Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
Comments
cars in terms of cargo, performance, and the
legendary Toyota reliability. I also like the P5,
but I think Toyota would be more likely to earn 5 star crash ratings.
I had the opportunity to play with the Nav system in an XRS at a local dealer (used it and the radio for over an hour) so if there is anything you'd like to know, just ask.
If you can't find a Matrix locally with the Nav system, ask to see a Camry with the Nav System. With the exception of the touch screen (the Camry has a touch screen, the Matrix does not) they functionally are the same system. But, the Matrix system does NOT tilt down to reveal CD and cassette slots.
When I was looking at the Ford Focus I had that problem both on carsdirect and on Ford's own site. You could "build your own", but no dealer ever had one (with the combinations I chose) available.
offset of the rim? what width?
any help is great thanx.
What kind of steel rims are you currently trying to use? I mean, which Toyota model did they come off? I'm not sure of the specs (offset, bolt circle, etc.) on the different Toyota rims, but I would say that your best bet is to try either '00+ Celica or '03 Corolla rims. If those don't fit, you're probably out of luck as far as 15" goes.
The Base and XR Matrix come with 16" steel rims. You might be able to get hold of a set of those cheap on eBay. I know the Matrix 16" wheel covers are already appearing on eBay. I do recommend changing to some kind of steel wheels in the winter though. Driving on potholed and icy winter streets with 17" alloy wheels is asking for trouble.
-Andrew L
I have a multi-purpose steel rim (part# x99107n). they are 15x6. I don't know the offset - i wish i did.
I totally agree with you on putting steelies on, that's why i am going throgh this headache. i want to save my 17 firehawks sz50's for summer fun : )
Anyway, thanx for you input.
First, the good news: The interior was just as amazing as advertised. The seats fold flat and you barely have to touch them to make the adjustment. The dash is stylish yet ergonomic. The stereo seemed good. Visibility was good. The seats were comfortable. The console is great. The head room and rear passenger room were unbelievable. It was almost magical.
The drive, though, was a different story. The XR accelerated decently onto the highway, but later, pulling away from a stoplight, there was just no power at all. My husband couldn't even tell I was flooring it. Admittedly, pulling onto the highway was from a dead stop and I was already at 15 or 20 mph when I tried to accelerate from the stoplight, but still. It was disappointing. There was also much more wind noise than I'd expected. And the handling just didn't inspire confidence. It felt much more like an SUV than a car to me. Perhaps dropping down to 16" wheels would help with that.
I imagine the XRS is more fun to drive than the base model, but I'm really hoping to buy an automatic this time around. My commute has too much stop and go for a manual transmission to be much fun. Also, I'd been toying with an AWD (assuming we ever get snow - or winter - in NJ again) but that would have even less power.
I know some of you are thrilled with its performance so maybe my experience was just a fluke. It's not like 130 should make it this car outrageously underpowered. I drove a Protege5, which has 130 hp, too, and it was very responsive.
Anyway, I am very sad about this. I really wanted to love this car.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/columns/healey.htm
Don't worry about the steering wheel. The only difference between the base and XR steering wheel is the leather wrapping(at least in Canada)
As for those talking about lack of power....I think that this is more prevalent on the Automatic. Our 5 speed seems very peppy. I drove a Protege 5 with a 5 speed and see no real difference. The protege 5 has a little more torque (5 lbs) but it also gets 4-5 mpg less in fuel economy. I think the automatic shifts before the most power is available. Perhaps they need a power/economy switch.
First, wheels: Beyond the obvious advantages in style, larger wheels and the lower profile tires that accompany them improve handling and road-holding by increasing the section width of the tire (for more grip) and increasing the stiffness of the sidewall (for sharper turn-in). Trust me, this makes a BIG difference in the way the car handles. And I'm not some 16-year-old kid who just wants to profile, I'm 54 years old and I only like what works.
The disadvantages, as noted, are increased impact harshness (especially during winter, when you encounter clumps of ice, and potholes), increased tire wear and the possibility of damaging a rim if you run over a curb or pothole. On the other hand, if you drive carefully (shouldn't we all?), you shouldn't find this to be a problem.
One more tip: multispoke wheels are generally lighter and stronger than wheels with fewer but wider spokes (I also happen to think they look better), and chromies are generally heavier as well (besides looking gawdawful silly in my opinion). As for tires, I highly recommend the Sumitomos that I have on my turbo Corolla. They're Z-rated, very quiet and smooth, and seem to wear very well. Check Tire Rack's web site for a comparison between them and their two biggest competitors.
To address the problem in the southeast US with undesired dealer add-ons, some of this is the dealers' work to drive the cost up (and also to demonstrate how out of touch dealers can be with the youth market), and some is the work of SET, the private distributor who handles that particular region. SET is infamous for loading new cars with every option they can think of. Years ago, when the Avalon was launched, I was working for Toyota HQ in Torrance and my brother really wanted one of them (he lives in NY). Simply couldn't find one without a sunroof!! Now my brother is 6'3", and the last thing he needed was a $1200 option that decreased headroom. So I told him to buy a Crown Vic.
In terms of performance, the Matrix is handicapped by its weight, aerodynamics and the gutlessness of both the 1ZZ and 2ZZ engine options. Nissan's engines all have more torque than horsepower; Toyota's are just the opposite. If I still worked for Toyota, I would have ordered a Matrix with the 1ZZ and turbocharged it, the way I did my 2000 Corolla. Best of both worlds. I really hope Toyota smells the coffee and starts providing us with engines that supply decent torque at lower rpm, or Nissan and Honda will continue to eat their lunch, power-wise.
Beyond that, I think the car is wonderful -- great utility, sharp styling and traditional Toyota build quality and reliability. While I think the Protege5 is almost (but not quite) as visually stimulating, it is a Mazda, and Mazdas simply do not have the track record for quality and relibility that Toyota does.
Has anyone driven the xrs version as an automatic?
and did it seem to have the same drive as a stick? Im worried that the L-i (lift intelligence) wont be as accurate with the auto. (not maximizing the revs for power.
has anyone driven both of these?
I would most definitely try before I bought that particular combination!
Quality
It's really a matter of taste in which you like better. They are both pretty good looking IMO, but I prefer the Vibe over all also.
I think the Red prototype XRS looked much better without the tinting and would have been a better choice for initial press pictures.
In my humble opinion, the Black with tinting also looks very good....at least it did the last time I looked in the driveway
I feel like I got a good deal, although I will have to wait a bit for it. The dealer tried to push me to get the dealer-installed moonroof as opposed to the factory-installed one. He told me that all the factory was going to do was ship the moonroof for installation in the Jacksonville area anyway, instead of having his guys do it. He stated that the exact same installation process was going to take place regardless of who does the install. Does this sound right? I have been under the impression that when the "factory" installs the moonroof they also put additional roof support.. What do you guys think?
Brantly
On the compartment thing I think I should finally read my manual. I'm so busy I haven't had a chance to read more then the break-in section. I was sitting in the car waiting for my wife and said hey what's this button below the gear shift, low and behold ANOTHER compartment.......this is great....lol.
p.s. what are u guys thinking of gas milage. I'm find the gas tank to be very small!!!! Here is TO I did my first fill up at $0.629 for $25 or about 40 liters. At the time I did that the yellow light had just come on. That would mean I still had 10L in the tank or well over 100km to go. Why would the light come on and the needle be so low then? Is this just to make sure I'm not stupid enough to run out of gas? I'll let you know how my next fill up goes but wasn't the milage supposed to be about 7.7 L per 100km?? That would mean I get about 500km on every 40 liter fill up. I'm due for a fill up shortly, I'll let you know what I get. I had the trip set so this time I'll look carefully at how much I put in.
My dealer hear told me the same thing. He also quoted me a price of a grand for the aftermarket moonroof, while I could get the toyota installed one for $700 bucks.
A word to the wise, do not believe your dealer.
Myself I just put down a deposit on an XRS Auto with:
Nav system
Bumper guard
Carpeted mats
Cargo mat
Wheel Locks
Side Airbags
Seat back storage
All weather guard
for $20,851.62
I think most reviewers are confirmed gearheads. Nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but they generally believe that rocket powered sports cars are the ideal for all vehicles, and the closer anything gets to that standard, the better the car/truck/unicycle. If you put a Rolls Royce Jet engine on a skateboard, I think the guys at Car and Driver would proabbly complain about the huge delay going from zero to lightspeed.
I read a lot of reviews and considered several makes/models of sedans and wagons before settling on the Matrix. Only time will tell if I made a good choice.
You can get a lot of good information from the "car press", just take the always underpoweered bias into account.
I must be the perfect target Toyota wanted, 3 years married, youngish, and a baby due any day (well last Wednesday to be exact).
P.S. on the Milage thing. Filled up this morning again, 40L * $0.625 AGAIN, trip had about 450km on it. $25
Base 6-spd. XRS $18,750
Moonroof 750
Dimming mirror 291
Sub and 200w amp 299
Bumper protection 99
Cargo/floor mats 142
I'm right on the dollar of MSRP, I believe.
Brantly
At aemag.com, which is the North American Dealer Association's magazine website, you will find this identifier of the target demographic for the Matrix:
Target market: Age, 37; female, 60 percent; married, 50 percent; college grads; 50 percent; income, $50,000.
http://www.aemag.com/printedition/toc2002/firstup/02feb/ontrack.html
My translation: The majority of buyers are expected to be soccer moms.
twist
Target buyer: Age, 42; male, 50 percent; college grads, 60 percent; married, 60 percent; income, $69,000.
But it's close. I expect to see the CRV and the Matrix going head to head in a lot of household decisionmaking.
How do you market cars to 37 year old women? By saying this is a great car for 37 year old women? NO, for the most part they don't want to be 37, they want to be 27 or younger.
You market to little girls by telling them they will appear older if they buy your product. You market to 37 year old women by telling them they will appear younger if they buy your product.
Same goes for men. This is not your father's Oldsmobile.
The XRS will go to the younger guys by a wide margin. But Toyota expects, and I suspect, that the rest of the Matrix line will be sold in higher quantities to women.
Many times I've heard my 30-something friends say "I will NOT drive a minivan. But SUV's are such gas guzzlers." Enter the Matrix, which is a very nice tall station wagon.
That's the way things are in my 30-something suburban world. And that's the group of people that was spending the most time on the Matrix at the Chicago Auto Show. It wasn't the young people or the retirees, it was the ones with the 10 month old in the backpack or the Kindergartner in tow.
Maybe the way you see things from your 50ish Canadian perspective is right and Toyota's big bucks market research and my 30ish perspective is wrong. Maybe Wayne Gretzky will stop complaining long enough to realize his team won the gold medal. Time will tell.
twist
They nailed you on the AutoDimming Mirror and the Bumper Protection, should be $250 and $56 respectively.
And since they are charging full retail (which is an almost 18% markup BTW) there shouldn't be any dealer processing fee.
We'll have to see who gets theirs first, you or me. Enjoy!!!
Or does Toyota think that since the target customer is a 37 yr old female, they will want a skirt on their Matrix?:-)