Guess I'm just getting too old, but I don't understand this craze of moving to smaller cars with itty bitty engines, even if you can spend a small fortune and upgrade them. You traded a RAV4 for that?!? Matrix, Focus, GTI, Civic, they all look the same to me. Basically, an entry-level car, enough for transportation to your first job until you make enough to get a -real- vehicle capable of carrying 4 adults in comfort, or at least 2 people without rattling out your fillings and shaking the thing apart when you go over railroad tracks.
Looking at the web site it lists all models with a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder. So, you can get a 'big' 1.8L engine or a 'little' 1.8L engine. It's still only 1.8L.
Oh, boy! And it looks like a ricer. Wheee. Throw some ground effects, shiny rims, and a loud stereo in there and you can pretend that you're 16 again. Chicks dig it. Well, until they graduate, anyways.
Sorry, Guyver. I'm glad that you're happy with your decision, just looks like you're moving in the wrong direction to me. 18K on your trade-in sounds like you did pretty good. Hope you're happy with the Matrix.