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Wagons Toyota Matrix All-New 2009 Toyota Matrix
179 messages, Last post on Sep 04, 2009 at 11:48 AM
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Is it noisier than a Corolla LE/XLE? Does the base 1.8 have the same amount of sound insulation, acoustic glass, same tires and tall 4th gear gearing as the Corolla? How about the S model? I would think the 2.4 plus 5-speed automatic could possibly be quieter than the 1.8 engine, but the sporty tires may add road noise which would make it nosier overall on the highway. How is is the highway gearing vs the Corolla? At the moment all the base Matrix models in my region are really base with no options available other than automatic transmission and cruise control. So, you can't get stability control unless you upgrade to the S or XRS, |
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a couple of '09 Matrixes last night. I like the looks, but they are no better or worse than my '07 IMO. I did notice a couple of discouraging things: 1. the rear glass doesn't open separately from the back door any more. That is one of my favorite features of the Matrix, and would be a deal-killer for me. 2. The rear wiper is still not standard, despite the rear glass now being more steeply raked. And unlike the last gen, they are shipping base models from the factory without this option. 3. Intermittent wipers are no longer variable intermittent. Just one fixed interval. If you are one to notice the newly standard features like side airbags and ABS and the telescoping wheel, you also have to consider the things they took out to make this possible. And the price certainly hasn't gone down, in fact the base models I was looking at last night were much too close to $19K sticker (with automatic) for my liking. |
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Reading the forums, one of the major drawbacks of the previous generation Matrix/Vibes was uneven tire wear due to lack of front end camber adjustment. I had this same problem on an older Toyota Corolla and although I'm in the market for a vehicle like this (wife actually), I will not knowingly buy another vehicle without front end camber adjustment - due to the alignment & tire wear problems I experienced first hand with the Corolla. So please, can anyone advise if this has been corrected on the new Vibe/Matrix's? 
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Replying to: griswald (Mar 09, 2008 10:22 am)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Feb 07, 2008 10:43 pm) Please comment. Thanks
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Replying to: cryspy (Mar 09, 2008 3:33 pm) Impressions: - Steering light, with nice feel. As others have reported, not much feedback, but overall a nice handler. - Solid feel over swells and bumps. - Smooth. Engine very quiet at idle - no steering wheel shake or interior vibration. Impressive. - Got up to 80 mph easily. I was flat road, though. I didn't floor it, but let the revs build at 3/4 throttle. Again, smooth. I set the cruise at 80, and the mild hill we climbed didn't faze the cruise - it downshifted when it needed to. Seemed less thrashy at this throttle setting than the 2.4 Matrix I drove, and the 2.4 Highlander I own. - Roomy and comfortable driver's cockpit. Seat has height adjust and good legroom. The tele-adjustable steering wheel makes it more comfortable to drive than my Highlander. - Bottle holders in the door pockets. Look useful. Middle tray/cupholder also simple but useful looking. - Pretty cheesy cargo cover. Kinda like a collapseable sun cover for your windshield, with 4 clips to hold to the sides (2 pairs on each side) and a 5th clips to a post of the middle headrest. Effective at hiding stuff, but: Cheap. Not very sturdy looking. But, probably cheap to replace when it tears/breaks. - Roof is low enough for easy loading of bikes with the optional screw-down rack. I do wonder if the rack is going to be noise-free without the bikes, or whether I'll need to keep putting it on and taking it off. Anyone have any experience with earlier Matrices? I'm hoping to drive a 5-speed version soon. If it's a slick shifter, and the clutch is right, I'll get the manual - here in California, we all have to be hands-free on our phones by July anyway. Might as well enjoy the drive. No room for mid-life 2nd sports car around here... Other things on the radar - 2009 Subaru Forester, and 2009 Mazda 3 Hatch. First is less than 30 days away, and the other....? |
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Mar 09, 2008 7:51 pm) I guess the Vibe 1.8L Auto will be about the same as the matrix. It really sounds good!! Soon i will forget the Versa HB CVT 2008 which was my first choice till now. Do you remember what was the rpm at 80 mph?
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Replying to: cryspy (Mar 10, 2008 5:02 am) I usually drive 75 mph on the freeway, except when in a huge rush or EVERYONE is passing me. I-5 South to San Diego is like that in spots. With two of us aboard, this would be easy. Add 2 more bodies, and some hills - well, we'll see.
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Mar 10, 2008 8:02 am) Thanks |
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Replying to: carl41 (Mar 09, 2008 2:51 pm) |
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