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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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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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I bought an 09 Matrix in February and I've noticed a few small problems. I'm wondering if any other owner has noticed the same? This is my first Toyota so I'm not sure what it normal. It's the XR Base, automatic with the 5 speed selector. I live in Niagara Falls Canada, and it gets pretty cold here. I noticed that my windshield wipers tend to freeze to the windows when it's really cold and snowing, and the ice really chunks up and sticks the the wiper blades. It's never happened with my other cars, so I don't know what it is. Also, lately I've noticed it takes a little longer for the engine to turn over when I'm starting the car. It seems to start fine in cold weather, but takes longer as the day warms up. I find it a little weird, but maybe I'm just not turning the key all the way. I'm always afraid that I will set off the panic alarm since the remote is in the key, unlike my other cars. Is it possible for the music volume to increase as the speed does, and lower itself when the car slows down. I am positive this is happening in my car, but then again, it may just be a coincidence that the radio reception goes out in places, but I thought I'd ask. Lastly, I find within the first 2 minutes of driving time, when I'm stopped at a street light or stop sign, it feels like the car is chugging. Not a lot, but enough to notice a little bit of a shake. After a few minutes, it stops doing it, so I'm not sure what this could be. Is it normal for Matrix's and other Toy's? I've tried warming up the car for 5 minutes when it's colder out, but it makes no difference. Overall I love the car, but I've always been a fan of the Matrix. If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it greatly!
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I was excited when I heard the Matrix would be all new for '09. We currently own a minivan, but with our kids growing up and moving out, our need for a minivan may be fading so we may be looking to downsize a bit without totally giving up the utility of a minivan. The '09 Matrix is a more attractive looking vehicle than it's predessessor, but Toyota may have missed the mark in several key areas. While I haven't driven a Matrix yet, most people who have say the 1.8 liter vesion is a bit underpowered, and the 2.4 liter version is not very good in terms of fuel economy. A vehicle of this size and weight should do much better on gas. In fact, from what I've seen so far, considering price, fuel economy, and everything else in general, I'd be hard pressed to choose a Matrix over a Mazda 3 wagon. The 3 is much better looking, from the reviews I've read it drives and handles better, has more interior space, and is a bit less expensive. Fuel economy for the 2.3 liter version is about the same too. The only real advantage the Matrix has over the 3 that I can see is its rear seats fold completely flat, whereas the 3's rear seats fold down to a slight angle. I really don't know what's going on with designers these days. They have to be aware of a given vehicle's shortcomings when they're putting through their paces before they go into production, and yet they produce them with the shortcomings anyway. Either they just don't care, or there's only so much improvements they can make with a given model. |
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