Quote Originally Posted by Jolt View Post
Does anyone know anything about the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe? I know they were based on the Corolla but had an AWD option.
We have a 2005 Matrix but opted against the AWD because we lived in NC at the time we bought it. Honestly, we also looked at the Vibe but it felt 'cheap' to us and we kind of felt the same way about the Mazda. Again, this was in 2005, so I have no idea what either of those cars are like now. I like a solid feeling car and I'm not one for extras. I'm of the belief that the more features your car has, the more things that can break. This, of course, coming from someone who was happily driving a Jeep CJ-7 as my first car and never balked at having to get out of the car to lock the hubs in order to run 4 wheel drive.

About my history - I have lived all over this county in all types of conditions. When I learned to drive, it was in the snow before there was front wheel drive. I've owned 4WD, AWD, FrontWD and rearWD cars and driven all of them in the snow and ice. First of all, not all FWD is created equal. And AWD isn't going to help you if it doesn't have the necessary clearance. Thirdly, a reasonably heavy front wheel drive car might be all you'll ever need unless you move to the mountains or the country where plowing is sporatic at best. Even then, chains rock.

So, our Matrix is easily one of the best cars I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot). Ours now has 108K miles on it and it runs wonderfully. When we moved out here, I laughed at the local panic when snow was in the forecast. The first winter we lived here, we got blasted - storm after storm with freeze, melt, freeze for about a week. When there are not enough plows to go around, it creates a disaster area. Think 8" frozen solid ice ruts in the road! Add a bunch of people who have no idea how to drive in winter conditions and plenty of steep hills you get a real mess. I put chains on our Matrix (something I'd never needed in previous places I'd lived including Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts, and the Pocono mountains). I was so incredibly impressed with how the Matrix handled the conditions with those chains on it. It was amazing! The best part was that when the snow was gone, the chains came off and I got my good mileage back.

I did drive a 2010 Matrix while ours was in for routine maintneance and it sucked. Visibilty was poor, the inside felt 'plasticky', and handling was lousy. If you do still consider a Matrix, opt for an older one. The new ones are lacking in my opinion.

That said, I am eyeing the new Outbacks. We have absolutely no need for a new car at all, but when we are ready, we may consider one. I'm also disappointed in the MPG ratings, but perhaps by then, they'll have improved them even further.