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Last post on Sep 04, 2009 at 12:48 PM
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Toyota Matrix, Automotive News, Hatchback, Wagon
#94 of 179 Just Bought 2009 Toyota Matrix S FWD Automatic
by etched
Apr 29, 2008 (7:41 am)
I did my research/building online then called up a dealer close to me. It looked like they had what I wanted in inventory, but the options weren't listed on dealer website. When I called, I wanted to see the T Matrix Base 1.8L, but then confirmed that moonroof wasn't an option for the base. After some discussion, I decided that looking on the lot(s) was the best way to look at inventory. I settled on the 2.4 sport version with Cruise Control, All Weather Guard, and Power moonroof. I couldn't afford AWD (which I didn't feel the need for anyway).
LIKES: Auto w/shift up down for those hills, Tilt & telescopic steering wheel, fold flat rear & fold flat front passenger seats, break away mirrors, pep, sound system is bass heavy, nice change for me, adaptor for mp3, 12V in front, moonroof, chime to remind you of key in ignition, night rearview mirror (I CAN SEE, FINALLY).
DISLIKES: Haven't had the car a week and still can't get the doors to stay locked when shifting into park (followed all the instructions in manual, may have to pick up phone to dealer soon). No locking compartments in car. No extra 12V or 115V outlets in back. Currently difficult to find decent add-ons (full carpet when back seats down, other parts accessories too when searching by year) will have to custom make a carpet myself for now. Also wish I had upgraded to include hands free phone, steering wheel controls, etc.
Would love to get advice on the door locks. By the way, they all lock the moment I put the car in gear, doesn't need to be moving. Once I shift into park, they all unlock, UGH! (once again, I did read the instructions pages 29 to 32 and my spouse tried it as well).
#95 of 179 Re: Toyota has posted some info [jaxs1]
by irishtiger
Apr 29, 2008 (9:38 pm)
The fuel economy of the 2006 V Accord based on a manual transmission you speak of was juxtaposed to the 2009 Matrix which was an AWD with an automatic transmission would reveal that the Accord was using (city/hwy): 11.5 / 7.3 L/100 km, compared to the Matrix using (city/hwy): 10.2 / 7.6 L/100 km. The cargo capacity also differs significantly. The Accord is a Cargo Volume (trunk): 371 L (13.1 cu ft) while the Matrix is 1,398 L (49.4 cu-ft). When one needs the money in their pocket and the room to move things, the Matrix seems excellent.
#96 of 179 Re: Disappointed so far [jaxs1]
by bonesjustice
May 04, 2008 (10:11 pm)
Maybe I've misunderstood you - are you saying the 2009 model needs a fifth gear? Because my 2003 has a four speed (three speed with overdrive) and I like it. I usually set my cruise at 90 on the freeway, revving 2000 RPM. I think it revved much lower it would tend to lug down going uphill since I drive through mountains a lot. But at 2000 RPM, my 2003 Matrix never needs to downshift. I have no complaints about my fuel economy, either.
Well, I hope Toyota or Pontiac get serious about next year's Matrix/Vibe and put back in all of the good stuff they took out in 2009.
#97 of 179 Re: Disappointed so far [bonesjustice]
by nippononly
May 05, 2008 (9:19 am)
I think you mean 3000 RPM maybe? Actually, I am not even convinced of that, maybe you mean 4000 RPM.
I had an '03 automatic, and at 2000 RPM in top gear with the TC locked it was doing about 50 mph.
#98 of 179 Re: Disappointed so far [bonesjustice]
by irishtiger
May 05, 2008 (10:33 pm)
The passenger seat folds down in the 2009.
#99 of 179 Re: Nice timing [ecotrklvr]
by pokecheck
May 07, 2008 (6:31 am)
I installed a ProRac roof rack on my 2007 Matrix. It's a screw-down track-mounted type of rack with 2 crossbars that can hold up to 150 lbs. It is very quiet at highway speed without a load. They only load I've hauled so far has been 2 kayaks (fairly aerodynamic) and there was also very little wind noise at highway speeds. I used a Malone Autoloader J-style kayak rack, which attaches to the ProRac's oval crossbars.
#100 of 179 Re: Just Bought 2009 Toyota Matrix S FWD Automatic [etched]
by swng
May 08, 2008 (8:56 pm)
Hi etched. I have just bought a similar car and the automatic locking and unlocking is just as you described in your last paragraph. You did not say whether you liked it but I don't. So I deactivated the automatic locking/unlocking according to the procedure on Page 31 of the owner's manual which you, as pointed out in your post, have read.
Enjoy your car!
#101 of 179 Re: Disappointed so far [nippononly]
by bonesjustice
May 18, 2008 (3:22 am)
No, it's 2000 RPM. My bad, when I said 90 I meant 90 km/h. So in other words, it's about 55 mph. That's my normal cruising speed on the freeway, about 2000 RPM with the overdrive on. I have tried switching off the overdrive for comparison and it revs up to over 3000 RPM.
I think the highest RPM's I've ever run was about 4000+ for a brief period when I was going 110 mph. Remote area with no one around, of course! XD
#102 of 179 Re: Disappointed so far [irishtiger]
by bonesjustice
May 18, 2008 (3:28 am)
According to Toyota's own website, the front passenger seat only folds down on the mid-range or higher models for 2009. If you buy the base model to get the 1.8L engine (for fuel economy), their site says you don't have the option to have a folding front passenger seat. I can't see why you couldn't have that option with the base model 2009 but that's what Toyota's website says.
#103 of 179 Re: Disappointed so far [bonesjustice]
by nippononly
May 19, 2008 (10:29 pm)
It's another way they took a little something away for the '09: ALL trims used to have standard fold-flat passenger seats. The real shame is the rear glass. I just read the new Pilot will have separately opening rear glass as the Matrix used to. The new Highlander does too. Clearly it is something they think people like. Yet they removed it from Matrix.