I'm thinking of buying a Matrix...please help.

[Jeehark]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone could offer their input towards the Matrix. I am currently looking for something that is reliable, economical and roomy. I've been looking at the Matrix for a few years now and haven't stepped up to the plate. I'm looking at an '06 XR 5-spd.

Some of my questions are:

1. Can anyone provide feedback towards the leg room and seat positioning? I understand the seat position takes some getting used to. I know there is lots of head room, but overall ergonomics are important as i'm kind of tall (6'7).

2. Is the fuel economy as good as i'm hearing? Does a drop-in K & N really help with power AND mileage?

3. Is power for the 5-spd really that much of a concern? (I'm not power hungry, but don't want a car that doesn't go anywhere either).

4. Does it have the reliability we have come to know with Toyota?

Thank you for this and any other input.

[stuts]

Jeehark before you jump the gun brother look at the TOYOTA YARIS you cant go wrong I am not just saying this because I am a Yaris supporter but society has to get away from bigger is better trust me on this go look at the Yaris and drive it lets face it Jeehark most people never use their Matrix for what it was meant to be used for and even if they do its only every couple months the Yaris in my eyes offers just as much as the Matrix and more better gas milage lower insurance I can put bikes on the car with bike racks if I need to with storage I can buy a enclosed car top carrier trust me on this Jeehark look at the Yaris you will not be disappointed the room is their also the horse power I am only 22 so I am not a old person saying this I did look at the Matrix but hands down I thought the Yaris was a better buy peace

[mistamatrix]

Sheesh, stuts. You really have it in for the Matrix, don't you?

1. At 6'7", you'll probably find yourself pushing the driver's seat close to if not all the way back (as w/ most cars). I don't think you'll be able to squeeze someone at equal height behind you in the rear seat. I'm at 5'8" and I've sat behind the driver's seat to see what it's like and there's plenty of room. On average, there's lots of room in the rear.

2. The 1ZZ-FE engine in the XR is awesome on fuel economy. As for the K&N, don't expect mountain-moving results.

3. What's the concern?

4. There hasn't been any major problems for the XR.

stuts, you can't compare the Yaris vs Matrix maybe unless we're talking about fuel economy alone.

[Jayleav]

I bought an '05 XR auto. Took a trip to the OBX last summer me,wife and 8 year old son, week of luggage for all 3 of us. 600+ miles one way, @ interstate speeds I still got 38 mpg. and was quite comfortable. As far as reliability the only complaint I have is the AWFUL continental tires
BTW, I'm 6'2".

jayson

[Frank@toronto]

1. It's roof is nice and high. You will fit in it better than most cars.
2. The fuel economy is good, but I hear that the corolla is better.
3. I have the XR auto and the power is perfect.
4. Does it have the reliability we have come to know with Toyota? Yep, that's why we bought it.

[acrylucs]

1. I'm 6'3" and i still have a couple of inches above my head. The Matrix sits you more upright than a normal car so you may still bump a bit. any small car will give you this issue, but matrix is still tall for its size. Leg room is great, the EPA passenger volume doesnt do it justice. in the back i'm comfortable sitting and dont need the front seats pushed forward.

2/3. Fuel economy is terrific for its size. Its like an SUV with small car economy. Engine power issue is not really an issue. the car's gearbox in the manual is suited for quick getaways. its high speed acceleration that hurts a bit, but then thats rarely used. Climbing big hills on the highway may need a downshift, but thats wise anyways in most cars for fuel economy.

4. i'm going on 17k miles no issues, half city half highway. Car is also pretty resilient, i've overloaded it, put too much weight on the roof and its fine.

yaris/matrix is a non-issue. its the big car vs small car debate. toyota are not stupid and wouldn't introduce a car in their line up that eats the market share of another car.

If you car needs to serve a lot of roles, you can't go wrong. Road Trips with friends (who wont whine about legroom or having to put gear on their laps), fitting six dirty kegs and not messing up the upholstry, moving (i fit my life in that car when i moved out of college dorms...), big shopping trips... its just so flexible. I chose it over the Mazda3 and dont regret it. no post-purchase anxiety here

[Jeehark]

Wow guys, thank you so much. I actually took it out for a test drive last night and was pleasantly surprised at the pep the engine had in the 5 spd. Its true that you notice much more power at the high revs, but is it needed in everyday driving? Likely not.

I had heard some negative feedback regarding handling, but I thought it handled great. It wasn't really that loud as some have suggested as well.

The guy at the dealership was really great and even told me what the profit mark-up was (which i already knew) and that built confidence into the dealership I went to.

I know the MPG won't be as good as the Corolla since it weighs more and has more drag (being taller), but it is still pretty good.

Just a matter of taking the leap and actually buying it!

Thanks again.

[ksbrace]

Consumer Reports has been critical of the driving position, but I don't see it. They say the steering wheel is "too far forward", but it feels just right to me.
As for engine power, it doesn't matter how much power the car COULD put out, but rather how much of that power you are willing to use. If you are willing to use all of it, it has way more than enough. The vast majority of drivers have cars that CAN go, but they just don't push the pedal down, even in situations that require it. Put more concretely, consider what happens when you are following an average driver on a highway merge ramp: You want to go, but you can't without rear-ending them. Do you have enough power?
In my 1980 Chevette, 90% of the time the car ahead of me prevented me from accelerating as fast as I wanted to.
In my 1993 Saturn SW1 (85 hp) I had to back off the gas 95% of the time.
In my 2004 Matrix XR manual I have to back off 99% of the time. Without a slowpoke merger ahead of me, when I see a gap in traffic that is just right and I need to scoot, 2nd gear is great to just over 60 MPH and it really does scoot!

[Earl43P]

I take mine on long trips pretty regularly, but it's my wife's daily driver. She loves it.

My arms and shoulders ache after long trips from the steering wheel being too far forward. Around town, I don't notice it. I'm 5' 11". Wife is 5'. She also uses the seat elevator feature, while I like it fully bottomed.

It's a great vehicle. Downsides are wind noise, engine noise, particularly at high rpms, and the OEM tires wore out quickly (mine were Goodyear Eagle somethings with a 260 treadwear rating, YES, 260!!!).

If I could do it over, I'd try to get the dealer to put a set of Carolla 15" rims on it instead. Much better selection in 195/65/15 than these 205/55/16's. Big $$ difference in tire costs over the life of the car.

[Troy Jollimore]

I'm 6'3" as well, and the driving position is perfect.

Jeehark, the one thing I'd do is get it for a long test drive. Like an hour or so. The only thing I notice is on long drives my right foot gets cramped from having to keep it lifted off the gas pedal (or risk a speeding ticket!)... (:

[thebluecamry]

The matrix is a good car for your needs. It has back seet room and nice front space for us bigger people.It also has great cargo space. With AWD, also helps ensure tight cornering when its needed.

Overall its a very nice versatile lil car.

[trdbryan]

I don't think that you can compare a matrix to a yaris. No doubt the yaris is a great little car (i have a tercel and a matrix myself), but it cannot compare to the matrix for versitility, space, ride and comfort. My wife and i were looking at buying a Yaris but as soon as u put 2 people in the back seat there is almost no room for stuff in the trunk, where in the matrix there is a tonne of space. I took my inlaws to the airport there was 4 of us in the car plus all of their luggage, if i had a yaris they would have been forced to take a cab because all of it wouldn't have fit into the yaris. As for price bang for the buck the Matrix is a better deal. The Yaris climbs in price too quick with basic options. Give up on trying to compare the Yaris to the Matrix, they are not in the same class, plus the matrix looks better.

B

[xrs22]

you can always throw on a Progress RSB for $90 neverenuf.com and some springs(prices vary) and a DC 1 solid piece front strut bar for $90 either from ptunin.com or neverenuf.com. For $300 or less you can get a good suspension goin'.