![]() Buyers can choose their powertrain, 17-inch wheels with unidirectional tires, an upgraded stereo with an in-dash six-CD stack or navigation system, a sunroof, and a Power package that includes keyless entry. Otherwise, Pontiac plans to keep the Vibe's order sheet simple when it hits dealerships in February. The glass in the two-piece tailgate is hinged to open separately from the door.Ī 200-watt single-CD player, a roof rack, and a 110-volt two-prong dashboard outlet will be standard. Tracks set in the plastic rear floor will accommodate a forthcoming range of dealer-sold accessories, including picnic tables and pet screens. The rear-seat bottoms move forward and the seatbacks fold flat in one smooth, articulated motion that creates 57 cubic feet of flat-floored cargo space, not much less than in the Saturn VUE. Chrome and brush-finished electroplated plastic will add even more burnish, while GTs will get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. GM spent money to liven up the dashboard with red backlit gauges ringed by elegant chrome bezels. ![]() Does this mean future Pontiacs will get by with less plastic? "It's a safe bet," says Hunter. "We wanted to keep a clean look," says assistant brand manager James Hunter, so body side ribs were limited to subtle spears on the front and rear bumpers, small blisters in the taillights, and tiny riblets in the headlight clusters. GM designers tried to give the Vibe a characteristic Pontiac look without the characteristic yards of plastic tack-on. That hot 180-hp motor is from the Celica GT-S, and this model will come with front-drive only, bolted to a six-speed manual gearbox, and include firmer springs and shocks, stiffer control-arm bushings, thicker anti-roll bars, and standard ABS on four disc brakes bearing Akebono calipers.Įxcept for the outside mirrors and roof panel, which are shared, the Vibe and Matrix wear different skins. The GT will have the same 1.8-liter block fastened to a Yamaha-developed cylinder head offering 11.5:1 compression and featuring Toyota's variable valve timing and lift system (VVTL-i). A hands-free four-wheel-drive system using a viscous wet-clutch center coupling will be available only with the base engine (in 120-hp trim) and either manual or automatic transaxles. It will turn the front wheels through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The base 1.8-liter DOHC in-line four offers 130 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Ford Focus, Pontiac Vibeīoth the Vibe and its sister car, the Toyota Matrix, will offer the same two engines and three driveline choices. I had a chance at a better autocross car and went for it but I've never regretted owning the Vibe. I would still own it if I hadn't gotten deeper into autocrossing. It was super reliable while I owned it and I never had any real trouble with it. I replaced it after 4 years with a parts store brand battery with 380 CC amps. The stock battery it only like 230 CC amps and sometimes it was slow to crank during Midwestern blizzards. I ended up using a pair of large slip-joint pliers to loosen it. The oil filter is tiny so its hard to find a filter socket that fits. Same as in the Celica GT-S, Corolla XRS, and the Lotus Elise and Exige. The ONLY difference between the Vibe and Matrix interiors is the Vibe had black door handles and the Matrix had chrome door handles. Put a piece of sponge under it to hold it up high enough for the lock to latch firmly. There is a storage compartment under the shifter and sometimes those fall open since the hinge and lock are plastic. The interior is a little plasticy but mine held up fine. Even had the hatch and rear seats filled with stuff. I once hauled a loaded Uhaul sport trailer from Detroit to Chicago and got 29 mpg. I installed mine in 10 minutes with a clicker torque wrench. The nuts for the hitch are already welded to the rear subframe. You can add a hitch so you can use a hitch-based bike rack or tow a small trailer. They are nice for keeping stuff from sliding in the cargo area. If they aren't there, check under the floor in the spare tire area since most people never use them. There should be adjustable tie down points that fit into the tracks in the floor. The front passenger seat flips flat too so you can carry a 7 foot item without a problem. ![]() Great interior space as the rear seats flip down flat. I got decent mileage even using it as an H-stock autocross car. I used to get 33-34 on the highway on trips. If you can keep it off the 8200 rpm limiter you can easily get 30 mpg in mixed driving. That kick when you hit 6000 rpms is addictive. Hardly anything is different and they were all built on the same assembly line (the old NUMMI plant in California that was co-owned by Toyota and GM). It is a Toyota Matrix with a Pontiac body. ![]()
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