it nearly anywhere an AWD could get in snow!

mistamatrix · Post by **mistamatrix** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 6:12 am

If the Matrix wasn't around I'd probably have a Mazda Protege5 already. That car's got looks. Lacks power though but handles really nice.Another car I was looking into was the Sentra SE-R Spec V.

Fformula88 · Post by **Fformula88** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 9:22 am

Your right Mistamatrix... the Mazda Protoge5 would be a really nice car with a little more power. As it is now it isn't a bad choice. Hopefully Mazda will be planning a little bit more power in the future.SE-R Spec5 has interesting stats, but I am not crazy on its styling. Its not distinguished enough from a run of the mill Sentra for my tastes.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:17 am

This time last year I started researching everything I could about small 4 cylinder wagons. My criteria was that it be as feature packed, frugal and fun to drive as my current 92 Honda Civic EXV sedan, but a wagon/5 door hatchback body. After about 6 months thinking that a Subaru Impreza would be perfect, even though I didn't really need a awd car I discovered that my local Subaru dealer acted like a psychopath (slander?) and his salespeople were spineless jellyfish. I have a very long story I really must type out if anyone is interested, I call it negotiations from hell. So the only reason the Vibe was a 2nd choice is because there are none on the street and I hoped for a car sooner than 2.5 months. I am really interested in how long people are taking to receive their cars when they factory order. The only other consideration was the Matrix which isn't available with ABS and the base engine, so I took the leap to Pontiac. I have always been an import enthusiast for the quality, reliabilty and economy you get with a world car so the Vibe shouldn't disapoint. I did look into the Focus but I'm scared off by the reliability and quality concerns. BTW I chose white, base, 5 spd, Safety and Security (ABS & Side Air bags) , Power pack, safety net, and the 200 watt 6 speaker system. I plan to add privacy tinting, K&N or Ram air if available, my own alarm, and a trailer hitch. thanks for listening. Glad to see such a cool website for the Vibe!Ken.

CoalMiner · Post by **CoalMiner** » Thu May 09, 2002 11:06 am

I looked at the Satrun VUE and the PT Crusier. I almost got the PT Crusier but the more I thought about it I knew that I had to have a Vibe. Don't quite know what it was, the chrome or the 180 HP but I knew it was the car for me.

Fformula88 · Post by **Fformula88** » Fri May 10, 2002 11:20 am

Welcome to the forum everyone! I am surprised at the problems you had with your Subie dealer Ken! I like the stats of the WRX, but am just not sold on the overall package. I cannot put my finger on it, but there is something about it that keeps me from being crazy about it.Coalminer, did something in particular turn you off about the PT Cruiser? It has gotten some really good reviews, but its also a love it or hate it styling. I guess if it doesn't grab you then its styling is a big distraction.Welcome to the forum both of you, and I hope to see you post more!

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jun 10, 2002 1:20 am

I was looking at a Jeep Liberty but the horrendous gas mileage and recalls out the wahzoo quickly turned me off of it.The Vibe is still my only choice when the time comes (this year) to get one.
[Modified by NSimkins, 6:00 AM 9/10/2002]

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jun 10, 2002 9:28 am

I saw a pretty nice looking Mazda Protoge5 today while driving around and snapped a pic. [400k, sorry 56k users] http://nicksimkins.com/misc/mazda_mp5.jpg Too bad the vehicle is underpowered. The price is reasonable for the options included. The one pictured was about $18,500...
[Modified by NSimkins, 6:00 AM 9/10/2002]

Post by **NSimkins** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 8:30 pm

Wow, how weird! I am somewhat in the same situation right now. I currently have a Cavalier (01) and the first time I saw the Vibe/Matrix, they started to grow on me each time I either saw a pic of 'em or read more into their features and specs. Can't wait until I get a chance to actually have one. Hopefully with everything permitting I can either order from factory or buy off the lot (depending on options) soon.Time seems to get slower each day until I get one. LOL

130meow · Post by **130meow** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 2:37 am

My price range was around 30k Canadian.The cars that I seriously considered were:1) RAV4 - great looking but it's overpriced and quality not living up to a car in the 30ks on the road2) Altima SE V6 - nice comfy great looking big car with nice engine, but it's a tad too expensive, and poor interior finish. I didn't really need a BIG car. 99% i will be driving it alone.3) RSX Premium - I would have got that car if my friend didn't persuade me to wait for the Matrix. For the price of the Altima V6, I get a fully loaded RSX (minus the type-S engine and other goodies i dun really need) I basically loved the RSX, but the Matrix was just better in terms of the price/what is offered department.

Post by **NSimkins** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 4:14 am

Waiting4Vibe: Are you getting rid of your Sunfire? If so, what are you going to do, trade-in or private sell? I'm still deciding myself. I know I can make a little if I sell privately.... but a trade-in is too easy (minus no profit from it though! )

Post by **NSimkins** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 8:50 pm

Don't worry, I won't laugh! At least soon you will have your Vibe to drive around and it will be worth it!Yeah I live right near the GM Lordstown Plant which solely produces the Cavalier/Sunfire line... so needless to say, in about every 10 cars in this area, at least one is a Cavalier/Sunfire! A Vibe is definately a very nice upgrade from a Cavalier/Sunfire!

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 11:05 am

I am somewhat still happy with my Cavalier, but as you said, the usefulness factor of the Vibe is definately a perk.Due to the fact I move computer equipment around frequently, the Vibe seems to be much more of a useful vehicle to do this with than a Cavalier.Usefulness definately plays a part in my liking for the Vibe. It's not too big, but big enough to haul, lightly-tow, and move things in.

Twistylocs · Post by **Twistylocs** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 10:47 pm

We seriously considered the Honda CR-V. It's still our favourite hands down, but it's a bit more vehicle than we can afford at this time. Maybe in the next two years or so.... *crosses fingers*

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 7:16 am

Read the forum "4 Months to get a vibe" in the Vibe Lounge before you consider ordering one.

Jwnmt · Post by **Jwnmt** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 11:57 am

I looked at the Saturn Vue and the Aztec (ugh). I didn't bother to look at the WRX because I knew that was the car I would fall in love with (too pricey). I enjoy an active lifestyle and the Vibe GT fit the price and the profile. I do really wish I could afford a WRX though. Jwnmt

Post by **NSimkins** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 2:20 am

I also have the Jetta on my "list" of possibilities and do agree that there is no comparison appearance wise that the Vibe wins that contest.The Jetta wins the usable power part of the contest however.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 6:33 am

Up until I decided I wanted a Vibe I was considering the Acura 1.7 EL and the Jetta. The new Jettas are very nice looking and I love the 1.7 EL as well. But I'll be able to use the Vibe more... like going to IKEA and buying large items.

ngilbert · Post by **ngilbert** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 4:49 pm

Hey, I hear ya on the camping with the Cav'. I had a 97 Z24, and although it was just the 2 of us, the thing was stuffed! I solved the unpacking issue by taking almost everything out - and then putting it all back in when we were ready to leave. Of course, camping in some places you can't do that (damn bears) but where we go, no prob.I was looking at the Mazda Protege 5 too, actually, wife was looking at it to replace her car, but she went for the 4-door instead. I think what swayed me was the looks (not another cookie cutter Cav or Sunfire) and the space. The Toyota partnership helped too...

MJN2 · Post by **MJN2** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 6:08 am

My wife and were actually looking to buy a Ford Escape to replace my '99 Cougar with, but the finance manager at the Ford dealer and I got into an argument and we walked out. Wife suggested that we stop at the Pontiac/Buick dealer on the way home. Started looking at an anniversary edition Grand Prix GTP (I was drooling), then saw the Vibe GT we bought sitting out on the lot. Nice thing is that we got a lot more versatility, plus I still have just as much fun driving the Vibe as I did my Cougar (I still miss it though).

black widow · Post by **black widow** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 9:36 am

even tho i dont have a vibe, heres the fireing order of what i looked at. first lemme say that i wanted a car that was lower to the ground after driving a jeep wrangler for a year. 1) camaro z-28 (coudlnt fit, im 6'4")2) blazer (too high off the ground)3) malibu (plain and slow)4) monte carlo (too big and old personish..dont forget this was in 99)5) mustang (ewww ford)6) toyota (camry brakes didnt feel right, solara cost too much)7) grand prix (GTP was too much $)8) grand am. (BINGO)

BanditWS6 · Post by **BanditWS6** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 10:38 pm

What else did we consider? Hmm...well, since this is my wife's car, it was mostly up to her...I think her favorite car was the Suzuki Vitara / Chevy Tracker, but those things make me want to...umm...nevermind. (At least I have to give them this -- they're much better than they used to be.) So I tried to talk her into the Vibe right away, and thankfully, it worked! She loves it. To test the waters, I even brought up the Vitara the other day, but she said, "No, that's fine. I like the Vibe." w00t!

d_m_kolb · Post by **d_m_kolb** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 1:56 am

I'd like to concider the new redesigned 2003 Dodge Viper. LOL Well I said I'd like to not that I coul. 500 ponies sure would be nice, in a v-10 488 CI engine with six speed trany. I'd really like a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am, with the WS-6 package. To bad they are stopping making them. I wanted to cry when I found out. Hopefully they will bring it back like they are doing the GTO, which will be pushing 400 HP!

BanditWS6 · Post by **BanditWS6** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 4:15 am

quote:To bad they are stopping making them. I wanted to cry when I found out.I sure know what you mean on that one. The end of an era indeed.quote:Hopefully they will bring it back like they are doing the GTO, which will be pushing 400 HP!Aw yeah...now that GTO is what I'm considering!

MJN2 · Post by **MJN2** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 5:39 am

New GTO is pushing a little over 300 hp. onthome" TARGET="_blank">http://pontiac.com/pontiacjsp/passion/n ... rceonthome

BanditWS6 · Post by **BanditWS6** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 6:22 am

Yeah, I actually heard it was supposed to be more like 320 from the factory...at least initially...maybe they'll produce a super-hot "Judge" package for the ultimate in nostalgia. I gotta figure they're gonna try to compete with the new Cobra somehow.At any rate, this problem is nothing a good supercharger couldn't solve.

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 11:30 am

Since the PT Crusier came out,it was the only car for me. I didn't realize I could have gotten one at the same time I got my 2000 Grand Am. So I patiently waited for my lease to be up so I could get my red PT. Then, along comes the Vibe. Hubby sees the commercial and says "Check this one out!". I was sold on the spot. I do regret never test driving the PT. I know I can test drive one anytime, but what's the point, I got my Vibe! I just hit 300 miles today.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 9:00 am

My wife and I do a lot of backcountry climbing, biking, skiing etc so we wanted something fun but with lots of room. We looked at a Cav/Sunfire but couldn't take the pathetic quality and to be honest, I really don't like GM stuff... thank heavens the Vibe is a Toyota drivetrain!Sube TS2.5 was the best we tested but the price is pretty steepToyota Matrix (I like the styling better than the Vibe but my wife likes the Vibe better... it's starting to grow on me too... less bland than the toy)Mazda P5Hyundai Elantra GTI think we made a good choice... the vibe's new and cool and that cargo room! I just wish I'd get it before fall!!!

lopers · Post by **lopers** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 10:06 pm

I just saw that Ford will be offering a 5 door SVT Focus for 2003. I wish I had known about this 4 months ago.http://media.ford.com/article_display.c ... e_id=12515

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 11:28 pm

quote:I just saw that Ford will be offering a 5 door SVT Focus for 2003. I wish I had known about this 4 months ago.Decent car. Too bad it doesn't come standard with Toyota reliability and quality though.I initially (2 years ago) considered the focus wagon but ruled it out because of the poor owner satisfaction ratings. Oh ya, my wife thinks they are too ugly, I guess that would be the clincher.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 12:09 pm

The 5 door SVT Focus will be out around January. I have set up a head to head road test against the Vibe GT at that time.- Mike

Terran · Post by **Terran** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 1:48 pm

Jetta GLI and a GTI VR6....right around the same price. I wanted to tame my appetite for a kraut-mobile, but dad talked me out of it. Maybe next time. heh.

vibegirl · Post by **vibegirl** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 2:35 pm

focus wagon - my friend works for the Ford warranty department and let me know that there are TONS of problems with the brakes.tracker - too pricey for what you getsunfire/cavalier - felt like it was made of cardboard, and the interior is (removed) uglysubaru outback - in my dreams, too priceyVW Jetta, wagon - after owning a Westafalia I didn't ant to deal with the repair costs or the insanely high cost of parts, also out of my price rangematrix - no roof rack, a/c, or body moulding to protect on logging roads, also I have a feeling they will be up there with the high theft rate of Hondas

Da Vibe · Post by **Da Vibe** » Mon Sep 09, 2002 5:12 am

Nice to see another Fiero owner on this forum! How do you like your vibe so far? I wanted a Aztek but couldn't afford it and dealer gave me a great deal on the Vibe $100 under dealer invoice. P.S. are you on Pennocks Fiero Forum also?

rAge_GT · Post by **rAge_GT** » Mon Sep 09, 2002 12:52 pm

1) Acura RSX Type S---My dream car if the price had been right...2)WRX Sedan--- I hated the styling, but I loved the performance...Again the price wasn't right.3)GMC Jimmy---The gas mileage was horrible and I couldn't get one with the options I wanted off the lot. But that introduced me to my new baby... The Pontiac Vibe GT. I didn't really know the car existed before my trip to the GM dealer... Well I'll re-phrase that... I didn't know the car came with the options, the power and the six-speed! A few days later I was the proud owner of my new Vibe GT.

DVDvibe · Post by **DVDvibe** » Mon Sep 09, 2002 10:41 pm

I was considering a used Nissan Pathfinder, a Nissan Maxima GLE, a Mazda Millenia Type S, a Jeep Liberty, and a Ford Escape. I liked all of the vehicles as they were all used but in extremely good condition. I got a great deal on my vibe and I needed something very good on gas.

wrmason3 · Post by **wrmason3** » Tue Sep 10, 2002 11:22 am

I am still considering a:1. New Sunfire. My Japanese wife loved her 98 Cavalier until a white pickup turned it and its neighbor Camry into junk. Like the new bizarro headlights and the ECOTEC engine used in the Opel Speedster.2. Used F-body. With all of the aftermarket support, and the cheap v8 horsepower.....and I would learn a lot more restoring it. 3. Aztek? If I want to go camping, why not? They sell very discounted and always turn heads...good fuel economy too from such a large vehicle.4. Suzuki Aerio. I have a soft spot for Suzuki. They are never included in conversations of "Japanese" car makers here. I drove an old Suzuki Swift, and although underpowered, it was a fun little car.

buds71595Vibe · Post by **buds71595Vibe** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 3:45 am

I commute about 90 miles a day so at first we need something good on gas.we looked at:Toyota Prius: Too small, no rear legroom, no storage But the very cool hybrid engineToyota Matrix: Basically the same car as what we bought without the cool stylingFord Focus ZX5: way to small inside (I'm 6'5 and one of our criteria was for me to be able to sit in back with the wife driving, plus I hit my head when I drove)VW Golf: Size issues, but way fun to drive. Also had a freak of a salesmen wha asked why we were there after telling him what we were looking atVW Jetta: My brother in law swears by his, and I swear by it too when I unfold myself out of the backseatSubaru Forrester: really like the new ones, but felt it was a little too much car for us and the mileage stinks.in the end we got the Vibe cause it looks great, has excellent power for the driving we do, has loads of space for all our stuff, gets excellent mileage, and is a totally fun car to drive!

Kirby · Post by **Kirby** » Thu Sep 12, 2002 3:00 am

Before buying my Vibe, I test drove just about every small SUV on the market. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with any of them. Believe it or not, the one I liked best was the Hyundai Santa Fe and it was also the cheapest. Like you, I found most of the interiors to be cheap (Saturn Vue was horrible) and full of plastic. If you want an SUV, try the Santa Fe. It is slightly slower that the base vibe off the line but has plenty of power and has the manual shiftronic standard with the V6.