How serious are 2003 Matrix manual transmission issues? I'm considering buying a Matrix from a family member. It's at 200,000 km (124,000 miles) presently, and had transmission failure at 180,000 km. Replaced with a used transmission w/ 40,000 km.
Wondering how much more life I can expect. If the replacement goes 180,000 I'm golden, but complaints at Edmunds are all at 100,000 km, more or less, which would not give me more than a few years on the used tranny.
Price is good and I know the car's history, so I'm tempted, but not if it goes bang after a couple years.
Depends on what went wrong the first time around. The 2003 transaxles had revised syncros in 2004. If the replacement transaxle was from a newer car - you should be set. If from another 2003, depends on how the car was driven.
Test drive the car, see how it sounds in gear - check the feel of the shift, if it sticks, feels gritty, makes grinding noises, etc. - you might be in for some problems.
From what I understand 2003 transmissions only interchange with those of the same year. I think I'll leave this one. Pricing out others on offer, at that kind of mileage only a little money more will get one I (shouldn't) have to worry about.
I too am considering a 2003 matrix with 150,000 miles on it. The catalytic converter needs to be replaced and it's factored into the price. My other concern is the manual transmission issues this car is known for. The transmission was completely rebuilt, clutch replaced, and flywheel resurfaced @135k, O2 sensors replaced at 145k.
Will the transmission / car last another 100,000mi?
^^ Depends on how it will be driven, what type of driving conditions it will see, etc. Hard to put a number figure on how long something will last, as the number of variables that could influence that lifespan are hard to account for.
Thing to note - when the transaxles was rebuilt, what exactly was done. Did they use the 2003 syncros or the upgraded synchrosfrom the 2004 model year? The transaxles for the 9th generation Corolla/Matrix are all interchange able - just the first one of the generation (the 2003 model year) has been known to have some gear grind. That was solved with redesigned synchros introduced in the 2004 model year. The transaxles were a carry over from the previous generation Corolla - but had a different gear set to complement the Matrix power band and added curb weight of the hatchback bodystyle.
Matrix XRS has the 6-speed transaxle, known to be pretty tough. The weak link there is the clutch - basically they lifted the drivetrain out of a Celica GT-S and dropped it into a body that weights several hundred pounds more. Burned up clutches are pretty common.
So Whats A Good Thing To Do To The Car So That I Wont Get A Burned Up Clutch? I Mean I Already Bought The Car But I Want It To Last Me For A While Without Having To Deal With Issues Like A Clutch!!! Now Do You Think I Ought To Change The Timing Belt??? Does It Even Have One??? Im Coming From Honda So Thats The First Thing That Goes Out On Them... Let Me Know Because I Am Making An Investment Here And I Want It To Last Me For A Good 10 Years Lol
Matrix XRS has the 6-speed transaxle, known to be pretty tough. The weak link there is the clutch - basically they lifted the drivetrain out of a Celica GT-S and dropped it into a body that weights several hundred pounds more. Burned up clutches are pretty common.
from what i was told we are 200lbs heavier and clutch is a wear and tear itemfor those that are concerned...eventually you will have to replace if you drive hard and hit LIFT constantly.
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2003 Toyota Matrix XRS
2010 Toyota Corolla S
Ok So What Is A Good Alternative? Should I Get Another Clutch? Is There A Clutch That Can Handle The Wear And Tear That Comes With A Heavier Car?
I've heard getting a different clutch will solve the problem... i wish i knew that before mine went at around 95,000 miles(got it at 75k) but i've been driving much easier on it, and now i'm at about 115k, and haven't had a problem since. rest assured when my clutch goes i'm getting an aftermarket one for it.
Got a 2003 Matrix XRS, had a new ACT clutch (HDSS) from MonkeyWrenchRacing.com installed. The new clutch was a bit tricky at first (slightly stiffer pedal, slightly grabby when it engaged), but the only real difference I observe now is that I have to FULLY depress the clutch pedal (to the floor) to close the switch to start the car. I highly recommend MWR for aftermarket parts.
We have a 2003 Matrix XR with a manual transmission. Up until this past week, it's been great and I'd always say (when people asked if I liked it), "I'd buy it again, knowing what I know now." Then at a hair under 100k, the transmission goes. And then we find all these accounts of exactly the same thing happening to 2003 (and, to a lesser degree, 2004) Matrix pointing to a design defect. The fact that Toyota redesigned the manual transmission shortly after (I see comments referring to a minor change for 2004 and another for 2005) supports that. But Toyota has not and apparently will not acknowledge there is a problem (as has proven to be the norm for them recently).
I may sound like a whiner as we got almost 100,000 miles on this car, but who here bought their car hoping for 100k? Who here bought a manual transmission expecting it's reliability would not even match a good automatic? I also have a '94 Toyota pickup with 204k miles and have only replaced the clutch once and it still goes about it's business with nary a complaint (Though, with a single cab and us having two kids, we were hoping to trade it in soon).
I've only bought 3 cars and all 3 had been Toyotas. Up until this past week, our 4th car would probably also have been a Toyota (I like the RAV4, my wife prefers the Highlander). Now, I don't know that I trust Toyota enough to trust my family with them anymore.
We have a 2003 Matrix XR with a manual transmission. Up until this past week, it's been great and I'd always say (when people asked if I liked it), "I'd buy it again, knowing what I know now." Then at a hair under 100k, the transmission goes. And then we find all these accounts of exactly the same thing happening to 2003 (and, to a lesser degree, 2004) Matrix pointing to a design defect. The fact that Toyota redesigned the manual transmission shortly after (I see comments referring to a minor change for 2004 and another for 2005) supports that. But Toyota has not and apparently will not acknowledge there is a problem (as has proven to be the norm for them recently).
I may sound like a whiner as we got almost 100,000 miles on this car, but who here bought their car hoping for 100k? Who here bought a manual transmission expecting it's reliability would not even match a good automatic? I also have a '94 Toyota pickup with 204k miles and have only replaced the clutch once and it still goes about it's business with nary a complaint (Though, with a single cab and us having two kids, we were hoping to trade it in soon).
I've only bought 3 cars and all 3 had been Toyotas. Up until this past week, our 4th car would probably also have been a Toyota (I like the RAV4, my wife prefers the Highlander). Now, I don't know that I trust Toyota enough to trust my family with them anymore.
I'd say keep your faith in Toyota, due to all the media hype about the clutches locking, people are losing faith, but there are many other accounts of none Toyota cars doing the same thing. If your not convinced, heres an article i read in marketwatch.
Toyota's are great cars, but ever car has problems. not sure why the media is making a huge hype but the 03 matrix transmission should be a one time fix (i wasn't fortunate enough to research enough into it before i replaced it with a stock clutch) but since then i have been driving my matrix a lot "nicer" i can't remember the last time i used my vvtli and its held up great for the last 50k miles. the next time it goes out, i'll be replacing it with either an aftermarket, or a trd clutch, but i feel like it will be a while before that happens. hope you don't lose faith, because other than the other japanese car companys, nothing even comes close, and consumer reports seems to agree as well.
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