hey guys what do u think about the toyota matrix?

 

I jut saw the Pontiac version of it last night but I really don't see it around that often.

Overall not my style but then I would have to test drive it for a day or two to make a decision on the rest.

 

i would take the matrix anyday over the vibe. The matrix is a good reliable multi purpose car when equipped with the 130hp version. good fit and finish. The only thing i dont really like is the Delco radio from the vibe. the interior is great. The 180hp version is good at high speeds, but isnt too practical in normal city driving.

 

Honestly, I'd rather have a Vibe than a Matrix. I think the Pontiac styling is a lot nicer than the Matrix (the Matrix looks good only in the more expensive version).

 

I think it's a solid and useful car stuck with a horrid powertrain.

 

The Matrix looks better IMO.
The Vibe looks like a scale down Aztek.

 

Nice car, but the powertrain is ill suited. Both lack torque, and nobody wants to dolly around in a loud, screaming wagon all day long. The 2.4 liter 155HP I-4 found in the Camry would make a better powertrain...and then lose both the base 130HP and 180HP high-strung Celica-derived engines.

 

IMO the vibe is too plasticky looking. The matrix is a lot cleaner, smoother, less cluttered. The HP/torque isnt that bad, considering a honda civic has much less, and isnt that different in weight. And its targeted at young people, who "sorta" like loud, high revving engines.

 

I would only buy the matriz if it has the lip kit on it, the base model w/o the lip kit looks like its ready for the CA, Baja races. I like the matrix and the MP5

 

i test drove the matrix xrs, the suzuki aerio sx wagon (140hp), and the honda civic si before buying my pr5

the matrix wasn't too bad and had a lot more interior room (much higher car)...but it had terrible handling...the engine was impressive over 5k rpms but getting to that point in the heavier car was the hard part...the matrix is no sports wagon

the suzuki was too tall and not wide enough = tons of body roll...the engine was a blessing with its 140hp 2.0 that had some down low grunt...but it sounded thrashy...after driving and thinking about this car it was like a 2nd draft of a suzuki sports wagon but not a finished product

the civic si has a great engine...it was really surprising b/c it had seamless power everywhere in the rev band and didn't taper off until redline (only this engine and the matrix were like that [though the matrix's engine had nothing until you at least hit 4k rpms)...the si though had the crapiest eco tires and the worst faux aluminum interior with red stitching in the seats i've ever seen...the engine kept me coming back but the interior is what really scared me away (could always solve the tires probs w/ some 16"/17" $1000 rotas with some decent rubber)

the pr5 had the weakest top end but had decent down low torque (not a big fan of engines tuned for low end torque)...but its composed handling (i've driven it several times at the track now) put those other posers to pasture...the pr5 is a real compact ff sports wagon where the civic si was a go between with a great engine and the matrix/aerio sx were sporty mini-minivans