Hi.

I use the handle GunFunZS or Gunfun elsewhere on the internetz. I use the handle because I didn't expect to keep it, so didn't think it out long. then I ended up being a mod on a gun forum and providing a lot of technical support for people with firearms issues. I am a contributor on the reloader's network, and have a youtube channel which is mostly techy stuff. Tends to be gun stuff, motorcycle stuff, paintball, dance, and whatever.

My wife just got an 05 matrix. Base 1.8L 5 speed. My mom and aunt have them too, though in other years and trims.

I just did the clutch swap, and will need to weld in some reinforcement to the bit under the radiator where there is significant rust, but overall, the car is quite clean. No oil leaks apparent. Fluids looked full and relatively recent. Runs strong and starts easy. Sounds healthy. No codes. Body is straight and tire wear pattern looks fine.

She says the heater barely does anything, so I hope she is wrong about that AC is strong, all the fans and duct switching is good. Skimming youtube leads me to believe that swapping the heater core would really suck. If you have advice about that or can link me to a thread on point, I would be grateful. At the moment, I am thinking my first step will be to disconnect it from the engine bay side and do a very low pressure flush with water in reverse order. Just using gravity feed. Then re-connect and see if there is improvement.

Hers also lacks audio input, but it looks like I can get an adapter that plugs into the back of the head unit for connection to a remote disc changer, and use that to add bluetooth & Aux.

I'm also looking for any data on the performance curves. i.e. So I can show my wife optimal shift RPM, cruising RPM for economy & ditto for power. I hear a pretty broad range on what I should expect to get for economy, so it would be nice to hear from you guys what is "normal." I haven't pulled the spark plugs yet, so that's on the to-do list, along with careful tracking of the mileage.


I like my wife's enough that I might get one too. I tend to prefer light nimble cars, and my mom's is a bit too heavy and cushy feeling with its auto. An XR with a manual would probably be a pretty good fit for me, though the Mazda 3 hatches and various subarus appeal to me.

Previously I have owned a collection of various things, but my favorite has been the 2000 protege 5 speed with aftermarket tuner suspension.

I am fairly mechanical, but since I got the job that goes with a JD, it doesn't make as much sense to try to DIY as I tend to do.

I have also restored a classic motorcycle and am present on the KZ650 forum.

I expect to mostly lurk here and skim advice, but I am a big believer in contributing to the knowledge base in the general hive mind. I have been helped a lot in areas where my knowledge or experience is slim, and like to repay where the roles are reversed.

 

Hi, I'm trying to figure out if I have to post X number of times before starting a thread with an actual mechanical problem. Or maybe I'm just unlucky today and the internet is fritzed?


I'm an amateur auto mechanic. I learned on an '84 Chevy Citation II. I picked it up for $100 once upon a time and kept it running for 12 years. Unfortunately my amateurism didn't include proper transmission fluid maintenance. Missed that somewhere along the way and killed my poor car last fall.


Now I've got a new-to-me 2007 Toyota Matrix. I got it off of Craigslist after doing a lot of careful research about damn near everything, including which model years of this generation were less likely to have problems. I'm not problem free yet but I think I've stacked the deck in my favor.

 

Welcome

 

Glad you are with us.

 

Hi, just bought a 2007 Matrix and fixed a leaky wheel bearing and had to get a new hub, too. The tensioner rod was leaking oil and it needed an oil change while I was at it. Also attached the new license plate in the back. I think I’ll call her Blueberry.

 

Hello all,
Long time Toyota enthusiast here. Just joined this forum because I have specific questions about modifying my Matrix that I just picked up.
A little... er.. a LOT about me:
My Toyota History in order of acquisition:
First car: (Sold) 1988 Toyota Supra Hardtop (7M-GE/Auto). First Swap: Gray Plug (89-92) JDM 7M-GTE/R154 (Sold running the engine and trans out of the 1987 Supra below.)
2. (Repo) 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Access Cab Off Road Package (1GR-FE/6spd 3" body lift) (Repoed 10 years ago because it wouldn't stop breaking [Trans, Clutch, Rear Diff, air bags, a/f sensors etc.] and I couldn't afford to fix it and make the payments, so I told the bank to come get it. Young and dumb...)
3. (Lawn ornament) 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S Convertible 5spd (22R-EC/W58 Supra LSD)
4. (Sold) 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo (7M-GTE/Auto) (Was much cleaner than my 1988, but was sold as a rolling chassis because my JDM 7M-GTE/R154 out of my 1988 got stolen when it was out of the car)
5. (Sold) 1991 Toyota Camry DLX (3S-FE/Auto)
6. (Sold) 1988 Toyota MR2 S/C T-Tops (4A-GZE/5spd)
7. (Sold) 1996 Geo Prizm Base (4A-FE/5spd)
8. (Sold) 2001 Toyota Camry CE (5S-FE/Auto)
9. (Traded-in) 2010 Toyota Venza Base (1AR-FE 2wd) (Traded it in for a 2013 GMC Sierra for my wife's mobile dog grooming business. GM's trucks are cheaper and easier to work on although not as awesome and powerful as Tundras.)
10. (Wife's Daily) 2014 Toyota Prius Two (2ZR-FXE/CVT)
11. (For sale) 2006 Pontiac Vibe Base (1ZZ-FE/5spd)
12. (For sale) 2002 Toyota Corolla CE (1ZZ-FE/Auto)
13. (Daily Driver) 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS (2ZZ-GE/6spd TRD CAI, Generic strut bar)

My Experience and Qualifications:
Toyota T-Ten program drop out (Couldn't finish the program because Toyota dealers don't hire felons, surprise surprise.) Finished all the classes in the program however.
ASE Certified A1-A8 and L1 (Master Diagnostic Technician)
California BAR Smog Test and Repair Certified
13 Years of experience doing diagnostics and repairs.

Current Toyotas' Stories:
1985 Toyota Celica GT-S 5spd Convertible "The Lawn Ornament" aka "Alexis"
Got this car right after my Tacoma was repoed. The guy who came to repo it strongly encouraged me to take the camper shell off of it as well as the floor mats and bed mat. So I did. I sold all of them and used the money I got from that to buy my Celica. Purchased the car running on two cylinders. I Drove it from Merced, CA where I bought it to Mariposa, CA where I was living at the time. Which is all up hill. Got it home and had it traced down to two injectors not firing, but the injectors would fire when I powered them. Using a DVOM and ohming the injector grounds, I discovered two injectors had no ground. (Fortunate thing since I drove it for quite some time, would have been catastrophic if it had been dumping fuel that whole time.) I discovered that someone had switched the connectors for the injector resistor pack and a vacuum switching valve. Switched them, and it ran perfect. The guy I bought it off of had just done the clutch, the head gasket and the timing chain. Probably his doing. I got the car for $800. I daily drove this car for years and put 90k miles on it. Still has the same clutch, head gasket, and timing chain. I found a 1985 P-type Supra with a LSD at a Pick-N-Pull in Oakland, CA and swapped it out with my differential in my Celica. I quickly discovered that due to the 4.30:1 axle ratio in the P-type LSD, that this car could slide! One thing that I had never addressed about the car in the years that I have owned it is the convertible top. One of the previous owners (who I later met by chance) lived in Oakland and the car was vandalized in his care. The morons cut holes in the SIDES of the top and finally went in through the actual top part of the top. Someone tried to fix it with RTV silicone, but I'm sure you can all imagine how that went. I bought a new top for it, but in the years I've had it, I've never had a space or the time needed to replace it, so since it gets real wet inside in the winter, I stopped driving it and ended up picking up my 1996 Geo Prizm. The car now sits on my front lawn with a tarp over the top... wasting away.. waiting for the day I'll pick her up again. I refuse to sell it for a few reasons. One is that I don't wanna be one of those old guys who looks back on that awesome classic car he had as a kid that is worth gobs of money now and regrets selling it. Two is that my wife actually likes the car. I was driving that car when we met and we had LOTS of fun in that car (innuendo intended), and she actually now knows what drifting is because of this car. She actually supports my crazy mad scientist plans that I have for the car.

Project Plans:
2RZ-FE swap. I'm a smog technician and I wanted to swap in a smog legal supercharged 2RZ-FE out of a 2001 Toyota Tacoma base model. Why that specific? The TRD supercharger is only smog legal in 2000 and 2001. The 2001 engine has direct ignition although it still has an EGR. This selection is an easy smog legal swap into any car because the emissions components are basic. The EVAP canister and valves are all located in one unit under the hood which can easily be stuffed in the place of the factory canister on this car. I plan to wire in the OBD 2 connector and have been pinning out the things necessary to make the gauges work. The only issue I've seen so far is the speedometer. The Tacoma has a speed sensor for the speedometer and the Celica has a cable. If the Tacoma PCM doesn't see the speed sensor, it will throw a check engine light. I'm looking into replacing my tail housing and getting a one piece driveshaft made for the car. Either way, I think it'll be a good swap and it will allow me to keep my W58. In order to do the swap correctly and legally (I thought), I would essentially need a whole 2001 Toyota Tacoma 2RZ-FE/W57. Where do I plan to acquire such a specific Tacoma? Insurance Auto Auctions. There have been a few on there in California recently. In the end, after much research the California Bureau of Automotive repair has said that you can't swap a truck engine into a passenger car.. legally. They said that the emissions requirements are looser on pickups which is total bull. I'm pretty sure that a 2001 Tacoma would have WAY lower emissions than a 1985 Celica (Which has a frickin' 22R-E in it!!!!) I'm still gonna do the swap anyway and get a P.O. box in a county where you smog once until the title changes hands, and because I'm now not caring about emissions, I'm gonna be doing the EGR delete as well.

2014 Toyota Prius Two "The Traveler"
Not much to say about this car except how I got it. I was daily driving my 1996 Geo Prizm that I got for $605 with no battery, a blown head gasket (it was just a flesh wound!) and 320k miles. The head gasket was leaking oil into the cooling system which was strange because it's usually the other way around. I drove it for 10k miles until I got a call from a smog program we have here in the central valley here in California called "Clean Air Now" or "CAN." They asked me if I was interested in letting them crush my Celica to get $7,500 towards a 2010 or newer hybrid since I had used their program before for smog repairs. Shocked and disturbed, I vehemently declined, but I asked them if I could do it with my Geo. They told me I could if I put it through their program with a failed smog. Well... since I'm a smog tech, I may have done a thing or two to make it fail the tailpipe test, which it barely failed, but was enough to put it through their program. I went to my local Carmax and picked up my Prius armed with a check for $7,500 for a down payment. My Geo met its long overdue demise and went to the crusher. Now my wife drives this car daily and we take it all over God's creation for long trips.

2003 Toyota Matrix XRS "The Daily Driver"
I bought this car sight unseen from Insurance Auto Auctions for $1,700 ($2,360 after fees) which was too much for the car after I had seen all the damage in person. I wanted this one in particular because it was the only year the 1st gen Matrix XRS didn't have a secondary air injection system which would make modifying it legally easier. It had been hit on the passenger side front wheel and had somehow hit under the car on the passenger side and dented the gas tank and mangled a heat shield. The suspension was so bad, I couldn't get it to align. I had to replace both front struts and spring assemblies because they were BOTH bent, both sway bar end links, the passenger side ball joint, the passenger side lower control arm which had almost broke in half and had to be replaced before I could even get it home, and had to put alignments spacers on the passenger side rear. After all that the car still has some excessive positive caster on the driver side, but I was able to compensate for that with the camber on the passenger side. The car goes straight as an arrow now. The first time I gunned it after fixing the suspension, I was extremely alarmed once the engine hit 6,200 RPMS. The engine suddenly came to life and I thought there was something wrong with it. I was actually describing it to my mechanic friend with these words "It felt like a Honda when it hits V-TEC." I laugh when I look back on that. After doing some research I learned about the engine's Yamaha background and that it actually has variable valve LIFT just like a Honda and that this was the first engine to have variable valve timing AND lift. Now, I didn't buy this car to go fast, I bought it to run my mobile automotive diagnostics business out of it... and to go faster than a Prius. I carry a tool box, a jack, and a boat load of diagnostic equipment in the hatch. I commute with this car daily and am still massaging out a lot of the issues the car got from the accident and the previous owner's... exuberance? One thing the previous owner did that gets a thumbs up from me was put a TRD cold air intake on it which is smog legal and makes the car sound MEAN when the variable valve lift hits.

Wrap-up:
If you actually read this whole post then kudos to you! You're either bored or an avid Toyota enthusiast! I was a long time member of the Supramania forum which is mostly for 3rd generation Supras, so I am not new to forums either. I'll make sure before I post any questions to hit that fancy search button, and if there are any questions I can answer in return, I will be sure to do so!

-Shawn aka "The Diag Guy"

 

Hello! 2003 Corolla owner. 2nd clutch, 2nd transmission. 202,000 miles. No engine issues.

 

Hey there folks! Just bought a 2003 Corolla, with 150 000 kms. One of those "driven by a little old lady to church" cars. Its my first car, and I'm a complete beginner to automotive stuff, though I have a decent grounding in the basics, I think.

The car is in pretty decent shape, not much rust, tho the paint is wearing in spots, and seems to be down to bare metal in places. Looking at fixes for that, both temporary and long term, potentially even attempting to paint it myself. I have no experience that makes that a sane choice, but hey, how else will I learn, right?

 

Hello fellow TN members! I'm Brian McKnight, from the Cincinnati area. Currently, I'm driving a 2014.5 Camry XLE that I purchased new. I've lurked on this website for years, but finally decided to join today after I brought home a "new to me" 2006 Corolla LE. It's a driver for my daughter, but in really good shape, with only 77,779 miles on it!

Previously, I owned a 1996 Corolla DX for 19 years. She finally gave up the ghost and I limped her to the boneyard on 3.5 cylinders (one cylider kept cutting out as it was getting constantly drowned by the famous Corolla oil leak). It was a sad day because she had ONLY 438,513 miles on her. LOL. She went directly into the Awesome Car Hall of Fame - no 5 year waiting period. Items of note about this car: the original starter lasted until 2013, and I put her down in 2015 with the original alternator still working perfectly. What a BEAST!

Anyway, that's my short introduction. See y'all around the patch.

 

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum but not Toyota. We've had 5 ( 07 Matrix XR, 15 Tacoma SR5, 16 Highlander Limited, 07 Matrix XR & 16 Tundra DC TRD Pro). I currently have a 16 Tundra TRD Pro and an 07 Matrix XR. The Matrix has been re-introduced to the family (was my wifes, then her sisters and now back to my wife and I). I'm in the process of making it a safe and reliable DD as my Tundra forces me to stop at every gas station it sees.

 

Hi there guys.

Just to introduce myself, I'm the proud owner of a 2006 Corolla LE with all options which I know nothing about previous to me getting it with 126K miles on the Odo, and now getting to 182K and working fairly good.

I've been doing maintenance on it regularly as well as replacing worn parts (light mechanic work because I'm no mechanic) like some gaskets and filters, nothing that has taken more than 2 hours of work between cigarettes and sodas.

Last thing I bought for the car was a cheap OBD2 BT reader.

Hoping to benefit of your knowledge in the near future.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

Hi guys,
I'd like to introduce myself. Like the last member mentioned. I'm the proud owner of a 2006 Corolla LE with all options which I know nothing about previous to me getting it with 91K miles. I won't be driving it much but my granddaughter will. I will be doing all the maintenance on it. Not a mechanic but have done what I thought I could or had to do on my cars. Hope to learn as I can and contribute where I can.

 

Hi,
Just got a 05 Matrix with 163k on it. I drive about 30k a year. I have already gained a ton of knowledge about this vehicle by browsing the DIY and Maintenance sticky which will come in handy once the weather warms. Thanks in advance for any advice and info.

Have a Happy New Year!

 

Hi,
Just got a 05 Matrix with 163k on it. I drive about 30k a year. I have already gained a ton of knowledge about this vehicle by browsing the DIY and Maintenance sticky which will come in handy once the weather warms. Thanks in advance for any advice and info.

Have a Happy New Year!

Welcome to TN! Glad you can join us.

Happy New year!

 

Howdy Folks!

My mother-in-law just bought herself a new SUV, and taking pity on my wife and I, gave us her old Matrix, which will mainly be my commuter. The car has just over 240,000 Km, and the CEL came on as I drove it home, but I'm still pretty excited to have a second set of wheels. Also my first car was a '98 corolla, so there's a bit of nostalgia going on.

While there is plenty of great info already on this forum (thanks, by the way!), I figured I'd create an account in case I end up with a unique situation or question.

Cheers

 

Howdy Folks!

My mother-in-law just bought herself a new SUV, and taking pity on my wife and I, gave us her old Matrix, which will mainly be my commuter. The car has just over 240,000 Km, and the CEL came on as I drove it home, but I'm still pretty excited to have a second set of wheels. Also my first car was a '98 corolla, so there's a bit of nostalgia going on.

While there is plenty of great info already on this forum (thanks, by the way!), I figured I'd create an account in case I end up with a unique situation or question.

Cheers

Welcome to TN!

 

So, my older sister got a new car & my dad made me choose between the car I was driving (04 camry) or her old 2008 Corolla S anndddd now I'm here!! I'm gonna miss that silver camry though ?

 

I've had a 2003 Toyota Corolla S with a MT for 3 years now and I love it (not the manual part so much anymore). I was looking into getting an older car for my next vehicle, that I could work on as well. I then realized, if I don't really work on the car I have, will I really work on my next one? So here I am, ready to do some work!

 

There are some great DIY threads on here, so you've probably come to the right place. There are also plenty of youtube videos out there for just about anything you can do to a car - but I'd recommend ChrisFix and Eric The Car Guy for straightforward how-to videos covering general maintenance. ChrisFix is really good for using basic hand tools, and Eric the Car Guy usually adds some of the insight you'd expect from an experienced mechanic.

 

Hi!


New here, I'm in the market for a used Corolla and find a lot of useful information around here, thanks guys!

Let's hope I find a decent car with no oil burning problem so that I can stick around here .

 

This introduction sticky thread is meant for new forum members to introduce themselves to their fellow Toyota Nation members, but in particular to members in this specific vehicle model forum. Please keep this thread strictly to introducing yourself, and if you have a mechanical issue that needs assistance right away then please post a new thread in this forum.

Thank you, and welcome to Toyota Nation! :hi:

Just bought a 2006 Corolla S and needed a forum that I can go to for answers to questions that arise. I already have a problem that I am going to search for. Thanks.

 

Welcome bizmoe to TN! Glad you found a great site that can help find solutions to your issues.

 

Ayyye 07 Corolla S, just looking to make it more zippy!

 

First time Toyota owner. Bought a Silver 03 Corolla Matrix 3 speed a/t with overdrive. 105k miles. I'm the 3rd owner and know the other 2 owners personally. I've only owned the car for a couple of days. I've only put a drop in K&N filter in. Can't wait to get some tips and tricks from fellow forum members.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Hello everyone from Palmdale, CA. I have an 04 Matrix lunar myst colored. Had it since 03, and tried to get rid of it by trying to sell it, or trading it in many times throughout the years, but I never did. The stock c59 transmission gave up on me in 2008 (which gave me a legit reason to get rid of it) , but I ended up replacing it with a 04 Celica c60 transmission. All I had to do was change the shifter shaft. My first mod was buying Hotchkis springs in 05. Loved the rake stance, but it blew out all my oem shocks. Bought Tokico shocks after that, then black housing head lights, TRD front and rear sway bars, rear disc brake conversion in 07, and short shifter from mwr. i also bought a ATS rear spoiler back in the days when Matrixowners was still up and running. I removed the Hotchkis springs in 2012 after my first son was born due to the harsh ride and horribly maintained streets of LA (I miss taking 85mph turns though). I bought some softer springs (TRD) to please the wife and child.

So far, that's how it sits now. 1zz is completely stock.

 

Sup everybody,
Fonzo here, got a 04 rolla, HID upgrades, audio/visual upgrades, suspension upgrades, wheels upgrades.

 

needs paint though 🙈

 

hello guys, new member here, I owned a 2007 E130 corolla, it is called corolla altis. It is a manual transmission model.

I'm a daily driver with odometer is already hit 316K kms. Still pleasant to drive, but mostly problems were coming from lower shock, arms, and a minor electrical problem in the driver-side power window. Major issue, I have changed all engine mounting, and noise from the brake. For the exterior. from 2011 I just modified the rims and use a wider tire 215/55 R16. Any other things are still OEM.