GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I was just checking out Motortrends Review of the Vibe/Matrix, and found some interesting conclusions. Here's the links:Matrix:http://www.intellichoice.com/r...rshipV ... hipAnyways, the difference between the two identical cars is astonishing. I can understand the depreciation aspect, as a Pontiac will depreciate quicker than a Toyota. The maintenance however, well, that's a number that I think they pulled out of their ***. They probably just took an average Pontiac / Toyota number for that calculation.Any other thoughts?

The depreciation is quite real. I bought my 2003 Vibe for 12k. Insane price.

plus the color you bought also helped keep the price down! but i think the envy color grows on you after awhile. i used to hate it and now i kinda like it.

It looks like Pontiac still has work to do changing their image. A few years ago all of their cars were not of top quality and had the plastic cladding all over it. Now with the help of Toyota and major facelifts to many of their cars they are slowly shaking off the poor reviews. It looks like they are headed in the right direction though.

I don't deny differences in depreciation, because of the reputations of Pontiac/GM versus Toyota, BUT...First, I noticed that they're comparing pricier GT and XRS, not the Base, or AWD cars, I really doubt that Toyota dealers are DISCOUNTING (not rebates) Matrix XRS's by $1,500, either.Second, it's astounding that there is such a large difference in Maintenance Cost between the two identical models: US$2,133 for the Vibe GT and $1,075 for the Matrix XRS. Must be the GM markup on all those Toyota parts???The 'Financing' figure is suspect, also, because Pontiac almost continuously offers either 0% or a $2,000 cash rebate. For a time, at least, Toyota offered 1% financing. The Intellichoice figures must be like 5 years at 8%.Finally, the '5-year cost, Similar Vehicles', WHICH IMO SHOULD BE IDENTICAL, since both cars are listed as SMALL WAGON, is about $400 lower for the Matrix than the Vibe.Now, subtract the almost $1500 discrepancies I've noted above from the 'Difference' figure of the Vibe, and you have a difference of only $500. Spread that over 5 years, and it's only $100 a year, which seems entirely reasonable.

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Now, subtract the almost $1500 discrepancies I've noted above from the 'Difference' figure of the Vibe, and you have a difference of only $500. Spread that over 5 years, and it's only $100 a year, which seems entirely reasonable.Definitely worth it, considering the (removed) ugliness of the matrix when compared to a vibe

1. Add in the typical $2,000 rebate (not to mention any other rebate or GM Card rebate) and even their numbers quickly equalize. Plus you get a lovely roof rack.2. I have noticed that my GM dealer always try to sell me on their "inspect" this and "inspect" that services. Why do I need to pay them to inspect things that are warranted for 3 years - if they break they pay for it right? I think that was the ploy in selling me 10 oil changes for $119.95. I know what my 1st three years cost of ownership will be - maximum of $200 for oil changes and tire rotations, plus perhaps $50 for a coolant change. My expectation is that the following 2 years will be no more than $600-700 assuming I need brake shoes and tires. 3. Toyota is still the "holy grail" it seems - which is the only reason I bought the Vibe (wolf in sheep's clothing or something like that.)

I'd have to agree with you. The Toyota underneath was a HUGE selling point for me.

Quote, originally posted by noginsk »Definitely worth it, considering the (removed) ugliness of the matrix when compared to a vibeI prefer the vibe styling over the matrix, but I wouldn't say the matrix is (removed) ugly. The styling was a factor in my selection of Vibe over matrix, but we must still respect the personal preference of our matrix siblings that site has ratings for the other matrixes and vibes, matrix vibea 2004 Matrix XR gets their "Excellent" value rating, but a 2004 base vibe is only "average"

Never focused on the fact that the margin between retail MSRP and invoice is larger for the Matrix than the Vibe. Wonder if this might have something to do with the holdback. I know (or think I know) that there is a 3% of MSRP (not including the destination charge) holdback on GM and most domestic makes. Seem to me that I once read that the holdback on Toyota was only 2%.

That's the same reason I got mine, I't 's a Toyota underneath, After reading tht artical, Who is the reveiwer scared of pissing off? Is the magizine a subsitchuary of Toyota?Looks like a X Files script?

I had a choice between a VW Jetta wagon, a Mitsubishi Outlander, an old Passat, and the Vibe. The Toyota mechanicals sealed the deal for me- I want a car that's not gonna give me any crap, and I had a Jeep that was in the shop every 3 months before this.

Wow, that publication shows a little bias there doesn't it. Two almost identical cars being that different. I have said it numerous times, Toyota (and Honda) could sell a pile of dog crap and most of the automotive press would sing it's accolades from shore to shore. It sounds like I may be in the minority here, but one of the reasons I chose the Vibe over the Matrix was because it was branded as Pontiac.