[Bono]

I work at a Nuclear Physics laboatory and interact with many people from around the world. There are several German folks throughout the lab. One coworker of mine is a German and an automobile fanatic. If he isn't buying a car, he is helping someone else buy a car or lending advice in such endevors. Several weeks ago, his wife hit a deer and he was in need of a new ride. He purchased a Pontiac Vibe as soon as he got the insurance check. He had a chance to drive my wife's 3 today and was thouroghly impressed. some of his quotes are paraphrased as follows:

Too much horespower, but that's like having too much cash.
Smooth ride.
Shifts much better than my Vibe.
I like it.
Great excelleration.
Whoa!

Now you may ask why he bought a Vibe in the first place if he knows so much about cars. One, he needed a vehicle in a hurry. Two, he has a GM Visa card and had a lot of cash towards a GM product. Three, he has a disturbing need to be involved in a car buying situation.

Bono

 

[factrzero]

Hmm

That all being said, the Vibe/Matrix isn't a bad ride either.

 

[neoriffic]

I agree w/ factrzero... I am still considing the Matrix, but right now there's a huge shortage of 5 spds and a auto is just not a option for me. That shifts me towards the 3...among other reasons

 

[Kazbaeden]

I think that last one sums it up. "Woah!"

 

[badmana]

As the owner of a MatrixXRS, next week I'll post about my experience driving around in my GF's brother's new M3 (for both the test drive and after).

BTW, which Vibe is it Bono? I figure it's not the GT since an auto GT is very rare.

From just the styling, I like the M3. Very nice interior with good rear view (something my Matrix lacks). I like the dash but noticed the radio/head unit looks like it's all once piece...can you guys get an aftermarket head unit in there without wrecking the "look" of the center dash?

The hatch isn't as big as the Matrix with less clearance (especially directly over the rear seats when they're bent forward.

Other wise a very decent car for the price!

 

[cowtown]

It's not as big because the Matrix/Vibe are like a freaking minivan next to the 3. I was next to a Vibe in traffic today and it was silly tall...

 

[badmana]

Well, staying away from exageration the Matrix is 1.55 meters tall while the GT sport is 1.465 meters tall. 10 cm is a finger taller (and with tein coil overs it's a 2.2" drop making almost even with the M3).

It's strange because the M3 is BIGGER than the Matrix (length, wheelbase and width) but the matrix with the 6 speed is 31 Kg heavier than the M3 (manual 6 and manual 5).

The Mazda3 looks smaller than my 'trix but I figure if we placed them side by side the Matrix would look bigger because of it's height and stubbier front.

 

[cowtown]

A third of a foot is a fair amount of height when we're talking about cars.

 

[badmana]

Well, 9 cm difference between the M3 and the Matrix is nothing compared to a real mini-van which is at least 18 cm taller than even the matrix (the Montana).

So the Matrix isn't a mini-van any more than the M3 is a Honda Civic...

 

[cowtown]

Regardless of the fact that it's "only" 4 Inches taller, 10CM, 1/3rd of a foot doesn't matter, the point that matters is that it looks freaking huge comparitively speaking. Honestly the car looks like it's either a lowered Asstek or a small mini-van when you drive next to one and it's not all height, it's width and styling too. But that's just me, a lot of people seem to like them, coming from a Pro5 I couldn't stand them back then either.

 

[factrzero]

Yup

In defense of the vibe/matrix, that design is excellent for frontal impact resistance. More arch is better. Toyota is into the wedge shape.

 

[badmana]

Cowtown, I'm not trying to get into any flaming arguement here but like I said, the M3 is WIDER than the Matrix (and longer and has a longer wheelbase).

Your bias is clouding your judgement on size. The smallest mini-van is nothing close to the Matrix.

There is no argument here. The M3 is a fine car but it's bigger than the Matrix in all but height. And 3.54 inches between the Matrix/M3 is half the difference from any mini-van on the market compared to the Matrix.

Plus the Matrix and the M3 pull the same numbers according to C&D (7.5 and 7.4 seconds respectively) so it's height isn't really bothering it's numbers (though I supose those numbers would be better with a lower profile).

 

[LeeLee]

I think it's more the height vs width ratio:

Odyssey: 0.92
Matrix: 0.87
Civic Si: 0.85
Mazda3: 0.835
Murcielago: 0.555 :shock:

Even more telling is the height vs front track ratio:

Odyssey: 1.054
Matrix: 1.017
Civic Si: 0.98
Mazda3: 0.96



As an aside, the Odyssey's interior cargo width is 66.7, same as the Civic Si's exterior width. If the Si was short enough, you can park one in the back of an Odyssey with the mirrors folded..

 

[badmana]

Heh, I remember seeing a picture (I assume real) of a Mini stored in the back of a pick up with the rear door closed.

That's wild!

 

[cowtown]

Cripes I'm not saying it is a minivan but I'm saying that visually TO ME it looks like a minivan. The volume and design of the Matrix/Vibe obviously lead it to have certain advantages in storage, headroom and the like so hey that's great but visually and styling wise they look like a mini van. Irregardless like I said people obviously like them because there are a bunch out there but you won't catch me in one partly because in the case of a Vibe I dislike GM completely, in the case of the Matrix it's styling, no doubting the GT is a competent car performance wise.

Heh, yeah I saw the Mini in the truck picture I think some time ago. Funny enough there is a Mini that parks near my house and a couple doors down there are two lifted Ford pickups. With the lift and tires the Mini I don't even think comes up to door sill. Be funny/a shame if the truck miss parked, that'd be one squished mini.

 

[Bono]

German Auto Guy stopped by my office and said he whished he hadn't driven my 3 because now he Really Really want's one now.

Bono

 

[MazdaExperienced]

vibe

I noticed a guy in a vibe checking out my car this morning at a traffic light, he was jealous :wink:

 

[wildwood515]

I've only seen a matrix from the outside, and it isn't proportional IMHO. too high for it's length. I don't know what the specs are on the dimensions, and I might be surprised by them, but if the specs are close between the M3 and the maxtrix, then they need to work on the body styling.. not to offend an matrix/vibe owners out there..

 

[cowtown]

AH HAH!

 

[vaBooM]

I agree with wildwood. The focus looks like that too, too damn tall.

I really considered the Matrix at first. I wanted turbo and there was a kit by XS Engineering that was gonna be released here in a few months. But then searching and searching, the Mazda3 popped out of nowhere.

BAM, i was set. Btw, Vibe vs Matrix.. Id choose the Matrix over the Vibe anyday. Its one fugly mofo.