2003 Toyota Matrix XRS from North America - Comments

Cruise control stopped working at 50,000 haven't had it looked at yet. Shouldn't be a biggie.

The Clutch went at 30,000 miles. $900 dealer repair. B.S. First time Toyota screwed me, oh well, still love their cars.

Cheap AC Delco battery died after a year. My Toyota Echo battery (Toyota batteries) last 5 years and more.

Original tires were crappy, put some nice ones on, it's worth it.

You can't buy a better new car for $19,000. The six speed XRS is very fast and still gets 30-35 mpg. It takes hills with ease, the engine winds way up to 9,000 rpms and eats it up. With a better clutch this thing would have a very fast stock 0-60 and 1/4 mile. Once the clutch is engaged, hit the gas... and you're gone! It's got V-8, muscle car, throw your head back, acceleration with a gas saving 4 cyl. engine. It's got power everything, 6 speaker, cd radio, 17" wheels, great suspension, hugs corners, yet takes bumps. Feels solid at 90 mph passing someone on the interstate in the wind. Uses premium gas, but performs! Well built, sturdy interior with AC plug ins, and storage bins. Short shifter is nice also. Seats are a bit spartan, sport car type, but not uncomfortable on trips. Rear seats fold down for almost pickup-like cargo space. I have the silver color with 17" Toyota alloy wheels and it looks so great!

So, so fun to drive... With the 6 gears and the very high rpm range of the engine, you have a lot of options to get power out of the drive train at any speed.

Only complaint is the clutch, too soft, first plate wore out prematurely. I drive the same clutch for 150,000 miles on all my cars! Toyota was really sh%&&y about it too. No coverage, no help, wear and tear item they say. At 30,000 miles? After I griped enough the dealer finally offered some free maintenance...Bull! The new clutch is still too soft, I'll get a good stiff after market racing clutch next time. Got to keep this car for the duration. It's such a great blend of fun, performance, utility, dependability and thrift!

Let me get this straight... you had the clutch go out at only 30,000 miles, the cruise go out at 50,000, Toyota refused to fix the clutch or replace the battery (that is supposed to be covered under their bumper-to-bumper warranty, as is the clutch) and you still LIKE this piece of garbage?? As for it being fast, I don't think so. I've test driven both the Vibe GT and regular Vibe (which is the exact same car only sold by a much better dealership network) and neither the regular or the GT version were as fast as the Chevy Aveo I test drove, not to mention any of the real cars that are in the same class as the Matrix. The Dodge Caliber is so far ahead of the Matrix/Vibe in power, speed and overall value that it is selling like hotcakes. You can get a Caliber that is far better equipped than the Matrix for 3 grand less, and it will last twice as long. My last Dodge went 230,000 miles with only routine maintenance (and I might add, it NEVER had the clutch replaced in all that time!!)

Good point. When people will learn that they are paying for just the brand?!

I can't believe anyone would pay nearly $20,000 for a Matrix. You can get a Mustang for that, and it will blow the doors off anything in the entire Toyota line up.

The Matrix is a good car (or whatever it is!!) but the Pontiac Vibe (same car with a different grill) has a much better chance of having the warranty honored. GM is much more attentive to their customers than Toyota is.

The Vibe (a Matrix with a different grill) is being offered by Pontiac for about 15 grand, which is about 4 grand less than the exact same car with a Toyota emblem. If a little "T" is worth 4 grand, then get the Matrix.

Yes I agree that GM has better customer service, but I think the Toyota Matrix looks a lot better. The little details and lines make up a lot of difference on the appearance.

I agree.

You don't think a Dodge Caliber can last 100k miles?

I'm sure you're wrong on that one, so get out those socks!

Just look at the logic of your own statement!

'in fact, japanese cars are the only ones that retain some reliability nowadays'

I have read several comments saying the only good cars are Japanese, yet don't offer any proof to this, besides that a few liberal yuppies at some car magazine say Toyota's are the best! Why would a car be better just because it's Japanese? That's a lame, illogical statement, especially since you don't offer any proof to go with your claims.

I have had an Aveo for two years now and have no problems other than a squeaky rear seat and part of the trim has "folded" - both of which I'm going to have the dealer fix.

Now I'm not saying it's more reliable than a Matrix, but the Aveo did cost me $6995 NEW whereas a Matrix would be twice that or more.

<<You don't think a Dodge Caliber can last 100k miles?

I'm sure you're wrong on that one, so get out those socks!

Just look at the logic of your own statement!

'in fact, japanese cars are the only ones that retain some reliability nowadays'

I have read several comments saying the only good cars are Japanese, yet don't offer any proof to this, besides that a few liberal yuppies at some car magazine say Toyota's are the best! Why would a car be better just because it's Japanese? That's a lame, illogical statement, especially since you don't offer any proof to go with your claims.>.

Oh, please. Don't you know anything about history. Dr. Deming was rejected by the American automanufacturers, so he went to Japan to help rebuild. The japanese UNDERSTOOD the concepts he presented - quality, just in time, etc. And they built better cars and Detroit is where it is today.

Japan is not perfect, but if you have a quality domestic product it is because you are LUCKY, not because they are great by any means.

I just bought a left-over 06 Matrix Xrs. I searched the Internet for a number of hours to find an Xrs, and found one at a local dealership. I was very fortunate, these Xrs versions are in great demand. I've got over 2,000 miles on my car now, this car is flawless, and it really runs strong. This is my second Matrix, but my previous Matrix was a base model, a nice reliable car. When I drove a buddies Xrs, I was hooked. Knowing the reliability factor, and feeling the Dr Jekyl/Mr Hyde personality when the high performance cams kick in, I just had to have one for myself. There are only a few cars in its price range that are performance competitive with these Xrs Matrix/Corolla hot rods... the Honda Civic Si, the turbo-charged Neon, and the Mustang Gt. Yet all these cars are at least $4000 more, and the Honda is the only car, other than the Toyota, that is known for its consumer reliability. My suggestion is, if you can find one of these rare gems, (06 is the last year for the Xrs), buy it, you won't regret it. One more thing,...top speed according to Toyota is 134mph.

By the way... 2002 (2003 model year) was the only year offered with a 4 spd auto with over drive for the 180 HP matrix XRS... the Vibe GT was never offered with the auto.

To the original poster.

No car company will replace a clutch under warranty. Perhaps you were dumping the clutch a wee bit too much.