Last Call: Pontiac Vibe final consumer model for dead brand
Pontiac Vibe GT - Click above for high-res image gallery
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Last Pontiac Standing will be the nearly new Vibe. The compact hatchback was the predictable pick not just due to its young age, but because it is part of General Motors' longstanding NUMMI joint-venture plant with Toyota.
Understandably, the Vibe isn't set to get a big update for 2010, but according to GM's 2010 Product Guide, front- and all-wheel drive models will continue, as will the sportier GT. The Vibe will receive a new Ignition Orange Metallic paint option (Mystic Blue Metallic goes away), a new luggage rack will be available on all-wheel drive models, and a couple of new option packages appear on the order sheet for the base 1.8-liter four-cylinder model (Sun & Sound and cargo management). Air-conditioning will be standard across the range for the first time.
In other news, the G6 will also soldier on in 2010, albeit only for fleet buyers. It is unclear what body styles will survive, but the sedan is a reasonable bet, although it is possible that coupe models will soldier on as well.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT
[Source: General Motors]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
driverG 3:33PM (6/10/2009)
Actually, the Matrix is built in Canada. NUMMI builds the Corolla with the Vibe.
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Majarvis 6:36PM (6/10/2009)
driverG: Wrong! Both the Corolla and Matrix are made in Canada (Cambridge, Ontario).
Aprime 7:11PM (6/10/2009)
Ugh, both NUMMI and Ontario build Corollas.
tekd 7:33AM (6/11/2009)
@Majarvis
They sell a lot of Corollas so it's not just built in one place...so driverG's statement is correct since he never ruled out the Corolla also being built elsewhere.
Your statement however, really is wrong since you claim that driverG is wrong.
Taglane 3:37PM (6/10/2009)
because it was such a hot seller.
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Derek 3:37PM (6/10/2009)
Not exactly new news. The '10 Vibe was in production early this year and on dealer lots months ago, because they did the changeover early, and quite a bit before the Pontiac announcement as well. So that was nothing unexpected, and actually made sense to be the "only" Pontiac to really survive into the "2010" model year because it was already in it.
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Motor_Yakuza 3:38PM (6/10/2009)
Until we meet again.....
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Snowdog 3:47PM (6/10/2009)
Why not stick a Chevy Logo on it and continue. This was the only GM I was interested in (because it has a Toyota drivetrain).
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Shamdiddly 4:28PM (6/10/2009)
Funny you mention that.
Check JD Power's powertrain results for the Vibe and Matrix. You will see there are nearly no complaints for the Matrix powertrain and plenty of complaints about the Vibe's.
Same powertrains, different consumers. It is a pretty good demonstration of perceivable quality and how Toyota owners will ignore problems and not complain because of Toyota's reputation for quality.
Similar tack; a friend rolled his 4 runner on its side and gave accolades for how well he was protected, yet is happy to comment on how unstable everything else is.
Them thar Toyota owners are a peculiar lot. ; )
HJC 2 8:19AM (6/11/2009)
Snowdog..... before you buy the Vibe test drive the Mazda 3 series
it's light years ahead of the Vibe
Snowdog 7:04PM (6/10/2009)
Shamdiddly. I have driven Toyota and GM 4cyls. I personally find the Toyos more refined. Can you compare the JP Power numbers for the Vibe and Cobalt?
The Mazda 3 is on the list. If they fix the comical front end.
Shamdiddly 8:07AM (6/11/2009)
Snowdog,
Honestly, using engineering tools for objective testing (AVL Drive), there is not much difference between Toyota's and GM's current crop of 4 cylinder engines. You may feel Toyota is more refined, however, my earlier point is just to show the same powertrain, in the same car, badged differently - has different quality scores entirely based on the fact one is a Toyota and perceived "better".
Not really a gripe against Toyota, moreso jealousy for such a devout customer base formed by offering superior quality when domestics were certainly lacking. Now that domestic auto quality is meeting or exceeding some import quality, the buying public still carries a grudge (for some people, rightly so).
It is just a neat study to see that the same car with different badging can get such skewed quality scores just based on the brand.
Snowdog 8:30AM (6/11/2009)
So show me a link?
My personal domestic vs import experience comes from owning two Mazda 4cyl 5 speeds then buying a Ford 4cycl 5speed. (I know this would be different today as Ford and Mazda share drive trains) I have driven friends Hondas/Toyotas and GMs and I found GMs closer to my Ford than Honda/Toyota.
I never did any extensive highway cruising in the Ford until after I bought it. The highway NVH from the Ford was mind numbing compared to my Mazdas (which were 8 years older, with a lot more miles on them).
Other things can't be measured so easily. The direct feel of the gearbox, connectedness of the drivetrain, My Ford feels like a whole lot of rubber bands are involved if you dare change gear quickly. The engine doesn't feel free to rev.
For small 4-cyl manual transmission cars. I think the NVH, drivetrain feel, sound character and economy are still lacking with Detroit offerings. Do you think a Cobalt is a better car than a Mazda 3?
Though I do think GM has competitive 6 cyl auto drive trains. I still can't think of a small GM/Ford/Chrysler that even makes my list.
Sea Urchin 3:55PM (6/10/2009)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Last Pontiac Standing will be .................. a Toyota?
Ahhhh the irony, everyone whoever accused Toyota of making appliances now will have a chance to drive a true American muscle car.....the Vibe.
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anthonypbhs 3:56PM (6/10/2009)
It's really sad that this is the "Pontiac" that sees the brand off. Shame.
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Mike 4:05PM (6/10/2009)
You know, if they had more time, I'd like to see one of these with the turbo 2.0 from the Solstice GXP, and AWD.
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tankd0g 4:08PM (6/10/2009)
Just how joint was that venture anyway? Is half that plant now up for sale?
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Rogue_G 4:27PM (6/10/2009)
So, the Vibe and G6 live on in some guise, and the G8 gets forked? Sad...
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jinsei888 5:04PM (6/10/2009)
Gawd it looks portly, good riddance!
And YES, a compact econobox DOES have the right to look good...this sadly does not achieve that goal.
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Shane From Australia 7:23PM (6/10/2009)
Shandiddly - the two powertrains used in the Matrix / Vibe co-incidentally just happen to be two of amoung the most globally used Toyota engines of all ofwhich both of them have undeniably proven thier steadfastness as robust, reliable, dependable and durable engines.
As for Toyota drivers don't report issues ... what an absolute load of pure, utter rot. Infact, they are probably the opposite and quite picky.
As a long term Toyota driver who has experianced very liittle in way of problems and those that have occured have been minor - i have still expressed my disappointment to Toyota.
ps. the Matrix is defantly a better looking version of the two.
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