Many buyers still find two compact automobiles that have been discontinued for some time to be appealing options, particularly small families on a budget who don’t require anything difficult but need something convenient.
Although they compare favorably to a number of current sub-compact SUVs, the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix do have an appealing design, dependable and efficient engines, a flexible interior, and a high level of equipment.
Is one preferable to the other? They share so many characteristics since they were jointly developed by Toyota and General Motors, so no, really. They could even be considered non-identical twins.
Even if their bodies are slightly different, the interior is identicalwith the exception of the emblem on the steering wheel and a few accessories, of course! Driving is not made more difficult by their high front seatsin fact, it improves visibilityand their back seat offers plenty of space. Another point worth noticing is that the trunk floor is entirely made of plastic, making cleanup a breeze.
By the way, the Vibe was available in basic, GT, and AWD models, whereas the Matrix was commonly found in basic, XR, XRS, and AWD variations. The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine in the simplest model produced 132 HP, while the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in the most advanced models produced 158 HP. Both all-wheel-drive systems were available as options.
Let’s not forget that the Matrix was a proudly Canadian product built in the Cambridge facility in Ontario, whereas the Vibe was put together in the NUMI plant in Fremont, California, despite the fact that they are two mechanically similar vehicles. But don’t worry, the job quality at these two plants was rated extremely well.
The Vibe is now sold for less money than the Matrix because Pontiac’s name and reputation are no longer as well-known. But even though some people continue to have this opinion, the first was actually made just as well as the second. Both cars are in excellent condition and have passed an inspection, so you can confidently choose between them.
In This Article...
Does the Pontiac Vibe’s engine come from Toyota?
The Vibe was a marvel when compared to automobiles like the Chevy Cavalier. It was offered with two distinct 4-cylinder Toyota engines: the more potent 1ZZ-FE and the 2ZZ-GE, which Yamaha tweaked. All-wheel drive was an uncommon option in tiny automobiles in the early 2000s; front-wheel drive was the default.
What Toyota model is equivalent to the Pontiac Vibe?
From 2002 until 2010, Pontiac sold the tiny automobile known as the Pontiac Vibe. GM and Toyota, the company that makes the mechanically comparable Toyota Matrix, collaborated to build it. The Chevrolet Prizm was replaced in production by the Toyota-GM joint venture NUMMI in Fremont, California. Like the Prizm, the Vibe was derived from the Toyota Corolla, making it the final S-body vehicle that GM and Toyota jointly produced.
A Vibe with right-hand drive that had been rebadged as the Toyota Voltz was imported into Japan from 2002 to 2004. Due to its unpopularity in Japan, the Voltz was withdrawn after two model years.
With the Pontiac brand being discontinued in 2009 and NUMMI collapsing as part of General Motors’ Chapter 11 reorganization, the Vibe’s production came to an end. Because the Toyota Matrix was produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario, and was untouched by NUMMI’s closure of operations, it continued to be produced for three more years for the American market and four more years for the Canadian market.
What vehicle compares to the Toyota Matrix?
Due to declining sales, Toyota announced on August 5, 2013, that it would no longer be producing the Matrix for the US market after the 2013 model year. [46] However, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada continued to assemble Matrix models for the Canadian market for the 2014 model year. [citation needed] The Matrix was then discontinued in Canada and was not available for the 2015 model year. The Corolla iM would replace the Matrix for the 2017 model year when “the Scion brand switched to Toyota” on September 1, 2016[48]. The newest version, the Corolla hatchback, was introduced for the 2019 model year.
What issues are there with Pontiac Vibes?
The breakdown of the transmission has been a frequent issue in numerous 2003 Vibe redesigns. Despite having fewer than 100,000 miles on their odometers, owners of the impacted models have reported having trouble shifting gears. Their engines likewise abruptly stopped working.
How long does the typical Pontiac Vibe last?
Some of us find that the best way to get long-driving, dependable wheels without going broke is to purchase a well-reviewed old car.
The driving and maintenance practices of the previous owner will have a considerably greater impact on a secondhand car’s longevity than the brand, Lang is eager to point out. Therefore, it is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle passes a reliable mechanic’s check before taking it home.
Despite the fact that their manufacturers no longer produce them, the following old automobiles can provide second (or even third) owners with unexpectedly good reliability for years to come.
Chevrolet Prizm
Only produced from 1989 to 2002, this compact vehicle has the kind of forgettable 1990s style that made it simple to misplace in a crowded parking lot. But underneath the uninteresting shell was an engine that was mechanically the same as the Toyota Corolla’s and had a comparable level of dependability. The industry average is 126,358 miles, while the average mileage on a Prizm, as documented at dealer trade-in, is a respectable 136,402 miles, according to the LTQI. There are also very few problems with the engine, transmission, or drivetrain. The Prizm earns a dependability rating of 69.1 overall.
Pontiac Vibe
When Pontiac went out of business in 2009 (model year 2010), this small five-door hatchback’s seven-year stint in production came to an end. The engine design was based on the Toyota Corolla, just like the Chevrolet Prizm, so it likewise delivered high reliability. The Vibe’s average mileage according to the LTQI is 125,455 miles, and the model receives a respectable dependability rating of 72.8.
A 2010 Pontiac Vibe with just 60,000 kilometers is accessible for under $15,000.
Ford E-Series Van
The Ford E-Series full-size vans, sometimes known as Econoline vans, were produced from 1961 until 2014. They were terminated last year, and the Ford Transit has taken their place. The few families you see driving them typically have their own TLC television show. These are typically classified as work automobiles. This van is ideal whether you need a work van or a powerful family transporter that can accommodate a large family of tuba-playing hockey goalies. (Side airbrush art is optional but recommended.) The E-Series receives a commendable 77.8 dependability grade from the LTQI, which also notes that the average mileage is 131,483 kilometers.
What Pontiac has an engine from a Toyota?
This Pontiac hatchback was jointly produced by General Motors and Toyota and had two alternative engine options: the 1.8L 1ZZ-FE and the 2ZZ-GE, both of which are from the Toyota ZZ Series.
With a new range of engine options and a revamped body, the Vibe launched its second generation in 2009. A motor from the Toyota ZR Series or a different motor from the Toyota AZ Series might be selected by customers.
Only one year later, in 2010, GM announced that the whole Pontiac brand would be discontinued. Along with the Pontiac ship, the Vibe and its robust Toyota motor perished.
What is the lifespan of a Toyota Matrix?
The absolute most dependable engine ever created. A Matrix should last well over 300k miles if the maintenance regimen was followed from the beginning.
Is the Pontiac Vibe a reliable vehicle?
The Vibe boasts excellent dependability, outstanding fuel efficiency (31 MPG highway with the 1.8L engine), and a compact handling style with a station wagon’s passenger and load volume.
Who makes Pontiac Vibe vehicles?
At the New United Motor Manufacturing facility in Freemont, California, General Motors and Toyota collaborated to produce the Pontiac Vibe, a small automobile. It could only be purchased as a five-door hatchback. Toyota Corolla and Matrix engines and components are shared by the Vibe. Different factories produced the Vibe and Matrix. Due to low sales and the discontinuation of the Toyota Sprinter, the Vibe had replaced the Chevrolet Prizm in 2002. (Prizm was a mere rebadged version of this car). Toyota marketed the Vibe as the Voltz from 2002 to 2004 in Japan. Due to the closure of NUMMI by General Motors and Toyota, the Pontiac Vibe was discontinued in 2009. General Motors revealed that the Vibe would be replaced by the Buick Verano when Pontiac declared it would cease operations (a badge engineered Opel Astra). Although it had limited AWD, it was sometimes referred to be a tiny crossover and went up against the Dodge Caliber.
It is possible to make this brief transportation article longer. Contributing to Wikipedia will benefit it.
How many miles can you get out of a 2005 Pontiac Vibe?
I’ve only ever changed the spark plugs and serpentine belt at 125,000 miles. I performed my own for $39 Auto Zone components. I use synthetic oil and replace the oil every 10,000 miles. I saw 2005 Vibes with more than 300,000 miles on them and no issues. This car will endure a long time if you take good care of it. My white car is 15 years old and still looks brand new. not a dent. When the car was new, seat coverings were placed on the seats. I heartily endorse this trusty vehicle.
How much larger is the Toyota Matrix than the Corolla?
Both vehicles are excellent fuel savers and have a high resale value. They provide a variety of solutions to accommodate various needs. The Matrix offers more cargo capacity and legroom whereas the Corolla is substantially smaller and has less luggage space.
In other words, they perform nearly identically, but the difference is in the amount of cargo capacity and legroom. If you don’t need a lot of space, your decision is simple.
Because of declining sales, the Toyota Matrix was discontinued in the US market in 2013 and in Canada in 2014. Toyota kept promoting hatchbacks in North America under the Scion name. The Matrix was replaced as the new Corolla hatchback in 2017 by the Corolla IM. You now know what to search for if you’re attempting to obtain a very current Matrix but are having trouble finding it.
Is there a timing belt or chain on a Pontiac Vibe?
Timing chains are a feature of every Pontiac Vibe engine from 2003 to 2010. From 2003 to 2010, every Pontiac Vibe engine is interference.
In a combustion engine, the timing belt (or chain) maintains the correct synchronization between the various engine parts.
Serious engine damage may result if the belt or chain strains or breaks.
Timing chains are typically rated for the lifespan of the engine, while timing belts have a suggested replacement interval, however they do need to be inspected on occasion.
Understanding the timing system in your car or a potential purchase might help you save future costs and hassles.
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