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2003 Pontiac Vibe Review
Slam poetry in motion.
2003 Vibe Review Summary & Specifications
The Pontiac Vibe competes with the Ford Focus, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Volkswagen Golf, Mazda Protege5 and, of course, the Toyota Matrix, which doesn't offer as much standard equipment as Pontiac does.The Vibe's strengths are its extensive list of standard equipment in all three of its versions, its innovative cargo system, its equally innovative standard electrical outlet and its Toyota build quality. The Vibe AWD may have appeal in the snow belt. The Vibe GT deserves consideration as a pocket rocket for those who don't have deep pockets, but who want a rocket with big pockets for their friends and cargo.
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| Vehicle Category | Compact Cars |
| Editor | Larry Edsall |
| Model Lineup | Vibe ($16,340); Vibe GT ($19,900); Vibe AWD ($20,100) |
| Engines (standard) | 1.8-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed manual |
| Engines (optional) | 130-hp 1.8-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4; 180-hp 1.8-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (optional) | five-speed manual; four-speed automatic; six-speed manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | front airbags, driver and front passenger height-adjustable shoulder belts, shoulder belts for all three rear-seat passengers, child safety rear door locks, LATCH child safety seat system |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | antilock brakes (standard on GT and AWD, optional on base model), side-impact airbags for front seats |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Fremont, California |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-762-2737 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.pontiac.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 16340 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Vibe ($16,340) |
| Standard Equipment | air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with CD player, 205/55R-16 all-season tires, height-adjustable driver's seat, one-touch fold flat rear seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, rear cargo track system with adjustable tie-downs, cargo security cover, nine storage compartments, rear liftgate with separate-opening liftglass, mobile phone holder, tachometer, outside temperature monitor, floor mats, variable intermittent wipers, daytime running lights with twilight sentinel, fog lamps, power mirrors, roof rack, two-prong household-style power outlet |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Power Group ($600) includes door locks, remote entry, power windows, power rear hatch release and cruise control; Moon and Tunes value package ($500) includes power glass moonroof and 200-watt premium audio system with six speakers; 16-inch alloy wheels ($400) |
| Destination Charge | 560 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 18400 |
| Horse Power | 130 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 125 @ 4200 |
| Fuel Economy | 30/36 |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 171.9/69.9/62.2 |
| Track Front/Rear | 59.6/58.9 |
| Turning Radius | 36.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 40.55/51.3/41.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.8/47.8/36.3 |
| Trunk Volume | 57.2 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 1500 |
| Front Suspension | front MacPherson strut with coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | rear torsion beam with trailing link, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 5.9 |
| Curb Weight | 2700 |
| Stock Tires | P205/55R16 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/drum |
| Fuel Capacity | 13.2 |
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