Should I buy a Toyota Matrix?

[taylor_f]

Hey there guys and gals. This is my first time on the forum. I've used a forum similar to this, it was nissanforums.com when I was buying my Sentra. My fiance is thinking of buying a 2005-2006 used Matrix from a dealership. My questions are these.

The dealership is wanting to sell Matrix's between 13,888 and 14,888 for 2005-2007. These are used, so they have anywhere from 33,000 to 60,000 miles on them already. Is the price to high or sound about right for such a one? My fiance and I are looking for something that will last us at least 10 years and also be able to carry children in it in the future. I'm learning right now more and more about cars (repairs, what's what, etc.).

So what's the scoop on these Matrix models? Any known defects? How many miles can you expect to get out of it when doing preventive maintenance (checking/filling fluids, oil + filter change, fuel filter, air filter, plugs, wires, dist. cap, rotor, tranny fluid.)?

I appreciate all the info you all can help me out with. Thanks again.

Taylor

[fishexpo101]

For price comparisons - you can look up the values online with Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) or grab a hardcopy of NADA Blue book values.

The 1st gen Matrix have started to become more and more popular, which have artificially inflated their prices. So those prices you've seen are pretty typical in most areas. With 30K-60K on them, those cars I would consider "like new" - hardly broken in. Still, that doesn't mean that they cannot make a deal. I'd be surprised if you couldn't shave off another $800-$1000 in negotiations.

Car-wise, the Matrix is built on the Corolla platform - so lots of the mechanical and electricals are shared. Reliability is pretty high on those Matrix models - only thing that throws people off is the DBW throttlebody control which was introduced in 2005. Steering is still the old hydraulic steering - not EPS like in the new Matrix models.

As long as you stay ontop of the maintenance - you should expect great service life from the cars. How much exactly is impossible to say. My own 2003 had 120K miles on it and running perfectly before it was totaled in a rear-end accident. That car could have easily hit 200K or 300K at that point. Reduced maintenance was already engineered into these cars - no distributor cap, rotor, or plug wires anymore (car uses individual coil on plug igniters) - no timing belt (car uses a timing chain) - long life iridium spark plugs last up to 120K miles, returnless fuel system means extended fuel filter life, for some lasts life of the car - long life pink Toyota coolant, lasts up to 100K miles. This generation of engine fixed many of the issues that the previous 1ZZ-FE engines had - other than introducing DBW.

Matrix is a great car - was an upgrade from my 8th gen Corolla when we had our first kid. Plenty of room inside, lots of cargo space, but drove like a smaller car and got great gas mileage. You'd be surprised how much you can put inside the car, once you lay the rear seats down. We've carried more "stuff" than our Matrix than our neighbors SUVs. The separate glass / liftgate option on the 1st gen was something that was sorely missed on our new Matrix - now I can't carry 10'-16' pieces of lumber/piping in the car. If you can get the car in the price range you want and stay ontop of the maintenance - should be a great choice for a reliable daily driver and support a starting family.

[taylor_f]

Wow! Thanks fishexpo, you answered everything! I appreciate it a whole lot! Thanks,


Taylor

[taylor_f]

If I could ask one more thing of you all. She is actually looking at the 2008-2009 models as well. Those being 2nd generation, could you all give me the scoop concerning those?

[zythr]

Pontiac Vibe (Toyota clone) was similar and maybe slightly cheaper than the Matrix. It shares the same positive points as the Matrix as well, and was built at the NUMMI plant in CA. Only difference compared with the Matrix was body style.

[fishexpo101]

Originally Posted by taylor_f

If I could ask one more thing of you all. She is actually looking at the 2008-2009 models as well. Those being 2nd generation, could you all give me the scoop concerning those?

The 1st gens ran from 2003-2008, the 2nd gen started from 2009+

Completely different beasts, if you will. The 2nd gen feels smaller on the inside, not as cavernous as the 1st gen (some like that cocoon like feelings, others don't).

Cargo space was sacrificed to make the car sleeker in profile - conventional steering is now replaced by EPS (electric power steering).

Safety feature wise, the 2009+ Matrix had more standard content than the 1st gen - their so called "Star Safety System" which is made up of a VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), A-TRAC (Active Traction Control), 4-wheel ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), BA (Brake Assist), DTPMS (Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System) as well as your driver and passenger front and side airbags as well as front and rear curtain airbags.

The odd ones in the 1st gen Matrix where 2007 and 2008 model years (had DTPMS standard) and the 2005-2008 model years (had DBW like the 2nd gen).

Engine choices were revamped as well. 1st gen could be had with a 1.8L 1ZZ-FE or 1.8L 2ZZ-GE (Matrix XRS). 2nd gen offered the 1.8L 2ZR-FE or the 2.4L 2AZ-FE. The 1ZZ-FE and 2ZR-FE excelled at fuel economy - not unusual to hit 30MPGs with some smart driving. The 2ZZ-GE was more performance driven, required premium gasoline, and could be thirsty if you kept your foot in it, got as low as 20MPG with my foot anchored in the 2003 Matrix XRS - otherwise, I averaged about 25-27MPG with that engine with mostly highway driving. The 2AZ-FE is the Toyota "corporate" motor, used in other models like the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Scion tC, etc. Though not as powerful as the smaller 2ZZ-GE, it runs on regular fuel and has quite a bit more torque off the line. Can be a thirsty engine - I've seen mileage as low as the high teens in my 2009 Matrix XRS - though typically I'll see between 21-25MPG.

Have to drive them back to back to really see the differences. If you can, I'd highly recommend having an extended test drive, overnight if possible. There are some "quirks" that you have to get used to on the 2nd gen Matrix, that might through off potential owners that were used to more conventional running gear. Other owners that have had similarly equipped car that stepped into the 2nd gen Matrix, didn't see any issues at all.

zythr makes a greatpoint about the Pontiac Vibe clone - all Toyota running gear, just with a GM name plate on it with some interior/exterior changes. Majority of the powertrain and electricals are identical to the Matrix.