Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
The Cd is fine, but this is a big & tall car for its class.
-Mathias
either north of NYC or to San Francisco. Priorities are of course good combo
of price, affordability, safety, ease of maintenance, mileage, looks,
reality. We've narrowed down to these three. Yes, I know Matrix is more
expensive (and larger) than Fit or xA but we might buy a young used one if
this makes sense. Would appreciate your feedback, advice, warnings,
encouragement, etc. Thanx in advance!!
I really liked the looks of the XR much better with the color-keyed mirrors and door handles. In addition, the non-power outside mirrors on the base model were difficult to adjust properly when I drove one. At the time I bought, I think the XR cost about $500 - $600 extra (when comparably equipped), which seemed reasonable for the extra features not available on the base model.
On my XR model, I also got the extra value package #1 (only $270), which includes color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers, fog lamps, and cruise control. Cruise control can be ordered as a stand alone option on the base model, but the color-keyed spoilers (which I think really give the car a nice look) and foglamps aren't available on the base model.
Keep in mind that Toyota typically builds their cars with certain popular option configurations, and may not be willing to build certain models with or without some options. I had to special order my car because I wanted a 5-speed with side and head curtain airbags. (Not one of their standard option configurations, but at least they were willing to build it that way.)
As long as you recognize what's not available on the base model, and are happy without certain features, then the base model is a fine choice. My advice is if you can swing the extra money (less than $1,000) for the XR with the extra value package #1, you'll get a car with some nice additional features that might make you happier over the long run. Just my 2 cents worth.
I was hoping for some information from all Matrix XRS owners. I'm thinking of buying one from either 2004 or 2005, and was hoping for some feedback from current owners.
What year is it?
Are you happy overall with the car?
How many miles do you have on it now?
What sort of maintenance costs have you incurred?
Thanks a ton!
Dan
During this winter, mpg as not been as advertised, but with warmer temps it is improving.
We are most happy with both of them. Both RED - one with dark grey seats and the other with light grey!
At least in our area they are competing their twice a year $1000 coupon sale - Toyota is taking $1000 off your best deal. I think it ends 3/13.
I had my dealer order in our second one to coincide with the sale at Thanksgiving. Got both at invoice, but the second one at $1000 under invoice using the coupon sale.
Cheers,
Steve
Incidentally, all Corollas come with power mirrors, showing just how deliberate this was on the part of Toyota.
On a business trip I ended up with a Jeep Wrangler. It was squirrelly and wanted to pull to the right all the time. The passenger side front tire was severely underinflated. Putting air in the tire corrected the problem.
Wagons were the original image killer. Minivans took over in the 80s as the vehicle for boring family people. That's why everyone gets SUVs: for the image. Europe has discovered the sport wagon as a good combination of sport and utility, but like here, most are compact.
I too was awaiting the Mazda6 wagon, but it turns out to have only marginally more cargo space than my 1994 Corolla wagon had. Gas mileage figures also weren't all that good. I ended up getting a 4-cylinder Highlander with much more room and close to the same fuel efficiency. I still like our 2003 Matrix, but the cargo space isn't big enough to travel comfortably with 2 adults and 2 teenagers.
IMHO it's a problem when you can't find a vehicle that provides both cargo space and fuel efficiency. Even some of the SUVs have less cargo space than the '94 Corolla wagon (e.g., Mitsubishi Outlander). I think the only wagon on the market today with EPA ratings above 30 mpg is the Ford Focus wagon. It has a good cargo area but no rear head restraints. When I was looking there also was the mid-size Saturn wagon, which had some major problems, and the Volvo V30, which required premium fuel. The Saturn and V30 are no longer on the market.
As for the moment, I like the Chevy Malibu Maxx. It has 22 cubic feet luggage volume, 106 cubic feet passenger volume, 60/40 folding rear seats doubling cargo space, a fold flat front passenger seat, and gets 22 mpg city / 30 mpg Highway. Only set back is horsepower is limited to 201 at 5600 rpm, but gets 221 lbs-ft of torque at 3200 rpms. IIHS.org gave Malibu a silver rating and JD Power overall score was 5 out of 5 circles! I'd say the best alternative to SUVs!
Also I was reading some of the postings. How do you get power side mirrors. What package does that come with?
Look at this article from edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=115566
Motown Buzz: Pontiac May Go RWD Across Its Line To Promote Performance
Date posted: 05-30-2006
DETROIT — Pontiac could be betting its survival on a gradual shift to rear-wheel-drive cars and a renewed emphasis on performance[..]
The compact Vibe, which shares its platform with the Toyota Matrix, is also expected to be phased out later in the decade. [..]
The '07s are heading to dealers now. I have not been able to find out ANYTHING about the supposed '08 redesign. My guess is the Vibe will be discontinued, along with the Matrix.
I don't like it... I guess I'll cash in my GM Card $$ in January on a base 5speed and then switch to the Subaru Card...
-Mathias
Thanks.
I personally will never again go for an add-on cruise control. The cars I have owned with add-on systems (1987 Chevy Nova, 1989 Nissan Sentra wagon)would not hold speed very well even on fairly slight uphill grades, and they also increased fuel consumption to a noticeable degree.
The cars I have had with factory cruise control (1988 Renault Medallion wagon, 1994 Toyota Corolla wagon, 2003 Matrix AWD, 2004 Highlander) have all done a good job at maintainig speed on grades, and with no negative impact on mpg.
I don't think it's relevant, but I will mention that all of these vehicles had standard transmissions except the two most recent Toyotas.
Have him put the warrenty in writing and sign it. The clutch should be 60k since it is a drivetrain component. Also ask a different dealer what the policy is.
because Cargo space, smaller than SUV, bigger than car, better mileage, cheaper than Volvo wagon.
After reading many issues posted in forum I am little skeptical.:confuse:
Can u please suggest if it is ok to buy or any other suggestion?
Fit interior is cheap so did not like it.