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Comments
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Advantages to Outback: bigger cargo area, a bit more pep even with the 4-cylinder engine, heated seats are standard at least on 2003's
Common Outback complaints: head-gasket leaks (particularly with cylinder #4 in the 4-banger), overheating when engine under stress (as we experienced on I80 in Wyoming when trying to go the posted speed limit of 75 mph), oil consumption, less-than-stellar radio reception with in-glass antenna, position of steering wheel makes it difficult to get into driver's seat even with tilt wheel in upmost position
Advantages to Matrix: easier to get into and out of, better gas mileage, more spacious rear seat, one-step procedure to fold down rear seat, standard radio with CD AND cassette, lots of storage cubbies, somewhat better reliability rating by Consumer Reports
Common 4WD Matrix complaints: engine is not overly peppy, squeaks and rattles (particularly early 2003's), under-shifter storage door either won't stay closed or is hard to open, bad twilight sensor in early 2003's, available only with automatic transmission
Engine is not overly peppy - the engine is pretty buzzy during acceleration, but once it gets up to speed it quiets down and cruises smoothly.
Squeaks and rattles (particularly early 2003's) -None in my 2 month + old 2004.
Under-shifter storage door either won't stay closed or is hard to open - I read about this before my purchase so when mine got stuck right after I got the car I went "uh, oh." But in my case it was just a matter of getting the hinges on the bottom lined up and seated correctly. Once I did that that storage compartment worked perfectly so I don't know if the problem that other had mentioned could be fixed this easily. It's a great place to store sunglasses by the way.
Bad twilight sensor in early 2003's - I don't know what's considered "bad", but I do feel mine is set to dim the display too soon while the ambient light is still not that dark. There's this brief period of time after sunset but before dark when the display is dimmed automatically before I want it to. It'd be better if they just kept the display at full brightness until we switched on the head lights ourselves.
Available only with automatic transmission - not necessarily bad unless you don't want auto.
Gripes:
- some rattle from the front dashboard around the driver's side. I've a mind to take it to the dealer, but concerned that once they open that up who knows if they'll ever to put it back without any additional issues.
- going uphill, the engine labors hard, can be quite noisy too.
I have no problems with any of the storage holders in mine. Other the above, I have nothing else to gripe about. Enjoying mine with no worries....
So far, I'm not hearing to much in the way of "issues" that would/should deter any would-be buyers. The only things I would caution would be to make sure that the lack of a telescoping wheel will not bother any long-legged, short armed drivers out there...
It's important to consider the peppiness of the 4WD separately from FWDs with the same engine. In my opinion the heavier 4WD performs adequately with the small engine, but many people have said they feel the 4WD is underpowered. The bigger engine isn't available in the 4WD.
The twilight sensor shouldn't be an issue unless your're considering a used Matrix. The Matrix service bulletin covered vehicles manufactured before September or October 2003. The problem was that the sensor would continually turn the headlights on and off on sunny days because it was fooled by shadows. The new sensor works much better.
Unfortunately, I'd have to rent on for a full day and take a long drive. I put a 1000 miles in my Accord one day last summer. It was comfortable, road-worthy, and probably something I can't easily achieve in a Matrix-Corolla-Civic.
I found that 750 miles was very do-able, driving with a teenager who was hooked up to a Game Cube half the time. My 1000-mile day involved getting pulled over in Kansas, finding a new highbeam light in Kansas and Missouri, and eating fast-food drive-through in the car. It wasn't a bad day at all (except for unmentionable incidents in Kansas).
The XRS is a little more upright and has less leg room, but that might just be due to the clutch pedal making it seem so.
Both cars are fine for me normally and just great with cruise control on.
$2.439/gallon for REGULAR unleaded from a Chevron station near San Francisco airport. Can you believe that price!?
It's getting close to some european fuel prices.
I see thay have made a MUCH NEEDED update too, and replaced the super long snout (front skirt) with a simpler crossbar that doesn't extend out as far. So it won't get scraped up as much on driveways and stuff. They have made it black rather than body color too.
The pics are on the official Toyota website now. I was looking at the "specs" section, and it doesn't appear thay have changed much else. Except the 17-inch rims are now available for the XR, and they have changed the wheel cover design for the base.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
And the Mazda3 has it, so you would think they would keep it to stay competitive.
I noticed they now have stability control available, yes...forgot it didn't have that before.
And I see they have added a maintenance reminder light on the dash...geez, how much do these things cost? It would have been nice to see the money spent elsewhere, like on tire pressure warning systems, perhaps. Those maintenance lights are just an annoyance.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
cold air intake for the Matrix that provides around 10
more horsepower. Love to here from anyone who
has had it done or just opinions on spending the extra bucks for it. The part cost $285 plus install.
Comments?
Also, I looked into the TSB (on this site) on the O2 sensor and have recently felt the car hesitating from a dead stop. Could this be an indication that my car will have a faulty oxygen sensor too?
Comments?
Another thing...Can someone explain to me what the purpose is of having the OD on all the time (other than gas conservation)?
Thanks very much.
OD is the top gear – the fourth gear in the 4-speed auto in this case. You’d leave OD on under normal condition so the auto transmission has all the available gears (1st-4th) to select from. You’d switch OD off only if you want to prevent the auto transmission from selecting the top gear for whatever reason (such as engine braking, preventing “hunting” between 3rd and 4th, etc.)
IF you're worried about an O2 sensor my suggestion, odd as it may seem, would be to schedule a service visit with your local Toyota dealer and have them check it out.
I can't really help you with your OD question, I have a 6-speed in mine. My guess would be that you are referring to some sort of OD shut-off switch which is used in trucks for towing situations. If I guessed wrong then I apologize...
In order for it to be "sportier", you have to keep the revs up over 6000, which means with the auto, you will want to keep it in '1' or '2' gear all the time.
If you don't do that, it is even more of a dog than the XR auto.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I've never driven an Xr, but I have a hard time believing that you can only feel the difference from 6k rpm and up. I scoot around pretty quick and I shift between 5 and 6k much of the time.
Summer has just started here in the desert and on any given day I can experience 20-40 mph gusts of wind. While I don't "fear for my life", I am surprised at how much the little car is blown about.
Why don't you share with me what brand of 17" tires you'd recommend instead of the Continentals. I have the stock 16" that came on the car and believe that 17" will bring more stability.
Thanks!
maverick: yeah, I used to notice that with mine too. It is a relatively light car for its size and also has relatively tall slab sides - perfect for catching the wind. Despite that, I always felt it was pretty stable at high speeds (above 80 or so), as long as there wasn't a lot of wind. I never had any sensor problems with my '03, but hopefully if it is an O2 sensor, it should be relatively quick to diagnose. Good luck! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I wish the XRS was sold standard with the TRD updates you can buy, like the sways and brakes (without a consequent price increase). And I wish I had never made the mistake of buying automatic, 'cause I might still have that car if it hadn't been for that. :-(
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Seriously, it is difficult for you to hide your continued interest in this wagon ! And I understand how you feel. I love my Trix too.... Methinks the RSX is just a nice <to-have>, and soon you'll get over it. The XRS already puts out 100hp/liter; that is outstanding since not many cars match this hp-to-displacement ratio. There is the 6-speed tranny to your liking. A few suspension hardwares - sway bars, springs, etc., phat 19"/20" rims all around, and big Brembo brakes, and voila... the Trix turns into your BMW-killer All of this canbe achieved without breaking the bank, you know.
believe me, I know! :-)
I am going to stick with this one for a while - I am tired of the frequent car-switching. I am very curious to see what they will do with the second-gen Matrix in a couple of years, and I am also possibly interested in one of the bottom-end German rear-drivers that are coming here in the same time frame. The BMW 1-series five-door looks good, for instance. If the 2-series takes off enough, maybe they will bring the 1-er here as well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Note: This was about 2 mpg lower than my previous worst. No obvious explanation except the pump seemed able to put more gas into the tank. 12.127 gal fill-up seemed to be a lot when the gas needle was still a bit above E. Last time I could only put in 12.017 gal when the needle went way below E and pegged the bottom.
Anyways, like you, I am anxious to find out what direction Toyota goes with the next Trix. Hopefully, a bigger boost in power and performance in MY 2006.
You're right, oac, I would not trust the first-year issue of a BMW, 1-series included. But I am going to try to rein in my impatience and keep this car 5 years, LOL! RWD in my next car would be nice, all other things being equal.
If they can put the Camry 2.4 in the Scion tC, you know it can't be far behind for cars like the Trix, so that is what I expect for the next gen. I just hope there IS a next gen, and they don't morph it into some "kids' offering" under the Scion name.
If they manage to get 170 hp or so out of the 2.4 with the torque boost the larger engine brings, they could make that the base engine, add a TRD S/C for the XRS to make, say 210 hp, and they would have a buyer at my house! :-)
But Toyota, dontcha DARE get rid of that 6-speed. I will not be buying automatic again.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)