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2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
On the plus side: Still lovin it. As others say, not as good mileage as in 'laboratoy conditions', but pretty darn good...better than most other vehicles. The power is fine, and I don't have any problems on the highway. The 5 speed stick really makes the power band a lot more flexible. I dropped in a TRD airfilter. The motor has gradually loosened up and feels more responsive than when new. Thinking about adding cold air induction or ram air, but it's a fair bit of money for approx....4-8 hp.
On the minus side: Not much. Crappy manual shifter. Very notchy/noisy/imprecise as compared with a buttery smooth Nissan or Honda stick. Numerous rattles and vibrations from the dash area. Starting system doesn't seem that strong for the great white north.
Overall, 9+++, a great sensible ride that still attracts stares. If you have the body skirts, please beware. I tore part of the front right side of mine on an ice/snow bank while street parking yesterday. As it comes in 1 piece, the whole front piece will have to be replaced. Does anyone have any idea as to the part cost? It's been duct taped now, and is holding up. Congratulations to Matrix purchasers!
Can you tell, how hard is it to unscrew these parts (front/side/rear, any info you have)? Are there any holes in bumper after the parts are taken off? If yes, how big they are? Did you take it off or you just tied it back with the duct tape and you do not know how these things attached to bumper?
Anyway, when you would repair it, I'd really appreciate some details about skirts. Thanks!
Toyota should not have installed side skirts on 4wd models. It does not make sense at all. I own a 4wd b/c I want to be able to drive over the snow not use my car as a snow plower.
So far I like it a lot. Only 2 minuses from the car. It needs more horsepower and bigger gas tank.
Why there are no different horsepowers b/w 2wd & 4wd Mitsu Outlander. But Matrix 4wd has 7 horsepowers less than 2wd version. Why???
The different suspension components are also the cause of a "shrunken" gas tank. It is not a good combo, I agree, to have the smaller gas tank in the model with the lower gas mileage!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
To me, lumbar often feels like theres a rockin my seat pushing the small of my back into an uncomfortable position.
It's all a matter of opinion.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Hadn't looked into the Aerio only because I couldn't find info about it's safety - with all the accidents I've been in, safety is a prime concern. I also found the Matrix to be all over the road in windy conditions, which I'm not too crazy about. A friend has suggested a VW Beetle, which is much heavier than the Matrix, but it's such a small car! And I need to fit an acoustic bass in the back (which does fit in the Beetle, believe it or not, thought it's a bit tricky to negotiate!). Another friend made the same observation about the Forester being a sturdier ride than the Matrix.
Thanks again for your insights.
First, would the Matrix be able to hold the dog comfortably in the cargo area? And secondly, is there a divider (as described above) available from the dealer or aftermarket? Thanks!
You will find out that the Aerio is, by a slim margin, the safest small car in the offset impact. It was rated slightly higher than the Civic, Corolla, Impreza, and Lancer due to slightly less footwell intrusion. So, if safety is a major concern, the Aerio can now fit into a possible option for you. But a seat solution would definitely be the more economical way to find a solution to your comfort problems.
There is lots of room back there.
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)
It can't be that RARE or would take weeks to truck from Baltimore to No. VA. Would it?
If you are looking for a 911 GT2 or a Modena, I can buy the story. Why do I have a funny feeling that something ain't right?
I like the Matrix, but will probably end up with another Jetta (TDI wagon this time). I have a 1.8T sedan now, and love it. It's not gonna be as reliable as the Matrix would, but I am willing to take the chance for the increase in driving enjoyment.
I think that they had several, I think.
Call and ask for Chuck G.
good luck
The last time I had a 5spd, that was 10 years ago, and it sure is fun to shift the gears by yourself. It's all HWY commute, but I took the long curvey roads this morning.
The wife and I are looking for a 3rd car. Our two choices are an '03 Matrix or an '03 Corolla S. We are in So Cal. Our prefered color for the Matrix is the Metallic/Cosmic Blue which is quite hard to find. For the Corolla, we would prefer the phantom gray. Here are the deals on the table for us:
Matrix XR, auto, with 16" wheels, sunroof, 6-speaker am/fm/casette/CD, cargo mat, floor mats, cruise, sport package plus (front fogs, unerbody moldings), and rear bumper protector. The invoice is $16960. The dealer offered at invoice. Trouble is the color is the Sand Beige (not our first choice).
Corolla S, auto, with 16" wheels, sport package plus (body moldings, rear spoiler), am/fm/casette/CD with 6-speakers, and cruise. Invoice $16084. Dealer offered $300 over invoice. Car is in transit and won't arive in dealership for ~ 1 week. We can wait tho'.
Which of these is the better choice. My wife wants the Matrix, I prefer the "sportier" Corolla S. Any thoughts ?
no roof in the corolla...I would go with the matrix, but I am biased.
corolla will be the faster of the two, matrix is the more versatile.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As far as I'm concerned that's the biggest joke perpetrated on the public in eons.. Our Matrix XR can't do any better than 25 on the highway and averages 21.6 around town. The city mileage is over the range of 3500 to 8500 on the odometer. I brought it to the dealer and they did some kind of magical analysis and told us it was doing 33 mpg highway. Right......!
So honestly folks, what are the rest of you seeing for mileage on your Matrix's??
I'm getting about 32-34 mpg (very little highway miles). Hopefully the number will go up as I pass 1K mile mark on Odo and start driving regularly on highways.
Perhaps there is something wrong with the way you are calculating mileage?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Over 6,885 miles the overall gas mileage has been 26.4 miles per gallon. This has been about 50 percent highway and 50 percent in town.
On the highway I have had one tank as high as 30.1 mpg in 40 degree weather. The lowest highway tank was 24.5 mpg on a 180-mile trip when it was between 0 degrees and 5 above.
The losest tank for city driving has been 21.8 mpg. on snow and sleet. The highest in-town tankfull was 27.7 mpg last September when it still was warm outside.
EPA for the 4WD is different on the sticker than in other documentation. I believe in one place it is 27 city 32 highway, and in another place maybe 26 city 31 highway. I'm not getting that, but hopefully it will improve with the warmer weather. Of course, Toyota keeps saying the gas mileage will improve as the car is broken in....
Was getting consistent 26.9 to 27.5.
Last fill was closer to 30 mpg - it's getting warmer.
Now have 3000 miles.
Also the more miles you do on each tank, the better. If you routinely fill it up at half tank, your accuracy will be a lot worse than someone who lets it get down to the last gallon or two before filling up. They are getting more exact numbers.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Measuring each tankful and judging how many "clicks" doesn't make more of a difference than a few 10ths of a mpg per tankful. 8.9 gallons vs. 8.8 gallons (assuming 30mpg on average) gets you all the way down to 29.66 mpg. A long way from the 21.6 I see on our Matrix. A 5000 mile sampling (as I have done) pretty much rules out things like the slope of the ground at the tank, or filling it at the halfway mark, etc..
There is only one person in the car for 98% of the time and there is no cargo 95% of the time. 80%of the mileage is city, stop and go, idling at lights, etc.. That one person is my wife, so maybe what I don't know is that she lets it idle while she's doing her shopping..??
Oh well, I'll just move on and be forever jealous of all of you getting 32 or 34 mpg...
Drove Cosmic Blue XRS about three weeks ago at Kearny Mesa dealership.
> Which of these is the better choice?
For whom?
> My wife wants the Matrix, I prefer the "sportier" Corolla S. Any thoughts ?
Neither of these cars is in any way sporty with base engine and auto. In addition to that, standard Corolla sucks both aesthetically and functionally.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Buy what is best for you. Otherwise, you will never be happy.
And I suppose Corolla does suck functionally compared to a dump truck, if you are in the construction business and hauling dirt. See, it all depends on YOUR needs and desires.
I agree that figuring the gas mileage for each tank is a less accurate measure of anything, but it still is useful information. If you normally are getting 27-29 mpg, and then you have a few tanks for similar driving where you're only getting 17-19 mpg, it's pretty clear that you've got a problem. The amount of gas you add after it clicks off and the slope of the surface at the gas station would not account for that big a difference.
Yes, you're absolutely right. And the reason why someone buys a car instead of a truck is because he/she needs to move people and their stuff, not dirt or bricks or drywall. (Seeing a lot of heavy trucks carrying nothing but air in their beds, one might think that people actually buy cars not because of their real NEEDS, but let us pretend that they are). Matrix has more space both for people and for luggage, and it has the same underpinnings as Corolla, it drives almost the same (it is not a bulky SUV), it costs about the same and has the same gas mileage. So what to think about? Can you stick your new TV or bike into Corolla's trunk? What about your dog? What about taking a little rest while on a picnic, lying on a sturdy and absolutely flat surface? Corolla sucks simply because it is a plain sedan. Sedans should extinct long ago in the seventies.
Go Matrix! ;-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Mikus: I also live in SD, so maybe check out Kearny Mesa Toyota.
Second 1/2 tank - 35.2 mpg
Most miles in and around town, no A/C.
This car is fun to drive, functional and far more economical than my old SUV.
If Toyota is listening - I wish for a Matrix with fog lights and no "skirts". Green would be nice or a dark grey color...
For those interested in offering a more detailed vehicle report, here's a template you can use:
1. Model Year & Total miles to date.
2. MPG & Driving habits. Any differences in mpg since you first purchase?
3. Any additional accessories & mods?
4. Maintenance issues to date.
5. Any interesting trips or cargo experiences?
6. Overall impressions pro/cons of your Toyota Matrix since you first purchased....
Share as much (or as little) information as you'd like. I'm sure other Matrix (and Vibe) owners/shoppers passing through here, would find the information quite interesting, if not helpful.
Also, you can report back every 3-5k to update again.... Who's game? ;-)
Thanks for your participation!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
It has almost 13K miles now. Looking to circumvent the $200+ dealer service at 15K, second mental note to check that out soon, as far as what the warranty requires.
Would love to hear if anyone has added any of the TRD stuff that is now available, especially the sway bars and brake kit. There is also a supercharger available for somewhere north of $3K - anyone done that?
This thing has power that is barely adequate for the most challenging situations...for instance, you can cram six people in this thing without too much trouble, but then try going up a steep hill with them inside! Can you say, "rolling backwards"?! As far as cargo, just about anything fits - with the seats down it has more space inside than my 4Runner.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)