I have asked some mechanics and they said Toyota matrix is same as Toyota corolla with a different mini-SUV body.

I have checked carcomplaints.com and it says 2003 has mostly reported engine problem.

Please anybody with experience on this car should please help before I make a mistake. Is worth buying to be used as everyday car and for traveling once in a while. I love the spec of the car but then I want to be sure about the availability of the parts and it's cost effectiveness, durability, etc

Thanks for all your contributions.

The Car is just too good .. Fuel economy ... 5 speed drive ...VVt mini engine but it hates Bad road and gear oil have to be changed almost everymonth

@ibkgab001 I have not seen a car that requires transmission fluid to be changed every month. The recommended is 30k miles, but just to be on a safer side u can change every year, but definitely not every month, especially when u are using the recommended fluid which is Toyota type iv. Toyota matrix is a good car economy wise. I'm just not a fan because it has one of the worst interior i have ever seen in a car. The buttons peel off easily and the dashboard is the ugliest i have seen, and the car is pricey too. @op, if u are buying it try buying the one with AWD, at least that will complement its shortcomings.

ibkgab001: The Car is just too good .. Fuel economy ... 5 speed drive ...VVt mini engine but it hates Bad road and gear oil have to be changed almost everymonth

Are you saying it has auto transmissions problems? What do you mean by saying it hates bad roads because I don't know of any car that "likes" bad roads. I also think the auto tranny is 4-speed.

abatically: @ibkgab001 I have not seen a car that requires transmission fluid to be changed every month. The recommended is 30k miles, but just to be on a safer side u can change every year, but definitely not every month, especially when u are using the recommended fluid which is Toyota type iv. Toyota matrix is a good car economy wise. I'm just not a fan because it has one of the worst interior i have ever seen in a car. The buttons peel off easily and the dashboard is the ugliest i have seen, and the car is pricey too. @op, if u are buying it try buying the one with AWD, at least that will complement its shortcomings.

Poor interior design is common with Toyota vehicles so I guess Matrix is not an exception. I really wouldn't mind the poor interior, you have to sacrifice something for something. What advantage does the AWD have over the FWD version of the car?

Nobody has told me is the car is DURABLE AND WETHER THE PARTS ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE TOO.

More contributions please

d car is kinda feminine 4 my liking......so dnt rily knw much abt it....heard itz a decent ride sha

D tin s lyk dat na. Anyhw u c it.

Like you have been told rightly, its †ђξ Corolla in a hot hatchback body. That said, you know the reputations corolla's A̶̲̥̅̊₪D̶̲̥̅̊ in fact Toyotas generally have.

Its a great car and will serve you well...provided you do your part: oil change a.k.a. service every 3000 miles, do your gear oil service every 12000 miles, don't drive it like you're doing †ђξ Dakar rally...or a Danfo driver A̶̲̥̅̊₪D̶̲̥̅̊ you will enjoy your car. Like someone said, if you're able to, get the 4WD version...helps when you 'sometimes' have to venture into ghastly terrain.

Downside for me still is †ђξ fact that you're paying so much more for a Corolla. Alternatively, get the Pontiac Vibe. Its †ђξ same car only badged as a Pontiac...they use all †ђξ same parts and it i§ cheaper also...

yea the parts re rampant, and its a great car, my immediate senior broda owns one,
bt toyota is nt my thing anyway, bt the ride is awesome bro, go for it.

The car is quite portable and very economical

its a nice ride. i own one too and the fuel economy is exellent. the car parts are readily available. i have been using mine now for 5yr running.

There are different trims for the Toyota Matrix. The ordinary Matrix,XR and XRS 4WD. I bought the 2007 Matrix XR some months ago which i took to Abuja and handed it over to my younger sister and i mus confess the ride is ok and fuel economy is just like the Corolla because the engine and engine parts are same with the Corolla. So if you love it,you can go for it but just like someone mentioned it's the hatch back version of a corolla.

ITs a cool car its an okay car nothing more

noted

There are different trims for the Toyota Matrix. I guess the ordinary Matrix,XR and XRS 4WD. I bought the 2007 Matrix XR some months ago which i took to Abuja and handed it over to my younger sister and i must confess the ride is ok but I couldn't do more than 160km because it became very light unlike German machines and fuel economy is just like the Corolla because the engine and engine parts are same with the Corolla. So if you love it,you can go for it but just like someone mentioned it's the hatch back version of a corolla and its feminine.

I use one.
It's a very good car.
I advise you to buy if it checks out.

75% good

abatically: @ibkgab001 I have not seen a car that requires transmission fluid to be changed every month. The recommended is 30k miles, but just to be on a safer side u can change every year, but definitely not every month, especially when u are using the recommended fluid which is Toyota type iv. Toyota matrix is a good car economy wise. I'm just not a fan because it has one of the worst interior i have ever seen in a car. The buttons peel off easily and the dashboard is the ugliest i have seen, and the car is pricey too. @op, if u are buying it try buying the one with AWD, at least that will complement its shortcomings.

Seconded..
Worst interior eva

d major prob is d gear box ,according to some mechanics

Op don't be scared of buying the car because I'm a living testimony of Toyota Matrix. I got my own matrix 2003 model 23rd December, 2011 and it has been fun cruising the car, the AC is something else the interior is not too bad as well. I've not changed the gear oil since then, the only thing I've changed are the rear shock absorbers and front callipers of the lower arms. It also has good fuel economy, mind you I'm a regular traveller, even when I did not travel I'm a frequent road user. As I'm typing this, I'm making arrangement on how to sell the car not because its giving me problem but because I want to upgrade to 2009 model of matrix. Go ahead and get one you be happy you did........lop

Is a good car, I use the 2004 model is ok

dejavume: d major prob is d gear box ,according to some mechanics

BIG lie jor. i own one dat i have been using for d past 5yrs. no gear issues. Toyota hardly has gear problem,if u tell me honda i go gree.

abatically: @ibkgab001 I have not seen a car that requires transmission fluid to be changed every month. The recommended is 30k miles, but just to be on a safer side u can change every year, but definitely not every month, especially when u are using the recommended fluid which is Toyota type iv. Toyota matrix is a good car economy wise. I'm just not a fan because it has one of the worst interior i have ever seen in a car. The buttons peel off easily and the dashboard is the ugliest i have seen, and the car is pricey too. @op, if u are buying it try buying the one with AWD, at least that will complement its shortcomings.

i jusr dislike this car interior.

please, how good is reanult19 megane. I am planning to buy one for mums training. Thanks.

Please, compare with other mini suvs like rav 4L.
Am considering matrix and rav 4

Reliable and low maintenance cost

Pros
No problems with the engine

Cons
My driver side door is falling apart from the inside.

Thanks Moderator for taking this thread to home page.

Thanks for all your contributions. I'm afraid of gear problems but majority here say it doesn't have gear issues.

Whats the difference in terms of performance between FWD and AWD version of the car?

If u plan to get the Matrix, please do well to get the XRS model. Its got an impressive amount of horses under the hood. 170 or more of it depending on the year. (just make sure u never overrev it though). It's a lovely car. Forget about the interior being bland and all. The car is functional and easy to maintain and the power and economy are impressive as well.

The Toyota Matrix , officially
referred to as the Toyota Corolla
Matrix , is a compact hatchback
manufactured by Toyota Motor
Manufacturing Canada in
Cambridge, Ontario and derived
from the Toyota Corolla.so you should know that you going for a corolla matrix.