new 2008 matrix xr owner

[msphawkeye]

hi all. just bought a new 2008 matrix xr. has the additional package with the sun roof.

have an accessory question. we have a dog and are buying the pet barrier and the back mat. does anyone have the rear bumper protector? he will be jumping in and out of the back of course and will scratch the bumper. does anyone use anything else to protect the paint from doggy claws?

[Smar969905]

ebay has tons of the back bumper protectors on sale all the time. check there first i would say as you are likely to get the best price there. dealerships tend to charge an arm and a leg for anything

[msphawkeye]

well, i am about 500 miles into my matrix ownership. no idea if this is a sign of times to come ( i hope so ) but i got 33 mpg out of my first 10 gallons of gas and most of that was city driving.

picked up a couple accessories from the dealer but i think i will buy the bumper protector off of ebay. need to try to keep the dog from scratching the bumper. are those just stick/glue on? anyone know?

[MrJones]

i've driven 3000 miles since taking delivery in late sept. great car! the bumper protector didnt seem useful for me, but if you got pets, i bet it will save the paint job. it's actually just applied with adhesive - thats what the salesperson told me. congrats on the great mileage, i have a heavy foot and ill done is 26mpg lol

[bluert]

Just wondering, 08' doesn't comes with awd/4wd?

[XR2003]

Originally Posted by bluert

Just wondering, 08' doesn't comes with awd/4wd?

nope, stopped making them I believe in 04. No XRS since 06. 2009 Matrix - redesigned style - on sale Feb. 08.

[msphawkeye]

no awd. just had our first snow in Minnesota. i thought it handled pretty well. this is my first time without and suv in 7 years.

[bluert]

Originally Posted by XR2003

nope, stopped making them I believe in 04. No XRS since 06. 2009 Matrix - redesigned style - on sale Feb. 08.

So the new 09' has awd? I am looking for something with awd/4wd car/small suv in the near future. Rav4 is one of the choices.

[XR2003]

Originally Posted by bluert

So the new 09' has awd? I am looking for something with awd/4wd car/small suv in the near future. Rav4 is one of the choices.

yes the 2009 S model will have AWD as an option.

[TRDRadRedTaco]

Originally Posted by msphawkeye

hi all. just bought a new 2008 matrix xr. has the additional package with the sun roof.

have an accessory question. we have a dog and are buying the pet barrier and the back mat. does anyone have the rear bumper protector? he will be jumping in and out of the back of course and will scratch the bumper. does anyone use anything else to protect the paint from doggy claws?

I just bought the same model with sun roof option. I'm getting between 32-35 mpg. You're gonna really love this car. I do.

This is a stupid question but what is the bumper protector? Does it go on top of the bumper at the rear hatch?

[Smar969905]

Originally Posted by TRDRadRedTaco

This is a stupid question but what is the bumper protector? Does it go on top of the bumper at the rear hatch?

that is exactly it. i got my 2003 xrs used, and it already had the bumper protector. it is good for having dogs that hop in the back with long nails, or if you step on the bumper with shoes on in case you have a rock or something like that in your shoe. it can also be handy if you are carrying around materials that you slide in and out of the car a lot.

[bluert]

Originally Posted by XR2003

yes the 2009 S model will have AWD as an option.

When will they have info on the new 09' models? All that's listed are for the 08's.

TIA.

[Smar969905]

Originally Posted by bluert

When will they have info on the new 09' models? All that's listed are for the 08's.

TIA.

probably around february or march. most model years start around july of the previous year.