2010 Pontiac Vibe Among Best Hatchbacks Under $8,000, KBB Says
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The 2010 model year Pontiac Vibe has been named one of the best used hatchback vehicles that can be purchased for less than $8,000 by the editorial team over at Kelley Blue Book.
KBB editors like the second-generation Pontiac Vibe as it was available to order with all-wheel-drive. This gives the spacious hatchback similar traits to a modern-day compact crossover, but with a much lower point of entry.
“Spacious for passengers and cargo, the 2010 Pontiac Vibe builds on the layout and components shared with the Toyota Matrix and Corolla with its own unique look,” KBB says of the compact car. “Available with all-wheel drive, the Vibe offers SUV-like utility in a more compact, efficient package.”
The publication had similar praise for the 2010 Toyota Matrix which, as any readers will know, shares a platform, engine and other key components with the second-generation Pontiac Vibe.
“Frugal, reliable, more maneuverable than an SUV, with available all-wheel drive, for less than $8,000? The 2012 Toyota Matrix is what you’re looking for,” KBB concludes of the Japanese automaker’s iteration of this compact hatch.
The Vibe and Matrix are two of ten hatchback vehicles that KBB has identified as being good buys for under $8,000. Other entries on the list include 2009 Toyota Prius, 2012 Mazda3, 2012 Honda Fit, 2012 Scion xB, 2013 Kia Soul, 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, 2012 Honda Insight and 2016 Nissan Versa note. The Pontiac Vibe is the only domestic vehicle on the list, with all other entries being from either Japanese or Korean automakers.
Last year, KBB said the Pontiac Vibe was also one of the best second-hand car buys for under $5,000. However, motorists may be hard-pressed to find a good used Vibe for less than $5,000 at the moment, with used vehicle prices skyrocketing over the past year.
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Bought a new Vibe in 2003. FWD with manual. Very under powered. Everything had “Toyota” label on it. Replaced it with 2008 HHR. Was actually an upgrade. Now have 2013 Impreza with manual. AWD and good size hatch. GM has nothing in this category.
GM needs to compete in this segment and benchmark Subaru as they have gone from niche to mainstream and, like Jeep, are dominant forces in the SUV segment.
This would be a great future for Chevrolet or an additional line for GMC which in my mind had the most potential of any GM brand because it is still respected on the coasts unlike Chevrolet, Buick or Cadillac. GMC has the AWD/off road ethos & could do well offering as Outback rival.
Chevrolet does well with the low credit demo plus hits like Tahoe, Suburban, Corvette and Silverado even though these trucks are quickly loosing dominance and in need of a Ram-like f ru on the ground up reinvention.
I fully acknowledge that GM doesn’t have any mediocre, yet severely overhyped CUVs bought by middle to mid-high class city and suburbanites who think anything from Japan must be top reliability despite a decade of headgasket failures, and now severe CVT failures, fuel pump recalls, self-cracking windshields, awful infotainment, and dead batteries plague their line.
Pointless to compete since that market isn’t going to buy anything with an American badge, by rule. Subarus replace Toyotas, Nissans, and Hondas, which is why Toyota was smart enough to pick up a share.
I always look to GM first. Lately they don’t offer much that fits our interest or need. No use for large SUV or crew cab 4×4. An S10 size truck would be desirable. Preferably with manual.
Your best buy is always a domestic made buy a Japanese automaker. Period!
Had two Pontiac Vibes. 2003 and 2009. Both were great little vehicles representing a solid blend of Toyota/Pontiac. Built in California, these Vibes were affordable, economical, practical and reliable. Both were driven by my wife who thoroughly enjoyed them. Had the Buick Cascada not come along, I’m convinced that she would still be driving the 2009.
The Vibe first Gen was better looking. Ran like crazy, never broke down. Never replaced the clutch! 2008 Black GT
As I recall, Consumer Report had this rated as a best buy used car a few years back.
I had on 03 VIbe GT and it actually was a really great car. It suffered from the usual Pontiac cheap interior that falls apart after 5 or so years and the clutch being too weak but overall was solid. I drove it for 12 years with the only major issue being the clutch. I had to replace it at ~50k miles and it was going out when I traded it in at 150k miles. If I had known about the clutch issues I would have had them put in a better clutch at 50k. I also had to replace all of the arms on the steering column and all of the trim pieces.