Toyota Matrix vs. Pontiac Vibe?

I work for Gm and Actually they are identical cars same motor and transmission, they are both made in the U.s in the same plant in California where Gm and Toyota have had joint ventures for the last 15 years Toyota corolla / Chevy prism Toyota Matrix / Pontiac vibe, the vibe will come in a few dollars cheaper then the matrix but will be under our longer warranty than Toyota's' They both have Toyota's 1.8- 4 cylinder motor, don't be afraid to buy American a lot of what you hear about American cars are not true and if they were breaking down left and right gm would not cover them for 100,000 miles so it is wiser to buy the vibe.

Go with the Toyota if at same price or close. Toyoata will hold its value better. Also GM does some changes on their "twin" cars like putting a GM alternator on them, which burns out easily. (replaced 2 on my wife's Chevy Prism)

They are pretty much the same, a little different in styling, Vibe comes with a roof rack. Based on Corolla, very good, have two in the family, one that is a 2003 model Vibe AWD with 95,000 miles and it's been perfect ( 2 drivers using it and they are hard on it). The other is a 2004 Matrix and they also love it. I think the XRS and GT as well as the AWD has been discontinued.

First of all, by what you said I can tell your husband knows NOTHING at all about cars, he is plain average American that way. (and if your the husband and you do read this, dont take it personally as I dont know you, but I know you will be glad if you read this whole answer as it will change your mind and put your wife in a better car). Comparing the Matrix and the Vibe is like comparing Pepsi and Coke, they are both the same thing, but once you dig deeper you notice all the little differences. Toyotas quality has been slipping, and has had more recalls in '06 than any other company. This site has lots of info, as well as the excuses Toyota exutives give for their lameness and say how they plan to "improve" Toyota. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/10/toyota_quality.html While Toyota has been falling, GM has risen, sweeping NACTOY awards for best car and truck (Chevy Silverado and Saturn Aura) There are no major differences between the Matrix and Vibe besides the exterior styling, they are even built on the same plant. However, the Vibe does have more options, as well as standard options, and a longer warranty. Here are the details: http://www.vehix.com/research/comparisonTool.aspx?condition=1&year=2007&make=1600000000002F&model=Vibe&radius=75&zip=80130 My dads Saturn SL2 has lasted 15 years and still runs like new, and until last year Saturn has been GM's junk division, so a Pontiac should be at least that good, if not better. With the Vibe, your money also stays in the country, and helps a company that is rising back up by doing things the way they should have.

the vibe has a toyota engine so it's the same car for all practical purposes. The vibe is cheaper so go with it. My parents have one.

There is nothing better about Toyota's So get the Pontiac. Just remember Jap stuff is cheap to buy but once the warranty runs out they get very expensive.

i had to drive a vibe for a few months and i hated it. there is a big blind spot as you look over your left shoulder. idk if it was because of what height i am (5'2'') or if it was that way for anyone who drove. but several other people who i know who drove the vibe had the same problem. the part of the body between the front and rear door and the part between the rear door and the back side window all line up when you look over your shoulder, making it difficult to make a quick look to switch lanes. unless this car PERFECTLY fits your needs, i'd look into finding something else. if you're into that shape, what about the scion xA? i was just in one of those a few weeks ago and i liked it a lot better than the vibe.

Use your eyes and hands. The interior and exteriors will be a bit different, so pick which one you like better and weigh that against any price differences. All the mechanical stuff is exactly the same.

GO WITH THE TOYOTA