I am considering purchasing a used, 2004 Toyota Matrix XRS. (6-Speed Manual Trans, 180 Horses) This is a really tough choice and I need some help! I thought who would know these cars better than owners and enthusiasts? Here is my question for you guys, should I buy it? Here is what it has with it;
It has 130,000 freeway miles on it, this I find a bit of an issue. It has been lowered, chrome rims, racing tires, new struts and suspension (Akiko brand I think), PIAA headlight bulbs, cold air intake, engine dress up kit, all around disk breaks just replaced, 1200 watt rms sound system with 2 amplifiers, 2 subs in a custom fiberglass enclosure with new speakers all around, a KDNX7000 navigation/dvd/Bluetooth unit, headrest monitors, sun visor monitors, Autopage 1000 alarm system with remote start, glass break sensor, auto roll up/down windows, lock/unlock, and hidden battery so if they cut the main battery it will still go off, extra battery in the back for the sound system, limo tinted windows and then standard stuff like AC, 6 speed manual, almost flawless pearl/grey paint and interior. Said all of this stuff cost him about $5,000. So it has all of this and he is asking $12,000.
Again it does have 130,000 freeway miles on it. Do you guys think this is a fair price? On Kelley Bluebook those things go for $12,000 but on Edmunds it goes for more like $10,000 at that mileage. I am a college student so the fewer the repairs the better. He said the only thing he has had to replace was a $12 throw out bearing in the clutch or something or a seal for it. He said he has had no engine problems, no repairs needed nothing except that one 12 buck part. So can you guys help me out? Do I go for it? Will this car last me driving around town? What are your opinions?
I currently drive a 92 Chevy Astro van with 191,000 miles, still holding on.
Last edited by DuffmasterFresh; 09-16-2008 at 09:18 PM.
check when the last time he replace the clutch (2ZZ is known to have weak clutches), inetrior sqeaking otherwise not sure the other issues..130,000 miles is a little too much for $12,000..i got my Trix for $15,000 with 33,000 miles and the was 2 years ago...
Yeah well he is selling it for $12,000 because of all the aftermarket stuff, he put 5 grand into it of just aftermarket stuff. stereo, engine mods, lowered and tinted. the works! Though its been 4 years so the value of that stuff is lower. He has not replaced the clutch, never had a problem with it. I have not test driven it yet, but he takes excellent care of his stuff, the car is pristine!
i agree with ya...but as you said if the car still reliable not sure how much your willing to spend if there is something wrong with the car with all the mods he had put in....those are the decision you have to make...usually 2zz clutches gets worn out after 100,00 km for 130,000 i doubt the clutch is still good unless you test drove the car.....
The clutch was never used much because it was all freeway miles, so he could just stick it in 5th or 6th and cruise. Thats my theory anyway. I mean FREEWAY, like 75 miles to work and back, something like that. His CAT did go out, he just dropped it. but to sell it, he has to put the cat back on. I noticed from reading the forums that these cars have big cat problems and clutch problems haha. But so far nothing about the engine or tranny having any problems. Oh and MATRIXOWNERS.com for some reason it wont give me a comfirmation email. I have tryed signing up with two different accounts and still NO luck getting fully registered. not sure whats up.
The clutch was never used much because it was all freeway miles, so he could just stick it in 5th or 6th and cruise. Thats my theory anyway. I mean FREEWAY, like 75 miles to work and back, something like that. His CAT did go out, he just dropped it. but to sell it, he has to put the cat back on. I noticed from reading the forums that these cars have big cat problems and clutch problems haha. But so far nothing about the engine or tranny having any problems. Oh and MATRIXOWNERS.com for some reason it wont give me a comfirmation email. I have tryed signing up with two different accounts and still NO luck getting fully registered. not sure whats up.
yeah lately the website its been kindly slow but it should be ok now....but keep trying i guarantee you'll get as much assistance on purchasing this car...but as for the car i hope the guy didn't take it to the track those things you can just never know....
I just talked to a friend of mine he said that the mods do lower the price. Lowering the car makes the ride not as smooth. Kelley Bluebook says 12
grand, Edmunds says 10 grand, and consumer report says 8 grand. haha damn alot of choices. The car just had the cat replaced, tires replaced, brakes replaced and cleaned out a bit. But I do think 12 is way to much. I would settle with 9, maybe even 10. No its not on the market actually and if it was it would be in Valencia, thats about 3 hours from there. And I did see that car on the market actually they do sound the same haha!
Yes my name is Duffmasterfresh on the forums, I have not gotten any email verification and I have tryed to get them sent for a while now. I checked my junk folders and everything. I cant tell anyone I cant get registered because I cant post!
Last edited by DuffmasterFresh; 09-16-2008 at 09:52 PM.
My 2005 matrix has 348,000 miles on it. I have had only a few issues with her. 1st the odometer maxed out at 299,999 (I now keep track with my trip meter), next I had a couple sensors go bad which set me back a bit. (both times I had gone through a car wash with the under car spray) not saying thats what caused it, but 2x is quite ironic. I had an oil leak on top of the motor (wasn't to expensive) & now my radio, outside mirror adjusters & both aux plugs are out ( any advise on this would be great!!). Considering the miles on her I would have to say she's has been & still is a great car! Good luck in your decision!
Well you seem to drive more than most haha. I was talking to a friend who said I shouldn't by that car for anything more than $9,000 even tricked out. I know the engine will last and I will only be driving around town so it wont have many miles put on it. Because its tricked out I have to worry about smog, scraping it against the ground, curbs, potholes, theft, a not very comfortable ride, and certainly police checkpoints and police. Even if its legal it will catch their attention. My friend said the aftermarket stuff lowers its value for those reasons. And now that I think about it I agree with him.
Haha and my van has 190,000 miles, runs great!! as long as I fix anything that breaks of course haha. I think anything runs great if you do that
Well you seem to drive more than most haha. I was talking to a friend who said I shouldn't by that car for anything more than $9,000 even tricked out. I know the engine will last and I will only be driving around town so it wont have many miles put on it. Because its tricked out I have to worry about smog, scraping it against the ground, curbs, potholes, theft, a not very comfortable ride, and certainly police checkpoints and police. Even if its legal it will catch their attention. My friend said the aftermarket stuff lowers its value for those reasons. And now that I think about it I agree with him.
Haha and my van has 190,000 miles, runs great!! as long as I fix anything that breaks of course haha. I think anything runs great if you do that
It's not a Honda Civic - so theft concern would not be too big of an issue.
haha yeah i guess. but now I have to worry about dings and scratches!
And I still cant become a member of the matrixowners forums. problems is I cant post or talk to anyone so I cant tell anyone that I cant post. I made two accounts both dont work! the validation emails dont appear!
So is there any car website I should go to to really get a good idea of this cars worth? I have done kelley bluebook and edmunds and I think consumer report. any others I should try?
Thats a new one, I herd it was big on the clutch and cat converter going out but the head gaskets? I could replace those myself easily though which is a plus. So what else? What would you guys buy this car for based upon my description?
Those motors are not the greatest. its not a toyota motor its a yamaha.the price is heavy.xrs with that k wholesale for 5000 to 6000 g's. upgrades means very little unless you think there worth something.
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