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That said, most of the reviews say that the extra torque only kicks in around 5000 - 6000 RPM. That is, you have to really wind it up to get any benefit from the extra HP. When you do that your gas mileage will drop rapidly. So, considering the way most of us drive and the kind of driving we do, the extra HP doesn't help much. It comes down to your willingness to pay the extra bucks for the trim and extra options. Just MHO.
This article made me wonder what market they're actually tapping. So here's the survey:
Post which of the following age groups you fall into, and I'll compile and post for everyone to see:
20 - 25
26 - 30
31 - 35
36 - 40
over 40
Matrix owners or those who have ordered already ordered only please.
I'll start off, I'm WAY over 40.
I'm way over 40 too..!! So does that totally upset the target demographics already ??
raven18:
Thanks for the explanation. My XR doesn't have the fog lights and the spoilers. So the trailer hitch that got ordered should be the right one. I won't be hauling anything for a while, certainly not until well beyond the break-in period. I don't even have a trailer! Plan to rent one as needed a couple times of year to haul the yard litter (branches, etc.) to the dump. Very light duty use..
It is my wife's car. She is 40, I am 41.
Just went over 1000 miles last night on my XR with all the trimmin's
I look forward to a full road test on a future episode.
For those with a bent toward performance, UrbanRacer.com quoted a Toyota district sales manager as follows: "TRD will be offering a Upgraded Brake Kit, Cold Air Intake and a Supercharger package." If true, this and oher rumors of forthcoming engine modifications would mark a significant departure for TRD, which has never before taken much interest in sanctioning engine upgrades for 4-cylinder cars.
Taken together, all evidence so far suggests that Toyota is going beyond the youth market to make a no-holds-barred grab for the import tuner market and its high-spending, fiercely-loyal 20-something consumers. The TRD news demonstrates that the effort is not simply to get them to buy the car, but to buy into the brand - to depend on Toyota for their aftermarket needs as well as the initial purchase.
I'm 22, and my car is on order, which I suppose makes me a willing puppet of the Toyota marketing department. C'est la vie.
http://newcelica.org/other/installs/butterfly/install.htm"
I wonder if any marketing dorks at Toyota every read this board and realize how they're screwing up the marketing on the Matrix.
This mod should give you 3-4 more horsepower. The Celica guys generally recommend getting an intake instead, but since there are none for the Matrix . . .
The only negatives are decreased gas mileage and possible hard starting in cold weather.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/archives/tech/tech01_0102.shtml
I'm in the 26-30 range.
I have an XRS with nav. on order and the wait is killing me!!
I disagree. Look, Toyota knows that everyone in California is cool. And all cool people MUST want to drive the Matrix with ground effects, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you like the Matrix, but not the ground effects, then you're not cool and don't belong in California.
Pretty smart thinking, eh? That's why those marketing people are paid the big bucks!
Going to university next year, so there is no money available right now to buy a car. There is this old MR2 on sale for around $3000, however...
Oh well... The closest I'll get to buying a Matrix right now is sitting in one at the dealership... Or maybe getting one of those brochure things...
When we last left our hero his order was rejected by the factory (XR with all the goodies, including the Nav system)
I asked the first dealer that I dealt with (as well as another dealer) if I turned in the exact same order, would the factory reject it. They both checked with Toyota and said no, the factory would not reject the order. Which leaves me to believe that the dealership where I first ordered the XR realized that they screwed up on the price (sold it to me for too low) and then lied to get rid of me????
So, that brings us to the present. I ordered the XR again, at a $300 price increase, but, the blasted dealer can't tell me when they'll get allocation of an XR 5-speed (every other dealer that I have talked to can). I have called the inventory person 4 times, left messages, no response.
I'm getting very frustrated at the whole process. I can walk into any "American" dealership (ford, GM, Chrysler) and get EXACTLY what I want from the factory.
Why the @###@!@#% do the Japanese have to make it so difficult?
Meanwhile I'm on borrowed time with the car I am borrowing, so I need to know what the heck is going on soon.
Thus, I am putting backup plans into place and looking at used Acura TL's.
Sigh!
If you are getting an automatic, do NOT get the XRS. The transmission will shift before 6000 RPM, and you will not get the extra oomph (which isn't that much).
There appears to be a knowledgeable dealer, Cliffy, (located in Virigina) who contributes to the Camry board. You may want to look up Cliffy's profile and e-mail him about what you're looking for.
Alternatively, call the GM of the dealership you're interested in (avoid all sales people), and ask him to help you. You can also contact the Executive Offices at Toyota Motor Sales in Torrance Ca (not the toll free customer service #). I understand they have a special group that actually responds to ordering problems such as the one you're having. Good luck!
I will post a report on the weekend on how things went...
Notes : 2nd tank of gas .
Its a very solid car .
Of course reading all the break-in procedures have suspended all 6K + rpm shifts till i reach 1.5 K miles.
Nevertheless its still pretty fast in below 4K rpm if get all the shift points right.
Opinion:
1: the brakes are simply the best. Solid
and dependable.
2: Aok audio .
3: Clutch + 6 speed shifter gets better as u get used to them .
4: Very comfortable seats .
5: for those summer days or simple blues :
a) find the winding long road with no traffic
b) "Lift" time ;D
6) Solid responsive car that is an absolute dream to own
7) its still a unique car
cons:
1) the plastic is cheap
2) suspension is a bit harsh on rough roads .(XRS atleast with the 17 inch summer tyres )
3) Clutch +6 speed shifter is a pain in traffic
even if u r comfortable with it (especially on traffic that going up a hill)
4) got to be careful about dividers with "snow plough" front spoiler
5) Whats with that damn light sensor !!!!!!
Seats comfortable...car is responsive, tight, but handles bumps rough...but hey...it's not a Lex. Only problem...and it is minor...the little patches on the rear door "well" are coming off in a little section...almost bubbling off...mmmm, will keep an eye on it. Dirt got under and it is noticible. Gets tons of looks. Can't tell what people think. Most who are able to comment are positive. Have not seen one other Matrix on the road yet! Oh....the light sensor. It is odd at times. For some reason, Toyota placed it in a poor spot...at least for driver in NY. Our inspection and registration stickers are right on the window over the sensor, which does not help in terms of blocking direct sun at times. Sensor should be on right side or in middle of dash. My lights have kicked on when driving from a sunny spot into a cloud's shadow. Again...minor...but worth a re-engineering look. Overall? AWESOME job Toyota! Thanks! Great car...great design...great concept...at a decent price.
Once I got to 1600 km, I started driving the car hard. I bought this car for two reasons....First, I need a vehicle which I could transport my family in (i.e wife and 6 month old son) relative comfort, especially for weekend getaways. Second, I wanted a car which could provide me with the flexibility of decent fuel economy and good performance.
So, you're probabaly wondering how's the car so far. Well, I drive approx. 800 km/wk (500 mi) and I get decent fuel economy (approx. 10L/100km). This consists of 80% freeway driving where I drive at between 120-140 km/hr. I also let her redline on the freeway. For those who want to enjoy some fun, drop her in 3rd when you're at 120 and you'll find yourself in a sweet 6k rpm. Then just keep shifting her at 8 k and you'll be at 175 by the time you're ready to hit fifth.
The major deficiency I find on this car is that when shift from 1st at 8k, you'll find you'll drop into 5.5 k in second. This causes you to hit a flat spot until you're in around 6.3k, when this car takes off again. I only wish that the variable valve time kicked in at 5.5k. This only happens in the 1st to 2nd shift. The rest of the time the car always drops into the sweet rev range. I will profess, I haven't gotten her up into the 8k range in fifth, so I don't know where 6th would drop.
In terms of handling. This thing handles better than the acura intergra we traded in. I've pushed this car and she just keeps asking for more. I think the summer tires on this car are the best around. Check out the tire survey at Tirerack.com. The tires on the Matrix are rated number one. Also, the combination of tires and brakes give this vehicle amazing stopping power.
For those who really want to know how good this car is, check out the current comparison in Motortrend. The XRS beat the protege5 and WRX station wagon in the slalom.
One last thought. There is quite a bit of torque steer when you launch this vehicle hard. But I think a lot of it is contributed by the sticky tires. I found the tires got significantly better grip after 2000 km on them.
Later folks!
Last night for the first time all 5 of us tumbled into the Matrix. We were driving to a crowded school function and I wanted to park the Matrix instead of the Sienna.
The kids said the back was fine. Probably would get old for long road trips.
I did get my money back from the 1st dealer (wasn't a hassle at all).
As for locating one, that won't work. I basically want an XR with EVERY option, and no one has one like that.
We'll see what Cliffy can do, and still keeping my fingers crossed with my current order.
Thanks to all again!
Does anyone have info on a source for the trailer wiring harness? Is it possible that another Toyota harness might work on the Matrix?
Thanks,
Fred
I had the cruise control looked at by the dealer the other day. They ran a diagnostic and then contacted Pontiac's tech line. They informed the dealer that they had many complaints about this, that the owner's manual is wrong, and that it's supposed to operate this way. I drove another Vibe that was on the lot and it had the same problem.
I've never driven a car with a cruise control that operated like this. I'm going to pursue this with Pontiac, but I'd like to know if the cruise control in the Matrix does the same thing. I'm also going to post this on the Corolla board, since it's built at the same NUMMI factory, unlike the Matrix.
Thanks for your help.
On the retained power for the power windows, I don't recall seeing it listed in the brochure for the Matrix (RAV4 has it), but will check. I agree it's a useful feature that Toyota should make standard with all their power windows.