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-juice
Thank You again
driver36
See: http://www.mag-x.com/scoop/scoop_tm.html
at least there is a very striking similarity from these artist sketches and powertrain seems to have some similarity. The image of the Caldina looks like a cleaned-up matrix without the
boy-racer side panels.
The AWD will have 120hp, so I imagine it'll give up about 1-2mpg to the FWD 130hp version.
Auto? In the Corolla you give up 2mpg vs. the manual.
-juice
In regard to your question, you can go to www.wieck.com. Go under the Public Access link and input "Matrix" in the search criteria. Browse through the pictures. On the second page, the second photo of the Pre-Production Matrix clearly show the hydraulic pump for the lift glass and the hatch.
Here the link if you having a hard time finding it.
http://wieck.com/public/*2PV_028571
Hope this you'll convince you.
Damax07
Having apparently learned nothing from Ford Taurus SHO, they apparently do not realise many things:
a. many young people do NOT drive a stick and have exactly NO desire to learn.
b. A stick is a pain in the rear in Chicago, NY, LA, etc.
c. Maintenance long term is lower on an auto, though it costs more to start with and repairs are MUCH more expensive if they ARE needed
My question is this. The Toyota web sites are vague. CAN you get a 180 hp engine AND auto on the Matrix? If you can, I will probably buy one. If not, I am interested in a Mercury Marauder or a Crown Vic with the handling package. Yep, odd combination. I admit it!
But yes, 93% of the market is for autos, and they would potentially lost some customers. I prefer manuals, but I'm in the minority.
-juice
Jake
It would be fun if they offered the Celica GT-S's steering wheel shift on the 180hp model.
If anything, AWD version should get more power, not less.
-juice
TRD will offer a supercharger, which can address the problem, I guess.
-juice
actually, the 180 and 130 hp engines don't differ that much when it comes to torque.....i remember one reviewer preferring the standard engine in the celica over the 180 hp version due to it's similar torque and lighter weight.
as an aside, it would've been nice to have the Rav-4's engine in the AWD version but maybe it didn't fit.
-juice
"b. One (1) Grand Prize: A 2003 Toyota Matrix (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $18,500). The Grand Prize Vehicle Prize winner will be determined randomly in a drawing from among all Finalist Prize winners on or about January 30, 2002. "
Is that for the base model or the sport one?
-juice
I like the car more from the front and rear than from the side. We actually have a black one on order. It is due to be made in January at the Canadian factory with delivery in February. I figure the black color will look better from the side (at least to me) since the C pillar won't look so much like it's missing. We currently have a Subaru Forester for AWD needs so this will replace our Mazda MX3 as our second car. It should be more functional for our 2 yr old. We ordered a Base 5 speed Matrix with the "B" option package (Power locks, keyless entry, alloy wheels, A/C). Pricing hasn't been firmed up but the dealer has said if we don't like it, he won't hold us to it. We have sold our MX3 ourselves and have agreed on $800 or so off sug retail for now.
The dealer did show me a notice he received from Toyota saying that the Automatic paired to the 180HP engine pretty much on par with the Automatic paired with the 130 hp engine. I assume that the automatic shifts at RPM's too low to benefit from the extra power. I think they were still working on this but it may be why Pontiac opted out of a 180 HP automatic Vibe.
It was neat to be able to compare it at the show vs the Lexus new 5 door hatch and the Focus ZX5 etc. The Matrix, due to it's extra height, looks larger and stockier than these others. I also noticed that the show vehicle (preproduction unit) had wheel covers and 205-55-16 Goodyear Eagle RSA tires.
I have a Forester and a 2 year old, too. Small world.
-juice
http://www.canadiandriver.com/previews/03matrix.htm
Tup....I can't wait to see one without the ground effects too....especially that cow catcher in the front....sounds like I'll have to go with a base AWD as even the XR includes the skirts. Wish there were some more pix, especially of the base models.
The dealer told me our car is to be built on January 8 with a 2-3 week wait until he receives it.
My wife actually prefers the looks of the Vibe but she is not a pontiac fan. I also remember when I had my Talon always telling people it was a Mitsubishi not a Chrysler(That was before they put a chrysler engine in it).
The looks do seem to grow on you though.
Are dealers beginning to take orders on the Matrix?
Damax07
Delears should be able to take orders(took mine)....but you would have to do so without knowing the pricing(as I did).
For example, last year the Impreza launch was in March 2001, and they called it a 2002. It was all new, but the Forester was not new at all (the 2001 had just been face-lifted), just a new model year, and because they share an assembly line they started selling the 2002 Forester also in March.
If Mazda was smart, they would not ever have a 2002 MPV, just call it a 2003 and wait for January to sell it, because that helps resale value since it seems newer.
-juice
http://www.globeandmail.com/globemegawheels/20011129/more.html
sounds positive....i was worried they might cut corners in sound insulation etc but doesn't seem to be the case....the only questions for me are does it have enough space and can it get out of it's own way? (I don't need a road rocket but don't want a slug either). I f they keep it close to the Corolla's price, it might be a nice surprise.
Base Vibe $16,900
Vibe GT $19,900
Vibe AWD $20,100 (all prices include $560 destination charge)
Matrix can't be that far off. The RAV4 is not that far off, so it will be interesting to see what happens between RAV4 and Matrix. This is obviously not a problem at Pontiac, since they don't have a mini SUV.
-juice
The TS is a great value, no doubt.
-juice
As others have pointed out, the Impreza TS is a real bargain in comparison. Since the put the 2.5L engine it it...it has become a real steal. It's looks are a little dowdy but when compared to a Matrix/Vibe AWD vehicle....you could get used to it.
With the Matrix AWD being around the same price as a more powerful Rav4 AWD...makes one wonder. With the 123 HP paired with Automatic and AWD....it's going to be a SLOWWWWWWW vehicle!!!
Magazine comparisons with an Impreza will be interesting when looking at AWD.
Toyota doesn't expect to sell many AWD's in Canada. The dealer showed me Toyota's estimates. 50% of all Matrix sales are estimated to be for the Base with the "B" option package (what we ordered); 30% for the Matrix XR; 5% for the Base Matrix (no options); 1% for base Matrix AWD; 4% for base Matrix AWD "B" option package; 5% for Matrix XR AWD; 5% fpr Matrix XRS.
So they expect AWD models to account for only 10% of all Matrix sales.
-juice
As others have pointed out, the Impreza TS is a real bargain in comparison. Since the put the 2.5L engine it it...it has become a real steal. It's looks are a little dowdy but when compared to a Matrix/Vibe AWD vehicle....you could get used to it.
With the Matrix AWD being around the same price as a more powerful Rav4 AWD...makes one wonder. With the 123 HP paired with Automatic and AWD....it's going to be a SLOWWWWWWW vehicle!!!
Magazine comparisons with an Impreza will be interesting when looking at AWD.
Toyota doesn't expect to sell many AWD's in Canada. The dealer showed me Toyota's estimates. 50% of all Matrix sales are estimated to be for the Base with the "B" option package (what we ordered); 30% for the Matrix XR; 5% for the Base Matrix (no options); 1% for base Matrix AWD; 4% for base Matrix AWD "B" option package; 5% for Matrix XR AWD; 5% fpr Matrix XRS.
So they expect AWD models to account for only 10% of all Matrix sales.
-juice