Some history: I recently bought a 2009 Vibe, Loaded , for 18,500.... Sun roof, 17" alloy wheels, electric everything, Prium sound system. Had 3700 on a GM credit card so out of pocket was 15,000. Any way I am a wanna be prius owner. Been following the 2010 stuff for 6 months. I took a test drive of a 2010 this weekend and I could not help but see that Many of the things in the Vibe are the SAME as in the Prius. The seat seems the same - same height adjustment and style, same feel too. The visor, steering wheel, window switches, door release lever... were ALL the same... Now the interior of the Prius appeared to be a bit larger, but just a bit. and the ride was comparable. I still plan on getting a Prius - Im getting the Prius, the vibe goes to my son, but Im wondering should I get another Matrix or Get the Prius... A loaded Prius would be about 26-28K ... I realize Im not getting 50 mpg, but I am getting 27... with so called old tech. Your comments please!
Personally, I like the Prius more. But a couple of factors for your calculus: 1. I believe that the 2010 Prius has about a half-inch further rearward travel in the driver's seat than the 2009 Matrix. But this may not matter to you. 2. The 2009 Matrix with 17" wheels handles better than the 2010 Prius with 15" wheels.
This is really up to you, no one can answer this but you! BUT, I am trading in my 2009 v6 XLE fully loaded Camry for a 2010 Prius V w/AT and my wife thinks I am crazy, since we just bought her a 2010 Prius IV base (she did not want nav or anything else that the IV has), so it will be 2 here in this house This is how much I love the new Prius! Good Luck
I hear ya... My girl friend does not like the Prius, nor the Vibe... But Im really set on the Prius... Prob will pull the trigger next year when the 2011 model comes out.
It all depends on how many are in stock, but when the 2011s come out, you should be able to get some incentives on the 2010 models. But given the popularity of the Prius, and the usual rise in summer gas prices, it will probably be slim pickings on any 2010 models this time next year. Bryan
It's familiar cause it's in the Toyota family (The Vibe shares a lot of components with the Matrix). I think the max cargo might be a bit larger in the Matrix and it's definitely more squared off than the Prius. If you want AWD, that's the way to go as the Matrix brings back AWD for 2009. Frankly, the Prius can be thought as "everything you liked about the Vibe but with lower emissions much 2x the mileage, 2x the technology and no extra cost in ownership. Heck it might be lower cause it uses smaller wheels and the brakes will last 3x as long)
