I am looking to buy a new car that is similar to the Pontiac Vibe. I have looked at the Toyota Matrix, and the Mazda 3 5 door. A friend suggested the Chevrolet HHR. What are your thoughts on each of these as a travel car with rack? What would be the best for reliability? What is your experience with any of these? I am tying to get enough information to make an informed choice. It will be the first new car I have ever purchased.
Matrix and Vibe are the same beast as far as platform - it was a co development effort. In the GT versions (no longer available from Pontiac) they even had the same engine/tranny. So you will probably find the feel and fit about the same. Both are very reliable, so go where you get the better deal.
The Mazda3 is a sweet vehicle, and is a nicer drive than the above two from a performance standpoint IMO (The vibe sits higher, so you feel it in the corners). However, you will give up on interior space and the fold flat system in the Vibe is stellar for carrying gear.
The HHR ismore comparable to a PT cruiser - I just found it too constrictive - looks bigger than it is, lots of blind spots.
So for the greatest flexibility I woud go Vibe/Matrix - if you want a sportier ride and can live with a bit less interior laoding room - the Mazda3 is a good choice as well.
A former Vibe owner.
I have a 2005 Vibe (also my first new car) and I love it. Great mpg, roomy enough for my tall friends to sit in the back, and I have a double bike rack on top.
Since it’s pretty much a Toyota Corolla with different body panels, the car performs great. No problems as of now (36K miles).
When I got mine, the logic was if you are planning on having it until it dies, get the Vibe, but if you intend on selling in a few years, get the Matrix for its higher resale value.