2005 Vibe Reviews (?)

[MBS]

I have not seen too much out in the way of in-depth reviews of the 2005 Vibe on the web or in print. Mostly it seems to be fluffy, quick overview stuff that recites the features that are available. I'm wondering what folks on this forum may have come across by way of useful reviews (for the '05).

[ColonelPanic]

I've found one so far:http://www.nctd.com/review-int...=1593

[GMJAP]

In doing my research that ultimately led to me buying my '05, I came across almost nothing on the '05. Most in-depth reviews were even of the 03, not the 04. Seems like most places tend not to do another in-depth review/tests until a significant redesign.

[MBS]

Yes, thanks; I have seen that review - it gives pretty good coverage; I've also seen the same text at more than the nctd web site. I'm pretty amazed that given what a great package the Vibe is, that there's not more media interest. And it doesn't seem that Pontiac promotes the Vibe that much; I can't recall seeing a tv commercial in my area (CT) that touts the Vibe.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by MBS »I'm pretty amazed that given what a great package the Vibe is, that there's not more media interest. And it doesn't seem that Pontiac promotes the Vibe that much; I can't recall seeing a tv commercial in my area (CT) that touts the Vibe.I'll agree with you there! The media certainly doesn't seem that interested in the car, but the scary part is I get the impression that GM cares even less. That's a shame since many of us would agree that the Vibe is one of the best cars in the General's lineup.

[MBS]

I'm wondering if the reason there's relatively less promotion about the Vibe has to do with the Toyota/NUMMI relationship. Maybe there's less profit in the vehicle as opposed to a more home-grown vehicle? Or maybe there's a revenue sharing thing between Toyota and GM, and this has the effect of being a disincentive for promoting the car all that much.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by MBS »Yes, thanks; I have seen that review - it gives pretty good coverage; I've also seen the same text at more than the nctd web site. I'm pretty amazed that given what a great package the Vibe is, that there's not more media interest. And it doesn't seem that Pontiac promotes the Vibe that much; I can't recall seeing a tv commercial in my area (CT) that touts the Vibe.I don't understand it either. for the 2003 model year, the Vibe (base 5 speed) got he best gas mileage in the entire extended GM product line. This review http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04268/384429.stm from 9/24/2004 has a similar comment:Quote »I suggest that Pontiac should consider building a lifestyle/following around this car. The Mini Cooper, VW's New Beetle and the Chrysler PT Cruisers -- all of which compete against the Vibe -- are successful in part because there are clubs, publications, activities and special toys and gifts associated with them. They become ways of life for their owners; I think the Vibe has the stuff to do likewise.that author hasn't found genvibe yet

[ragingfish]

I suspect the toned down coverage is because, until this model year, the Vibe was the best thing to happen to Pontiac. Prior to that, they were hurting -- the Vibe sales took off, the marketing department took advantage of htat.But initial reactions to the G6 were so fantastic, I think Pontiac decided the Vibe is handling itself ok, so it has to put all of it's force behind the G6. After all, the Grand Am was the flagship for Pontiac until now -- the G6 needs to take over where the Grand Am left off!

[MBS]

Well, I can understand Pontiac wanting to promote other cars, BUT the Vibe should be better advertised and more widely reviewed. On the other hand, given the dearth of public relations support for the Vibe, I kinda enjoy having one of the few decked out '05 Vibes in my part of CT -- it's more of a babemagnet-mobile. I had started out considering the Matrix, and am sooo glad I didn't go that route. More expensive, fewer desirable features, and I prefer the Vibe's styling by a significant degree.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by MBS »Well, I can understand Pontiac wanting to promote other cars, BUT the Vibe should be better advertised and more widely reviewed. On the other hand, given the dearth of public relations support for the Vibe, I kinda enjoy having one of the few decked out '05 Vibes in my part of CT -- it's more of a babemagnet-mobile. It is very nice having something different. I haven't done much to my car other than minor appearance modifications, but I still seem to have the most heavily mod'ed Vibe around. Very, very few Vibes around.IMHO, GM should at least acknowledge the existance of this car. Right now, I'm not sure that they know they're selling them! I just hope that once they do realize that the Vibe exists, that they won't kill the car due to sluggish sales. Pretty sad when I get all excited that I actually saw ONE out on the road today! lol A Tacoma owner parked next to the Vibe at the car wash the other day... He started scoping it out and asked me about it. "I don't think I have ever seen one of those before." Sheesh, three model years into production, and the thing still is a fresh sight around here.

[MBS]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic » A Tacoma owner parked next to the Vibe at the car wash the other day... He started scoping it out and asked me about it. "I don't think I have ever seen one of those before." Sheesh, three model years into production, and the thing still is a fresh sight around here.Now that you mention it, until I started to look for a new car this past spring, and I started with checking out the Toyota Matrix (THEN subsequently learned about the Vibe), I don't recall, myself, having noticed a Vibe anywhere. At all. I still see *very* few of them; I can go for days and not see one (other than mine!). Pretty much the same story for the Matrix; don't see much of them out there either. If there's a GM exec hanging around this forum, I'd be curious to hear the corporate perspective on why the low-key, under the radar screen marketing approach (or lack of approach). From a sales perspective, I essentially did the lion's share of the selling to myself -- it wasn't the result of an ad catching my attention.

[MBS]

[QUOTE=joatmon]This review http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04268/384429.stm from 9/24/2004 has a similar comment:QUOTE]Anyone else coming up with new reviews of the '05 Vibe?