Toyota Matrix?

skysailor · 01-30-2013, 03:11 PM

Okay, I don't "need" a truck. Time to say goodbye to my gas guzzling GMC. I still need 4X4, so I'm looking very seriously at the Matrix. I'm figuring on a 50% savings on my fuel burn alone. Anybody drive a Matrix? Likes? Dislikes?
Lyle

NikonsAndVStroms · 01-30-2013, 03:17 PM

I know the MPG isn't as good but when I test drove them for my Ex back in 2008 I thought the 2.4 had a much better driving feel than the 1.8. The steering was nicer, and it was more solid in how it drives. The 1.8 felt like a flimsy econobox.

jdiaz · 01-30-2013, 03:20 PM

Absolutely the loudest car I've ever ridden in.

kellymac530 · 01-30-2013, 03:28 PM

A Toyota Matrix fits in "Shiny Things"?
I was looking for the other forum for a Matrix to fit in to...that one trades one of the "n"s for a "t"...

How bout a Mini Countryman All 4S
All wheel drive, Turbo, fairly roomy, 30K USD {ish} and just cool for a small NON truck vehicle. Good economy for a AWD car 27/32 MPG.

I have a friend who has one...It is VERY cool. I love it.

I always hate it when I ask a specific question and some idiot comes back with "no get one of these"...yet here I am doing that...sorry...I am an idiot though.

morerpmfred · 01-30-2013, 03:29 PM

Bought a new 06. Still have it. Most reliable car ever owned. At 170 klics other then regular maintenance the only thing done was front brakes and tires. Is an auto and gets better gas milage then advertised for that year. Monthly trips from Calgary to Edmonton driving between 120 and 130 klics on hour averaged just under 50 mpg. That is imperial gallons. Would by another again.

Grainbelt · 01-30-2013, 04:14 PM

Ugh.

I'd rather roll the dice with a Suburu than spend part of every day in a Matrix.

falconati · 01-30-2013, 04:56 PM

Should've bought a TDI...

Seriously though, it's an ugly car in my opinion. What are you looking for in a car? There are plenty of alternative wagons out there that are reliable, cheap and sporty.

GP640 · 01-30-2013, 04:56 PM

Considering the OP's location I'd say the Mini isn't an option as the closest dealer would be Winnipeg?
I'm sure there would be arguements but I'd give the Matrix a go but I'd also consider an Escape or a Mazda cx5
just so you've got a bit more ground clearance.

JBADV · 01-30-2013, 05:01 PM

The Toyota Matrix is,without question,the worst vehicle I have ever owned.

kobudo28 · 01-30-2013, 05:04 PM

I bought my son an '05 AWD Matrix to replace the biggest POS of a car ever made, a Neon. Worst car I have ever owned, period!

It has 140K on it an runs great. He has been very happy with it, but in comparision to that POS Neon, nearly anything would be a step up.

falconati · 01-30-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBADV

The Toyota Matrix is,without question,the worst vehicle I have ever owned.

Can you expand on that? Why?

2twisted · 01-30-2013, 05:53 PM

My son is driving a Matrix ( front wheel drive only) back and forth to college, odometer has been showing 299,999 miles for the last 2 years...incredible little car. I have all the records from original owner, other than oil changes, brakes and a tune up all it has needed is 2 front wheel bearings. Mobil 1 all its life, does not burn or leak a drop.

Fener6 · 01-30-2013, 06:15 PM

The pontiac vibe is a good choice if you are looking at the matrix. Same car under the sheetmetal, and you can get them at a better price.

But do yourself a favor, buy a used subaru impreza wrx and dont look back.

civhatch90 · 01-30-2013, 06:21 PM

Bought an 04 a few years ago with 65k and now it has 115k miles. Only things it needed have been tires, brakes, and oil changes. Very reliable car and they hold their value quite well.

Not sure what all the inmates are bitching about here. It is clearly not an enthusiast car or a high end car for that matter. It is a good car for the wife to put miles on. Gets on average 31 mpgs.

koncha · 01-30-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

Absolutely the loudest car I've ever ridden in.

+1

I make it comparable to a 1988 Isuzu I-Mark. I've been in rental moving trucks that were quieter than a Matrix.

01-30-2013, 03:11 PM	#1
skysailor ^OP Rat Rider Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Kenora, Canada Oddometer: 2,895	Toyota Matrix? Okay, I don't "need" a truck. Time to say goodbye to my gas guzzling GMC. I still need 4X4, so I'm looking very seriously at the Matrix. I'm figuring on a 50% savings on my fuel burn alone. Anybody drive a Matrix? Likes? Dislikes? Lyle

01-30-2013, 03:17 PM	#2
NikonsAndVStroms Beastly Photographer Joined: Jun 2007 Location: The Hub of the Universe Oddometer: 27,116	I know the MPG isn't as good but when I test drove them for my Ex back in 2008 I thought the 2.4 had a much better driving feel than the 1.8. The steering was nicer, and it was more solid in how it drives. The 1.8 felt like a flimsy econobox. __________________ Motorcycles save lives "It's the game of life. Do I win or do I lose? One day they're gonna shut the game down. I gotta have as much fun and go around the board as many times as I can before it's my turn to leave."

01-30-2013, 03:28 PM	#4
kellymac530 motorcycle addict Joined: Feb 2010 Location: so. cal. Oddometer: 927	A Toyota Matrix fits in "Shiny Things"? I was looking for the other forum for a Matrix to fit in to...that one trades one of the "n"s for a "t"... How bout a Mini Countryman All 4S All wheel drive, Turbo, fairly roomy, 30K USD {ish} and just cool for a small NON truck vehicle. Good economy for a AWD car 27/32 MPG. I have a friend who has one...It is VERY cool. I love it. I always hate it when I ask a specific question and some idiot comes back with "no get one of these"...yet here I am doing that...sorry...I am an idiot though. __________________ it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission

01-30-2013, 04:56 PM	#7
falconati baller Joined: Jun 2012 Location: WI/NYC/TX Oddometer: 444	Should've bought a TDI... Seriously though, it's an ugly car in my opinion. What are you looking for in a car? There are plenty of alternative wagons out there that are reliable, cheap and sporty. __________________ Ducati Hypermotard, Aprilia Futura, Aprilia Falco

01-30-2013, 05:01 PM	#9
JBADV searching for sanity Joined: Jan 2006 Location: right here,right now Oddometer: 3,064	The Toyota Matrix is,without question,the worst vehicle I have ever owned. __________________ The older I grow,the faster life goes. The more I learn,the less I know.

01-30-2013, 03:20 PM	#3
jdiaz . Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Elburn, IL Oddometer: 31,202	Absolutely the loudest car I've ever ridden in.

01-30-2013, 03:29 PM	#5
morerpmfred Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary Alberta Oddometer: 108	Bought a new 06. Still have it. Most reliable car ever owned. At 170 klics other then regular maintenance the only thing done was front brakes and tires. Is an auto and gets better gas milage then advertised for that year. Monthly trips from Calgary to Edmonton driving between 120 and 130 klics on hour averaged just under 50 mpg. That is imperial gallons. Would by another again.

01-30-2013, 04:14 PM	#6
Grainbelt marginal adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Minnyhappiness Oddometer: 25,088	Ugh. I'd rather roll the dice with a Suburu than spend part of every day in a Matrix.

01-30-2013, 04:56 PM	#8
GP640 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2006 Location: NW AB Oddometer: 2,987	Considering the OP's location I'd say the Mini isn't an option as the closest dealer would be Winnipeg? I'm sure there would be arguements but I'd give the Matrix a go but I'd also consider an Escape or a Mazda cx5 just so you've got a bit more ground clearance.

01-30-2013, 05:04 PM	#10
kobudo28 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampster. Live, Freeze and Ride. Oddometer: 5,672	I bought my son an '05 AWD Matrix to replace the biggest POS of a car ever made, a Neon. Worst car I have ever owned, period! It has 140K on it an runs great. He has been very happy with it, but in comparision to that POS Neon, nearly anything would be a step up. __________________ Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.

01-30-2013, 05:53 PM	#12
2twisted GoodNYou Joined: May 2002 Location: Sebago Lake Me Oddometer: 2,245	My son is driving a Matrix ( front wheel drive only) back and forth to college, odometer has been showing 299,999 miles for the last 2 years...incredible little car. I have all the records from original owner, other than oil changes, brakes and a tune up all it has needed is 2 front wheel bearings. Mobil 1 all its life, does not burn or leak a drop.

01-30-2013, 06:15 PM	#13
Fener6 The Container Man Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Gates of Hell Oddometer: 200	The pontiac vibe is a good choice if you are looking at the matrix. Same car under the sheetmetal, and you can get them at a better price. But do yourself a favor, buy a used subaru impreza wrx and dont look back. __________________ Piaggio Fly 150 KTM 625 SXC 34' Fountain CC If not on my bike, you can find me managing Steel Containers For Sale

01-30-2013, 06:21 PM	#14
civhatch90 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: NJ Oddometer: 125	Bought an 04 a few years ago with 65k and now it has 115k miles. Only things it needed have been tires, brakes, and oil changes. Very reliable car and they hold their value quite well. Not sure what all the inmates are bitching about here. It is clearly not an enthusiast car or a high end car for that matter. It is a good car for the wife to put miles on. Gets on average 31 mpgs.

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