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Just curious as I don't won't to wonder if there is a valet key floating around the dealership that can unlock and start my car
A report I found from late February says that the the NHTSA was investigating the Vibe, Matrix and Corolla for complaints about the vehicles' power windows. The author later said that all complaints involved vehicles roduced at NUMMI in California.
So either Matrixes also were made in California unbeknownst to me (I thought the NUMMI plant produced only the Vibe and the version exported to Japan known as the Voltz), or NHTSA discovered that the same faulty bolts were also at other manufacturing plants such as in Ontario.
Or is there something faulty about my logic here? Anyway, if we don't get a recall notice on the '03 by the end of April (the time-frame stated in the reports I have heard), I'm going to call my service deprtment and ask them to check the VIN number against their recall info.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It's such a short blade that it may be that the aftermarket just doesn't have it, I dunno.
Certainly if you go to (or call) the dealer parts department and ask them, they will be able to tell you what size it is, so you can check out the parts store for options.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I do realize that buying a new model year vehicle involves some difficulties with buying accessories, but it would be nice to know for sure if there were changes in measurements worth noting. Some accessory websites only come up to 2005, which seems limiting. Any thoughts?
And oh, when I was "chatting" with toyota online, the rep typed out one of those silly disclaimers about making alterations to or swapping parts in a new vehicle with a warranty. I almost fell out of my chair laughing due to the fact that an after market carpet/mat couldn't be further from that example, LOL. It's an add-on, not a swapped part, get it Toyota? NOT
What I don't know is the answer to your question. The roof slope on the hatch is greater than on earlier model years, so that accounts for at least some of the reduced cargo area.
With rear seat folded down, ours is listed as 53.2 cubic feet. Even if your literature has the same figure, your best bet would be to take measurements for yourself.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I would be surprised if the Tundra were any different, but it is certainly a possibility. Toyota has been doing business the way I described for many years now, not sure why they would suddenly change practices just for the Tundra.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Anyway, the stock Goodyear Eagles are expensive! The only places that had them in stock wanted $130 or more for one! And believe it or not, the dealer had the lowest price, so that's the way I went.
But holy smokes! $130 for one 16" tire that's not even a particularly high performance tire??!! I wanted to get the same kind even though it was expensive, just so it would match the other tires on the car. When it finally comes time to replace all four, I think I will be switching to Michelin Energys. If they are going to cost this much anyway, might as well have a Michelin, and a quiet one with a treadwear warranty at that...
I am at almost 20K miles, by the way, with none of the tire issues that some less fortunate Matrix owners have reported. Personally, I am convinced that while there may have been some minor issues with the way some people's cars were built, the bigger part of the problem by far was with the Continentals that Toyota was using when the Matrix was first introduced.
At the rate they are wearing, I have no doubt I will get at least 40K miles out of my tires, and I am hoping for 50K.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am about to start a new job that requires a lot of travel and I need an inexpensive, good gas milage, low maintenance vehicle. The Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe is the vehicle at the top of my list right now, but I would like to see what others have experience while owning and driving their's.
So here are some questions and if you have an answer to any of them please let me know:
1. What is the average gas milage you have experienced both in town and while on the highway?
2. What is the maintenance record? What have been the common things to fail and at what milage did they fail? How much did it cost to repair?
3. What is the plausible service life of the vehicle? I am looking to get 200K of more and will that be fairly trouble free with routine maintanence?
4. Performance-wise how do the different motor options stack up? If you could would you recomend the AWD even though it has the lowest horsepower rating, or do you get the higher performance though front-wheel drive only engine?
5. Comfort-wise, how did you feel after a long trip? Did you long to get out of the car or was a long trip a fairly bearable experience.
6. Did you feel safe while driving the car? Meaning did you feel confident that you would be able to handle all types of weather conditions and or traffic conditions such as snow and or ice, and panic stops and manuvers? If not, in which conditons did you not feel comfortable with and would you attribute this to the car's inability or your inability to handle the condition? Example: would the car be able to handle an icy road, but you would not because you have never driven on one before?
These are my basic questions and any advice is much appreciated. I am looking to do 2500-3000K miles a month and need to do so in fairly good comfort with out having to spend an arm and a leg at the gas pump and at the repair shop both before the 100K mile mark and after. I understand that there are parts that wear out and nothing lasts forever, but if I can get the car to go to 200K with out any major repairs, that is what I am looking for. And if I can get it to do that while maintaining some degree of comfort and style I will be happy. I just don't want to be stuck driving a fancy Geo Metro.
Thanks,
vinny
ktfishmaster
Not a bad one, but it is coming from the engine compartment and staining my driveway.
I guess I might get to use my warranty on this one. It goes in on Thursday. :-/
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
But I'm not glad I needed repairs at such a low mileage. These days, not just because of this but because of other little things as well, I am wondering if I will be buying any more Toyotas in the future.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I have an automatic XS, and the computer just went out. So of course I had to have it towed to the dealer and they told me the water pump was going out and there was a leak in the oil pan....
Now, I don't know why the oil pan would leak, and this is the second water pump to go out...
So I'm wondering, is this unusual? Has anyone had any problems with their '03 similar to this?
And if you always go to the same place for service, you may want to get a second opinion just to be sure you are not getting cheated. 3 water pumps (including the original) in anything less than about 250,000 miles seems excessive. Some dealerships have the attitude that any time they crack the engine cover for anything they might as well replace the water pump "while they are in there". Needless to say, this is an attitude that costs you a lot of money unnecessarily.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Anyhow this machine has 48,500 miles on it. The computer went out many many miles from the home dealership so this in effect is a second opinion on the water pump (kind of). Both have been replaced under warranty. Also when I picked it up the mechanic had noted that there was "a noise" coming from the air intake valve. That also seems quite odd.
When I was first looking at getting the Matrix, I compared it against other cars it's size: Golf, Mazda3, Fit, and XB.
The Matrix, by far, had the most front leg room, rear leg room, and cargo space (with the seats up) AND it felt safer and sturdier to me than any of the other cars.
Inside the Matrix is much roomier than you would expect.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am thinking of getting a 2004 Matrix XRS manual with 55k miles. It is a great deal and I am buying it from a reputable repair shop. They claim it is in great shape and has many more miles in it. For comparison, I am currently driving a 1996 Civic I bought new.
So...is 55K too many miles to be purchasing a Matrix with? Any persistant issues I should be aware of with this make/model/year?
Thanks so much in advance....
If you are buying the automatic, you should be aware that it is DOG slow with the 4-speed - the shift logic never lets the engine get far into the powerband (above 6200 rpm) before it shifts up.
One or two owners with the Celica GT-S have reported premature oil burning, but with a model like this you are always going to have a few that raced their cars instead of breaking the engine in appropriately and so the rings didn't seat, resulting in excess oil consumption later in the car's life.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm curious if anyone who's made this switch has noticed a dramatic improvement in terms of cabin noise. when I testdrove the 09 it seemed about the same to me.
thanks in advance for any insights!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am torn between getting 5-speed manual transmission or an Automatic Transmission. I have read about the 5-speed manual's having transmission problems on one of the forums. Is this just in the 03' & 04' models? Is getting a Matrix a good thing? I need advice!
Thank you
I believe the manual transmission problem only extended through the '03 and '04 model years.
As far as is a Matrix a good thing, I can only say "good" will vary widely from person to person, right?
For me it was the best balance available at the time (bought mine 1/07) of utility, price, fuel economy, and reliability. It's also fairly peppy and moderately fun to drive. Its pretty strong in the areas I just mentioned. Four adults can travel in full comfort in this car, the back seat is surprisingly large. The stuff you can fit in it is voluminous with the back seat down.
Edit...I saw your larger post on the "pre-purchase research" board, and let me add that the Matrix is a great car for camping, for yourself or a couple, plenty of space to put your stuff in back.
And no Toyota built today is the equal of your 1990 Camry, but I do think you will get 150K miles out of it without much trouble. Good luck! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm having a hard time finding and Xr with manual tranny and a sunroof. The search continues.
I am also accepting the fact that no car will be my Camry or my husband's 1995 Toyota Pickup that has 215,000 miles on it and still going strong (I've tried to kill this pickup and it won't die).
Again, thank you for your advice!
They also have an '06 XRS (with the Celica GTS engine) with a 6-speed and 27K miles that I am halfway thinking of picking up. I always liked the much tighter handling of the XRS, but by the time I got around to buying (2007) they had dropped the XRS trim.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
greg
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
And with the substantial amount of extra weight the Matrix has vs the Echo, passing on the highway is particularly bad. I don't really consider myself a speed demon, but I would never have a Matrix with the automatic and the 1.8 - it was the reason I sold the one I DID have back in 2002 and 2003. For me, the 5-speed is a must.
Of course, you can now get the Matrix with the Camry 2.4, and with THAT engine it is probably a lot less important if you have a manual or an automatic.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It's going for $16K (and may be able to negotiate a bit). It also has an upgraded powertrain warranty (7 year total, 6 year remaining), and the standard 3-year bumper to bumper (with 2 years remaining). Also a 3-month comprehensive warranty from the day I buy it. I test drove it and it looks and feels good.
It was company leased for a total of 9 months and was probably one of the first '09 vehicles to come out since it was purchased/leased mid-June of '08.
I was planning to take my time on a car purchase, but this looks like a good enough deal that I feel I should spring for it! Anyone have any thoughts on whether this is a good deal? Thanks!
But I'm still ticked off at all the rest of the owners out there getting 30-35 mpg. We bought this car to get that kind of mileage but the best we ever got was about 28 mpg on a 150 mile highway trip.. And yes, I took it back to the dealer when a year old and they claimed it was delivering 31 mpg... BS...!! Until a year ago I had a Mercedes E class V6 that was giving me better mileage...!!! I won't buy another one of these even though it's been reliable.. Not at today's gas prices..
Is there a big difference in performance?
Is the 26 h/p difference between both engines really matters?
There's a big difference in the price between "base Matrix" and "Matrix XR".
I was thinking of a "Base Matrix" with the "Touring Package" looks well equipped but only with that 1.8L engine.
Help!
So, you'll be able to accelerate 0-60 a second faster or something. A second is a lot in an emergency situation, but otherwise, you'll just have worse mileage...
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