[PsyberVW]

http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/matrix/index.html
specs:http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/matrix/specs/matrix_specs.html
Highlights
2wd = 180 HP 6speed http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
4wd = 123 HP Automatic http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif
Interior Dimensions front/rear (in.)
Head room 40.6/39.8 40.6/39.8 40.6/39.8
(38.9/39.3)3 (38.9/39.3)3
Shoulder room 53.2/52.6 53.2/52.6 53.2/52.6
Hip room 51.7/47.8 51.7/47.8 51.7/47.8
Leg room 41.8/36.3 41.8/36.3 41.8/36.3
Seating capacity 5 5 5

Base Prices

Matrix Standard 2WD Manual $15,155
Matrix Standard 2WD Automatic $15,955
Matrix Standard 4WD Automatic $17,600

Matrix XR 2WD Manual $16,665
Matrix XR 2WD Automatic $17,465
Matrix XR 4WD Automatic $18,930

Matrix XRS 2WD 6-speed Manual $19,235
Matrix XRS 2WD Automatic $19,815
Yea or neigh?


[Modified by PsyberVW, 3:32 PM 2-11-2002]

 

[DanG]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) -- yea or neigh? (PsyberVW)

I'll tell you on wed after I see a matrix in person. Till then, it's just like the new 7 series. Don't judge them till you see one up close and personal.

 

[Snowdog]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) -- yea or neigh? (PsyberVW)

Personaly even though they're both the same car, I like the pontiac better, the Matrix looks more like precooked rice to me.

 

[Big R]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Snowdog)

The Vibe (as in Vibrator) looks like a smaller version of the Aztek. GM continues to be clueless when it comes to new car design; now it appears they are pulling Toyota down with them.
R

 

[WhatBlueVW]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) -- yea or neigh? (PsyberVW)

I recommended a Matrix XR 4WD automatic to a friend. In many ways it's the ultimate teenager car.
So that would be a yea...

 

[mtb_jeremy]

Re: Toyota Matrix (WhatBlueVW)

I didn't really like it the first time it came out. I think it was called the....Mitsubishi Expo and LRV. Didn't have that much power then though. I guess it is too much of an in between car for my tastes, but I still need to see it in person before I take a definite stance.

 

[Blue Flame]

Re: Toyota Matrix (mtb_jeremy)

what's wrong with car companies these days? "Let's put 4wd on the car and DROP the HP!" freakin, keep the HP and 4WD
edit: Yay for my 500th post

[Modified by Blue Flame, 5:07 PM 2-11-2002]

 

[David Votoupal]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Blue Flame)

Neat concept and both look pretty neat to me.

 

[WhatBlueVW]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Blue Flame)

Compare it to cars like the Tracker which had something like 60 really anemic ponies.
It's not going to win any races, but it's enough to haul your friends and a SeaDoo or two. Not bad if all you really need the AWD for is to go to the mountains to ski.

 

[swatch60]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) -- yea or neigh? (PsyberVW)

I saw a black Matrix in person the other day, it was a sharp little vehicle. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
I thought the Vibe was the better looking of the two originally, but now I have my doubts. Fit and finish were superb and the interior, save for the frumpy stereo (which appears to be GM's sole input in either vehicle), looks great and very functional.

 

[PhilHVW]

Re: Toyota Matrix (swatch60)

A high revving Toyota 16v engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox with a reasonably tight suspension, mated to a usefully sized family friendly shape sounds like a good concept to me. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
However, as an enthusiast with a young family, I'm pretty much in the target market, but I have no real desire to actually buy one.

 

[Enthusiast]

Re: Toyota Matrix (PhilHVW)

I liken this car to the PT cruiser.
It's a dumb idea, even poorer execution. But, because the public is hungry for anything new and different and well-marketed.... they will sell every single one.
If Toyota would just get off the damn "truck" thing and build real cars, not cars that look like trucks, or cars that are "cross-over-utlity-hauling-big-tall-wierd-shaped" vehicles.
Oh well.

 

[vwlarry]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Enthusiast)

Bloated, styled-to-within-an-inch-of-their-lives gargoyles, just like most of what's emanating from Toyota these days.
But don't mind me. Hey, what's not to like?

 

[6cylVWguy]

Re: Toyota Matrix (vwlarry)

Good topic. I just went to check out the Matrix this weekend and I saw the Pontiac thing at a car show a couple of weeks ago. I really like the matrix. The interior is pretty cool. The gauges are kinda tt-ish in that they are round with chrome rings on the outside. However, unlike the TT the gauges are deep into the dash. The shifter is like the new Si hatch. The outside is pretty sporty, but a little bit on the plasticy side. However, it is also the most european-looking car that they own, which is partially why I like it. I saw the sporty model next to the base model and the sporty model is much cooler looking. I also saw the vibe and didn't really find it visually appealing at all. I thought they screwed up the front, as you can definitely tell it came from the same company as the Aztec. The interior was typical Pontiac crap.
Tom
94 SLC
86 Jetta coupe

 

[Prostrho]

Re: Toyota Matrix (6cylVWguy)

I just test drove the Matrix XRS today, i posted a review, check it out!

 

[A4Jetta]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) -- yea or neigh? (PsyberVW)

I will test drive Matrix XRS stick shift sometimes later. Both Pontiac and Toyota have winners on their hands considered they got chunky styling and large interior space, if the engine/AWD combo is way too stupid.

 

[Spiro SU]

Re: Toyota Matrix (A4Jetta)

No.

 

[130_R]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Spiro SU)

Saw two Matrix's (Matri ~ Matrices?) and 4 of the new seven series today. Can I put on record as saying these are ugly, overly sized vehicles for the task they were desgined to do? The new seven sereis has more in common with the new Dodge trucks than any BMW before it and the Toyota thingy looks like a really bad TP Cruiser rip off. That's just me though!

 

[Apollo-Soyuz 1975]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Enthusiast)

quote:[HR][/HR]It's a dumb idea, even poorer execution. But, because the public is hungry for anything new and different and well-marketed.... they will sell every single one.[HR][/HR]​

How the heck is this a dumb idea? You have the utility of a hatchback vehicle combined with the cargo efficiency of a tall wagon, getting a little vehicle that can haul a surprising amount. I can't find any logic at all in your statement.

 

[nsol357]

Re: Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) -- yea or neigh? (PsyberVW)

I used to like the idea of the Matrix when I first caught word of it. I had that as one of two possibilities for a future car to replace my 4-dr Golf 1.8t dream (the other being the Pro5). But now that I've seen quite a few pictures of it, I'm not so sure anymore... in the looks category, looks like a bloated hatch.. almost semi-SUV looking.. which kind of turns me off. But the specs and pricing are still alright. The AWD/drop in HP combo is pretty dumb... I mean.. wouldn't it make the AWD version perform worse with the loss of horsepower??

Well, in short, I'll have to see it in person to really decide.. but right now, it's the Pro5 for me