Test drove the matrix (impressions) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

DaksGT · 02-08-2002, 04:15 PM

I went to get my oil changed today at my dealer and as i pulled in I saw 4 matrixes in the lot, I got a all curious and ****. So I dropped the car off at the service centre and went to the show room floor, the sales man that sold me my car was there, and we got talkin about the matrix etc... I asked him if i can take it for a boot, he was like nah and started giving me reasons for it. Then I went about saying how I might trade in the celi for it and that got to him and we were off. I drove the 6 spd.
First impressions were that its ****ing huge, its like a mini-van almost, the roof is also very high. Godd head space etc.. I was diggin the gauges.
Anyways the shifter felt like **** (guess it was still new) and so we get on Lawrence, I was driving it normally and then we made a right on Jane I was in 4th, I dropped it into second and I was off the lift felt good, I wanted to see when the limiter was so I just let it fly an it was past 8 k around 8.1-2, the salesman gave me this confused look and I shifted into 3rd and landed at 6.2 and floored it. Coming up to a hard right turn, I put it back into second, and awaited the turn, I dove into it hard, and there was undesteer, lots of it, better then I expected though, the tires are much better than the re92's and also 17's so less roll over.
We came to a stop light, the light turns green I gun it power shift hard at 8.2 and I don't land in lift, I was like WTF!? The GT-S's taht I drove I landed in lift everytime when I shifted hard. So next light I try it again same results. And finally I reached a stop sign, I launched it hard (at this point the sales man is going "Easy sonny&quot

and powershifted into second and finally landed in lift.

Final impressions.
The quality of the car seemed good, at the back where the trunk is its plastic, so if u got a dog and **** it's cool. The car is too big for me though. To tall. With a 2" drop it would look nuts though, cause it already has a pimp front bumper. The power of the car compared to the GT-S when I drove it is weaker, the handling of the car is not near the celicas IMHO.
Bottom line would I trade my GT for it?
Nope.

bondobondo · 02-08-2002, 07:42 PM

good job at reaming out a brand new car that probably isn't broken in yet. hahhahaah

anyways the sales dude must have been pretty pissed..

please conduct your next "drive-the-car-like-you-stole-it" review on the sentra se-r spec v

thanks! :grin:

***Phi*** · 02-09-2002, 12:10 AM

Using your vocab;

-You booted the sh** out of that pimp ride yo

bondobondo · 02-09-2002, 12:16 AM

naw phi

"i took that matrix and gave it the zapps, pimpin it out with a can of brio in the left hand"

DaksGT · 02-09-2002, 03:21 AM

No prob any other requests?

Flashmn · 02-09-2002, 03:59 AM

yeah, the salesman looked at me the same way when I test drove the expedition and explorer with no intent on buying either one >

Haha, I was gunning them over the speedhumps :wink: "ok, the hydraulic leveling suspeeeeeen-KLUNK-sion..." haha, I could see him sloutching on the seat too :wink:

DaksGT · 02-09-2002, 04:01 AM

Quote:

On 2002-02-09 00:16, trueno92 wrote:
naw phi

"i took that matrix and gave it the zapps, pimpin it out with a can of brio in the left hand"

Bro remember what I told u about the brio last nite?
My vocab.
I took the Matrix and halued ass in it like a champ buddy, when we were through the saleman wished he was still inside his mothers womb.

rayray · 02-09-2002, 05:38 AM

did he do the whole "pressing on the fake brake pedal" move? that's classic... haha.

-rayray

SE V6 · 02-14-2002, 12:48 AM

The tires on the Matrix are surprisingly good! They're Firestone Firehawks. Very good tires and they ain't cheap. Remember, it's 300-400lbs heavier than a Celica. A Celica GT-S handles EXTREMELY well out of the box. The Matrix is a transfer vehicle.

I think it is definently worth the money however, they need to change the gear ratios to the GT-S's and make the big cam come on sooner. I'm sure it's a dog off the big cam...

JJX2 · 02-14-2002, 07:37 PM

I think Its time to trade in the Gen4 i4 cam for an XRS!

lasstss · 06-11-2002, 03:42 PM

I think the Matrix has plenty of Ba@@s for a 4 banger. Its OK new. With 10k on the clock it should get much faster. It doesent like a 1-2 bagshift though. I thought the motor was going to jump out. Shifter is notchy as hell. I hope it wears in. Not easy to shift.
You can however get 4 6' 200 lb folks in this car comfortably. Try that in your GT!