2005 Matrix XR

[usurvive]

Toyota - why did you do this to us??

I drive a 1986 Toyota SR5 station Wagon standard 4X4 that I bought new in 1986 as a safe car,economical for my wife,my daughter who is now 26 grew up riding in it and then drove it until she went to University in 2001.I then rebuilt it and run it with Michellin X-ice tyres in 1 ft plus deep snow and can stop in a straight line on sheer ice.What do Toyota do in 1990- Stop making these cars! uhm.

So I decide to buy my wife a new car for her birthday last year and chose a Matrix XR standard.- What a mistake.Fancy,look good 17" rims that look good and get stuck in 3" of snow even with Bridgestone winter tyres(Why should we have to pay for a rim change to 15" and a set of Michellin,s because the cars were designed to run in warm climates)-Slides around on ice etc.Poor acceleration.Matrix are not a good choice if you live in Winter conditions for 6 months of the year like we do.

When all the young folks grow out of the "Truck" market and have kids that need travel in a safe,economical car then maybe Toyota marketing strategy will change and some brilliant engineer will design a car similar to the Tercel station wagon.If you see one - salute it.

Meanwhile I will continue to pass the F350',Chev's and Dodge's in my old '86 Tercel on snow and ice with the confidence it holds the road in the winter,cheap to run and lots of room for shopping etc.Meanwhile I would like to give the Matrix back!

[Frank@toronto]

You compared ( I think) a Front Wheel driver car to a 4 Wheel drive car, and conclude 4 WD is better in snow.

Secondly, you noted that wide performance tires are not good in snow.

Lastly, the Tercel station wagon is missed.

A Subaru Forester is what you needed.

[Mutt]

#1 you shouldn't be comparing a 4X4 to a 2 wheel drive there's no way it's gping to work as well. That being said I put 15 on my 06 and the thing works great in snow and ice. Living in N.B. Canada we get our share of miserable weather and the car has taken us through every storm. I will say the first couple of storms with the stock 16" was not pretty.

[usurvive]

Thanks bud,

I agree with you but I get better traction in 2wd with the old Tercel Vs the new Matrix so I feel a little cheated on the performance and reliability end.Yes I could spend some more money and fix Toyota's problems however they are o.k. because the bulk of Matrix are sold in climates without snow.I should mention also that this particular Matrix has an ignition circuit that dies when it gets below -20C and the dealer swears it isn't the clutch interlock switch or a faulty relay.My wife has had this car at the dealer more than she has driven it.

[trdbryan]

I have both a 05 Matrix TRD and a 99 Tercel. Both are equally good in the snow. In todays market for cars everything is leaning towards bigger tires and rims to improve handling and looks. Wide and low profile tires will never be good in the snow, i live in Ontario and we get our fare share of snow and cold weather, i knew when purchasing the matrix that i would have to get winter tires, if i wanted to be able to drive confidently in the snow. I purchased a set of 195/65/15 Gislaveds and they are amazing in the snow, i have never gotten stuck or had a problem maneuvering in the snow. If you live some where that you have 6 months of winter why would you not want to invest in a set of winter tires and rims. In the long run the winter tires and rims do not cost much more because your summer tires last that much longer. Even Places like Quebec are trying to make it law to have winter tires. The better and better winter tires get, the more automotive specialists recommend winter tires, because of how much all season tires compromise to be "all season", a lot of them call them "3 season tires".
Also the Matrix is built right here in Ontario where we do get snow and winter and they are sold North America wide. Built at the same plant as the corolla which is also sold anywhere in north America. You would say that a car made for north America is not made for northern climates?

B

[usurvive]

Brian,

I agree 100% with all your comments.

Meanwhile I will take my old tercel down the cut lines and ice fishing and leave the Matrix for the Hwy.P.S. It does at present have Bridgestone winter tyres on it but broad low profile as you say does not cut it in the winter on deeper snow.
The car is safe but with a higher centre of gravity,short and stubby does not add to it's handling capability.Xtra $$$$ paid out can always make a car perform better even if it costs $ 700.00 for a set of rims and winter tyres.