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All-New 2009 Toyota Matrix
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Comments
I'd much rather buy a car from my local dealer - the one I bought from last year. I'll wait a week or two for them to arrive. Prices will likely be dropping in a bit, anyway. Patience.
I do know that someone bought an XRS from Irvine Toyota last week.
Has anyone here bought one yet?
Is there a way to increase the Ground Clearance with damaging the drivetrain?
Could the ground clearance be increased to maybe 7" without damaging the vehicle?
If you need an AWD car that has at least 7" of ground clearance, Subaru is where you should be shopping.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Does the base 1.8 have the same amount of sound insulation, acoustic glass, same tires and tall 4th gear gearing as the Corolla?
How about the S model? I would think the 2.4 plus 5-speed automatic could possibly be quieter than the 1.8 engine, but the sporty tires may add road noise which would make it nosier overall on the highway.
How is is the highway gearing vs the Corolla?
At the moment all the base Matrix models in my region are really base with no options available other than automatic transmission and cruise control. So, you can't get stability control unless you upgrade to the S or XRS,
I did notice a couple of discouraging things:
1. the rear glass doesn't open separately from the back door any more. That is one of my favorite features of the Matrix, and would be a deal-killer for me.
2. The rear wiper is still not standard, despite the rear glass now being more steeply raked. And unlike the last gen, they are shipping base models from the factory without this option.
3. Intermittent wipers are no longer variable intermittent. Just one fixed interval.
If you are one to notice the newly standard features like side airbags and ABS and the telescoping wheel, you also have to consider the things they took out to make this possible. And the price certainly hasn't gone down, in fact the base models I was looking at last night were much too close to $19K sticker (with automatic) for my liking.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Please comment.
Thanks
Impressions:
- Steering light, with nice feel. As others have reported, not much feedback, but overall a nice handler.
- Solid feel over swells and bumps.
- Smooth. Engine very quiet at idle - no steering wheel shake or interior vibration. Impressive.
- Got up to 80 mph easily. I was flat road, though. I didn't floor it, but let the revs build at 3/4 throttle. Again, smooth. I set the cruise at 80, and the mild hill we climbed didn't faze the cruise - it downshifted when it needed to. Seemed less thrashy at this throttle setting than the 2.4 Matrix I drove, and the 2.4 Highlander I own.
- Roomy and comfortable driver's cockpit. Seat has height adjust and good legroom. The tele-adjustable steering wheel makes it more comfortable to drive than my Highlander.
- Bottle holders in the door pockets. Look useful. Middle tray/cupholder also simple but useful looking.
- Pretty cheesy cargo cover. Kinda like a collapseable sun cover for your windshield, with 4 clips to hold to the sides (2 pairs on each side) and a 5th clips to a post of the middle headrest. Effective at hiding stuff, but: Cheap. Not very sturdy looking. But, probably cheap to replace when it tears/breaks.
- Roof is low enough for easy loading of bikes with the optional screw-down rack. I do wonder if the rack is going to be noise-free without the bikes, or whether I'll need to keep putting it on and taking it off. Anyone have any experience with earlier Matrices?
I'm hoping to drive a 5-speed version soon. If it's a slick shifter, and the clutch is right, I'll get the manual - here in California, we all have to be hands-free on our phones by July anyway. Might as well enjoy the drive. No room for mid-life 2nd sports car around here...
Other things on the radar - 2009 Subaru Forester, and 2009 Mazda 3 Hatch. First is less than 30 days away, and the other....?
I guess the Vibe 1.8L Auto will be about the same as the matrix.
It really sounds good!!
Soon i will forget the Versa HB CVT 2008 which was my first choice till now.
Do you remember what was the rpm at 80 mph?
I usually drive 75 mph on the freeway, except when in a huge rush or EVERYONE is passing me. I-5 South to San Diego is like that in spots. With two of us aboard, this would be easy. Add 2 more bodies, and some hills - well, we'll see.
Thanks
I live in Niagara Falls Canada, and it gets pretty cold here. I noticed that my windshield wipers tend to freeze to the windows when it's really cold and snowing, and the ice really chunks up and sticks the the wiper blades. It's never happened with my other cars, so I don't know what it is.
Also, lately I've noticed it takes a little longer for the engine to turn over when I'm starting the car. It seems to start fine in cold weather, but takes longer as the day warms up. I find it a little weird, but maybe I'm just not turning the key all the way. I'm always afraid that I will set off the panic alarm since the remote is in the key, unlike my other cars.
Is it possible for the music volume to increase as the speed does, and lower itself when the car slows down. I am positive this is happening in my car, but then again, it may just be a coincidence that the radio reception goes out in places, but I thought I'd ask.
Lastly, I find within the first 2 minutes of driving time, when I'm stopped at a street light or stop sign, it feels like the car is chugging. Not a lot, but enough to notice a little bit of a shake. After a few minutes, it stops doing it, so I'm not sure what this could be. Is it normal for Matrix's and other Toy's? I've tried warming up the car for 5 minutes when it's colder out, but it makes no difference.
Overall I love the car, but I've always been a fan of the Matrix. If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it greatly!
The '09 Matrix is a more attractive looking vehicle than it's predessessor, but Toyota may have missed the mark in several key areas. While I haven't driven a Matrix yet, most people who have say the 1.8 liter vesion is a bit underpowered, and the 2.4 liter version is not very good in terms of fuel economy. A vehicle of this size and weight should do much better on gas. In fact, from what I've seen so far, considering price, fuel economy, and everything else in general, I'd be hard pressed to choose a Matrix over a Mazda 3 wagon. The 3 is much better looking, from the reviews I've read it drives and handles better, has more interior space, and is a bit less expensive. Fuel economy for the 2.3 liter version is about the same too. The only real advantage the Matrix has over the 3 that I can see is its rear seats fold completely flat, whereas the 3's rear seats fold down to a slight angle.
I really don't know what's going on with designers these days. They have to be aware of a given vehicle's shortcomings when they're putting through their paces before they go into production, and yet they produce them with the shortcomings anyway. Either they just don't care, or there's only so much improvements they can make with a given model.
The engine runs at high rpms for the first couple of minutes after a cold start, and that is probably the chugging you are feeling. If the engine is actually rising and falling in revs (look at the tachometer to check) then you might want to have the dealer check it out.
As for long cranking/slow starting when the car is warmer, that was a trait of the old model with the 1.8, and since you have essentially the same 1.8 I would not be surprised that this trait has continued into the '09s.
bottgers: I agree, for an "all new" model, it is a fairly mild update. The only substantial change is the availability of the 2.4L powertrain. And some of the little changes are negative ones, like losing the opening glass in the back hatch.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
And the new one still has a 4-speed auto even though all the FWD models with the 2.4 get a 5-speed auto, That kinda sucks. Was it cost or 5-speed incompatibility with the AWD that led Toyota to do this? I am thinking incompatibility with the AWD, as the same is true in the RAV4. With the current push for fuel economy in all models, Toyota ought to figure out real quick how to stick the 5-speed auto in these AWD models.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
So technically the new Matrix AWD has 42 more hp than the old model! I think it's also put on like 200 pounds, so part of the power increase will get lost to weight gain.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I purchased the Sundance Metallic with FE,AA,CL,SR,VS,EJ,SP, Please advise.
If you take it to another vendor, they'll do it but if its installed incorrectly it could damage your engine. I'm sure it doesn't happen often but I had techs refuse to do it on my previous car.
I've made my matrix (base model 09) for a month and I really enjoy it. The remote start is nice in the winter as well as the heated side mirrors.. I live in Michigan.. the car warms up quickly (well to me).
Did you put in the dealership alarm system as well?
I have had wildly different quotes from different dealers for everything from a 30,000 mile service to installing accessories.
These cars aren't on the most stolen list and actually the vibe is listed as one of the least stolen ones.
I'm not liking what I'm reading about the 2009 Matrix, though. I'm not happy about the decreased fuel economy with the mid-range model due to the 2.4L engine. Apparently, the new model is heavier, too, which I consider a design failure.
According to Toyota's own website, I can get a base 1.8L with the options that I really want (automatic, power locks, remote entry, power windows). I wonder how hard it will be to find this package in the real world, though. I'm assuming that the four-speed automatic has overdrive but I couldn't find any mention of it so far.
Also, according to Toyota's site, the base 1.8L model does not have the fold-down front passenger seat! Why? I use this feature in my current Matrix all the time for carrying longer loads. I'm also disappointed that the tie-downs are no longer on rails. And no liftglass? The liftglass was a great way to access cargo without letting my dog out of the car at the same time or to carry extra-long items.
I'm only seeing two improvements: telescoping steering wheel (nice) and doors that lock automatically after the car is in motion (does anyone really care about this feature?). I don't really consider the 2.4L engine an improvement since it's not optional for the mid-range S.
I bought my 2003 Matrix for two reasons: cargo and fuel economy. It didn't hurt that I like the way it looks. The 2009 Matrix appears to be inferior where it counts even though it looks nice. I guess I'll be holding on to my 2003 for a bit longer. Hopefully, Toyota will make some changes in the new Matrix soon. If not, I may have to start looking elsewhere for my next car.
I did only go to two different dealerships though, but they had there inventory listed online. Some of the base ones were being sold before they got to the dealership...
It really needs a 5th gear if you plan to drive it at highway speeds very much.
It is only the base models with the 1.8 and the models with AWD that have a 4-speed auto.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
If you are in a rush to get a car I guess they believe that you will take what they have to offer. I wanted what I wanted and I have been waiting almost 8 weeks for my auto; but when I thought about it, I actually waited 8 months.
Just so you know, the only transmission available for the AWD Matrix is the 4-speed auto. No 5 speed, either manual or auto, is available.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
LIKES: Auto w/shift up down for those hills, Tilt & telescopic steering wheel, fold flat rear & fold flat front passenger seats, break away mirrors, pep, sound system is bass heavy, nice change for me, adaptor for mp3, 12V in front, moonroof, chime to remind you of key in ignition, night rearview mirror (I CAN SEE, FINALLY).
DISLIKES: Haven't had the car a week and still can't get the doors to stay locked when shifting into park (followed all the instructions in manual, may have to pick up phone to dealer soon). No locking compartments in car. No extra 12V or 115V outlets in back. Currently difficult to find decent add-ons (full carpet when back seats down, other parts accessories too when searching by year) will have to custom make a carpet myself for now. Also wish I had upgraded to include hands free phone, steering wheel controls, etc.
Would love to get advice on the door locks. By the way, they all lock the moment I put the car in gear, doesn't need to be moving. Once I shift into park, they all unlock, UGH! (once again, I did read the instructions pages 29 to 32 and my spouse tried it as well).
Well, I hope Toyota or Pontiac get serious about next year's Matrix/Vibe and put back in all of the good stuff they took out in 2009.
I had an '03 automatic, and at 2000 RPM in top gear with the TC locked it was doing about 50 mph.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Enjoy your car!
I think the highest RPM's I've ever run was about 4000+ for a brief period when I was going 110 mph. Remote area with no one around, of course! XD