The economical base trim, the mid-range AWD trim, and the more potent GT sport trim all came in the 20032006 Vibe.
A Toyota-built 1.8 L straight-4 16-valve engine with 126 hp (94 kW) on the base model (manual or automatic gearbox), 118 hp on the all-wheel drive model (automatic only), or a version with VVTL-i with 164 hp (122 kW) for the GT are the available powertrains for this vehicle (manual 6-speed only). The US Environmental Protection Agency testing criteria were changed in 2008, making the Vibe no longer the most fuel-efficient vehicle sold by GM in North America.
Despite having similar designs, the heating and cooling systems of the Vibe and Matrix actually utilise a number of different, brand-specific components. These parts include the serpentine belt, the heater hoses, the heater core, and the air conditioning compressor and associated hoses.
Between model years, there were a few small adjustments. The Vibe was created for the first time in 2002 and released as a 2003 model. The GT had a maximum output of 180 horsepower (134 kW), the base model was rated at 130 horsepower (97 horsepower), and the all-wheel drive variant was rated at 123 horsepower for the first three model years (92 kW). Toyota retested its engines for the new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) ratings standard, which resulted in a reduction in engine power claims for 2006. For the 2007 model year, the GT and all-wheel-drive trims were dropped because to weak sales and the implementation of new federal emissions regulations.
In This Article...
Is there a Toyota engine in the 2003 Pontiac Vibe?
Engines: The Toyota 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 1ZZ-FE engine, which is also used in the Toyota Corolla, is the standard engine for the Toyota Vibe from 2003 to 2008.
A 2003 Pontiac Vibe has what kind of an engine?
The Vibe and the future Toyota Matrix both use Toyota engines and go on sale in January 2002 as ’03 models (see sidebar). The sportier GT variant has a 1.8L/180-hp four with Toyota’s variable-valve timing and lift (VVT-i) and a six-speed manual transmission, while the ordinary model is powered by a 1.8L/130-hp DOHC four. This high-rpm engine is the same as the one used in Toyota’s unmistakably sporty Celica GT-S. The 130-hp variant will come standard with all-wheel drive, but the GT with more power will only be front-drive.
How similar is the 2003 Pontiac Vibe to the Toyota Matrix?
The two businesses, like the majority of the auto industry, are having difficulty predicting the car preferences of the 70 million echo boomers, who are roughly between the ages of 8 and 25. This pool of potential buyers is larger than the baby boomers.
Young people desire sporty cars that are both practical and adaptable, able to transport both friends and gear, and the 2003 Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix reflect bets on this trend. The Vibe and Matrix defy conventional classifications even though they are built on the same basis as the 2003 Toyota Corolla car. Their back hatches open like those of a station wagon or minivan, yet they have four doors and can seat five passengers like a sedan. Like sport utility vehicles, they come with all-wheel drive. Other automobile mongrels, or “crossovers,” including the Mazda Proteg5, Ford Focus ZX5, and Chrysler PT Cruiser are competitors.
The mechanically identical Vibe and Matrix went on sale last month. Both are produced by Toyota, albeit in various locations (the Vibe in Fremont, Calif., and the Matrix in Cambridge, Ontario). Their main distinctions are in the styling, cost, and trim.
Pontiac’s most recent attempt to win over young people taught it some bitter lessons. Its Aztek minivan was overly expensive (starting at $21,000 and going up to $30,000 with options), and it had an odd appearance. The Vibe’s design is slim and athletic, with appealing proportions and a noticeably nicer rump, and its starting price of less than $17,000 is competitive. The twin-port grille, cat’s-eye headlights, and broad, ground-hugging stance are all classic Pontiac aesthetic cues.
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 kind of motor does a Pontiac Vibe have?
Power and acceleration. A 1.8L 4-cylinder engine that produces 126 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 122 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm powers the 2007 Pontiac Vibe.
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.
Does the Pontiac Vibe resemble the Toyota Matrix?
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.
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.
Does the Pontiac Vibe from 2006 have a Toyota motor?
The base Vibe is propelled by an usually smooth Toyota DOHC, 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque; however, if you choose all-wheel drive, those numbers decrease to 123 hp and 118 lb-ft. This Corolla-based engine comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment; a four-speed automatic is available on FWD vehicles but comes as standard on AWD variants.
How long is a Pontiac Vibe good for?
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.