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Comments
on another note, I find it interresting that the Vibe discussion was leading the numbers by a wide margin and now the Matrix has taken the lead.
My daughter is six if we get two blue cars she'll just ask mommy's car or daddys car. Anyway shes mad we are both gonna have manuals as she'll no longer will get to warm up the car. which she loves to do.
The dealer said all XR and XRS models come with the side skirts and a "sport" package! Even the Civic SI doesn't come with ground effects, Honda leaves it to the buyer to do such customization. Why is Toyota putting these ground effects on ALL XR and XRS models? This is crazy!
Does anyone know how much it would cost to remove the side skirts, assuming I can find one without the "sport" package?
Suggestion to Toyota: Include ALL the ground effects in a truly optional package, that the dealer could install. Consider making fog lamps standard on all models.
1) The Toyota "build your own" web page doesn't list air conditioning as standard or optional in the Mid-Atlantic region as far as I can see, but every dealer listing I see has A/C. Is it standard or what package does it come with?
2) Does the car use a Toyota or GM transmission? How about the rest of the driveline and mechanicals?
3) Is the Matrix made in a Toyota plant and the Vibe in a GM plant? If so, I wouldn't touch a Vibe, because IMHO, GM can't touch Toyota's quality control.
I'm also way outside the target group, since I'm a male over 60. We were going to buy an Odyssey as a sedan doesn't fit our needs, and I feel it is the best value in a minivan. Now that Toyota is making what seems to be a station wagon, I have a real choice. I also owned a Corolla wagon and it was a great car.
1. Air Conditioning w/air filter is standard on the Matrix, even the base model.
2. The engine and transmission are from Toyota. It's the same as used in the Corolla and Celica. (The Matrix is based on the Corolla)
3. Matrix is made in Canada at a Toyota Plant. The Vibe is made at the joint GM/Toyota NUMMI facility in California.
I just wish I weren't upside down on my current loan so I could buy a Matrix. Oh well, I'm sure it will be worth the wait.
What is a bumper protector? Is it a rubber strip that covers the top of the rear bumper? If so, why not buy it and put it on yourself. There are several places that sell discountes OEM accessories for Hondas on the WEB. Anything like that for Toyota? Given the rip-offs being committed by Toyota dealers, there should be!
I'd trust the Vibe for quality.
So, I do not get the benefit from having several dealers competing for my business eh?
We thought this might be a good idea for a couple reasons. For one, since the Matrix is built on the Corolla platform, we thought there might be enough similarities where you might benefit from sharing information with each other. Secondly, to get things started, we thought the combined participation of the two groups would help to increase overall club activity and enthusiasm.
One of the problems we've had with some of the individual clubs here is not enough participation to keep things active/enthusiastic. Therefore, we've found it beneficial to combine owners of similar models. In fact, some of our Owner's Clubs encompass the entire make (i.e. Subaru Crew), as opposed to separate models. Of course every situation is different depending upon the needs of the individual group.
Question: So I guess what we'd like know is if you also like the idea of combining Corolla and Matrix owners. Yes/no? Doesn't matter? Any other suggestions...? We aim to please. Appreciate the feedback, and thanks for your participation!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons
http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/car-news-car03.html
A bit much.
The most logical and useful pairing would be a Matrix/Vibe club.
One of the benefits of Edmunds is the specificity of its Town Hall topics and clubs. I.e, I'm not just part of a Toyota group, but of a Toyota Matrix group. It's hard enough to make it through all the posts now, let alone with two other cars in the mix.
But that's just my opinion. I could be incorrect. (I know what you thought I was going to say
Just trying to help!
My Matrix XR had the following options:
- Anti-Lock Brake System
- 17" Aluminum Wheels
- All Weather Guard Package
- Cruise Control
- Premium Am/Fm w/6 Disc In-Dash
- Sport Plus Package
MSRP: $19,155
I paid: $18,655
I got to wait 3 weeks for it...but it'll be worth it. Happy Motoring....see you guys on the road!!!
I just got a quote from my insurance company and while I did not compare it to other similiar vehicles the quote is approx 24% higher than the same coverage for my current 1999 Corolla Touring Sedan. I am quoted for the XR 5spd 2wd. The agent told me the car has sophisticated anti-theft equipment (I don't think it does but not going to argue if it helps the price ;-) ) but it is offset by the fact the company has classed it as a mini-SUV. I think they should revisit this classification, it is really in fact a tall 2wd wagon/5 door sedan...it is not a true SUV. It does not affect me too much either way though as the increase is less than 200 per year and it would it will not stop me from buying the vehicle. Now if I was 18 years old with a poor driving record, I think the insurance would be very high for this vehicle.
This is in Canada so it could be different in the US...but I really feel they need to drop the SUV designation from the vehicle for this reason. Maybe insurance companies will start classing it as a CUV soon which could help the rates.
I'll see if I can dig up the info and report back.
www.toyotamatrix.ca
Apparently they are going to give away 6 Matrixes to people for a month this summer to take pictures of and the person with the most interresting pictures/adventures with their Matrix gets to keep it.
As for the insurance....we're still waiting to hear from the insurance company what the rate will be. Maybe we should be calling it by whats on the owners manual....the Corolla Matrix. I told the insurance agent it was basically a hatchback version of the Corolla.
Not sure if I should compromise on what I want or ask for my deposit back. I live in the DC area.
It is most annoying that to get a Matrix with ABS, and power windows (in Canada) you must get a AWD XR for $28,500(taxes included). A Corolla LE with ABS and power windows costs $24,500.
To our American friends, a Canadian gallon (imperial) is bigger than a US gallon so our mpg quotes have bigger numbers - an automatic 03 Corolla gets 49mpg on the highway in Canada, but only 39mpg in the States. Its funny that we still get still get quoted mpg values since we buy gas by the liter and our odometers are in kilometers.
I've tried almost all the dealers in the Dallas/Irving area and they all told me that Toyota isn't making that combo until July.
Has anyone recently got the XRS with automatic, or know any different?
My 2 cent...
I'll be sharing my experience with you all.
Either that or since it's target market is enthusiasts, there's no real need to manufacure an XRS automatic.
Automakers often delay -- and sometimes cancel -- the release of certain combinations.
Saturn's VUE won't have a CVT available for a few months. In 1998 and 1999, Dodge's literature mentioned a six-cylinder powerplant available for the Durango. It never produced any and eventually canceled that package.
Prolly more than anyone wanted to know...
In terms of the XRS with Automatic, In Canada we can order but the dealer I am talking to is discouraging all orders because as said before, the transmission shift points do not allow the engine to reach peak effeciency. I don't see any reason why you cannot get the XRS automatic and shift it manually at redline...I do that all the time on my wifes automatic (grin).
Just a thought but you folks in the states should be crossing the border to buy your cars, I know the retails are a bit higher but with 63 cents on the dollar, you can save a good bit of money.
Also, check our Edmunds' new Consumer Reviews & Ratings section where owners can submit their own reviews. This functionality lives in the "consumer opinions" area of the new vehicle detail page and allows users to rate a vehicle on a number of different criteria (1 to 10 scale), as well as add his/her own free-form comments.
We look forward to your participation. Thanks!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
On another note, check out the new Edmunds review:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/49772/article.html
there you will see them mention that the automatic used in the AWD and XRS are different than those used with the 130hp engines.
Very good review BTW.
See my next post for more info on what I bought and the buying experience.
In Maryland, the Matrix is classified as a wagon for tag purposes. Not a multi-purpose vehicle or a truck.
Makes sense to me and I don't have to get new tags.