I drove a Matrix....
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I drove a Matrix....
maybe some of you guys read the thread b4 but my sis wanted to get a matrix and u guessed it she actually got it. we picked it up 2day aroudn 3 then she had class so she left the car all alone with me (bad idea) so i took it for a test drive...i was pumpin the stereo and hangin out the window..well until i couldn't feel my nose (i live in new york its f'ing cold rite now) tell u guys the truth this car got some pick up..i din't do much research on the car so i don't know how much more it out weighs the 2k1 civic but the pick up is not bad. and when i goin up in the higher rpm's is made a funny noise somethin like v-tech sound ( i dunno maybe it is toyota's bootleg version of v-tech or i need to bring ithe car back to the dealer) but overall the car isn't that bad... i also heard from some friends that there will be a lot of after market parts becuse they are inticapating good sales with the matrix. well that was little joyride adventure with the matrix... 
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Well it seems like the sport wagons (Protege 5, Matrix, Vibe, WRX) will get alot of aftermarket support. They are aiming towards adults who have kids, but don't want to give up their childhood dreams of having a fast aggressive car. I will like to drive one to see what it feels like. The matrix isn't that big inside. i saw one at an auto show.
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Rep Power: 0 << Hey the matrix sounds like a p*ssy car, come on if everybodys sister is gonna be getting one how good can they be I dunno...... >>
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Rep Power: 0 the ride is pretty smooth i would recamend it for some1 lookin for a daily driver or a first car..its pretty fun to drive not bad at all.... but ofcourse not as good as our 2k1's....
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Rep Power: 0 I'd take a Matrix if I had the cash and didn't already love my car so much . Suckers run off the Celica engine and drivetrain. The XRS is basically a Celica GTS motor inside a small station wagon, that's why torque isn't as high. SCC hooked one up a few months ago since it has Celica parts so engine wise, as long as they make parts for the Celica, you've got parts for the Matrix.
. Suckers run off the Celica engine and drivetrain. The XRS is basically a Celica GTS motor inside a small station wagon, that's why torque isn't as high. SCC hooked one up a few months ago since it has Celica parts so engine wise, as long as they make parts for the Celica, you've got parts for the Matrix. 
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Rep Power: 0 i know i take good care of my family memebers cars...well at least my cars... [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]
500miles just to be safe for the break in period
thanks for looking out
500miles just to be safe for the break in period
thanks for looking out
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Rep Power: 367 hmm. I saw a matrix on the road awhile ago.. its higher than I thought.. but thats not a really big deal. still a decent looking car, and the XRS version with the GTS engine in it has okay speed. course, bogged with the bad gear ratio, the Maxtrix are pretty torqueless too... its still a 16 sec car, but the XRS version is defintely faster than a 2k1 civic...
toyota should have just put a bigger displacement engine in it... a small displacement v6 or a bigger displacement in-line 4 will do much better than that GTS engine.
still a cool car though. lots of neat stuff in it. go read some review of it. its not meant for speed or anything, but the XRS version gets pretty zippy when you want it to, and I'm sure it handles pretty good, and it'll definitely turn a few heads too.
there's issues to be tweaked out, but I bet toyota will add more spice to the matrix as time flies by.
looks like a seller to me.
toyota should have just put a bigger displacement engine in it... a small displacement v6 or a bigger displacement in-line 4 will do much better than that GTS engine.
still a cool car though. lots of neat stuff in it. go read some review of it. its not meant for speed or anything, but the XRS version gets pretty zippy when you want it to, and I'm sure it handles pretty good, and it'll definitely turn a few heads too.
there's issues to be tweaked out, but I bet toyota will add more spice to the matrix as time flies by.
looks like a seller to me.
The Legend
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Rep Power: 319 I guess me and everybodies sisters will have one b/c I want one. I'm going to test drive one tomorrow. If I like the way it drives then I'll probably get one. Also if anybody hasn't seen it yet, click here-->Matrix
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From: Jacksonville, Fl
Rep Power: 374 the one in the scc is hot. it has a drop on it, te37's, and custom turbo (same fuel system crap that we put up with!). anyone seen the Vibe GTS??? samething.
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Rep Power: 0 k here's the deal with the vibe and the matrix pontiac and toyota worked together on the car pontiac designed the body and toyota the engine (for the most part thats how it worked). The xrs has the gts engine in it its is a 1.8 liter DOHC 16 valve VVTL-i (variable valve timing lift - intelligent) 4 cylinder with 180 hp @ 7600 rpm and 130 lb-ft @ 6800 and its is aproximatly 5 feet tall (60.6 inches) the xr is a 1.8 liter 16 valve VVT-i (variable valve timing - intelligent) 4 cylinder 130hp @ 6000 rpms and 126 lb-ft @4200 available with available full-time 4wd this strangely enough isn't available on the xrs and the matrix (bottom of line) is the same as the xr just a few minor interior changes.. The curb weight for the matrix is 2,679 for the xr 2,701 and for the xrs 2,800. i took one out the other day they have body roll likes its cool (aftermarket suspension changes will help solve that problem)and they dont have to terribly much get up and go the gauges would drive me crazy and the interior to me just looks kinda cheesy it just looks so fake i guess. personally i wouldnt buy one i could find a much better car for the $$$$$ i wasnt impressed if i were to buy a station wagon style car i would go for the protege 5. Just my 2 cents.
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Rep Power: 0 The matrix IS available with all wheel drive that uses a viscous coupling to engage it when it's needed. It's the same thing the vibe has. I drove the matrix in comparison to the protege 5, and the VW 1.8 GTI...The GTI has the best pickup, the protege lags severely with the pedal on the floor, and the matrix falls in between with good acceleration allthough it's not as strong as the GTI. As far as handling, the matrix out handles the GTI, and the mp5 out does both of them, though not by much on the matrix. The matrix has more cargo capacity than the others w/ over 21 cubic feet with the seats up, and 53 cubic feet with them down. The mazda is quite noisy to drive compared to the matrix, and a little rougher over bumps. The GTI lacks in this category big time. It's the noisiest of them all, and doesn't feel stable when driving over bumps. Vibration is handled well by the matrix giving a smooth feeling, the mp5 does well also but still gives off alot of vibration and harshness, but the GTI passes alot of it off to the occupants. As far as braking, all three cars do quite well in this category with a total of 9ft excess between the shortest and longest distance. If you want a good comparison, take my word on it. I work for toyota, and when we have a launch for a new car we go on a "ride and drive" to compare it to it's competitors. We actually get to drive them through a slalom course, skid pad for braking, and acceleration runs are all incorporated into the track we get to test them on. We also go through training on the differences in the vehicles inside and out. As for the display in the matrix, it looks really sweet, and has a real sporty feel to it. However, the gauges are designed that way for a reason. It is a proven fact that the red color reduces fatigue in drivers, and the way they are backlit makes them easy on the eyes over long periods of time. There is also a reason for the way the interior is designed. The seats are designed with comfort in mind. You'd be quite relaxed driving long range in this car, the seats have a setup in them like the camry and corolla that conforms to the body better, and is designed not to wear out as easily after years of people sitting in them. The hard plastic covering on the back of the rear seats is there because it makes for an easy to clean surface that can take the abuse of years of hauling cargo. (another area the matrix excels) In the mazda, talk about cheap interiors. It's just like any ford with cheap feel to the dash, steering wheel and everything else you touch...Durability does not come to mind when thinking of the mp5. The GTI is nicely laid out inside, and pleasing to the senses. However, again, durability is not one of the senses you get when sitting inside. It's plush, but doesn't look like it would last through years of abuse.
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