Toyota Matrix
- Thread starter Cobster
- Start date
if you decide on buying this car, and if you wish to save some money,
buy a pontiac vibe as its the same car.
as per consumer reports:
The Pontiac Vibe and its twin, the Toyota Matrix, are tall wagons based on the Toyota Corolla. The Vibe's compact dimensions, versatile interior, and good fuel economy make it a handy, nimble, economical runabout. However, a flawed driving position and a boomy engine detract. The Vibe is available with all-wheel drive.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The Vibe rides firmly and feels slightly jittery but isn't objectionable. Noise suppression is mediocre, and some drivers tired of the booming engine noise. Handling is secure and responsive, and the steering is fairly quick, with some feedback. The Vibe was secure and forgiving in our emergency avoidance maneuver. We could not find a vehicle equipped with optional electronic stability control. The 126-hp four-cylinder engine provides adequate acceleration but is noisy. The well-calibrated, four-speed automatic transmission downshifts energetically and makes the Vibe feel responsive. The wagon returned an impressive 27 mpg. Braking was very good overall. Low-beam headlights lacked distance. High beams reached a good distance, but a distinct cutoff reduces visibility over dips.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The Vibe's interior is well constructed, with attractively grained hard plastics. The headliner and visors feel a bit cheap, though. Most drivers found the steering wheel too far away. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope. The small rear window, large rear head restraints, and tapered side windows obscure rear visibility. The front seats are comfortable and supportive but lack lumbar adjustment. Rear seats have abundant head and leg room even for tall adults. The tall roofline and broad doors facilitate easy access. Complaints centered on the instruments, which were too bright at night. Dimming the dashboard lights made lights on the controls too faint. Reflections were also notable from the chrome-ringed gauges, and there is no in-dash gear display. Moderate interior storage includes a fairly large glove box and a deep center console. There are four cup holders. A household electrical socket on the dash is handy for charging batteries or running a laptop. The 60/40-split rear seats easily fold in one step for extra cargo room. The front passenger seat can also fold to accommodate long items. With the full liftgate open, the cargo floor is flush with the bottom edge of the rear liftgate, making loading easy. A built-in tie-down system makes it easy to secure cargo. The Vibe's rear window opens separately from the gate, which is handy for loading small items in the rear cargo area. With the rear seats folded, the Vibe holds 26.5 cubic feet of cargo.
SAFETY NOTES
Side-impact air bags and curtain head-protection air bags are available for the Vibe as part of an extra-cost Restraint System Package. The additional air bags supplement required front air bags and three-point safety belts in each of the five seating positions. The curtain air bags extend to protect the heads of both front and rear outboard passengers. The front safety belts have adjustable upper anchors to aid in getting a comfortable and safe fit and are also equipped with pretensioners and force limiters to reduce belt slack and forces in a crash. A passenger-sensing system in front detects the presence of a child seated there and disables the front and side air bags. The air bags and seat's pretensioners will also be disabled if the seat is empty to avoid needless replacement. There are adjustable, locking head restraints in the outboard seats and each is tall enough even when fully lowered to reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury. The rear center seat lacks a head restraint and the seatback is too low to provide any protection. Daytime running lights are standard. Driving with kids: Rear-facing infant seat bases with short belt paths or wide bases may be subject to tilt in the rear seats. Those with more narrow bases or installation using the LATCH system should result in a secure fit. Rear-facing convertible seats and front-facing seats should prove secure; there are three tether strap anchors on the floor of the cargo area behind the rear seats. The LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats are recessed between the seatback and cushion making access awkward
RELIABILITY
We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.
buy a pontiac vibe as its the same car.
as per consumer reports:
The Pontiac Vibe and its twin, the Toyota Matrix, are tall wagons based on the Toyota Corolla. The Vibe's compact dimensions, versatile interior, and good fuel economy make it a handy, nimble, economical runabout. However, a flawed driving position and a boomy engine detract. The Vibe is available with all-wheel drive.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The Vibe rides firmly and feels slightly jittery but isn't objectionable. Noise suppression is mediocre, and some drivers tired of the booming engine noise. Handling is secure and responsive, and the steering is fairly quick, with some feedback. The Vibe was secure and forgiving in our emergency avoidance maneuver. We could not find a vehicle equipped with optional electronic stability control. The 126-hp four-cylinder engine provides adequate acceleration but is noisy. The well-calibrated, four-speed automatic transmission downshifts energetically and makes the Vibe feel responsive. The wagon returned an impressive 27 mpg. Braking was very good overall. Low-beam headlights lacked distance. High beams reached a good distance, but a distinct cutoff reduces visibility over dips.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The Vibe's interior is well constructed, with attractively grained hard plastics. The headliner and visors feel a bit cheap, though. Most drivers found the steering wheel too far away. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope. The small rear window, large rear head restraints, and tapered side windows obscure rear visibility. The front seats are comfortable and supportive but lack lumbar adjustment. Rear seats have abundant head and leg room even for tall adults. The tall roofline and broad doors facilitate easy access. Complaints centered on the instruments, which were too bright at night. Dimming the dashboard lights made lights on the controls too faint. Reflections were also notable from the chrome-ringed gauges, and there is no in-dash gear display. Moderate interior storage includes a fairly large glove box and a deep center console. There are four cup holders. A household electrical socket on the dash is handy for charging batteries or running a laptop. The 60/40-split rear seats easily fold in one step for extra cargo room. The front passenger seat can also fold to accommodate long items. With the full liftgate open, the cargo floor is flush with the bottom edge of the rear liftgate, making loading easy. A built-in tie-down system makes it easy to secure cargo. The Vibe's rear window opens separately from the gate, which is handy for loading small items in the rear cargo area. With the rear seats folded, the Vibe holds 26.5 cubic feet of cargo.
SAFETY NOTES
Side-impact air bags and curtain head-protection air bags are available for the Vibe as part of an extra-cost Restraint System Package. The additional air bags supplement required front air bags and three-point safety belts in each of the five seating positions. The curtain air bags extend to protect the heads of both front and rear outboard passengers. The front safety belts have adjustable upper anchors to aid in getting a comfortable and safe fit and are also equipped with pretensioners and force limiters to reduce belt slack and forces in a crash. A passenger-sensing system in front detects the presence of a child seated there and disables the front and side air bags. The air bags and seat's pretensioners will also be disabled if the seat is empty to avoid needless replacement. There are adjustable, locking head restraints in the outboard seats and each is tall enough even when fully lowered to reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury. The rear center seat lacks a head restraint and the seatback is too low to provide any protection. Daytime running lights are standard. Driving with kids: Rear-facing infant seat bases with short belt paths or wide bases may be subject to tilt in the rear seats. Those with more narrow bases or installation using the LATCH system should result in a secure fit. Rear-facing convertible seats and front-facing seats should prove secure; there are three tether strap anchors on the floor of the cargo area behind the rear seats. The LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats are recessed between the seatback and cushion making access awkward
RELIABILITY
We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.
The Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe seem to be pretty popular, just based on my experiences of seeing many people driving one. The Pontiac Vibe may be cheaper, if you're really looking to lowball the price.
The fuel efficiency is pretty good, but for me, the fuel efficiency is the most important thing, more important than the cargo-hauling ability of the Matrix. If you plan on constantly having more than one passenger or hauling cargo, and you can sacrifice on fuel efficiency, go for it.
The fuel efficiency is pretty good, but for me, the fuel efficiency is the most important thing, more important than the cargo-hauling ability of the Matrix. If you plan on constantly having more than one passenger or hauling cargo, and you can sacrifice on fuel efficiency, go for it.
Just curious as to when Toyota and Pontiac started sharing platforms and technology? Ford-Mazda and Chrysler-Mitsubishi are fairly long standing relationships but Toyota-Pontiac??????? Admittedly, I have little to zerio knowledge about cars but I never believed that the Vibe and the Matrix had anything more in common than some styling cues.
Answering my own question:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/previews/vibe_vs_matrix.htm
"You may not have heard of the Chevrolet Prism because it was sold only in the United States. That vehicle is being replaced by the Pontiac Vibe (which will be sold in Canada) and will be built in the same GM/Toyota-owned New United Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI) assembly plant in Fremont, California. The Toyota Matrix will be built in Toyota's own plant in Cambridge, Ontario. These two plants, by the way, are consistently rated tops in quality by J.D. Power and Associates. Both the Vibe and Matrix are based on the all-new Toyota Corolla platform and share the same Toyota engines, transmissions, suspensions, brakes, and GM-designed/Toyota-supplied interior features. Even the warranties are comparable: GM will offer a 5 year/100,000 km powertrain warranty on the Vibe in Canada to match Toyota's powertrain warranty. Only the cars' exterior styling, option packages, and name badges are different"
http://www.canadiandriver.com/previews/vibe_vs_matrix.htm
"You may not have heard of the Chevrolet Prism because it was sold only in the United States. That vehicle is being replaced by the Pontiac Vibe (which will be sold in Canada) and will be built in the same GM/Toyota-owned New United Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI) assembly plant in Fremont, California. The Toyota Matrix will be built in Toyota's own plant in Cambridge, Ontario. These two plants, by the way, are consistently rated tops in quality by J.D. Power and Associates. Both the Vibe and Matrix are based on the all-new Toyota Corolla platform and share the same Toyota engines, transmissions, suspensions, brakes, and GM-designed/Toyota-supplied interior features. Even the warranties are comparable: GM will offer a 5 year/100,000 km powertrain warranty on the Vibe in Canada to match Toyota's powertrain warranty. Only the cars' exterior styling, option packages, and name badges are different"
I remember the GEO Prism, later the Chevy Prism, after GM dropped the GEO brand.
It was practically identical to the Toyota Corolla. It was a way for American buyers to get a Japanese car masquerading as an "American" car.
There's more difference between the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix than the Geo Prism/Toyota Corolla (which was literally just a change of the stick-on insignia).
It was practically identical to the Toyota Corolla. It was a way for American buyers to get a Japanese car masquerading as an "American" car.
There's more difference between the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix than the Geo Prism/Toyota Corolla (which was literally just a change of the stick-on insignia).
Esco! said:I wound up buying a Mazda CX-7, I highly recommend it, very smooth drive
A good deal for $40K
I bet it would hold 4 adults, hunting gear and one slightly deceased GB.
Hey, Bud... What's your budget
Give us a before delivery & tax dollar number so that we know what you're dealing with.
The Matrix is a solid choice, but depending on your means ...
Give us a before delivery & tax dollar number so that we know what you're dealing with.
The Matrix is a solid choice, but depending on your means ...
I have a 2004 Toyota Matrix. Other then having the brake pads changed once I have had no issues with this car.
I like that it is easy on the wallet with gas (520km per tank, city), insurance is fairly low for this tye of car, it is almost maintaince free other then oil, lube and filters.
What I don't like about it is one step away from being a minivan (trust me, I am not a soccer mom type at all).
When I got the car power windows were optional.
I think it was a good purchase and would buy a Toyota again.
I like that it is easy on the wallet with gas (520km per tank, city), insurance is fairly low for this tye of car, it is almost maintaince free other then oil, lube and filters.
What I don't like about it is one step away from being a minivan (trust me, I am not a soccer mom type at all).
When I got the car power windows were optional.
I think it was a good purchase and would buy a Toyota again.
the good toyotas are either built in Japan ie, Rav4 or in Canada.
the US built Toyotas aren't quite up to the same level. though still more reliable than any Honda or whatever else is out there.
my '01 Rav4 has 723,000 kms with original engine and still runs quiet and smooth.
the US built Toyotas aren't quite up to the same level. though still more reliable than any Honda or whatever else is out there.
my '01 Rav4 has 723,000 kms with original engine and still runs quiet and smooth.
goodtime
Travelaholic
Definitely a chick car. Whenever I drive the borrowed Vibe, guys race up to catch glimpse of the driver expecting a petite gal.CUPID said:
First: I would NEVER buy a car named after a movie....
Secondly: Does it come with pictures of Neo, Morpheous and trinity?
Thirdly: I would never buy a car named after a movie....
Fourth: (regarding the pontiac version) I'd never buy a car named after a sex toy. Thing is, if your gf owns the pontiac version, you never know what she'd mean if she said "I'm taking my vibe for a ride".....
This reminds me of an ad I saw recently for a "self rimming toilet" lol.
Next thing you know they will come out with a car called the dildo. Then they'd go after asshole drivers to own them so they'd compete with volvo drivers. Speaking of volvos, I hear they're bringing out a version called the vulva: it's a tight fit and the interior is kinda dark, but a lot of guys want to drive one!
Secondly: Does it come with pictures of Neo, Morpheous and trinity?
Thirdly: I would never buy a car named after a movie....
Fourth: (regarding the pontiac version) I'd never buy a car named after a sex toy. Thing is, if your gf owns the pontiac version, you never know what she'd mean if she said "I'm taking my vibe for a ride".....
This reminds me of an ad I saw recently for a "self rimming toilet" lol.
Next thing you know they will come out with a car called the dildo. Then they'd go after asshole drivers to own them so they'd compete with volvo drivers. Speaking of volvos, I hear they're bringing out a version called the vulva: it's a tight fit and the interior is kinda dark, but a lot of guys want to drive one!
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