Tag Archives: 2003

2003 Pontiac Vibe GT (404)

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2003 Pontiac Vibe GT (404)

Overview:

This week we’ll look at the 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT sport utility. New entrants usually draw a lot of attention and especially when they are unique and different.

You may know that the Vibe was developed in a joint venture between GM and Toyota, so the Vibe is mechanically identical to the Toyota Matrix. Styling however is a bit different with Vibe being the bolder. The other competitors noted are truly more station wagon like. Folks who like SUV styling and convenience, but want more economy will  find the Vibe a great match. I would even go so far as to say the Vibe will be considered as an alternative to the likes of Jeep Liberty and Ford Escape even though the Vibe falls somewhere between a small SUV and a station wagon.

I’ve heard it said that “Two heads are better than one, even if they are both cabbage”. Well, it seems getting GM and Toyota together may have developed a better SUV for the times. I predict these will sell well.

General Info:

Parts –  USA

Assembly –USA

Class:  – Compact

Cars: – Aztek, Bonneville, Firebird, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Montana, Sunfire, Vibe.

Handling & Performance:

Fun to drive. A good town car and very capable on the open highway where it is comfortable and smooth. Very SUV like with the advantage of getting upwards of 10 mpg better mileage than a full size SUV and about 4-5 mpg more than the smaller Liberty and Escape.

The engine in the GT is 180 hp but you can also opt for a 130 hp version of the Vibe. Also, the GT only comes with a 6 speed manual transmission.

Styling:

Bold and gutsy which seems to be a new trend by car makers who are breaking away from the “Boorrring” batch of computer generated clones we’ve had to endure over the past couple of decades.

Fit and Finish:

Good in this price range and class.

Cost:

Good and all those noted here are but a freckle apart in cost. Personal preference will be the distinguishing factor more than dollars in the market share battle of the makers.

Consumer Recommendation:

Limited number of competitors so you should test drive them all. But check out the Jeep Liberty and the Ford Escape as well for a better comparison. As for me, in this grouping I’d go for the Vibe. But I would look hard at the Liberty and Escape.

The Competition:

(6) Pontiac Vibe $16-20,000, (5) Chrysler PT Cruiser $16-23,000, (2) Ford Focus Wagon $17-18,000, (1) Mazda Protege5 $16,000, (3t) Subaru Impreza Wagon $17-23,000,        (3t) Toyota Matrix $15-19,000.

* – ranking is based on cost, cu ft, number of features, warranty and gas mileage.

   

Matrix                                      Vibe

Good News:

Great addition to this segment of the market, Jointly developed with Toyota, built in America, distinctive styling, fun to drive, good on the road.

Bad News:

Engine noise in cockpit, shifter not as crisp and clean as it could be.

Standard Equipment:

1.8 liter inline 4 cylinder 180 horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, power moon roof, 200 watt audio system, power windows, door locks, remote keyless entry and cruise control.

Gas Stats:

21 City and 28 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $19,340.

2003 Cadillac CTS (403)

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2003 Cadillac CTS (403)

Overview:

Well, this week I tested a car I would own. The 2003 Cadillac CTS is new to this world and I suspect GM’s Cadillac division is placing a lot of faith in this design to kick sales into high gear. Will they do it? Who really knows? But I have to tell you my guess is that it will be a winner for Cadillac.

And although they expect 40% of sales to be to women, I believe it will be more. This is more a man’s car than they already expect. Women won’t like the stiff sporty ride, or the sharp lines that are so reminiscent of Star Wars’ Darth Vadar. Futuristic and different is what characterizes this sporty youthful car for the 21st Century.

CTS stands for C-Series Touring Sedan, and for me the very comfortable seating offset any stiff performance suspension. The 5-speed manual transmission gives it even more of a sporty feel and the last time Cad sported a manual trans was in the 1950’s.

General Info:

Parts –  USA

Assembly – Lansing, MI USA

Class:  – Mid-Size

Cars: – CTS, DeVille, Eldorado, Escalade, Escalade EXT, Seville

Handling & Performance:

The CTS is powered by the “Short Star” representing a NorthStar engine less two cylinders. With the 5-speed on the floor you’ll feel like “Johnny Rocket”. Stiff suspension adds to the sporty feel, but shifting is more jerky than I’d like to see.

Styling:

You’ll be the judge in the final analysis, but you gotta just love this gutsy design. I thought only Chrysler had the “Huevos” to challenge design boredom so common these days of “cookie-cutter” styling.

Fit and Finish:

It’s a Cadillac so it’s very good. More importantly it is classy and no gimmicks.

Conveniences:

The list is good and if you care to pop for another $6,775 you can have the Sport Package that includes power passenger seat adjuster, Zebrano Wood trim, audible alarm, Homelink garage door opener, talknote recorder, driver memory settings, compass in mirror, sport tuned suspension, performance brake lining, Stabilitrak, load leveling, speed sensitive power steering, 17” polished alloy wheels, Bose stereo, sunroof, high intensity headlights & heated front seats. Well, I don’t know about you, but I can do without most of this stuff.

Cost:

The least expensive Cadillac and I’d jump on this now if you were in the market for a luxury mid-size sports car.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you’re in the market for a BMW or Mercedes Benz this is a Must Test Drive option.

Manufacturer Recommendations:

Shifting is jerky and hard to control. That needs looking into.

The Competition:

Acura TL $29-33,000, Audi A4 $25-33,000, BMW 3-Series $27-42,000, Chrysler 300 M $29-32,000, Infiniti I35 $29,000, Jaguar X-Type $30-36,000, Lexus IS 300 $29-31,000, Lincoln LS $33-41,000, Mercedes Benz C-Class $25-50,000, Saab 9-3 $28-45,000, Volvo S60 $27-34,000.

Good News:

Priced extremely well, luxury sport vehicle, Very comfortable seats,

Bad News:

Price is bound to go up next year.

Standard Equipment:

3.2 liter V6 engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel independent suspension and ABS disc brakes, 16” allow wheels, traction control, power steering, steel safety cage, dual front and side impact air bags, fog lamps, auto headlights, auto door and child security locks, Remote Keyless entry, OnStar 1-year plan, leather seating and wrapped steering wheel, climate control, tinted glass, 8-way power driver seat, power windows and mirrors with heaters, auto dimming inside mirror, cruise control, computer information center, AM/FM cassette and CDE with 7 speakers, rear seat pass through to trunk.

Gas Stats:

19 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $29,350.

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