The Matrix is SUVish? I thought it was just a small hatchback

 

It is a small hatch. I just had trouble naming the thread

It has alot of space though and the seats fold flat for a nice load bed. Not to mention I can get it in AWD, but that adds weight which makes it even slower.

 

But it will give your wife better traction in th snow. If you do go with the FWD version, just throw some snow tires on it.

 

Chiming in a little late here but, have you considered the Escape Hybrid?

Also, one of my best friends has a Matrix XRS and a Corolla, and he is absolutely sick of the Matrix, for a pretty long list of reasons, reliablity being top of the list (already an engine change to it), as well as very poor re-sale value. I imagine the Vibe could only be worst.

 

i've see a couple of the new equinox and i like them

 

I think they it would be even nicer if it had the Honda engine in it like the Saturn VUE.

 

The XRS has the high strung Celica GT-S engine which is known for unreliability. Lower end Matrix's have the Corolla's 130HP 1.8L.

As for the Escape Hybrid, too much $$$, there about 40K on the raod, I'm looking to spend 20ish.

 

I really like it as well, but like DEI wish it had Honda's 3.5L. But that woudl'nt stop me from buying it. If I can swing it I'd take it over the CR-V.

 

I dunno....I'd probably take the Matrix over the CR-V... I like the feel of a car over an SUV...

 

There is a new Xterra coming out very soon. Based on a shortened Armada platform I believe. I know the new Pathfinder is just coming out and I think that the X is right behind it. They look very similar from what I recall.
Check out www.freshalloy.com for more info. if you're interested....
Good luck!

 

Love the look of the new Pathfinder and Xterra but I won't be buying new so they're out. Smart of them to return to the truck heritage as well and the 4.0L V6 seems perfectly matched.

 

domn, any closer to a decision?

 

I've always referred to it as a "Minivanlet". A friend of mine has one and I don't like it. Very plasticky inside. I dunno, it seems like it combines the weaknesses of minivans and cars with the benefits of neither. Well OK, fuel economy is good, but it's not really comfortable like a car or roomy like a van. It's just weird IMO.

Domn, you haven't really said what sorts of things do you intend to use an SUV-like vehicle for?

 

I havn't driven a Matrix yet so I can't really comment but I can say that its definently more spacious than the TSX which isn't too shabby either.

Here's the thing, we plan to have kid(s) soon so we'll need a second vehicle for when my wife stays home for the year (currently we car pool). So I want some space for baby stuff etc. Once that year is up we'll be car pooling again so ideally we want a car that we can take to and from work and thats going to better than the TSX on gas and so that the TSX can have a break and stop racking up all the km's. So, does the Matrix have enough space? If fits the bill MPG wise. The CR-V is probly a better fit but problem is they are hard to find for 20K and I can get a Matrix XR for 23-24 new if I wanted to.

 

I think money wise it would be better to get the Matrix, possibly a new one. The CR-V even used is expensive and more than you want to pay. Plus, it sounds like the Matrix meets your MPG test.

 

And with gas prices here at about .85 cents a litre (3.785 litres in 1 gallon) = $3.21 CAD per gallon or about $2.56 US you can see why MPG is very important. But I'll have to go and test drive the Matrix to be sure I like it.

Another factor is this. My dad is still car shopping and he likes the Matrix/Vibe twins as well because of the increased space over a Corolla or Civic. So maybe we can get a good deal since we're buying two.

 

Perhaps.

 

It probably does have the space you're looking for, but the interior is pretty Spartan IMO. You'll have to judge for yourself, but my impression is that the Matrix appears roomier than it is in practice. The roof is tall, so the cabin feels very open but how much extra overhead room do you need and what can you use it for? The back seats are roomy, but way more leg room than needed for kids and it takes away from storage room behind the back seat. I think a Focus wagon would be at least as practical and certainly looks better.

 

The fact that its tall is especilly useless when it comes to the area behind the back seats, rarely will you store things going upwards. But when the seats are folded flat it does make for a nice size cargo load.

Focus Wagon? I'm afraid of the word "Wagon" and "Minivan" and I know the Matrix is basically the same it doesn'st give off that aura.

 

Now you are getting worse in terms of reliability. I would never buy a Ford.

 

Now if he'd of said ZX5 then maybe, but I'm just not big on Fords. I've really cooled on the Escape as well.

 

X3!!! X3!!!

I went to a BMW Ultimate Driving Event where you drive an X3 around a track as fast as you can. They wanted to show you that the X3 will not flip, no matter how fast you take the turns on the track.

 

The X3 is just ever slightly higher than my 20K limit (About 30K too high)

 

 

the vibe is getting raped.

 

My bad, then I wholeheartedly endorse the CRV. But that may be my Honda bias speaking

 

I should have put the Vibe and Matrix on the same line. They're the same damn car

My wife actually prefers the styling of the Vibe, I think they're both kinda :ghey: looking so it really doesn't matter to me either way.

 

I dislike the Vibe's styling. I think its :ghey: as well. But hey, its going to be your wifes vehicle.

 

Yeah it is. Its kind of funny though.

 

I guess people are scared of the pontiac label. Is MSRP roughly the same?

 

2005 Matrix MSRP Starting at $15,300 USD
2005 Vibe MSRP Starting at $17,560 USD

 

Similary equipped the Matrix is actually less.

A Matrix XR comes in at $23,320 + Tax etc for an 05 with the normal AT, Pwr, AC, CD, alloys, etc.

The Vibe is about $25K + tax or so and the only addition I can find is the 115V outlet which is only available on the Matrix XRS. But salesman have told my dad they can get him into a 05 Vibe with all the options mentioned for 25k on the road so

 

Dang, it's such a shame the Odyssey is waay out of your range. That would be a lot of vehicle to meet your family needs. Plus with the good mileage it gets, that's a plus.

 

Well, if you think the smaller ZX5 would be big enough, then sure. Either one looks better than than the Matrix/Vibe twins IMO. I didn't expect the Focus recommendation to be popular here... To be honest, I kind of pulled it out of a hat, but what I'm suggesting is that it sounds like what you're looking for is a small wagon, not a mini-ute. That may just be my own anti-mini-suv bias, because I can't for the life of me think what they are useful for.

 

I would love an 05 Ody. But they start at $32,500. But to be honest I still think its too much car for what I need. Maybe when I have 2 or 3 kids that all play Hockey or whatever its a must but I think I can make do without one for a few more years.

Ody Touring, $48K MSRP X 2

The wife and I saw a Equinox on the way home from work yesterday I'm going to see what I can do to get into one. I really like the styling.

 

Not to try to persuade you from getting what you and your wife want, but I would wait until they put the Honda engine in the Equinox. IMO, the 3.4L GM engine is really old technology and very outdated. But if thats what you and your wife like, go for it.

For more information and updates/rumors with GM, check out this site:

http://www.gminsidenews.com

 

I know about the 3.4 all too well, but I don't think its enough to persuade me NOT to buy the car. Afterall, its been in production forever so it should be somewhat relaible by now

As for waiting, don't bet on it. Pontiac just announced its version of the Equinox for 06 called the Torrent . And guess what? Its also getting the 3.4 Either Honda can't supply enough 3.5's or Gm doesn't want them or they want to keep costs down with the 3.4? Why they don't at least throw the new 3.5L 200HP found in practically every other GM vehicle I have no idea

 

Like I said before I am not trying to persuade you not to get it. Just giving you a different point of view. I have always liked GM, but I am sick of their reliability problems and taking away vehicles like the Camaro/Firebird, and destroying the Impala, Malibu, and now the GTO name



I read about the new Pontiac Torrent. You are probably right about GM keeping the price/costs down and not putting the Honda engine in both those.

 

How about the RAV4? It has great reliability, and comes in several packages, including 4WD.

 

My co-worker across the hall has a Matrix, and says the car is coming apart in less than 10,000 miles. The door inserts are falling out, and other rattles abound. He blames shared GM manufacturing. I personally like the way it looks, but would not buy a car with unreliable history.