I loved my 2005 Pontiac Vibe – excellent car – trouble-free 6 yr ownership – still had that *new car smell* looked new – everyone loved it – versatile, fun to drive, great gas mileage, roomy and comfortable. Interior was well made and tho there was some plastic, it wasn’t garish nor cheap to the touch. Real soft cloth seats (none of this *synthetic cloth weave* that is found in so-called budget cars starting at $17k) Had a sliding power sunroof and power everything with cruise – in the 6 yrs we owned it, I still to this day don’t know what the engine looked like. Never had to pop the hood ONCE. I mourn it. Victim of hit n run while parked in front of my house on a Sunday night 2 weeks before Christmas – perp never caught. Vibe was totaled.
Yes, they need to bring back the quality and the name Pontiac once again. I realize the insides were Toyota Matrix, but the rest of the design, esp the interior was distinctive and intuitive and as all cars should be, geared for the driver’s comfort and usability. The wind noise at highway speeds was virtually non-existent, the comfort all around superb, and there were zero internal rattles and noises – it was put together beautifully.
Am in the process of shopping for a new car and am disheartened to find so many issues already with 2012 models as evidenced in forums around the web: transmissions, electrical troubles, quality control faults in builds that should never have been missed. It is a bad time to be shopping for a new car. 🙁
I have test-driven a handful of cars and have not been fully happy. The worst interior was the Ford Fiesta and the most comfortable to drive was the Honda FIT but my husband said the rear seating was not comfortable at all during the ride and he is only 5’3. I want to buy American. Even if it is partially made here. My next test drive will be the Chevy Sonic LTZ and I want to like it so much, but it seems wrought with quality control issues right out of the gate as I wrote above. I wish i could wait for the Spring version of 6spd Turbo AT, but I need a car NOW and not one that will rack up the bulk of its miles to the dealer’s mechanic.
I, too, am saddened and upset by Pontiac’s retirement. I am almost inclined to buy the Honda FIT out of spite, but I need to give the Sonic a chance in the test drive and ultimately, the final price the dealer will offer.
