Lifting a Toyota Matrix?

[Elkins45]

There’s a 2009 AWD Matrix with 104k miles listed for $6k miles at a local dealer. That’s $2-3K less than the typical RAV of similar age and mileage is selling for these days. Since I’m shopping for just an occasional use AWD I don’t necessarily need the extra cargo space of a RAV, but I do like the higher profile and easier entry/exit. I did a quick Google and there are lift kits available for the Matrix to add a couple of inches. Any downsides to installing a lift kit other than aerodynamics?

Because it’s a 2009 and AWD it has the troublesome 2AZ engine, but my successes with Berryman’s soaks on my xB’s gives me some hope I can manage any oil burning that might crop up.

FWIW I owned a 2003 Matrix fwd with the 1.8 and it was a great little car. I sold it at 130k and the guy I sold it to drove it at least 100k more miles.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Not sure about the downsides but as usual your mileage will suffer and the ride will not be as good. I would probably just put a little higher tire on it and use the money for modifications in other areas. If you just put on a little larger off road type snow tire it will greatly make the vehicle stand out from the others and not really affect mileage or ride too much. I like the Matrix and believe they would make a great vehicle.

 

[AZjeff]

There have to be VIbe/Matrix forums that would have info on how high you could go without getting the axle angles too steep. Also if you're looking at real US companies not Amazon or Ebay stuff of unknown origin they usually will say how much lift is safe. I've thought about it on a couple of FWD/AWD platforms and found that up to 2" is about it inexpensively. You can do spacers or you can get into new struts, springs, etc. Was seriously thinking about a lifted Prius for a minute.

You can only upsize tires a small amount before you're rubbing.

 

[nthach]

There have to be VIbe/Matrix forums that would have info on how high you could go without getting the axle angles too steep. Also if you're looking at real US companies not Amazon or Ebay stuff of unknown origin they usually will say how much lift is safe. I've thought about it on a couple of FWD/AWD platforms and found that up to 2" is about it inexpensively. You can do spacers or you can get into new struts, springs, etc. Was seriously thinking about a lifted Prius for a minute.

You can only upsize tires a small amount before you're rubbing.

A buddy of mine lifted a generation 4 Prius - it’s his DD when he doesn’t feel like firing up his F-250 PSD. He said it made a big difference with clearing curbs and ramps and no appreciable MPG hit.

 

[SC Maintenance]

What kind of lift are we talking?

All 4 new McPherson struts could be OK. But a lot of work and keeping things in alignment / CV joints intact, etc will still be a problem.

If its a spacer lift, then you likely will loose some travel or pre-load the springs and it will ride poorly.

For the time and money I would just buy a Rav4 personally.

 

[The_Jeff]

The Rav4 is more car and worth it. Matrices have fragile automatic transmissions as well.

 

[supton]

You can lift anything with enough dynamite.

But I'm with The_Jeff, just start out with what you want/need. Jeeps might take well to lifts, but only because a few million have gone ahead of you to work out the kinks.

 

[Elkins45]

The Rav4 is more car and worth it. Matrices have fragile automatic transmissions as well.

I didn't know that about the automatic transmissions. Mine was a manual.

 

[sw99]

Heck yeah, go for it -

 

[sw99]

I was thinking about adding 1/2" poly spacers to mine when I eventually do new struts on the 09' Matrix. Mine isn't awd but these still do well in the snow with a good set of snow tires.

 

[Jerrysends]

I would buy an older Subaru over a Matrix if AWD & ground clearance were a high priority.

I have owned both.