In my quest for a new car, I test drove an '05 Matrix with 8k on it.
I must say, I was impressed. Not only did it drive very smoothly, there was a lot of room on the interior. The 1.8L AT showed a lot of pep (surprisingly) and hummed along without hesitation. The ride was quiet, fairly refined and sporty. This wa a fun car to drive. The only problem...price. They were asking way too much, not much less than a new one.


Regardless, I have yet to test drive a new Focus. That will most likely happen this weekend.

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yeah youll like the focus a lot more that the matrix..lol
good luck, and enjoi!

^^X2

and if you happen to like the Matrix, but it is too expensive, get the Pontiac Vibe.. it is identical car.. you could even take it to yota dealers for maintenance and non-warranty stuff.. but since it is a pontiac, it sells cheaper.

I drove that car as a rental (1000 mile trip) and then once afterwards (a vibe with some 30k miles)... the D20 is MUCH MUCH preppier.. the interrior turns me off and the tall roofline and Corolla suspension simply cannot match Focus handling..


If you like the tall roofline, though, check out the Chevy HHR, Mazda5, PT Cruiser and the Caliber... each one of them is better in most aspect than the Vibe/Matrix.. and Mazda5 is better in all aspects EVERY SINGLE ONE .. and it offers thrid row of seats just in case.

Igor

PapoSwing.....your avitar is way to erotic for this site, i dont want to have to change my boxers everytime i see one of your posts lol. Dont make me have to put up my gorgeous woman avitars too. lol

Eeeek Igor did you say Vibe, I test drove one.... personally it was a pos and was more than my fully loaded ZX3. I think I did a drive of all the hatches at the time, PT Cruiser, Vibe, and the Mazda 3 5 door, ZX3. The ZX3 was the most fun to drive, the cruiser had the best interior (most refined, better quality). The Mazda was more expensive and a bit longer than I wanted, and the Vibe was just all around bad....

^^^Yes.. if he liked the Matrix, the Vibe is identical in everything but the outside metal and the pricetag...

the Vibe/Matrix compaes to tose mentioned in my post.. not Mazda3 or even Focus... these cars are much taller and quite abit more practical - but lose some fun to drive ...

Igor

i like the matrix...more nicer looking the vibe is just stupid. on street fire this guy turboed his matrix...seemed to work out pretty nice

Test drive a Focus ZXW............join the wagon revolution [thumb]

LOL seriously, I love my Focus, but I was totally floored when Mazda released the Maz5. I miss the sliding rear doors. The Maz5 is a bit taller, more headroom, has a bigger motor with more potential than the D20 (it's a low flow VVT head version of the D23), and a full complement of airbags standard for only a few thousand more than my ZXW. The only thing I don't like about Mazdas is their stock radio configuration, but if you don't care about installing an aftermarket radio and system one day- then it won't matter to you. [thumb]

FYI: oddly enough the bigger 2.3 4 cyls get better fuel economy than the smaller 2.0 in the real world. Pay little attention to the EPA ratings. The best I get from the D20 5 spd in my car is 33 hwy and 26-29 city. The bigger motor has more torque output at lower rpm.

Originally posted by illusionsoflife
i like the matrix...more nicer looking the vibe is just stupid. on street fire this guy turboed his matrix...seemed to work out pretty nice

What?[???:)] That's like saying you hate the Yukon but love the Tahoe.. they are essentially the same cars..

Originally posted by illusionsoflife
i like the matrix...more nicer looking the vibe is just stupid. on street fire this guy turboed his matrix...seemed to work out pretty nice

and his is low boost on his automatic, used to run mid 14's.

the matrix is a great vehicle...but between that and the focus, choose what area you want...if you want modability and price, go with the focus, the 05 matrix is dbw and only has a small share of modifications compared to the focus in the engine compartment.

I'm not being partial....or am I?[paranoid] But i'd say go with the Focus, You'll have more fun with it (Not to mention when i beat the Matrix on the highway i only had my CAI on)

matrix... hummm....

i have not driven one personally (or a vibe for that matter) i just dont like them. i personally think they are ugly. and i have no intention of buying a car i personlly cant look at.

but thats just my opinion. and my opinion should not dictate your choice for your car.

[rofl] HA ha ha yeah the vibe is a pretty ugly @$$ car. Yeah it's a pontiac but still, the only good cars that came out of them (IMO) are the Trans Am, and the OLD 'Goat'. But yeah, really it's up to you man, if you do end up getting the Matrix, that's cool. Just remember that there's a Focus out there, Just waiting to be picked up by you![:D]

I gotta say the focus is an overall better value as well. Not to mention better looking, and a little more hatchback and less wagon than the vibe.

Well.. wait untill you flip down the rear seats and the front passenger seat and pack it with half of your apartment.. tjhe Matrix is HUGE inside... I had my rental packed with neough stuff to rival Escape, if not Explorer utility.

But Focus handles much better... and Mazda5 and Caliber and HHR have better engines and suspension KEEPING the same utility (Mazda5 even offers baby sized 3rd row seats.

Igor