Zircon, to answer your question, we ordered a Base Matrix 5 speed with the B package (A/C alloy wheels, keyless entry etc.). This is a second vehicle to complement our Subaru Forester. My wife commutes a fair distance to work so the AWD Forester is great for winter and the Matrix will be for better mileage in the summer. We sold our other vehicle (Mazda Mx3) a month ago but I wanted to wait and get a 2003 as well as get something a little different. We agreed on $800 under suggested retail(which hopefully will be around $22,500 Canadian). The local Toyota dealer is a great dealer generally labelled the best for service.
I agree - I also don't like how Toyota packages their options. They nickel-and-dime you to death.
An example: to get heated leather seats with power adjustment on a Highlander, you have to buy three separate option packages! Just for the seats! Check it out:
Saw one in person for the first time. It was up on a stand at the DC Auto Show. It looked like a basic model, no clear tail lights for example. Doesn't look nearly as good without them, kind of bland.
They also had a Vibe, which still doesn't look as good as the Matrix.
Too bad you couldn't get close to either one, so not much else to report.
I don't recall reading anything about the tail lights being different in the 180 HP Matrix. I'm wondering if they don't have 2 different types of tail lights out there on pre-production models. I know I've seen pictures of the 180HP XRS with the clear tail lights as well as with the traditional orange-red lights (sport compact car Jan issue). So perhaps all Matrix models will have the same tail lights. Hopefully they will be the clear lights.
This is to anybody who might know and Tup in particular. Is there anywhere we can go now to find out what the available packages will be on the Matrix?
As I posted earlier, To see the toyota specs go to the www.Toyota.com site, click on the Matrix, click on utility and then specs and then scroll down until you see "download pdf version of specs"
I've downloaded that spec sheet but what I was wondering about was if there are certain options that have to be ordered together. Like on a Celica you have to get a sunroof with leather seats.
Actually, here in Canada the options are different than the US. For example, here I ordered a base Matrix with the "B" option pack which is power doors, alloy wheels, keyless entry, illuminated entry and Air conditioning. It looks like in the US that you can order things like A/C all by itself.
I've got a couple of dealership email addresses that I can use. I hope that I'll be able to order particular items seperately but from what some people have told me that might not be a possiblitity. Just for info here's what I'm thinking about:
Matrix XRS Automatic (yea I'm lame and can't drive a stick) DVD/GPS navigation system Leather seats Lunar Mist Metallic OR Cosmic Blue Metallic
I've not decided if I will give up the leather if it requires a sunroof. Until I find out definitively what distributor has TN I'm wary of the sunroof. I've read too many horror stories of Gulf States and Southeast adding cheap crap to the car. A cheap sunroof might be one of the things they'd add. Also I just don't know if I like the idea of having a hole in the top of my car.
Well, when I was last at the Toyota dealer, they had received a notice that the Automatic in the XRS didn't perform much better than the automatic in the base 130hp engine. All the extra HP is at very high RPM's and the automatic shifted before the power band was hit. Perhaps they will find a fix for this by production time.
They won't. They haven't for the celica, they won't for the matrix considering it is the same powerplant. My only question is why some one would want to have a highrevving and basically torqueless engine with an automatic transmission? Sorry guys, if you don't like to drive stick, it isn't worth the $ for the XRS.
A decision that Pontiac apparently made a long time ago. No automatic available with the 180hp engine at Pontiac, announced long ago. At the time, I was upset with Pontiac, especially since Toyota was going to have an auto with the 180.
I wonder if they will actually build any of these with that configuration. Seems to me it would just upset the buyers. Toyota is a very smart company. They will either work it out or won't sell them, I bet!
Want torque? Get a Grand Prix GTP. Torque is NOT what Matrix/Vibe are about. Different market.
Hey there, CFTO had a quick spot on some new cars and low and behold they show a bing shind-dig on the "first" Matrix rolling off the assembly line here in Cambridge, with whomever it was driving it off. Should be interesting to see how much longer we have to wait for pricing, either the Matrix (u.s. or can) or the Vibe (can) . Noticed one thing, front bumber was rather lame, no sport skirt with the small lights just a plain old bumper that looks like the ones in all the pics on the toyota.ca & .com web pages but the bottom half was chopped off. Now I noticed this on a Toyota released video that was shown as a part of the news segment. I was unable to see the front on the car that came off the line, however I assume they must be the same.
Too bad in my opinion, it really made a HUGE difference on how the car looked.
According to Canadian driver the 130 hp engine lost 7 hp in the AWD due to exhaust restrictions due to tight squeeze around the RWD components. If the low output engine drops 7 hp I would think the loss would be much greater on the high output engine where exhaust flow would be more critical. This is a possible explanation as to why the 180 hp is not available in the AWD. Seems like they could find a way around this but may require too much retooling for a new car introduction.
Here are the numbers we have: Vibe: Craig Bierley, Pontiac Vibe brand manager, said that pricing will begin at $16,900 manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), including destination charges of $560. The powerful Vibe GT will start at $19,900 MSRP and Vibes equipped with all-wheel-drive will list for $20,100 MSRP, also with destination charges.
Matrix: The front-wheel-drive Standard grade with a five-speed manual transmission starts at $14,670. The front-wheel-drive Standard with an automatic transmission begins at $15,470. The four-wheel-drive automatic Standard is priced at $17,115.
The Matrix XR front-wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission is base priced at $16,180. The front-wheel-drive XR with an automatic transmission starts at $16,980. A four-wheel-drive automatic XR begins at $18,445.
Base MSRP for the XRS ranges from $18,750 for the six-speed manual transmission to $19,330 for the four-speed automatic.
That red one looks a little different. I wonder if those will be the final tail lights or is this a picture of an XR with the XRS having the silver tail lights.
Remember, though, Toyota makes a lot of things a la carte options, such as ABS, side air bags, etc. I read that Pontiac was going to make a lot more equipment standard.
So priced with the same equipment, they'll be closer than that.
It seems to me that the side indentations are not as prominant esp. where go over the rear wheel well. Could they have toned this down a bit for production or is the color and lighting just masking it a little.
As for options on the base vibe vs the base Matrix I can see that the Vibe does have a few more....such as seat height, the household plug, roof rack but I still think that Matrix has been priced lower...even with options.
The standard equipment is greater on the base Vibe.
In the US:
The Matrix has 3 levels(not counting AWD): Base; XR; XRS. The Vibe has only base and GT. So the Base Vibe has more options than the base Matrix; things like illuminated entry, that household type plug, drivers seat height adjust, power side mirrors, rear wiper. Now a base vibe has A/C and there are conflicting accounts...both from Toyota as to if the Base Matrix has A/C or not(I suspect not). So this explains some of the cost difference (Vibe $16400 vs Matrix $14670.) ....However...
A Matrix XR is still cheaper(16,100) than a Base Vibe and has base vibe features: A/C, seat height adjust, power side mirrors, household style plug. It also has: Power windows, power doors, leather wrapped steering wheel, variable int. wipers, keyless entry.
So the Matrix XR seems to be by far the best deal.
Also, if you want the all wheel drive version, you can get it in base or XR trim with the Matrix while with the Vibe, you have to get it fairly loaded.
Now in Canada...
We have no pricing yet but it should mirror the US pricing.
The base vibe seems to be the same as in the US but instead of stand alone options, they are mostly in packages.
The Matrix is slightly different in Canada...Base Matrix in Canada has a rear wiper and the XR Matrix has alloy wheels and cruise.
I ordered a base Matrix with the "B" option package which includes power doors, keyless entry, alloy wheels, A/C and illuminated entry.
The AWD Matrix is available in any of the trim levels while a Vibe AWD comes with all the base vibe options plus the 6 speaker 200Watt stereo, power windows and doors, keyless entry, cruise, side airbags, ABS.
I find it ironic that the Vibe which looks more sport utilitish has made the AWD very optioned and costly while the more "sporty" looking Matrix will probably sell more AWD versions.
Studying these same but different cars has been interresting. I still think that the Matrix offers the best bang for the buck but it depends on the options you want.
So if I want both of the above, which trim line do I have to get for both cars? Will they be available as standalone options, be packaged together, or will they only be included in a certain trim line? Will one be able to order either car with exactly the options they want from the factory, like you could with the Prism? Thanks.
Will the Matrix have a timing belt or chain. I prefer the chain since it cuts down on maintenance costs. I simply feel like I am getting my money's worth.
No kidding. A belt would be a big minus for this car if it has one. Most new engines seem to be going to chains. Our current Intrigue has a chain on the 3.5L.
Wow!!!! That's agressive pricing!!!!! I'm very glad my Matrix is on order due to be built on friday since that pricing is going to cause long lines I suspect! Much better than the Protege 5 or even the Ford Focus ZX5.
I'm looking into an XR. Only question is what is the full list of Canadian standard features? When looking at it the only thing I'd want is Auto, ABS, and moonroof.
It will be interesting to see what packages come out.
The preliminary info I have suggests that the XR comes with PW; PD; Keyless entry; A/C; Alloy wheels; var int. wipers; cruise; seat height adjust; side skirts; leather steering wheel; colour keyed door handles; power side mirrors etc. I don't however see any option packages avail. for the XR (dealer provided info). That may have been old info though. The XRS comes with ABS; 6 speaker; 17" alloys; fog lanps; full skirt etc.
Toyota base prices always look good, then you add options and they skyrocket. Toyota is about the only car maker that does not include AC standard any more. I remember looking at RAV-4s and thinking I could get one under $20K US...was I wrong. I think that they wanted $1450 for AC alone. Tires, trim, radio....everything was designed to be upgraded.
After seeing the production models, it seems that the automakers may have messed up the Vibe and Matrix from concept to reality. All the preproduction models looked pretty nice, but I recently saw a Motorweek review of the Vibe and it was less than appealing. Focus and Pro5 would look pretty sweet next to it IMO. I am sure the Matrix will look a bit better, but I am a little disappointed.
I think people looking for more of a crossover SUV looking vehicle will go Vibe and those looking more for a car look will go Matrix. Higher end Matrix models have a street racer look to them. Either way, you are getting the same car under the skin.
Thanks TUP. All those as standard features would be great!!!! Lets hope we don't see this bumper as an option business. I really hope that's not the case. As it stands now I'm leaning to a Matrix over a Vibe. If the options start getting crazy, which I hope is not the case, I'll be in a Vibe. Either way there is a fairly large Toyota dealer near my place. I called them today, I'll be there Saturday 2/2/02 to get a quote. Was told to expect 6.8% financing, as that is what they are giving on the Camary right now. That rate is too high IMO, lucky me though, the inlaws hinted they would laon us the money at a much lower rate.
Comments
An example: to get heated leather seats with power adjustment on a Highlander, you have to buy three separate option packages! Just for the seats! Check it out:
Heated seats, $440
Leather package, $1070
Power seat controls, driver only, $390
So it's almost $2 grand just for the lousy seats!
The RAV4 is almost worse. 4WD, ABS, power windows, power locks, even a rear bumper is an extra cost option.
-juice
Anyways, they had a quick 10 second trailer for the matrix to come out 02/02/02. They also advertised a new web page, www.toyotamatrix.ca
They also had a Vibe, which still doesn't look as good as the Matrix.
Too bad you couldn't get close to either one, so not much else to report.
-juice
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=4435&sid=181&n=157
Matrix XRS
Automatic (yea I'm lame and can't drive a stick)
DVD/GPS navigation system
Leather seats
Lunar Mist Metallic OR Cosmic Blue Metallic
I've not decided if I will give up the leather if it requires a sunroof. Until I find out definitively what distributor has TN I'm wary of the sunroof. I've read too many horror stories of Gulf States and Southeast adding cheap crap to the car. A cheap sunroof might be one of the things they'd add. Also I just don't know if I like the idea of having a hole in the top of my car.
I wonder if they will actually build any of these with that configuration. Seems to me it would just upset the buyers. Toyota is a very smart company. They will either work it out or won't sell them, I bet!
Want torque? Get a Grand Prix GTP. Torque is NOT what Matrix/Vibe are about. Different market.
Does anyone know if you can get the matching solid color cladding on ALL models?
Too bad in my opinion, it really made a HUGE difference on how the car looked.
Here are the numbers we have:
Vibe:
Craig Bierley, Pontiac Vibe brand manager, said that pricing will begin at $16,900 manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), including destination charges of $560. The powerful Vibe GT will start at $19,900 MSRP and Vibes equipped with all-wheel-drive will list for $20,100 MSRP, also with destination charges.
Matrix:
The front-wheel-drive Standard grade with a five-speed manual transmission starts at $14,670. The front-wheel-drive Standard with an automatic transmission begins at $15,470. The four-wheel-drive automatic Standard is priced at $17,115.
The Matrix XR front-wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission is base priced at $16,180. The front-wheel-drive XR with an automatic transmission starts at $16,980. A four-wheel-drive automatic XR begins at $18,445.
Base MSRP for the XRS ranges from $18,750 for the six-speed manual transmission to $19,330 for the four-speed automatic.
That red one looks a little different. I wonder if those will be the final tail lights or is this a picture of an XR with the XRS having the silver tail lights.
So priced with the same equipment, they'll be closer than that.
-juice
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/48582/page007.html
It seems to me that the side indentations are not as prominant esp. where go over the rear wheel well. Could they have toned this down a bit for production or is the color and lighting just masking it a little.
As for options on the base vibe vs the base Matrix I can see that the Vibe does have a few more....such as seat height, the household plug, roof rack but I still think that Matrix has been priced lower...even with options.
If with the options the Matrix is cheaper who would buy a vibe, just on resale value alone it would then make sense to get the Toyota instead.
-juice
In the US:
The Matrix has 3 levels(not counting AWD): Base; XR; XRS. The Vibe has only base and GT. So the Base Vibe has more options than the base Matrix; things like illuminated entry, that household type plug, drivers seat height adjust, power side mirrors, rear wiper. Now a base vibe has A/C and there are conflicting accounts...both from Toyota as to if the Base Matrix has A/C or not(I suspect not). So this explains some of the cost difference (Vibe $16400 vs Matrix $14670.) ....However...
A Matrix XR is still cheaper(16,100) than a Base Vibe and has base vibe features: A/C, seat height adjust, power side mirrors, household style plug. It also has: Power windows, power doors, leather wrapped steering wheel, variable int. wipers, keyless entry.
So the Matrix XR seems to be by far the best deal.
Also, if you want the all wheel drive version, you can get it in base or XR trim with the Matrix while with the Vibe, you have to get it fairly loaded.
Now in Canada...
We have no pricing yet but it should mirror the US pricing.
The base vibe seems to be the same as in the US but instead of stand alone options, they are mostly in packages.
The Matrix is slightly different in Canada...Base Matrix in Canada has a rear wiper and the XR Matrix has alloy wheels and cruise.
I ordered a base Matrix with the "B" option package which includes power doors, keyless entry, alloy wheels, A/C and illuminated entry.
The AWD Matrix is available in any of the trim levels while a Vibe AWD comes with all the base vibe options plus the 6 speaker 200Watt stereo, power windows and doors, keyless entry, cruise, side airbags, ABS.
I find it ironic that the Vibe which looks more sport utilitish has made the AWD very optioned and costly while the more "sporty" looking Matrix will probably sell more AWD versions.
To research some...check out http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/look_ahead/matrix_specs.pdf
www.gmcanada.com/english/vehicles/ (take out this gap) pontiac/vibe/pont_vibe_flash.html
http://www.pontiac.com/vibe/vibe_specs.pdf
Studying these same but different cars has been interresting. I still think that the Matrix offers the best bang for the buck but it depends on the options you want.
http://www.newswire.ca/releases/January2002/07/c0613.html
Given the Vibe has standard A/C, the base price should be about $1000 more.
It will be interesting to see what packages come out.
Try calling a dealer.
After seeing the production models, it seems that the automakers may have messed up the Vibe and Matrix from concept to reality. All the preproduction models looked pretty nice, but I recently saw a Motorweek review of the Vibe and it was less than appealing. Focus and Pro5 would look pretty sweet next to it IMO. I am sure the Matrix will look a bit better, but I am a little disappointed.
-juice