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2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Thanks for any clarification.
The Protege5 has about 20, if I'm correct, and the Golf hatchback about 18, so they're a bit on the small side I think.
As for the discrepancy, I think Toyota's figure with seats up (21.8) includes the underfloor storage bin in the far back. It can hold quite a bit. But the EPA number only includes what is above the floorboards, so to speak. And the Matrix has a sloped hatch which limits space behind the back seat more than in those others you named, like Golf, which is more squareish. So it depends on how much you like to stack stuff up to the roof.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I haven't looked at the Golf for quite a while, but I think it might be a bit smaller than the Matrix. The under-floor storage that nippononly mentions is good only for certain things. It's big enough for a tire pump, the hold-down brackets and tonneau cover that come with the car, and other smaller items. Not big enough for a duffle bag or anything like that.
If the dog you are getting is any size at all, you might want to look at the RAV-4. Toyota lists the cargo area behind the rear seat as 29.2 cubic feet. It's not as fuel efficient as the Matrix, but it's not bad either.
.. I just got a new Vibe, and I really really really like it, more so than I thought I would.
I was hauling 3 seats from my wife's smashed minivan in the back, with plenty room to spare. Impressive.
But my question: I heard some nasty cracking sounds while I was crawling around the back getting stuff in place... is the load floor meant to hold a person? I'm 180, maybe 190 pounds, and when most of that rests on one knee, I'm not sure that's a good idea... does anyone have any insight here?
TIA -Mathias
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Bud
Matrix
Front Head Room: 40.6 in.
Front Hip Room: 51.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.2 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.8 in.
Highlander
Front Head Room: 40 in.
Front Hip Room: 55.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 40.7 in.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I heard some nasty cracking sounds while I was crawling around the back getting stuff in place... is the load floor meant to hold a person? I'm 180, maybe 190 pounds, and when most of that rests on one knee, I'm not sure that's a good idea... does anyone have any insight here?
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pressure = force / square. Middle school, 6th grade.
-Mathias
[Check my profile]
Is it a fair deal? Should I take it?
Thanks for your advise.
I was really disappointed to see them. What kinds of quality issues are there?
So far I have had three different ones fixed, but there are always more that crop up. The latest are the infamous dash squeak and moonroof rattle.
The same problem has afflicted the first year Camrys and Corollas of the current gen. :-(
Automobile mag has just completed their year with an XR - they are unthrilled with the powertrain (130 hp isn't enough for those hot-rodding auto mag editors, but on the flip side, they were very impressed with an overall mpg of 30 during their time with the car) and they had to have one rattle fixed themselves, but apart from that they seem to have liked it quite a bit.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The only issue I have with the Vibe is the sloppy / thin paint on the rear facia and the dealer will repaint it under warranty if I wish.
HUD :)
One thing Toyota is doing is adding standard options to optional equipment packages. For example:
My '04 Matrix sticker list "Extra Value Package #2, which includes; aluminum wheels, moonroof, cruise, fog lamps, spoiler, and day and night inner mirror. Well, the "day and night inner mirror" is the "Day and night rearview mirror" which is standard equipment on all Matrix's. I wonder if the sticker was printed incorrectly or it's a marketing thing to show more stuff in the packages.
They listed several comments from actual owners. One that made me LOL was one owner complained about the many squeeks and rattles that his car had that he was wondering IF the thing was a real Toyota. His previous car was a CAVALIER !!!Now if a Cavalier owner is complaining about squeeks and rattles Toyota is really in big trouble in the quality control dept. Really strange. The next biggest gripe was of course the lack of power.
HUD :)
GOOD: 6-speed, cd-changer, versatility, rear leg room.
BAD: Desperately needs a telescoping wheel. Clutch lets out a bit higher than I'm used to. Front leg room was tight, but I've fixed that (see below). Guages can be hard to read sometimes. Seating position is higher than I'd like, but that's the trend ***sigh***.
MODS: Just one so far. The left foot rest had to go. It pops out easily w/o fasteners and I got about 2 inches more left leg room down there!! So anyone worried about front leg room should try removing their foot rest.
BTW, my mileage so far has been in the upper 20's but I've only filled up twice.
Since the basic Matrix (not the XR) has less content than the Vibe, it works out to less $$, even with the current $2000. GM rebate.
PS I have to assume that the tire pressures were set right.
2021 Toyota Venza Limited Hybrid, 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4 Hemi, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT
They decided to price it at $1,000,000.29 and offer a mail in rebate of $1,000,000. In the end the widget (car) is worth what it's worth.
22K so far, and the Continentals are less than half worn.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I have been shopping around to buy a matrix...
my question is, 'do the matrix idle w/gas?' if so how much?? For when trying out the matrix...I did not even have to put my foot on the gas pedal & it pulled right out of the parking spot as I turned...is that normal??? I asked the salesman about it...he replied that all toyota idles.
Thanks so much for a reply...
Of course, if it is an automatic, it will roll in gear on a flat road at any temperature if you take your foot off the brake. This is also normal for all cars.
If it was a manual, then yes, I imagine you could get the car rolling at stone cold just by releasing the clutch, without using the gas pedal. You would only be able to do so for the first minute of operation, because after that the idle would drop.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
BTW, my XRS has about 1,300 miles on it and has doen this since I bought it about 2-3 weeks ago.
What did Toyota do to the car? When did this info come out? I just checked the specs here on Edmunds and they confirm that the 04 XRS has 173 hp.
What's the deal??? When Mazda did this with the 01 Miata and the 04 RX-8 they offered $500 with free maintainence or a buyback of the car. Did Toyota do something similar?
FWIW, it is unlikely that you will be able to tell the power diff between '03s and '04s, but Toyota did play fair here. The Toyota webiste and the brochure do say 173 hp and have as long as the '04 has been available.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The deal was that I've known since the Matrix first came out that the XRS has the Celica GTS engine with 180 hp. When I went to buy my 04, it never ocurred to me that it would be any different. Now if I was buying an 07, I would expect substantial changes from 03...but then again, engines usually GAIN hp, rather than lose it.
HUD :)
This year Cali went to LEV-II, and all the standards got even tighter...the "old" engine just wasn't cutting it any more. So they added the pump as a short-term stopgap so as not to redesign the whole engine. Celica's run is almost up, and I imagine there will only be about two years beyond that for using the 2ZZ in the Matrix and (coming next year) Corolla. Or maybe once celica goes, they will switch to using the S/C on the 1ZZ for the XRS models.
I wonder which would create more power loss: using the smog pump they chose to use, or adding cats on the exhaust side. I am sure the cats would have cost more than the pump.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Most folks on this discussion board seem to comment on how spacious the Matrix is, but has anyone tried an infant/child seat, and how well does it fit?? I may have to go with a Camry or '04 Prius (now a midsize??) if they are larger. Any suggestions out there? Thanks.
(Need to decide soon, some chick in a parking lot hit my 1987 Tercel wagon because she couldn't slow down or STOP before going around a corner...an ignominious end for a great little car with 238K mi on original engine and clutch! Not worth much to the insurance co, but still runs like a champ. sniffle.)
Matrix has been a great car for us so far!!!
Really funny that back "in the day" my vehicles always passed emissions with flying colors with the "pump" only acting as a idler pulley LOL !Those west coast tree huggers will be the death of the auto as we know it. If they have their way we'll all be driving hybrids within the next ten years.
HUD :)
I am surprised that Toyota ever introduced such a dirty engine as the 2ZZ, given that the writing was well and truly on the wall in 1999. But man! Is it ever fun to drive. I have driven the celica and now the Matrix versions - the celica has a much better shifter feel. But it is awesome keeping it revving above 6K.
I prefer that high-rpm rush to having an S/C added to the 1ZZ. I hope they keep issuing this engine in Matrix and Corolla, air pump an' all, once the celica goes away.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Rear facing fit fine in our old 2001 CR-V. It was a tight squeeze in a P5 as well, but the Matrix has a bit more room in back than a P5 has(d).
I am looking into small stationwagons, and need to carry bikes. I am interested in knowing if anyone has any experience trying to carry bikes on the factory roof rack on the Matrix?
Thanks, Marty
Toyota builds two wagons which are not here. One the WISH http://www.toyotametro.co.th/WISH/ and the Avensis. Both are a bit larger than the Matrix and seat 7. As Matrix owners if you had to move up would you consider a Sienna or possibly a WISH.