Opinions: Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, KIA RIO5, and Saturn Astra (auto, SUV)

[car54]

Get the Vibe....that Toyota emblem on the Matrix will cost you at least a grand, and these are the SAME cars.

I think I'm going to take my own advice as one of my Prizms is getting a little long in the tooth. (Prizms were the same as Corollas) With the death of Pontiac, I hope the NUMMI (GM/Toyota) joint venture will move back to Chevrolet and not be discontinued.

[goat1of2]

Yeah, I like the Vibe too. Just made a verbal offer on a used 2008. BUT now that it's just about official that Pontiac is dead, I'm worried about getting parts in the future. The Vibe is NOT entirely a Matrix, you know. There are many non-Toyota parts on it.

Opinions?

[tstone]

Originally Posted by goat1of2

The Vibe is NOT entirely a Matrix, you know. There are many non-Toyota parts on it.

Opinions?

Which parts besides body parts, floor mats, cargo covers and the center pieces for the steering wheel? To me, they appear to be entirely the same otherwise. At least the '02-08 versions do. Even the Toyota uses the GM Delco radio.

[goat1of2]

Originally Posted by tstone

Which parts besides body parts, floor mats, cargo covers and the center pieces for the steering wheel? To me, they appear to be entirely the same otherwise. At least the '02-08 versions do. Even the Toyota uses the GM Delco radio.

What about the cooling system? The air conditioning system? The brakes? The Vibe comes with some nonsense called "Stabilitrak" which the Matrix does not have. When that computer chip burns up, where would you go to get another? Some stuff just cannot be reliably gotten at junkyards. Especially computer chips.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by goat1of2

What about the cooling system? The air conditioning system? The brakes? The Vibe comes with some nonsense called "Stabilitrak" which the Matrix does not have. When that computer chip burns up, where would you go to get another? Some stuff just cannot be reliably gotten at junkyards. Especially computer chips.

Maybe the difference is with the '09 models, especially ''Stabilitrak''. I know that the brakes are completely interchangable on the older model. I actually bought Matrix brake pads because they were cheaper. Engine accessories are the same-- oOur Vibe has "Toyota" labels on all of those. However it has Dex-Cool, not the Toyota purplish-red coolant found in the Matrix. That may be cause for concern but at 115k I haven't had any issues with the coolant sludging and don't plan on changing it until it reaches 6 years.

[pcity]

There are so many Vibes out there that they're not going to just stop making parts. Might be something to worry about 15 years down the road, but for now, I'm sure there will be no shortage of parts. Discontinued makes don't just disappear overnight.

[f_m]

Originally Posted by goat1of2

Yeah, I like the Vibe too. Just made a verbal offer on a used 2008. BUT now that it's just about official that Pontiac is dead, I'm worried about getting parts in the future. The Vibe is NOT entirely a Matrix, you know. There are many non-Toyota parts on it.

Opinions?

I would check the blind spots on these cars. The 2009 Matrix appears to have more glass on the pillar at the rear corners, where the 2009 Vibe has solid metal. You might have to sit in them to see what it's like.

[Steve_TN]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but with Pontiac being discontinued, won't there be pretty sweet deals on new Vibes the closer we get to the final days? If so, that could be an excellent opportunity, since a Vibe can always be repaired at any Toyota dealer.

[goat1of2]

Originally Posted by f_m

I would check the blind spots on these cars. The 2009 Matrix appears to have more glass on the pillar at the rear corners, where the 2009 Vibe has solid metal. You might have to sit in them to see what it's like.

I've driven a 2008. You're right that the Vibe does NOT have the same body as a Matrix. I got to see them side-by-side once at a Carmax lot.

As for blind spots, having driven a massive old van for many years, I have a simple solution: convex mirror!

[annerk]

I went and looked at the Vibe, Matrix, and Astra yesterday. I've ruled out the Astra as the rear seats don't lay flat. I'm leaning towards the Matrix because Toyota is offering the best deal--which is really surprising!