About to trade in and since its been 20 years since my last Toyota I wanted to ask about the Matrix. I am looking at the 1.8L with 4 speed auto. Any known major issues with the engine trans combo?
thanks
thanks
Toyota Matrix
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are you talking new?
That combo is ultra-reliable as far as I know. Go for it. The only Matrix problem I know of is the poor MPGs when compared to similary sized vehicles.
None that I'm aware of. Regular Corolla 2ZR engine.
It's not the most interesting wagon and it's short a few gears in the automatic but I can't fault the reliability.
It looks a lot easier to do things like change spark plugs than the Honda L15 in the Fit.
The Scion xD is about $3,000 less if you can get past the pug ugly styling. With the backseats in place the trunk space is considerably smaller than the Matrix but it has the same 2ZR engine. It also has standard keyless entry, cruise control, and a Pioneer sourced stereo. But it is ugly. At least to me anyway.
It's not the most interesting wagon and it's short a few gears in the automatic but I can't fault the reliability.
It looks a lot easier to do things like change spark plugs than the Honda L15 in the Fit.
The Scion xD is about $3,000 less if you can get past the pug ugly styling. With the backseats in place the trunk space is considerably smaller than the Matrix but it has the same 2ZR engine. It also has standard keyless entry, cruise control, and a Pioneer sourced stereo. But it is ugly. At least to me anyway.
We have a 2008 Rav4 with a 4 speed trans. You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph. So you fuel economy goes out the window. But that is a reliable vehicle. My 3.5L Avalon 6 speed gets better highway mpg than the 2.4L Rav4 4 speed.
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Originally Posted By: Doog
You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph.
That's nothing. There were lots of older manual Civics, Fits and CRV-S built that had a typical 70MPH engine RPM of 3500-4000 RPM. They didn't get bad mileage necessarily. Could have been better I suppose. But 2000-2500 is pretty mild for a 4 cylinder. Most NA gas 4 bangers don't make any torque at all below 2000 RPM so I would think that is kind of a reasonable cruising floor.
You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph.
That's nothing. There were lots of older manual Civics, Fits and CRV-S built that had a typical 70MPH engine RPM of 3500-4000 RPM. They didn't get bad mileage necessarily. Could have been better I suppose. But 2000-2500 is pretty mild for a 4 cylinder. Most NA gas 4 bangers don't make any torque at all below 2000 RPM so I would think that is kind of a reasonable cruising floor.
Originally Posted By: Brons2
Originally Posted By: Doog
You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph.
That's nothing. There were lots of older manual Civics, Fits and CRV-S built that had a typical 70MPH engine RPM of 3500-4000 RPM. They didn't get bad mileage necessarily. Could have been better I suppose. But 2000-2500 is pretty mild for a 4 cylinder. Most NA gas 4 bangers don't make any torque at all below 2000 RPM so I would think that is kind of a reasonable cruising floor.
There is a big difference in MPG if you cruise at 2000 versus 2500. You don't need a lot of torque at 70mph.
Originally Posted By: Doog
You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph.
That's nothing. There were lots of older manual Civics, Fits and CRV-S built that had a typical 70MPH engine RPM of 3500-4000 RPM. They didn't get bad mileage necessarily. Could have been better I suppose. But 2000-2500 is pretty mild for a 4 cylinder. Most NA gas 4 bangers don't make any torque at all below 2000 RPM so I would think that is kind of a reasonable cruising floor.
There is a big difference in MPG if you cruise at 2000 versus 2500. You don't need a lot of torque at 70mph.
Im a driver ed teacher and the company I work for has Vibes/Matrix's with over 250,000 miles with no heavy maintenance (trans or engine) ever needed. Great, very reliable cars.
Just hit 100,000 on my 07 Vibe with the 1.8L and never a single problem.
Easy to perform maintenance on. Great MPG's in my view,
27-28 city 33-34 highway, not so bad. These are known to have very reliable auto transmissions and the 1ZZFE is a proven engine.
Keeping this car until 200,000 miles, and I feel confident it will get there with no problems.
All I have done is spark plugs, tires, coolant flush, drain and fill on transmission, and a serpentine belt.
Only negative thing is that when I got new tires I found out the rear alignment cannot be adjusted without installing shims. So the alignment cost around 300 bucks.
Easy to perform maintenance on. Great MPG's in my view,
27-28 city 33-34 highway, not so bad. These are known to have very reliable auto transmissions and the 1ZZFE is a proven engine.
Keeping this car until 200,000 miles, and I feel confident it will get there with no problems.
All I have done is spark plugs, tires, coolant flush, drain and fill on transmission, and a serpentine belt.
Only negative thing is that when I got new tires I found out the rear alignment cannot be adjusted without installing shims. So the alignment cost around 300 bucks.
Originally Posted By: Doog
We have a 2008 Rav4 with a 4 speed trans. You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph. So you fuel economy goes out the window. But that is a reliable vehicle. My 3.5L Avalon 6 speed gets better highway mpg than the 2.4L Rav4 4 speed.
While on Highways, upon reaching the 4th gear I turn off the Overdrive...helps with fuel mileage!
We have a 2008 Rav4 with a 4 speed trans. You really miss a 5th or 6th gear if you do a lot of highway driving since the engine is running at 2000-2500 rpm at 70mph. So you fuel economy goes out the window. But that is a reliable vehicle. My 3.5L Avalon 6 speed gets better highway mpg than the 2.4L Rav4 4 speed.
While on Highways, upon reaching the 4th gear I turn off the Overdrive...helps with fuel mileage!
As far as I know they are rock solid. I may consider one myself, but the only downside I see is the sky high used prices to get one. The "Vibe discount" seems to be nonexistent in my area as well.
I've seen 2003s where the rockers are about to rust through. If you're the sort who trades at eight years you can slither out at a good price.
Coworker has a vibe, had alignment problems. Under the nice skin it's a regular old cheap car, for good and for bad.
Coworker has a vibe, had alignment problems. Under the nice skin it's a regular old cheap car, for good and for bad.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
are you talking new?
new
are you talking new?
new
Thanks everyone
since you are buying new, i would highly suggest looking at the competition from hyundai, kia, and honda (in that order). you will get better MPG and value. the matrix is a very good vehicle, but it is completely outclassed and has been left behind.
Yeah, I'd probably go the Subaru Impreza or Hyundai Elantra GT route if you're looking at a new car.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I've seen 2003s where the rockers are about to rust through. If you're the sort who trades at eight years you can slither out at a good price.
Coworker has a vibe, had alignment problems. Under the nice skin it's a regular old cheap car, for good and for bad.
The rockers are plastic, they don't rust
I've seen 2003s where the rockers are about to rust through. If you're the sort who trades at eight years you can slither out at a good price.
Coworker has a vibe, had alignment problems. Under the nice skin it's a regular old cheap car, for good and for bad.
The rockers are plastic, they don't rust
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