2003 Toyota Matrix Reviews

Loved this car. A little bit on the slow side due to the weight from the All wheel drive system, an automatic gearbox, and lack of power.  Was alot bigger inside that it seemed like from the outside.  Another thing that didn't impress me that much was the gas mileage.  I only managed to get about 23mpg.  Otherwise, the car was pretty much perfect and flawless.  I had no mechanical breakdowns or major problems with the car.  I do want to add that I did modify the car.  Modifications include: Hotchkis Lowering Springs, custom Celica shocks, Bomz Short Ram Air Intake, 6000k HIDs, Gutted Catalytic Converter, N1 Exhaust, JVC Headunit, 17in Reaction Orbits with Bridgestone Potenza G005 and other stuff.  Totaling about $5,000 worth of modification and parts.

Awesome vehicle, 180hp 2ZZ-GE with Yamaha designed heads, 6speed, 40+mpg, Toyota quality. Same drivetrain as on the Celica GT-S. Although the gears are taller due to the larger diameter wheels/tires. Only weighs 2800lbs. Virtually no camber (excellent tire wear because of this), can feel at times like it will slip off the road (though it won't, with 215 tires it will produce .80g). This is especially noticeable with thinner tires (195's). Surprisingly low body roll. Thinner tires also make wheel spin on launch easy. Clutch a cross between newer German cars and 90's Japanese cars. Sits up high like a mini-van. 5'x4' cargo space when rear seats folded down. Engine is almost too quiet at lower rpm's. 6th gear is nice and high, allows for excellent highway mileage. Oil filter is nice and close to the drain plug. Spark plugs are easy to access. Metal Matrix Composite lined cylinder walls (thus the name) and forged internals make the engine extremely durable. 13 gallon tank makes cruising range about 500 miles. Seats and interior panels are very durable. Notes: The XRS is the only trim to have the 2ZZ-GE. 2004 and later models were equipped with smog pumps (takes off about 7hp)(TLEV to ULEV); The 2003 was the only year when the XRS could have had a slushbox.

Perfomance-high revving and good hp for the size of the car. still adding on the engine.
Build- well constructed and plenty of space everywhere
Appearance- catching to the eye, looks like a grocery getter but fast enough to take some cars on the road.
Fun Factor- really fun to drive, especially in Lift(vvtl-i)

The acceleration is decent.On hot or warm days it takes a little while to get to above 45 mph.Easy handling.Dash board creaks a very little bit.Interior is very spacious and the exterior is very sporty.The only complaint I have is the front end that is very low to the ground.It gets scratched very easy from steep driveways.It does very well on the freeway but above average around town.It is a very fun car to drive.It's very zippy and quick.

I just want you to know this car saved mine and my daughter's life. a Mercedes pulled a U-Turn on a frontage road. There were cars behind and in front of me. A major five car collition. I was pushed into the car infront of me. My car was totaled in front and from behind. We walked from the accident without a scratch. It saved our lives!!!