Pontiac Vibe

[LTC8K6]

It's just that all of the sources I see say they are basically the same vehicle. I'll stick with that until I have different info.

"Utterly different" is not how I would describe the Corolla/Matrix/Vibe. Slightly different.

 

[LTC8K6]

Not the E120 Corolla, the 2.4L wasn't an option until the E140 model (10th gen) which wasn't released until 2008. Even then, the 2008 Corolla XRS was tuned at 158hp, while even the 2003 XRS 2.4L was tuned to 180hp (different VVTi/intake/ECU setup). Somewhat ironically, the outgoing 1.8L Corolla XRS engine was tuned to 170hp, and the lighter car performed better with more power, go figure

Same basic platform, much different car, from all physical dimensions width/length/wheelbase/etc, to technical differences like that. Want a 2003 Corolla 2.4L? Nope. 2004? Nope. 2005? Nah. Etc.

So what? I was responding to this:

For example I am unaware of any Corolla that has a 2.4 in it.

 

[Arkaign]

It's just that all of the sources I see say they are basically the same vehicle. I'll stick with that until I have different info.

"Utterly different" is not how I would describe the Corolla/Matrix/Vibe. Slightly different.

Have you never seen these things in person? Parked next to each other? They're not the same. Corolla =! Matrix/Vibe, outside of basic platform overlap.

 

[T2urtle]

who cares what = what. in the end we all agree matrix= vibe least 75% of the car. For $3k it would be a good buy. I have no clue they got that low, i thought they were still in the $5-6k area.

 

[SearchMaster]

Well, the cheapest Vibe I see on Autotrader within 300 miles of my location is $5K, with nearly 200K miles.

I'd say you're getting a sweet deal, OP, assuming everything is solid mechanically.

 

[LTC8K6]

Have you never seen these things in person? Parked next to each other? They're not the same. Corolla =! Matrix/Vibe, outside of basic platform overlap.

Not sure what you mean.

We both know that the bodies of identical platforms can look quite different, so looking at them parked side by side would tell you nothing if you didn't already know, but I think we have exhausted the subject. :biggrin:

 

[angry hampster]

I know it's tempting to follow marketing, but they were trying to cash in on the proven Corolla name by virtue of the basic platform being shared (not the same as a re-skin obviously).

The specs tell the tale :

2003 Matrix :

Width: 69.9 in.
Height: 60.6 in.
Length: 171.3 in.
Ground clearance: 5.9 in.
Front track: 59.6 in.
Rear track: 58.9 in.
Wheel base: 102.4 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 21.8 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 53.2 cu.ft.
EPA interior volume: 96.2 cu.ft.
Gross weight: .32 in.
Curb weight: 2679 lbs.

2003 Corolla :

Width: 66.9 in.
Height: 57.5 in.
Length: 178.3 in.
Ground clearance: 5.7 in.
Front track: 58.3 in.
Rear track: 57.5 in.
Wheel base: 102.4 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 13.6 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 13.6 cu.ft.
EPA interior volume: 90.3 cu.ft.
Gross weight: .30 in.
Curb weight: 2502 lbs.

Different weight, wheelbase, width, clearance, basically everything, though obviously drivetrains are shared (as they are in many cases, but nobody should confuse a Maxima with a G35 just because they share the drivetrain).

Nit-picking, but wheelbase is the same.

 

[Arkaign]

Not sure what you mean.

We both know that the bodies of identical platforms can look quite different, so looking at them parked side by side would tell you nothing if you didn't already know, but I think we have exhausted the subject. :biggrin:

Yeah, I think we're just differing by degrees. We can both agree that a Matrix is not a Corolla, but they do share plenty down below, with a lot of differences up top that bring a different result. I've driven both regular and XRS Matrix/Vibe, and regular Corolla of that gen, and it's night and day. Corolla is a passable but bleh compact penalty box, it's quite mushy and predictable. Matrix they tried to hit a more youthful target market and could play a bit more with the options, design, and tuning.

Most general people who don't follow the car market don't know the branding 'Matrix' that well anywhere near that of Corolla/Civic/Camry/Accord levels, and the 'Vibe' branding even less, so you end up with resale value quite a lot lower, which gets you some pretty good deals such as the OP found. This is the main thing I like about it, honestly the Corolla is a pretty decent car, it's just expensive for what you get, particularly used. People who buy those things used (along with the other popular models that get a lot of praise for historical reliability) have to pay a premium because of the increased demand, while other cars sneak by with often the same or better specs/reliability/etc for less. An absolutely golden example of this was the Toyota Corolla / Chevy Prism. They were quite literally identical, made in the same factories, same everything other than badges and a few options, and the Prisms would sell for hugely less than their 'Corolla' brothers despite this. It just goes to show the ignorance of the general car-buying public, so good deals can be found by the educated buyers. The Vibe is the current winner in this kind of diamond in the rough buying, you get a Toyota, a good model no less, for Pontiac pricing In my opinion it's superior to the Corolla, even though it shares a good bit with it.

 

[darth maul]

For those probably wondering how we are getting it for 3,000 (KBB puts it at 4,000-6,000), a friend of my wife (but not "close" friend), more so a friend of a friend passed away. It was her car, the spouse wants to get rid of it, as he will be re marrying soon. And well he just wants it to go to someone that knew his wife. We fit the bill, my wife and the woman who passed away from cancer were in Bible Study together at church.

I should also point out it does have door dings on it from being parked in a small garage, at least that is why I assume they are there. And the only other negative it has been sitting there for a year, taken out from time to time just for a drive, and every three months taken in for a oil change. Other then that seems like it is in great shape. And between the four of us that went on the test drive we were pushing 1000 pounds of passengers, and the car still had "pep" when mushing down on the accelerator. I hope and have been praying the money falls into place soon, we have gone 17 days without a car now. And my wife gets paid by the projects she completes at a video studio, then the checks have to clear, etc etc. Just taking longer then we had hoped for, sigh.

Oh and my brother in-law suggested some stp gas treatment, to make sure the fuel system is in working order after having not been driven that much. Anything else that I should do, check upon getting the car home?

 

[Hellotalkie]

Just picked up a Geo Prism 1997 with 72,xxx miles for 2500.
Car is in pristine condition for the year. I thought it was a pretty good deals

 

[Arkaign]

Just picked up a Geo Prism 1997 with 72,xxx miles for 2500.
Car is in pristine condition for the year. I thought it was a pretty good deals

That's a great deal, and is exactly what I'm talking about. Go on autotrader and look what people are asking for 1997 Corollas with ~70k miles, it's $4k+, almost twice as much, just for the Toyota badge on an identical car.

 

[T2urtle]

For those probably wondering how we are getting it for 3,000 (KBB puts it at 4,000-6,000), a friend of my wife (but not "close" friend), more so a friend of a friend passed away. It was her car, the spouse wants to get rid of it, as he will be re marrying soon. And well he just wants it to go to someone that knew his wife. We fit the bill, my wife and the woman who passed away from cancer were in Bible Study together at church.

I should also point out it does have door dings on it from being parked in a small garage, at least that is why I assume they are there. And the only other negative it has been sitting there for a year, taken out from time to time just for a drive, and every three months taken in for a oil change. Other then that seems like it is in great shape. And between the four of us that went on the test drive we were pushing 1000 pounds of passengers, and the car still had "pep" when mushing down on the accelerator. I hope and have been praying the money falls into place soon, we have gone 17 days without a car now. And my wife gets paid by the projects she completes at a video studio, then the checks have to clear, etc etc. Just taking longer then we had hoped for, sigh.

Oh and my brother in-law suggested some stp gas treatment, to make sure the fuel system is in working order after having not been driven that much. Anything else that I should do, check upon getting the car home?

door dings and minor paint flaws are always given with cars.

get the car first and drive it around before you start trying to tune it up. see how you like it and get a feel for the car.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Sounds like a good deal, and Vibe/Matrix is better than corolla since it's got more cargo volume.... Though I'd be a bit cautious buying any car with over 100K miles ....

 

[Hellotalkie]

Sounds like a good deal, and Vibe/Matrix is better than corolla since it's got more cargo volume.... Though I'd be a bit cautious buying any car with over 100K miles ....

I used to think the same way too but 100k is barely anything on a car these days, but of course caution should be used when buying any kind of car

 

[darth maul]

We have had the car for two or three weeks now. Been doing STP treatments, at each fill up, did three so far. Anyway I like the car, drives great, for a small 4cyl engine. I do miss our malibu that we had. That thing gave us 214,800 miles or so, before the head gasket blew out. Not worth fixing at that millage.

Anyways already put over thousand miles on the Vibe already, just my wife driving it to Madison, and back every day and then there is a 6 hour drive to Iowa that does such things.

We installed a Clarion CX-609 stereo, bluetooth doesn't sound as good as had hope for, but it does sound good as a stereo. Will sound better when I get the speaker to line converter. Cause I did not realize that the sun/moon roof was part of a package called -moon and tunes- that was offered on the vibe. There is a 200watt (50 x 4, and that probably is not RMS) factory installed amp under the passenger seat. So the amp right now as per crutchfields tech is being fed the main outs of the clarion deck. So it is a little hiss-ey at low volumes. And according to Genvibe.com there should be a level matcher device installed, witch I agree with 100%. Now why Crutchfield didn't sell me one I don't know.