POLL: Toyota Matrix car good or no?"

[AcidicRage]

I'm planning to get one of these as my first car within the next month. I will be probably getting a regular silver basic 2003 Toyota Matrix with no body kit w/ automatic windows (no lower bottom sporty parts) because my parents say it scratches easily when you bump a hill or something. I can always add it on later. I've heard just some good and bad things about this car. I've heard that this car also makes loud noise? And the guages and ergonomics sometimes hard to read in daylight? Well, I just want to know if any of you have a Matrix already or not tell me your opinions. I'm just getting the basic one with power windows, no XR or XRS models. And this will be my *FIRST* car! :-)

[Stratus_Power]

I think it is an awesome car. the price is good, the handling is good, the space is good.
I heard that the red gauges can be some what hard to read at bright day light (not impossible to for sure), and since its silver, it does reflects onto the windshield. but from wat i heard from pppl who actually owns it, it only reflects to top very top part of the windshield, not very visible!

I personally like the design of the matrix too ( as compare to vibe). it doenst seem like a mini-wagon.

[AcidicRage]

Hmm.... so considering the glare and my "beginner" driver skills, do you think its a little bit dangerous for me to get it?

[Weapon_R]

My friend has one, no complaints so far. In fact, I sort of like it. It serves it's purpose well, although its very slow. It is so much nicer than the vibe.

[szw]

I don't like it! No reason really..just don't! Some info on the car?

[CLiVE]

A good buy for the price IMO. I was thinking one might make a good second car eventually. Drives nice, not a lot of power. Definately a decent first car...

[Hakkola]

Honestly I kinda like it for the price range, if you're looking for a new car, a first car at that, in that price range I'd say go for it, I'd much rather buy a slightly used car though, especially for a first car, I don't see the point of getting something brand new.

It'd be a lot easier and cheaper to get the kit right away wouldn't it?

[Stratus_Power]

the glare shoudn't affect you.. theres only one way to find out.. test drive it. but i think its a Very good first car, its not super fast but it has enuf power to get you around ( imagine driving a corolla.. same engine)
Just go test drive it!

and yeh try to find it used. saw some floating around and consider it "save the GST" :P

[RiceCake]

I'm pretty sure its powered by the same engine as the corolla. Its not bad and great on gas... Haha, I have 2 of the previous generation corollas sitting in my garage. :)

[Stratus_Power]

http://www.canadatrader.com/trader/result/affich.asp?sid=21KZTCW16926867&rubno=4000&pa=4&pr=1&cregion=1001

get something like that a used private sale! its like cheaper for a XR model!

[RiceCake]

Originally posted by Stratus_Power
http://www.canadatrader.com/trader/result/affich.asp?sid=21KZTCW16926867&rubno=4000&pa=4&pr=1&cregion=1001

get something like that a used private sale! its like cheaper for a XR model!

shit its only feb and that 03 has 17 xxx clicks on it? :eek:

[szw]

I clicked the link and got a used 03 WRX for 37grand..heh

what is the price for each trim?

[Stratus_Power]

wrx!!! :O suppose to be a Matrix XR for 21k

try again
http://www.canadatrader.com/trader/result/affich.asp?sid=12QEMGM11928852&rubno=4000&pa=4&pr=1&cregion=1001

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by Stratus_Power
wrx!!! :O suppose to be a Matrix XR for 21k

try again
http://www.canadatrader.com/trader/result/affich.asp?sid=12QEMGM11928852&rubno=4000&pa=4&pr=1&cregion=1001

what the hell, first time I clicked the link it was a matrix. Then a Wrx, now a rsx...

[szw]

you can't link canadatrader ads like that, they keep jumping.

[ecstasy_civic]

that site is fucked man, i was looking at rx7's then it went to the supras and finally an s10 page. i was like WTF!?:dunno:

[CLiVE]

the site was down earlier today for "upgrades"...about time. It has to be the slowest site ever...

[ecstasy_civic]

no doubt! it took me like 20 minutes to look at 15 rx7 ads. hurtin if you ask me!

[aZnBlooD]

i like the look of the car...but as a first car i wouldnt IMO...i would just get a used one.....i think i remember someone saying this one..."you never appreciate a nice car, until you drive a shitty one"...something like that...

but hell, it would be a nice first car

[AcidicRage]

The thing is my parents will not let me get a CRAPPIER car... You may seem like "Wow!" but I do infact want a crappier car. I wouldn't get a USED one because I hate use cars.. they break more, plus I just dislike having to drive something that others drove in the past. It gives me an eerie feeling; you can say I'm weird :P... but, I would rather get a crappier, but still new car. My parents insist me on getting a bigger one. They dont want me getting 4-door-compacts.

Btw, do you think the Matrix without the body kit looks girly or a family car? I can ALWAYS add it on later on...but for now, I can't have it.

[Ben]

its your car, you decide!


There are alot of Anti VW people on this site, and I live VW, so thats my choice and no one can convince me otherwise. Your the one that has to drive your decision, so make it for yourself, on the forum you will hear everyones opinions, which may not always be a good thing.

[szw]

personally I'd get a smaller one. I have a fairly small 4 door. All I really need is a 2seater and kinda regret not getting something smaller.

But since your not allowed to...I would go for a Subaru Impreza TS wagon 5-spd. May not look that great stock, but its cheap, good engine, and lots of options to make it look great or perform great or both. Cheap too.

[ExitSpeed]

Originally posted by RiceCake


shit its only feb and that 03 has 17 xxx clicks on it? :eek:


Except that 2003 model came out in Jan 2002....plenty of time to rack up the kms.

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by AcidicRage
The thing is my parents will not let me get a CRAPPIER car... You may seem like "Wow!" but I do infact want a crappier car. I wouldn't get a USED one because I hate use cars.. they break more, plus I just dislike having to drive something that others drove in the past. It gives me an eerie feeling; you can say I'm weird :P... but, I would rather get a crappier, but still new car. My parents insist me on getting a bigger one. They dont want me getting 4-door-compacts.

Btw, do you think the Matrix without the body kit looks girly or a family car? I can ALWAYS add it on later on...but for now, I can't have it.

if you plan on getting that kit eventually....just get it now..

[Stratus_Power]

hey i clicked on the link and its RSX .. not a bad deal ! 27k for a Type S!!!
if u think 17k is alot for one year, search for a Type S, 2002 model, 42000k ! wow!

[AcidicRage]

I've just talked with my friends and they say that getting 4WD w/ 123HP is useless because no matter how powerful the 4WD wheels are, your horsepower limits on how much your 4WD can do. So basically then, I guess since 4WD = 123HP & 2WD = 130HP... if I do actually get the 4wd, my car would weigh more + heavier = therefore slower, and the 123HP won't do much to 4WD. Is this true? My cousin has a 200+ HP and he has 4WD. He also tells me don't get 4WD unless your car is 180hp or over or else you're just slowing it down.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by AcidicRage
I've just talked with my friends and they say that getting 4WD w/ 123HP is useless because no matter how powerful the 4WD wheels are, your horsepower limits on how much your 4WD can do. So basically then, I guess since 4WD = 123HP & 2WD = 130HP... if I do actually get the 4wd, my car would weigh more + heavier = therefore slower, and the 123HP won't do much to 4WD. Is this true? My cousin has a 200+ HP and he has 4WD. He also tells me don't get 4WD unless your car is 180hp or over or else you're just slowing it down. well 130hp will definitely be faster in a car with 2wd compared to 4wd...

its faster BUT it is also harder to drive in the winter! so who cares if 4wd is slower, get it anyways cuz u will have more traction

[three.eighteen.]

yeah but the matrix isnt a performance car...4wd is good in any situation if what you want is traction, 4wd started as a means to traction...not to performance

[AcidicRage]

How good IS 123 or 130 hp? Is it average compared to other cars? What about a 123HP with 4WD going UPHILL + Snow/winter? :-) ...can it do it?

[three.eighteen.]

130ish hp thru a 4wd drive train, youre looking at prolly about on the shy side of 100whp at each wheel just because of drive train loss. And the matrix in all configs is roughtly 2700 lbs, you wont be going fast...im guessing 0-60 in the region of 11-13 sec

[RiceCake]

Originally posted by Stratus_Power
hey i clicked on the link and its RSX .. not a bad deal ! 27k for a Type S!!!
if u think 17k is alot for one year, search for a Type S, 2002 model, 42000k ! wow!

Yeah what's sad is that I rack on what seems to be 4000 kms a month now... :banghead: :(

[GTS Jeff]

if u want a fast car, the matrix shouldnt even be on your list.

[AcidicRage]

I have another question about 4WD. From what I've heard is that when you buy a four-wheel-drive car, the whole time the car is in 2wheeldrive UNTIL you have to manually press like a shift or a button that changes the tires to 4 tires instead of 2. All this time I thought it would be automatic, like if you're moving anywhere, all four wheels are moving at same time. And I've heard some people say then the Toyota Matrix 4WD Base Auto has a button/shift so all the time it's in 2WD, you have to press 4WD button. If that's so, what is the point of getting a 4WD then? Some other people tells me that the car is automatic, so it'll be 4WD the whole time... can someone please clear up my confusion?

[FiveFreshFish]

How the 4WD system works depends on the model and manufacturer.

For the 4WD Matrix, it is a "Fully Automatic V-flex 4WD" according to their website.

[AcidicRage]

What is V-Flex? I know nothing about cars. Please explain.

[FiveFreshFish]

from Autonet.ca
The Matrix 4WD's V-Flex drive system acts just like a FWD in normal operation. However, slippage of a front drive wheel causes a viscous coupling in the drivetrain to activate 4WD, transferring up to fifty per cent of power to the rear wheels. When both front wheels have traction again, all the power goes back to the front wheels.

The FWD operation saves fuel and the 4WD only kicks in when it's needed. This is similar to Honda's CRV, but iirc, different from the RAV4.

[Glowrider]

I wouldn't call it a bad car. It's probably good for messing around town in. But I wouldn't consider it as a street racer/track car.

[fast95pony]

Why not just visit a Toyota dealer and get all the info. And while you are there , take a test drive and ask LOTS of questions.

If you are a new driver and this is your first car,traction and low horsepower are probably a good thing.

I would suggest you visit as many dealerships as you can , and take test drives in any cars that are in your price range.
You may find something you like that you didn't consider.
Then narrow your choices down and check the insurance premiums for each car.

Or maybe your parents are buying the car,and have already made up their minds.
:dunno:

[AcidicRage]

"However, slippage of a front drive wheel causes a viscous coupling in the drivetrain to activate 4WD"


Do you mean slippage as suddenly the wheel becomes slippery and crashes? Or what do you mean? lol..

[FiveFreshFish]

Originally posted by AcidicRage
"However, slippage of a front drive wheel causes a viscous coupling in the drivetrain to activate 4WD"


Do you mean slippage as suddenly the wheel becomes slippery and crashes? Or what do you mean? lol..

In this context, it means wheel spin like when you're trying to accelerate, not sideways slippage.

[Glowrider]

When a front wheel slips, the rear wheels grip.

[AcidicRage]

Would you say the V-Flex is good or bad? I've also heard it's a crappier version than a "AWD" system.

[That.Guy.S30]

the matrix is known for noise.. somethin about the way they built it. ones at the gauges.. easy to fix with some tape.. and the other is at the side door. also easily fixed with some tape.
go to www.matrixowners.com i was thinkin of gettin a matrix too but decided to go for a subie!.. but other then that its a cool lookin car. and if u want some more power to it i heard trd is makin a super/turbo chrager for the base models. i think not too sure.

[CRXguy]

Matrix looks good in magazines and stuff, but when I saw it in person, I gave it a :thumbsdow

How about the Protege5's? I had one last year, and it was a really fun car. Personally, it looks 1000x better than the Matrix.

[Dr. Evil]

Originally posted by AcidicRage
tell me your opinions.
IMHO, Matrix=:thumbsdow I'd get an Subaru Impreza sport wagon (no WRX since the parents probably wouldn't agree to all that speed).

[Smartiepants]

I'm sorta partial to the VW I got my golf for ~21 so I'd go for it. I looked at the Protege5, Matrix, Civic. I have to say honestly I liked the VW the best, hence why I bought it. The matrix sorta looks queerish to me, sorta like someone tried way too hard to make it look good. The protege5 was my next choice but it seemed to be a bit cheaper made, alot of base cars don't come with things like ABS and stuff which is all worth the money. The mazda seemed to have a bit too much plastic for my liking and visibility wasn't as good. The matrix had the biggest visibility problem though.

My ratings (for cars in the $ range)

Matrix 7/10
Protege5 8/10
Civic 6/10
VW 8.5/10

[That.Guy.S30]

if hes gettin a base matrix that means his price range is around 17-19 thousand. not bad for a first car. not bad at all