2009 Corolla or Matrix

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raildogg

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
12,892
572
126
Hello, I am deciding between these two cars and can't make up my mind. I have driven both of them but a few weeks apart so my review might be inaccurate. The Corolla felt more quieter and comfortable but the steering feel was less than the Matrix. The Matrix felt a little more firm, noisier and better handling.

My goal is to get a car that is very comfortable and delivers good gas mileage. I've had a friend recommend me the Matrix because it is a wagon. What do you guys think?
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Originally posted by: Chunkee
get vibe and save some damn money.

jC
Click to expand...

But but but it's a GM. Even though it's exactly the same car with a different body, it's a GM and it must be crap.
 
I

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
I don't care for the Corolla, prefer the Civic if I'm going for a Sedan (driven 2002 Corr and 2006 Civic hybrid).

I'm thinking about getting a Pontiac Vibe, which is suppose to be the Matrix with a different shell. It's parts are suppose to be mainly from the Corrolla. The options are more flexible on the Vibe, and it should be slightly cheaper. Vibe is American made too (in CA as opposed to Ontario, Canada for the Matrix).
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
It's basically a question of do you want a sedan or a 5 door hatch/wagon. Each has their pro's and con's.

Pro's of a hatch:
-Much taller cargo area - can fit big boxes, dogs, ect in the back.
-Fold flat seats make for a much larger cargo area.
-The Vibe/Matrix has a plastic covered cargo area that is easy to clean up if you are hauling stuff like mulch or other messy items

Con's of a hatch:
- Can't lock stuff away and hide it as easy as a trunk
- Not as wide of an opening - you usually can't lay a set of golf clubs lengthwise across them
- The wagon dogma - many people have a innate hatred of hatches(that aren't true SUV's..go figure) and it affects your ability to resale as easily

That being said...my previous vehicle ownership has looked like this:
VW GTI
VW Passat Wagon
Mazda 3 hatch
Mazda 5 minivanawagon
My wife drives a Malibu Maxx

So you could say I'm a bit biased on the hatch side of things ;)

Between the Vibe and the Matrix though, you get a much better basic feature set in the Vibe - ABS, a pile of Air bags, Onstar, and XM and a much longer powertrain warranty. At a cheaper price. Same exact vehicle minus a few options/accessories.
 
R

raildogg

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
12,892
572
126
Thanks guys. I have a Mazda 3 so that is why I am looking at a more comfortable car. The Mazda 3 I have is not very comfortable and has rattles and squeaks. I am not quite sure yet about my plans however. It is the 3i Touring automatic and gets around 31-32MPG. I drive a lot of miles everyday, most of them highway.

I have test driven both the Corolla and the Matrix and the Corolla felt more comfortable. Maybe it felt that way because it was 2 weeks ago or maybe it is a more comfortable car. On Fueleconomy.com, the Matrix is getting around 31MPG while the Corolla is getting 34MPG. On the highway, the Corolla seems to get good mileage. My family already owns a Corolla so maybe that is why I am also considering the Matrix to be different. Or I can just get a Corolla as well. Hard to decide.
 
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angry hampster

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2007
4,232
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0
www.lexaphoto.com
What about a 4cyl Honda Accord? You can get a used one in the 2003-2007 body style for $10000 very easily. They'll easily do over 30mpg and offer more comfort and better ride quality than the Corolla.
 
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raildogg

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
12,892
572
126
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Neither is a good looking car IMO. There are better options.
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Like what? I already have the Mazda 3 and don't really know about other options. The Hondas are high in price and the local dealer here won't go down in price. Toyotas are at least a bit more reasonable than the Hondas.
 
PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,758
603
126
My beef with the matrix is it seems to get a good bit worse mileage then the corolla. If they were the same or even close I'd go for the utility of the matrix in a heartbeat.

Anyway, buy the vibe instead of the matrix if thats what you want. In addition to the above mentioned benefits, you won't have to deal with an asshole toyota dealership if you buy the vibe instead.
 
S

Sid59

Lifer
Sep 2, 2002
11,879
3
81
Originally posted by: vi edit


That being said...my previous vehicle ownership has looked like this:
VW GTI
VW Passat Wagon
Mazda 3 hatch
Mazda 5 minivanawagon
My wife drives a Malibu Maxx

So you could say I'm a bit biased on the hatch side of things ;)

Between the Vibe and the Matrix though, you get a much better basic feature set in the Vibe - ABS, a pile of Air bags, Onstar, and XM and a much longer powertrain warranty. At a cheaper price. Same exact vehicle minus a few options/accessories.
Click to expand...

How'd you like the Mazda5. I like it and i think my gf wants the Mazda5.
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: Sid59

How'd you like the Mazda5. I like it and i think my gf wants the Mazda5.
Click to expand...

I love the little bastard. It's basically a taller Mazda3 with sliding doors and seats 6. I've got an 8 month old and it's incredible for getting in and out of parking lots. It has the turning radius of a tricycle and can get into parking spaces you'd never try with a larger van or sedan.

Handling is very sharp for what it is - a van/wagon thingy. Gas milage is great too - I average around 25MPG in 70/30 city/highway driving. I've pulled as good as 32MPG at speeds in excess of 70MPH. At 80MPH it just cruises down the highway.

In town acceleration is great. It's very punchy off the line up till around 40MPH or so. After that the weight and lack of HP start to take over and it starts to run out of breath. It still has no problem getting onto highways at 65MPH on the ramps, especially when you lock the autostick in 3rd.

I've got an '08 and the little add ins are well worth it over the 06 & 07 models. Aux in, passenger side arm rest, and most importantly an AC vent for 2nd/3rd row passengers.

Mazda has a sweatheart of a little car. It's what most small families really need in stay of an SUV or jumbo minivan.
 
S

Sid59

Lifer
Sep 2, 2002
11,879
3
81
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: Sid59

How'd you like the Mazda5. I like it and i think my gf wants the Mazda5.
Click to expand...

I love the little bastard. It's basically a taller Mazda3 with sliding doors and seats 6. I've got an 8 month old and it's incredible for getting in and out of parking lots. It has the turning radius of a tricycle and can get into parking spaces you'd never try with a larger van or sedan.

Handling is very sharp for what it is - a van/wagon thingy. Gas milage is great too - I average around 25MPG in 70/30 city/highway driving. I've pulled as good as 32MPG at speeds in excess of 70MPH. At 80MPH it just cruises down the highway.

In town acceleration is great. It's very punchy off the line up till around 40MPH or so. After that the weight and lack of HP start to take over and it starts to run out of breath. It still has no problem getting onto highways at 65MPH on the ramps, especially when you lock the autostick in 3rd.

I've got an '08 and the little add ins are well worth it over the 06 & 07 models. Aux in, passenger side arm rest, and most importantly an AC vent for 2nd/3rd row passengers.

Mazda has a sweatheart of a little car. It's what most small families really need in stay of an SUV or jumbo minivan.
Click to expand...

those are my impressions, when we went to test drive. I have the 09 Hatch 3 and i love it.

Wanted to see your impressions after owning it. Our view is skewed to the 1 test drive. The same day we drove the Scion XB, Honda Fit and Mazda5. Mazda5 had the better drive, finish, usability and my opinion, looks.
 
T

thecritic

Senior member
Sep 5, 2004
470
0
0
The 2009 Matrix 2.4 actually gets MUCH better fuel economy than the EPA ratings. I have a Consumer Reports online subscription and they report the following figures from their testing for the Matrix 2.4:

CR's overall mileage, mpg 27
CR's city/highway, mpg 19 / 36
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg 31

Here are the figures for the '09 Corolla 1.8:

CR's overall mileage, mpg 32
CR's city/highway, mpg 23 / 40
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg 39

CR's city mileage is a worst-case scenario. Most of us would never see the same operating conditions unless you lived in NYC. They test for their highway figure by running the car at 65 mph.

Personally I'd rather have the Matrix because of the added utility. The 2.4 version is fairly quick (0-60 in 8.3 seconds) compared to the 1.8L Corolla. Unfortunately, the fun to drive factor is pretty much 0 compared to your current 3. The interior quality is also quite poor.
 
Vetterin

Vetterin

Senior member
Aug 31, 2004
973
0
71
I had to rent a 2006 Corolla for 5 weeks this spring and while it's not the lap of luxury the 37 mpg I averaged for over 1800 miles sure impressed me.
 
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