Thanks for all of your replies, and yours as well Melissa.

I am going from an old Volvo which has been a great car (but terrible fuel
economy) to a Vibe/Matrix.

I've driven an automatic, and really, I think I can live with just about
anything that the Vibe will throw at me.

The only things I don't like (after taking a close look):

- the one color package looks terrible.  The paint doesn't match (because
the parts are made at different suppliers) from the bumper to the fender
flare.  The fender flares look "textured" as opposed to the fender paint.  I
don't want the two color appearance package.

- the stereo.. it's a GM unit!!  hmmm, it might be ok, it just looks old
school (like in the late 90s pickups!!)  The Matrix wins here.  I could just
replace it I guess.

- the cargo cover.. oh well, no fix for it, I'll have to live with it.

Otherwise, I think it's a great car!

I want the manual version, cheaper to buy, a little more fun to drive, and a
bit better on fuel.  Less resale value, but I plan on keeping it for 8 years
minimum.

The A/C is weak eh?  well, that's not so bad I guess... I don't like to have
full blast A/C anyhow, so, if it chills it down a wee bit, that'll be better
than nothing.  Currently my car has NO A/C ;)..

Cheers

I was in the market for a Vibe.  Love the looks and the versatility.
Drove it,  Thought it was a little noisy, ruff riding and didn't like
how the steering wheel was so far away also have yet to see one with a
power drivers seat.  Then I test drove a '06 Grand Prix and thats all
she wrote!!! I found it very comfortable, quiet, very responsive and
with just the base model, which is the one I got, had all the toys I
wanted including a POWER SEAT!!  As for MPG I  got 26.5 MPG with
city/highway driving.  Sure it will get in the 30's with only highway.
I got a slightly used Hertz car there for saving a bundle on
depreciation.  Only had the car 3 weeks and loving it so far.  It gets
up and really goes  when you romp the pedal unlike the Vibe that made a
bunch of strained noise from the 4 banger and didn't seem to do a whole
lot of moving.  Now I'm not trashing the Vibe I do like them
allot....but for me I'm a big guy and the GP just fit better and was
really impressed with how quiet and comfortable it is, as was my sister.
I like to do weekend road trips so comfort is a high priority for me.

Good luck and happy car hunting...

Tom

Thanks Tom!

I like the bigger cars as well, I drove a G6 for a week, and it was sweet.

I got one in Black, and while the engine isn't super powerful, IT BLEW AWAY
THE DODGE CALIBER I drove an hour before.

The Caliber was unpleasing to drive..  It was horrible.

Got in the Vibe, total difference in quality.  yes, it was more expensive,
BUT.. light years ahead in build quality...  The brand new Caliber I drove
was making a lot of vibration noises from the interior bits.  However, the
engine was SUPER quiet in the Caliber compared to the Vibe.

The Vibe has everything I need, and no, I don't believe they ever have, or
ever will come with a power driver's seat.  I like things all manual, except
the windows of course.

Nothing will beat the Vibe (in GM lineup) for fuel economy, so, that's why I
stuck with the Vibe.  The Chevy Aveo and Pontiac Wave (I dunno if they sell
the Wave in the US, do they??), aren't as good, and are smaller than the
Vibe!!

I call my car the Vibetrix.  I haven't picked it up, the ink is still wet on
the paperwork (but I'm pre-approved for the finance).

sweet ;)

Thanks!! Now I'm feeling the Vibe!