Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe

[Gene K]

Whos got a Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe?

Im looking at a 2007 Matrix 5 Speed for Invoice - $1250 Rebate.
Only Options are Power Package (PW, PDL, RL) and Cruise.
OTD a little over $14k.

Opinions?

 

[Tosh]

New design due for 2008, so you're getting the last year of the current one.
Aren't they a bit buzzy (high revving) on the highway?
I like them both, and I would consider a used Vibe, as long as it had ABS.

 

[cmhj]

They are fine vehicles. I really like mine.

 

[Gene K]

2008 is supposed to be larger, heavier, and thirstier.

The standard Matrix does not have the Sport Tuned Exhaust of the XR nor as short of gearing as the old XRS 6-Speed. But it still revs a bit higher than some others.

 

[PRND3L]

That is an excellent OTD price Gene.

 

[badtlc]

Quote:

---

Whos got a Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe?

Im looking at a 2007 Matrix 5 Speed for Invoice - $1250 Rebate.
Only Options are Power Package (PW, PDL, RL) and Cruise.
OTD a little over $14k.

Opinions?

---

If you get the MTX, you should be fine. My only caution would be for the ATX. If you get 2 full grown men in one, it is an absolute dog. I think that is because it has a really really long 2nd gear. It took like 20 seconds to get up to 65mph.

 

[JHZR2]

My good friend bought a 2007 last November with auto trans, power everything, and cruise (as well as AC and CD player, which most every car comes with these days). He paid a hair over $14k.

He complains about its noisiness and a few other minor things (he came from a volvo 240 wagon, which he thought the world of), but likes it overall. Finds it easy to hit EPA city and highway numbers.

JMH

 

[smokey1]

we had 2003 MATRIX base model w/ 4 speed auto , for the 4 years ( or was it 5 ) w/ 55,000 miles of ownership never an issue in performance ( rattles different story , fixed those myself ) . It averaged 32 m.p.g. overall during the period we had it . That included studded tires , cold weather , snow , rain , ice , and plenty of hills . The best it got was 35 m.p.g. during a full week of very hot weather . I would buy another in a snap of the finger , but now have payment for '07 PRIUS . Our local dealer had a '07 MATRIX XR 5 speed w/ side impact air bags , fogs , A.B.S. , etc. for about $ 16,500 , which is darn good price . As for 5 speed I would think you'd get an average of 34 or 35 m.p.g. , depending on how you break it in and driving hasbits . We drove at various speeds and kept under 3 r.p.m.s and 65 as much as possible for 1 st 3,000 miles . You could always switch to full synthetic oil or blend after break in and change out gear oil to synthetic and possibly bump up the m.p.g.s and lower the engine noise as well . GOOD LUCK

 

[JHZR2]

Quote:

---

You could always switch to full synthetic oil or blend after break in and change out gear oil to synthetic and possibly bump up the m.p.g.s and lower the engine noise as well . GOOD LUCK

---

No luck with engine noise, but we did swap my buddy's matrix to Mobil 1 and he is finding that he is more consistently hitting the city MPG numbers. Not necessarily beating them, but having an easier time maintaining those numbers when he does all city driving.

He keeps a log and has routinely hit 34 MPG highway with his AT equipped matrix. Hasn't had a chance to do any real highway mPG tests since swapping to M1, as he moved MUCH closer to work now, and only does bits and pieces of highway driving.

JMH

 

[Anduril]

I had the same engine in my Corolla, and even in that car it was noisy. Not cruising on the highway, but getting up there it sure whined.

 

[smokey1]

1st switch to synthetic w/ Mobil 1 5w30 at around 75,000 in our 2000 Chevy PRIZM (Corolla) 5 speed manual there was little less noise than w/ conventional oil on highway , shifting gears , and climbing grades . Then changed to PENNZOIL PLATINUM (5w30) and the motor is even quiter , especially when changing gears or going up hills . Only negative thing is it now likes to eat the synthetic more than the regular . Wish I would of made the switch to syn-oil when we bought the car w/ 21,000 mis. on it , probably been less consumption to this day .

 

[kazual]

I have a 2004 Corolla. My wife enjoys it. It is quite a peppy little car, I used to run a 73 Chevy Nova with a H.O. 305 that picked up the front wheels everyonce in a while. I should have never sold it. The Corolla gets 34-36 miles per gallon consistanly. It has the 1.8.

 

[blue_goose]

I had a 2005 Matrix..check out my used oil analysis...buzzy little car that had some quirks but it was a reliable people mover....I had a little bit of angst going away from the Toyota to my HHR but so far 2500 miles and I like my new ride...especially when after I did the math this morning I got 35 mpg on my last tank of gas! That equals or beats the mpg I was getting in my Matrix

Goose

 

[trixman]

I really like mine. Drive by wire started in 2005 I believe. That many contribute to the quirkiness of the car.

The AT has some weird shift points at times. Perhaps the ECU could use a corrective flash. We'll wait on the TSBs for that. Since you would get the MT not an issue.

Aside from that it is very versatile and I love it. Love the stance of the car. Easy in and out.

 

[wantin150]

I have an 03 XRS 2ZZGE model with the 6 speed (there are a very few with auto's but it was a brief production). It has it's issues as do all cars but it has been pretty good for us. Last tank was 32 mpg mostly highway (EPA is 26-29). We average around 27 or so during daily driving.

It's a fun car to drive and is pretty cargo flexible.