03 Toyota Corolla or 03 Toyota Matrix

[Nytra420]

Hello, I need your opinion on an important used car buying decision.
What car would you get for a dependable 10+ years car? My VW was awsome while it lasted but unfortunatly it was totaled. These are the only 2 cars im interested in. From what Ive researched ive found good and bad for both, let you be the judge. Both cars share same 130hp engine. 03 Corolla: Pros/Cons: LE Wood trim, comfortable seats excellent gas milage 32/38 MPG 130hp faster than Matrix but boring looking. Durability, higher resale value.

03 Matrix Pros/Cons: Sporty look, Mostly all seats can go down and have a SUV like space, back seats more comfortable. Crappy chrome dash that reflects on the windsheild. Better eye candy but Reliability???? 28/32 mpg, little bit slower than corolla Good all around car but ive read that resale value sucks because lack of demand on consumers.

I commute to college 10 miles away, put in about 15,000 miles a year, enjoy comfort but mainly reliability, I want a car that will last me with the least worry.

[greywolf]

They are both reliable and built on the same platform. My title even says my car is a Corolla Matrix. If you intend to keep the car 10+ years, why be concerned about resale value? Do you need a station wagon or will a sedan do? Which one would you feel happy about owning? My experience is that glitz may be important for the short term but function wins for the long term.

[coquelicot]

Who knows? Maybe in 10 years, the Matrix will be in higher demand. Right now they're still a fairly new model. I've noticed more on the road in the past year than I did when they first came out, so I think they're getting more popular.

As someone who has owned 2 Corollas (one of those while I was in college) and now a Matrix, I've loved both. If you were moving far away for school, I'd say go for the Matrix, because you'll be able to lug boxes back and forth more easily. And like I mentioned in another thread, I've never gotten less than 30 MPG in the 5+ weeks I've owned the car--and I've been caught in some nasty rush-hour snarls.

Good luck with your decision!

[cosmicbluexrs]

They are selling like hot cakes the matrix, keep in mind the carolla brand has been around forever, and the matrix is newer so it takes a while before they are popular as carollas. all in all i would say Matrix, cause they can haul tons of stuff, and generally do stuff corollas can't. Moving your entire dorm you could with the Matrix, not the corola
I say Matrix

[veggirl]

I had a corolla for years and now I have a matrix. I'd say go with the matrix because its roomier, but you get the dependability of the corolla (since it has the same engine/platform) and you get more space without sacrificing gas mileage.

[drake44130]

I have your answer. I own a 02 trd corolla s and will soon in about a month trade it in for a 2005 matrix xr with aluminum rims, and body package. it looks great and well you buy a corolla foor a family ride. buy a matrix to do everything else. it is super sporty and well come on what cant you do. the corolla does not have the 110v like the matrix. and if you are in college than you will enjoy this when you are on your lunch break. you could plug in your playstation 2 or xbox. and play on the portable screen you can get for them. see versatility at its best.

02trdcorolla s