The performance model, Vibe GT, has a 1.8-liter 180-hp four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission - a powerful combination of 100 hp/liter of specific power output. Vibe will make its mark on the segment not only by offering unprecedented versatility but also by unleashing surprisingly high performance. The convenient, easy-to-use liftglass/liftgate system is designed for optimal accessibility. The front passenger seat folds flat into a worktable. The rear seats fold flat at one touch to create a level load floor - and 57.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. Comfort is a key attribute, as is storage space. It's been tailored to fit the lifestyles of young, active buyers by delivering an unprecedented level of convenience. ![]() Its interior is thoughtfully done and accommodating. It rides tall, has available all-wheel drive, offers innovative storage systems and cargo-hauling capacity, and features strong performance, with a 180-hp engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission on GT models. It offers a spacious, versatile interior in the guise of a compact car, and the features of a sports car, sport wagon and SUV all at the same time. It’s a great casting that sadly never got much clean deco use after a few runs in 2004.Uniquely combined, the Vibe defies traditional vehicle classification. The interior has the same dashboard design, shifter, and five-passenger seating as the real vehicle and also adds a sunroof to the mix, while on the track the casting handles quite well, though it is short of being swift like a Mini Cooper. Despite a slightly squared-off profile it has all of the right details and the ones that impress me the most is the amount of tooling details on the exterior. At the rear are detailed taillights, lower bumper with reverse lamps and exhaust system, and the Vibe GT on the rear hatch. The front has impressive details of the grille, lower bumper, flared fenders, and even the lamp design in the headlights, while on the sides you can see the unique roof design, roof rails, and (hard to see here with the graphics) Vibe GT badges on the front doors. The color is pretty close to the actual lime color used on the 2003 Pontiac Vibe so I decided to get this one when I found it loose. That was it for clean versions, though the Vibe did continue with a few licensed 5-packs and this lime Scooby-Doo is one example. Later in 2004 a Premier edition showed up, also in silver, with detailed front and rear lighting, trim details, and 5-spoke wheels on rubber tires, and in the Superfast line a black version with the line-specific 5-spoke wheels. ![]() The Hero City line continued its grasp of bringing the Matchbox brand down into existence, but there were a few decent models in the line and this plain silver Vibe was one of them. A better version is this Matchbox version that arrived in 2003 and just like today it was hard-to-find even when it was introduced. Yatming did contribute a 1:64 scale Pontiac Vibe, but it is part of their cheap-looking generic line that you wouldn’t know it was a Vibe until you can identify its iconic shape and slight details from the metal body. The base shows off the front-wheel drive unit (as opposed to the Matrix’s AWD system) and adding some silver completes the details of the exhaust system, engine/transmission up front, and torsion beam axle at the rear. The side profile shows off the sleek fastback profile with solid mirrors and thick roll bars, while the rear has detailed taillights, Vibe badges and rear plate, and lower plastic bumper with reverse foglights and oddly a trailer hitch in which I have no idea what this casting would tow from the Yatming line and getting rid of the bulky unit is not easy since the trailer hitch is part of the chrome exhaust muffler. The headlights have the proper projector lens design though I would like to see the background of the unit blacked out instead of being part of the read paint. The front has the black honeycomb grille with lower scoops, foglights, and front bumper that is plastic instead of metal. The stock look of this red Vibe looks good with the exception of a ride height that seems a bit too tall and tires that are narrow (though it has the correct 5-spoke design) and uses pin axles so there is no steerable front wheels. My example came from a second hand place so it was without a box and came with a few chips and scratches, but overall the casting was in great shape.
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