New Car Time!

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
11/26/2015 at 22:47 • Filed to: None

Soon, I will be the part time pilot of one of these! A 2007 Matrix XR FWD that looks almost exactly like this. More pics will come next week!

DISCUSSION (20)

not for canada - australian in disguise > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/26/2015 at 22:57

Sweet Corolla wagon bro.

dogisbadob > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/26/2015 at 23:01

Congrats on the new car! I hope you get many enjoyable miles out of it :)

bob and john > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/26/2015 at 23:04

Kinja'd!!!

VAT IS DAT

SonorousSpeedJoe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/26/2015 at 23:08

That reminds me of the 2005 Matrix XR FWD that we had - it looks identical, except ours had steelies and rear drum brakes. I learned to drive in it - I wish that I had it back (or had a Matrix XRS) so that I could drive it back-to-back with our 2012 Focus SE, as I didn’t take the opportunity to do that while we still had both cars.

Everyone seems to think that these are ugly cars, but I just don’t see it - I like the exterior and the interior (especially the steering wheel and gauges), though I do think that 2nd-gen was decidedly meh.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > dogisbadob
11/26/2015 at 23:09

Thanks! It’s only mine on evenings and weekends, though. I’m getting a Civic as my own “real” car this spring.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > bob and john
11/26/2015 at 23:09

I’m not sure.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > not for canada - australian in disguise
11/26/2015 at 23:10

Thanks, man. Although it isn’t a dual rear wiper Camry wagon, it’s still pretty sweet.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/26/2015 at 23:24

I had one too. It was a 2003 AWD Vibe. The reason I sold it was it need over $5000 in work, it needed: wheel bearings, suspension bushings, control arms, drive shaft bearing, drive shaft, fuel tank, engine mounts just for the saftey & an new exhaust (header, catalytic converter, etc) to pass the e-test. Bought it for $3500, sold it for $12o0 as is.

Kinja'd!!!

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/26/2015 at 23:36

Kinja'd!!!

Welcome to the matrix cult of Oppo! Handbrake turns are lovely on matrixes! And plus the practicality is wonderful...

And the manual is a rough mother.

Amoore100 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/27/2015 at 00:04

I’d think that this is better, though the old Camry wagons were/are known for incredible reliability...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/27/2015 at 01:22

Welcome to the club!

Kinja'd!!!

(Although mine has the lowly 1ZZ)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
11/27/2015 at 01:26

You have a nice garage

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/27/2015 at 01:36

*My parents have a nice garage.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SonorousSpeedJoe
11/27/2015 at 06:51

I find them just to be typically Toyota featureless and blobby. I'm OK with the Vibe tho.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/27/2015 at 08:34

Enjoy the hell out of it. I learned to drive on an ‘04. My parents bought it new and it’s taken more abuse on NYC streets than I can imagine, with close to zero issues. Still running strong too. Suspension lasted well over 100k miles and it’s got SO MUCH CARGO SPACE and is rugged as hell.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
11/27/2015 at 11:01

What happened to yours?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/27/2015 at 11:03

Ours has the 1ZZ as well, but the optional 17” wheels fool a lot of people. How are you enjoying your Vibe?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > SonorousSpeedJoe
11/27/2015 at 11:06

I was there when they came out in 2003. There was nothing like it on the roads, except for the Pontiac Vibe. I still maintain that the first gen Matrix was one of the best cars Toyota has made in the 00s, just behind the MR-S.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/27/2015 at 13:53

Nothing, it just has a rough transmission.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/27/2015 at 15:23

My wife loves it. We’re hoping it lasts a long time.