VS... Pontiac Vibe...

I've had my P5 for a good 5 or six months now, I really liked it before, with the exception of the thin paint which we all know is a problem. I recently (2 days ago) picked up my new company car, a Pontiac Vibe. I must say now that I have driven both, I'm really glad I've got the P5. The pontiac, although some say the P5 engine is loud, the vibe is easily louder. I stepped on it today to pass a guy in a metro, and I was barely able to get around him. (this may be because I've only got 200 miles on it still) I had the window half way down, going down the freeway and the thing is shaking back and fourth in the rails. The rearview mirrors, they are oddly shaped, and it seems I can never get them adjusted to my liking. It seems really big, on the inside the dash is big, I do like the 115VAC outlet but it's only two pronged, my laptop is 3. Then we get to handling... the P5 will run circles around this thing, granted it doesn't come with the performace type tires like the P5, but the difference is incredible. Anyway, I'm I just thought I would share my experiences with the two, the vibe does have a better stock cd player, but I swapped out the P5's long ago. It does look funny with the P5 and Vibe parked next to each other though, people must think I really like the little wagons.... Hope I haven't bored you too much...

 

I had a similar experience when I test drove a new corolla before I decided to buy my P5 and was also surprised at how loud the toyota's engine was. It for sure wasn't any quieter than the P5. In fact I test drove the corolla because I figured it would be more refined than the p5, but was surprised when I stepped on the gas in the toyota and got a loud buzzy engine. That made me feel a lot better about going for the P5.

Coming out of a couple of new honda's, I guess my expecations for low NVH from engines were skewed. I bet the P5 is probably not out of the norm when it comes to noise, vibration, harshness enginewise for cars in this price bracket, its just that honda's offerings in this department are just that much better than the norm (probably the only good thing I can say about either of my '01 Civics).

Anyway, the P5 spanked the competition in so many other areas (handling, interior quality, looks, options, price, etc), that it really wasn't much of a competetion after really considering your options.

 

My roommate let me use his 2001 corolla sometimes for grocery runs, I can say, i really didn't like it. I guess it was just boring or something, though the engine was peppy enough.

I used to have a '90 camry and driving that after driving the corolla made the camry seem incredible, I don't know what to say about that. It is good that the latest Corolla gets 32 40. I'm sorry to hear the Vibe isn't too great, as it's partnered with Toytoa, I would expect a little better. I think my favorites are probably going to be Mazda and Subaru for a while...

 

Why the Vibe when I think the Matrix looks better (but I like the Pro5 styling better). I still think our cars are louder, but not by much. The only thing I am annoy'd with is our highway driving noise, the engine is far to loud and the rpm's are alittle high (must drive with the stereo on). I have a '94 Corolla DX, and its no where as loud as our Pro5's. And yes I too think Corolla's have some peepy engines, I know how to drive my Corolla in a way that can shoot out fast out of the line (but I'd get so beat 3 secs later )

 

I didn't have a choice with the Vibe, it is free, being a company car and all. Well actually I could have got the Vibe or a chevy astro van, I took the Vibe. One thing I must give the Vibe though is the Overdrive, that is nice, I agree that the P5 could use it. And the engine in the vibe does seem buzzy when compared to the p5, i really like the way the mazda sounds, and don't find it that loud at all.