- #145 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [nippononly]
by captain2
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Oct 06, 2008 (12:16 pm)
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Replying to: nippononly (Oct 06, 2008 11:54 am)
I think Toyota made this choice with the engines for the '09s because they are trying to push the Matrix as the smallest of the crossovers
maybe - but at the same time it seems Toyota wants to include the Matrixs sold in their Corolla numbers, and not necessarily as a separate vehicle. Is not the Matrix also a Corolla Wagon? 35 mpg overall a damn good number - I think my wife must have a bit of a lead foot!
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- #146 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [nippononly]
by mantech
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Oct 06, 2008 (12:25 pm)
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Replying to: nippononly (Oct 06, 2008 11:54 am)
No complain about the power performance of this new 1.8L, I own a touring package 5sp (Canada only) Torque now are more noticeable between 2800rpm to
3500rpm, compare to 1ZZFE (1.8L). I used to own older Matrix & I couldn't feel the torque in that range. I think because of the dual VVT exhaust and intake. I love this
2ZRFE engine. It's a good design for perfromance and fuel economy. Right now I'm averaging 32mpg mixed driving, odo is 9500km 
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- #147 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [mantech]
by captain2
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Oct 06, 2008 (1:31 pm)
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Replying to: mantech (Oct 06, 2008 12:25 pm)
since you Canadians get to build most of the Vibes/Matrixes/Corollas it would seem that you are getting some model choices not available down here in the States - heck even the 'luxury' Corolla XLE is sold with the new 1.8. The new CVVTi that Toyota is using is a genuinely good thing IMO, developed first in the 2GR V6 in 2005, it has allowed that engine to lead its class in terms of power and FE for a number of years now. Nippononly might be right on with a reason for the bigger engine but the Matrix as a CUV might be a hard sell? And yep, by altering intake (and exhaust) valve timings at least some of the 'peaky' nature of these smaller engines can be minimized.
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- #148 of 179
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re: Matrix sidetrack
by moontom
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Oct 21, 2008 (6:37 pm)
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went to dealer today, hoping that I could get the 1.8L engine w/ Stability, sunroof, et al. NO DICE.
this is reeediculous!
I don't need AWD. don't want the 2.4. can't believe that Toyota has the car configured this way, given the fossil fuel situation. I've owned 6 toyos over the years, loved the philosophy and everything but I can't fathom this thinking. why force people who want safety options into the bigger power plant?
argh....
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- #149 of 179
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re: Matrix sidetrack [moontom]
by matrixgirl09
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Oct 23, 2008 (7:11 pm)
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Replying to: moontom (Oct 21, 2008 6:37 pm)
The dealers don't want to put in custom orders. Don't know why.
I didn't want the sunroof because I figured that it would eventually leak.
I figured the car would be alright without stability. The odds of this car rolling over are very slim, compareds to the SUV I was driving.
But try another dealership. They are pretty desperate to sell any cars right now so you may get the upper hand.
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- #150 of 179
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re: Matrix sidetrack [matrixgirl09]
by nippononly
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Oct 23, 2008 (9:21 pm)
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Replying to: matrixgirl09 (Oct 23, 2008 7:11 pm)
Dealers are especially averse to putting in an order on a Matrix right now, as they are all sitting on WAY too many that are already in inventory.
And old Toyotas with moonroofs usually don't leak - they do a pretty good job of those moonroofs, they are pretty durable.
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- #151 of 179
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re: Matrix sidetrack [nippononly]
by texasgirl2
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Oct 26, 2008 (11:54 am)
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Replying to: nippononly (Oct 23, 2008 9:21 pm)
I went into one of my local dealerships and was able to custom order my 2007 XR. They did a production change and I got exactly what I wanted. I had to wait about a month for it to come in. Unfortunately, about 2 months ago, that car was totaled by someone running a red light. I will tell you, that's a damn safe car! I was able to walk away relatively unhurt. So, I went back to the same dealership and was able to order my 2009 S with the exact options I wanted. At first my sales person was not too interested in ordering it for me, but I wouldn't budge on the idea. He told me it could take 3-4 months for the car to come in because they would have to do a production change. BUT it really only took about a month and a week to come in. It may not get the 33 MPG that my XR did, BUT I LOVE my car!
Some of the changes the made to the 09s are REALLY great. The sunroof now opens with just one touch of the button, rather than having to hold it until it's all the way open. The AUX jack and Bluetooth are my favorite options, I think.
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- #152 of 179
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re: Matrix sidetrack [texasgirl2]
by nippononly
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Oct 28, 2008 (7:00 am)
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Replying to: texasgirl2 (Oct 26, 2008 11:54 am)
Do you miss the fact that the glass in the rear hatch doesn't open separately any more? I'm pretty sure I would, as I use that all the time.
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- #153 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [ecotrklvr]
by circuitsmith
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Oct 28, 2008 (9:57 am)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Oct 02, 2008 8:01 pm)
I agree with ecotrklvr. No, gas is not all the same. Way back when I worked for the Mechanical Engineering Dept. of a large university. They had automotive labs with engines on dynos etc. One test that was often done was to measure the heat content of fuels with a bomb calorimeter. That is, how many calories of heat a given mass of fuel produced when burned. It id possible for a gasoline to meet the octane requirement and contain the required additives, yet create more or less energy when burned. Lower heat content is the main reason why ethanol reduces FE.
Independent gas stations buy their gas from several suppliers, whoever is cheapest. I shop for the cheapest gas and it often comes from independent stations. I occasionally get a tank of gas where the car runs fine but gets substantially lower mileage, under the same driving conditions, driving the same route, commuting to work, one week to the next. It happens less often now than it did 20 years ago. There used to be particular stations I would avoid.
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- #154 of 179
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re: Matrix sidetrack [nippononly]
by texasgirl2
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Oct 28, 2008 (2:13 pm)
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Replying to: nippononly (Oct 28, 2008 7:00 am)
Yes, I do miss it. I'm not sure why that change was made. I also feel like it could use a 6th gear. With the engine being bigger, it accelerates a lot faster and I'm finding myself at about 3 RPM when I'm going 65-70 on the freeway - same as it was in my 07 with the smaller engine. All in all, I haven't really found any major complaints in the redesign.
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