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The Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe are made in the same factory by the same workers using all the same parts. The only difference between them are the logo and the price (the Vibe is cheaper). However, the corporate money for the Toyota goes to Japan. The corporate money for the Vibe goes to the US. GM gave millions of dollars to Katrina relief, Toyota gave nothing.
I've driven GM cars my whole life and have never had any of the kinds of experiences you all are talking about with engine problems at 50-75K miles EXCEPT when I didn't pay attention to the maintenance schedule. I've driven all my GM cars until they died a natural death at over 150K. However, I'm sure you'll find people with GM cars that failed before that, just as you find people who drive Hondas or Toyotas who have problems with their cars (like my boss, whose Honda Passport who had it in the shop a zillion times for transmission problems right after it was off warranty). I have another co-worker who had his Prius in the shop repeatedly.
My new Saturn Vue has 8 way electronic seats so finding the right elevation, distance, angle is a breeze. It has a 9.9 out of 10 safety rating with ABS and Stabilitrak traction control. In fact, because of it's safety rating, my car insurance is MUCH lower than I anticipated. It drives like a Cadillac (smooth starts and stops, great handling, great suspension.. I barely feel the potholes) yet has the cargo space of an SUV and I'm getting about 24 mpg on the first tank of gas (I filled it up for the first time today). I can't imagine anybody being disappointed with it if they test drove it. Road noise is almost non-existant. It feels like a luxury car. It has heated seats, cruise control, remote start, heated outside mirrors and heated windshield fluid nozzles (all very important in Michigan although I guess in the South most of those things wouldn't matter!) The best thing about it is OnStar. The OnStar alone is a magnificent feature for safety and convenience. It's the best purchase I've ever made. Plus, it was only $21K.
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