Anyone know anybody that has one of these? I'm looking at maybe trading in the Elantra for one next week as I could use the cargo room and was just looking for some first hand experiences and/or horror stories. The one I'm looking at is the XR trim level, front wheel drive, automatic. Yes, I know the automatic would be slower than a 5 speed, but I prefer autos for my daily drivers.
Thanks in advance for any input you have (minus the negativity, of course).
-John
Go for it, i think they look pretty cool!
I prefer the look of the Pontiac Vibe, but I hear they are pretty decent vehicles.
AmazingJay
Yeah I used to sell these, and they are FUN to drive. The base model is pretty godawful slow, but no less than a 2200 cav. The XRS on the other hand, looks, feels, and drives great. I'd go for it in silver.
2000 2200 Cavalier: 9/14/2000--10/23/2006
2007 G85 SS S/C: 10/23/2006--Present
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same motor as my car, same tranny(i believe) as the 03+ corollas.
not a bad choice, hon
pirates kick ninja asses, f00
nice car and very roomy. I would go for the XRS though. Celica GTS engine gives it the 6 speed manual and a nice 180 hp. Low torque, but higher RPM than the J-body.
well personally i would keep the elantra, but i guess youre haulin some pretty big stuff
firewolf23 (Kevin) wrote:nice car and very roomy. I would go for the XRS though. Celica GTS engine gives it the 6 speed manual and a nice 180 hp. Low torque, but higher RPM than the J-body.
very low torque...and trying to boost is ... annoying. the compression is WAY too high. they're fun, though heavy.
pirates kick ninja asses, f00
If I were buying it new, then I'd consider the XRS (if they still sold in an auto!).
But this one is used, black, and they're willing to make a good deal on it. We'll see when I drop by tomorrow after work!
-John
UPDATE:
I just got off the phone with Geico. I have my insurance through them for the Elantra on a 4 month installment plan for every six month period. Going with the Matrix will save me almost $40 a month for each of those 4 months!! That's $620 a year!!! If I get the deal I want for the Matrix, IT WILL BE MINE!!
Wish me luck.
-John
Quote:
very low torque...and trying to boost is ... annoying. the compression is WAY too high. they're fun, though heavy.
Yeah, but TRD does have a supercharger for the 1zz (XR level) available.... Who knows.. maybe after it were payed off, I could save up for that!!!
-John
though i'm discussing it with you over aim...
DOOO EEEEET!! 
pirates kick ninja asses, f00
so what's the verdict, dammit?!?!?
pirates kick ninja asses, f00
Verdict is:
Didn't get it. The sales manager was a complete !@#$% bag.... I'll write more details tonight when I'm at home and not at work. However, now the search begins for one that I can get a deal on, 'cause I'm in love. The taller height of the seating was PERFECT for a guy my height with bumb knees. I"m in love.
I may even consider a Vibe since GM is losing so much money and is more than willing to do whatever it takes to move out a new car.....
I'll give more details tonight, kidddies... Stay tuned.
-John
^^ Cool, either way you go im sure you will be happy. I personally think the Vibe is a cool car, and with all the discounts you could get a new one probably cheaper than you could have gotten a used matrix anyways
un4givn wrote:Verdict is:
Didn't get it. The sales manager was a complete !@#$% bag.... I'll write more details tonight when I'm at home and not at work. However, now the search begins for one that I can get a deal on, 'cause I'm in love. The taller height of the seating was PERFECT for a guy my height with bumb knees. I"m in love.
I may even consider a Vibe since GM is losing so much money and is more than willing to do whatever it takes to move out a new car.....
I'll give more details tonight, kidddies... Stay tuned.
WELL...without seeing the rest of the story...
at least you didn't get a car that needed a little work from the get go. i realize it was just tires and front fascia, but it would have looked strange going down the road without those two corner pieces. also...it's good you didn't settle
definitely get something you WANT(and can convince the wifey that she likes, too...hehehe). good luck hon...and keep that one forum i mentioned in mind.
pirates kick ninja asses, f00
I have one! an 03 XR 5spd it is awesome- had it about 8 months...
The only thing i have done to it is springs, exhaust and a cold air intake- but its not too shabby...
the gas mileage is incredible- it costs me 21.00 to fill it and i get almost 350 miles to the tank...
good luck!
^^^ Don't forget your screens in the head rest that still don't work.
YEAH I WENT PREMIUM. SO BITE ME!
VID GOD wrote:^^^ Don't forget your screens in the head rest that still don't work.
oh they work- you can turn them on- they just dont get the video signal, i have to replace the little boxes... in the process of doing that too :-)
and the in dash screen works just fine :-)
DAMN YOU JOHN!
thanks to you talking to me about these cars, i've now got an itch for one.
grr...i'mma beat you one of these days
pirates kick ninja asses, f00
I actually about sold my cav for one they are really nice i like em alot but as stated about they dont have much HP
>>>> SPONSERED BY: Cavalier Extreme <<<<
I was looking at getting a Vibe too, but to get any hp you need the GT. Also, it's a wagon, but really doesn't have much cargo space unless you're folding seats. Plus side is that even the front passenger's seat folds flat, so you can get some pretty long stuff in there. Nice interior too, the seats are comfortable. It was just too small and still too expensive for my needs.
Sorry i can't add anything about the Matrix, i never checked one out. The wagon i picked up is in my registry if you haven't already read in another thread what i got
Well, here goes the long awaited tale!!
To begin wtih, I had done buttloads of research and had a file folder FULL of paperwork to show prices, etc. I had prices, quotes for repairs of the missing front valance, tires, and removal of illegal tint from the front windshield (it was tinted like 8" down from the top.... VERY annoying to drive with, as it was right in the middle of my field of vision.).
So I get down to the stealership about 5pm, and introduce myself to the sales manager because the sales person I had been dealing with wasn't there. He treated me with one of those "What the !@#$ do you want from me?" type attitudes, and passed me off to a different sales person. Okay, so he was rude, but no big deal.
I take the car for a test drive. I love the feel of it. The height is PERFECT and I finally have found a car that I am 125% comfortable in. I haven't even put the thing in gear, and I'm happier than a pig in mud. So I take the car for a spin. The tires deff. needed to be replaced, but it was an enjoyable ride once you get past that. It felt a bit slower than my Elantra, but faster (not by much) than my old 2200 Cavi. I get back to the dealer, and check the car out fore and aft with a fine tooth comb. I'm in love, and really, really want this car.
So we get inside, and she goes to get the offer from the sales manager. She comes back with $8k for my car, and a sale price of $17,995 for the USED Matrix. I laugh. "First of all," I said, "I was already quoted a lower price because of the work that needs to be done. Secondly, your website lists the car at a price lower than even that (hand her a print out of the page). Thirdly, that vehicle blue books for only $14,300 in mint condition, which we've discovered it's not. Here are the quotes for repairs. $1,000 to fix the valance for parts, paint and installation. $500 for OEM tires mounted and balanced. $150 for proper removal of the tint. Therefore, here's what I have to offer." I handed her all the print outs and quotes, plus a sheet that had my offer typed up. I knew it was a long shot offer, and aimed lower than I knew they would go so that we could negotiate to where I thought it'd be fair.
So after about half an hour of overhearing her talk to the sales manager and having hime bad mouth me (obviously was upset that I wasn't the dumb kid he thought he could easily take advantage of), she comes back with his new offer. He had a print up of kbb.com showing the value of the car at $15,995 by adding equipment the car didn't even have, saying that was the lowest price he would go (even though it was still $60 higher than their website showed). And he was now only offering me $7k for my car, because (and I quote), "He was willing to give me $8k for my car when the price was higher. Even though it's a great car, now that we had to lower the sale price, he can not offer you as much for your car." Keep in mind that my car had not even been appraised yet!!! So the monthly payments were for the balance due on my car, the ridiculously high sale price, financed at 14% over 72 months even though I asked for 60 at the most. I look at her and say, "That's the offer? That's crazy. He must think I'm really dumb. I'll have my keys back now, thank you for your time." She tries to get me to stay, and I get up and start walking towards the sales manager to get my keys. She goes and gets them, and hands them to me saying she was sorry it didn't work out. I looked at the S.M. and he laughs, saying "F!@#ing kids." I look at her and say, "We could have reached a deal if your sales manager (and I raise my voice) wasn't such a F!@#$ING JOKE!!" She laughed and nodded, so obviously agreed. I left the dealership laughing because I couldn't believe how stereotypical car sales that was!!
I'm in sales. I know that you have to try to squeeze everything out of someone to make your money. But that doesn't mean treating your customers subhuman.
So the search is on. I will have a Matix or Vibe within the next year. I just need to keep searching, and find someone who is willing to make a deal with a "kid". (Keep in mind I'm 25, and was there with my WIFE.) I think I'll go back to the dealership I got the Elantra at because they take VERY good care of me, and treat me with nothing but respect, and ask their sales manager (who I'm on a first name basis with) to keep his eyes out for one they might take as a trade and to call me.
Thanks for letting me vent. To those that have given me feed back with their Matrixes or Vibes, I thank you enormously for the info. To anyone in CT who can maybe point me in the direction of a good Toyota place to try, I will be forever in your debt.
-John
Quote:
grr...i'mma beat you one of these days
Don't threaten me with a good time, L!!!
Quote:
^^ Cool, either way you go im sure you will be happy. I personally think the Vibe is a cool car, and with all the discounts you could get a new one probably cheaper than you could have gotten a used matrix anyways
That's my EXACT line of thinking at the moment.
Quote:
I was looking at getting a Vibe too, but to get any hp you need the GT. Also, it's a wagon, but really doesn't have much cargo space unless you're folding seats. Plus side is that even the front passenger's seat folds flat, so you can get some pretty long stuff in there.
I'm not looking for speed on this one, so the hp on the base engine (130 at the crank, I believe) isn't an issue for me. And while I want the cargo room for those times that I am hauling larger items, my main reason for wanting (and now falling in love with) a Matrix is the height of the vehicle, and how comfortable it is for a guy my size. BTW; nice score on the Legacy!!!
-John
