2006 TRD possible purchase

[KLX300]

Hi guys haven't been on here in a while but will be looking at a 2006 TRD Matrix tomorrow with 48,000 Kms, manual 5, fwd, cruise, new battery, 2 new front tires, with a command start installed. The seller is asking for $10,000 Canadian. Just wondering if there is anything specific i should be looking at. Most of the drive train i am familiar with from my 02 corolla but any tips would be appreciated. I have only seen pictures so far and the car does look like it is in mint condition, but will know tomorrow for sure.

Thanks

[madbikes]

You may only need to worry about the tranny bearing somewhere down the road as it's a failure that can happen to the 5-speed. I wouldn't worry about anything too much since the mileage pretty low (30K miles). You can go ahead to get some fluid changes (brake/oil/coolant/tranny oil) for a peace of mind, which isn't a bad idea.

If you do plan to lower the car and drive it for quite some time, then you should consider the Energy Suspension Lower Control Arm Bushings (urethane. Two small piece and one big piece on each side). Now... your only option is to replace the arm if you ask at a dealership because Toyota doesn't offer the bushing by itself. You can get those bushings replaced, but you must find a way to remove the bushings from the arm (I melted them). It's a labor-intensive install (parts are cheap), but it's not as bad since you're looking at the 5-speed (you must drop the subframe if you have auto because the driver's side bolt that goes through the small bushings won't have room to come out). When you need to replace those depends on many factors (lowering springs and wheel size plus environmental), so it's not a set thing and the big one is the piece that gets worn. I drove on stock wheels and springs for 70K miles and then lowered on coilovers. It was about 120-130K miles when I really find out the problem. One of my friends has the same car, but on 18s and lowering springs quite early. His bushing was completely shot at about 40K miles.

To show you what I'm talking about here, this picture came from the driver's side control arm. Once the arm is removed from the car, you'll see a crack on the bushing (two in this case, the driver's side is pretty worn). You can easily twist it with a long bar you can put through it. The metal part in the middle will be reused. A press is preferred to get it in.


This is the passenger's side. There's a crack already, but not on both ends. Still it's enough to cause issues.


While you're at it, replace the ball-joints too. It's held onto the arm with three bolts.

[KLX300]

First of all thanks for the reply and all the information. I went and took it for a drive today and the car feels and drives as if it was new. I was really impressed with it. I was told to check that the o ring in the belt tensioner wasn't leaking (easy fix), and that the water pumps have a tendency to leak a bit as well, but no signs of any fluids anywhere within the car. It was easy to tell as the owner did not clean the engine bay recently. Tomorrow i check the vin # to ensure there has been no accidents and go to Toyota to get the maintenance records for it. (always been serviced at the dealer.) Looks like I will be a new matrix owner shortly.

I wont be looking into lowering it as the roads are not plowed or salted where i am currently living, and it would just end badly if I did. Who knows about down the road but just not right now. Thanks again for all of the information and pictures.