Northwest Kiteboarding
Forum | Classifieds | Lost & Found | CGKA | Industry | Sensors | Forecast | Spots | Seattle | Decals | RSS | Facebook

Events | Photos | Search | Register | Profile | Log in to check your messages | Log in 

Review of Toyota Matrix as a kitemobile?
Page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast
previous topic :: next topic  
Author Message
Moto

Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth



PostTue Jul 28, 09 2:39 pm    Review of Toyota Matrix as a kitemobile? Reply with quote

I am looking to upgrade my kitemobile. Several vehicles I am looking at - right now the Toyota Matrix is looking good. I have seen a couple of kiters out there with Matrix's - can you give me a review of how its working out for you as a kite mobile?
_________________
Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights!

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
JMatic

Since 12 Aug 2008
252 Posts
Boise, In Dat Ho
Obsessed



PostTue Jul 28, 09 2:52 pm    mini-4wd-mini-van Reply with quote

When the Matrix 1st came out I got to test-drive one for 2 weeks for the marketing firm I worked for at the time.....cool, sporty rig I thought.

Then I started getting hit on by middle aged lesbians and soccer dads (even with a shaved head at the time) and came to the conclusion that it's a shrunken mini van with the bonus of awd...other than that a bit cramped and didn't have the torque of a Subaru or Audi wagon.

Get one tho, it'd be funny to see grannies & AARP members throwin' winks your way.

_________________
Snapflugen de kinder spietzel.

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Kodiak

Since 01 Aug 2005
1114 Posts

Slidey



PostTue Jul 28, 09 2:58 pm     Reply with quote

Not what you asked for, but I am really digging my Jetta TDI sportwagon. Plenty of room, especially with a box on top, and sweet milage. The diesel also has tons of torque and is pretty fun to drive.

View user's profile Send private message
chuck

Since 18 Jul 2008
7 Posts

Kook



PostTue Jul 28, 09 4:00 pm     Reply with quote

I've been driving mine for 5 years. For an old guy it works great. 30-38 mph. Put a box on top and your friends will love the low cost of getting to wherever the wind is blowing. You need a 5-speed to get around though... Very Happy

View user's profile Send private message
pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostTue Jul 28, 09 4:44 pm     Reply with quote

I've had mine for 5 years as well. Super car really. About 32 mpg with Thule and 70 mph. Hatch back works great for hauling all kinds if shit. Best thing I did was cover all the doors and floor with dyno mat as the matrix is fairly loud, the mat helped out allot. Best thing about it 120k miles and the only thing I have done is changed the oil and plugs. Toyota just run and run and run.

That said, perfoance wise it's acomplete dog. I'm saving to buy a 2006 or later A4. Luxury interior, all wheel drive and high 5 second 0-60 when chipped! Smile

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
1648 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster



PostTue Jul 28, 09 6:04 pm     Reply with quote

I am very happy with mine.... er... but it's a Pontiac Vibe. Identical vehicle with different body and 2 grand less $$. It's $25 gas for Gorge and back to Tacoma after years of making the same trip for $100 with my Econoline
Yes, it is very lezbo, and AARP, but I don't have an NWK sticker on it yet.

Think that would help?

_________________
CGKA Member
-------
Kip Wylie

Last edited by wylieflyote on Tue Jul 28, 09 6:55 pm; edited 1 time in total

View user's profile Send private message
4Stringer/KipWinger

Since 27 Apr 2005
541 Posts
Hood River
Addicted



PostTue Jul 28, 09 6:52 pm     Reply with quote

When you're 40, married, bald, balls-deep in the Bachelorette finale, and with a 1 year old, the Matrix works well. It's definitely a compromise-mobile, but you gotta' make the best-of-it...

   Matrix-compromiser.jpg 

_________________
revitalized by muthu-nachu

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
jackZ

Since 13 Apr 2008
355 Posts
Devon Alberta ca.
Obsessed



PostTue Jul 28, 09 10:45 pm    Matrix? Reply with quote

Hey all ,
Whatever happened to " BUY AMERICAN " , funny how times change and it's our own fellow countrymen doin the screwin with the high gas prices , bailouts , etc.
Anyway I'm in a 2005 pontiac grand prix and it's great 30+ mpg @75 mph , fold down rear and passenger seats for carrying all the gear or a 2x4 on occasion . With both seats down I have 9 feet of cargo length available or a playground for the kids . Oh yes i forgot today people have to strap kids down , hell all you need is a trunk for that .
Have a good day and good luck car shopping .

View user's profile Send private message
pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostTue Jul 28, 09 11:56 pm     Reply with quote

Its hard to pinpoint the big problem with american cars but I think it has something to do with them being big piles of shit that fall apart at 80k and have zero resale value 3 years after you buy them. I'm not certain, but I don't think the reason that the biggest US automaker declared bankruptcy was because they were making great cars.

4stringer.. now introducing the new Toyota "Compromise" kind of has a nice ring to it.

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Moto

Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth



PostWed Jul 29, 09 6:49 am     Reply with quote

After these rave reviews - not sure which way to go Razz

Thanks everyone for their opinions.

From what I take away is that the Toyota Matrix is sort of like Sauvies on a saturday? Doing it with your under wear on - not all that great - but gets the job done? Something like that.

_________________
Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights!

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
mschulz

Since 29 May 2007
530 Posts
Reno, NV
Addicted



PostWed Jul 29, 09 6:53 am     Reply with quote

Moto wrote:


From what I take away is that the Toyota Matrix is sort of like Sauvies on a saturday? Doing it with your under wear on - not all that great - but gets the job done? Something like that.


Unfortunately there is no silver bullet. If there was, there wouldn't be so many choices.

_________________
MS

View user's profile Send private message
Bettyboarder

Since 18 Mar 2005
1823 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
XTreme Poster



PostWed Jul 29, 09 7:00 am     Reply with quote

Quote:
That said, perfoance wise it's acomplete dog. I'm saving to buy a 2006 or later A4. Luxury interior, all wheel drive and high 5 second 0-60 when chipped!


MB I used to have a A4 it was awesome...best car I have every driven but only had it for about 20,000 miles cause it kept breaking down....I put over $4k into it in 1 yr....save up cause unless your going to spend a ton on fixing it.

Plus the A4 is so nice you have to wash it all the time, every scratch you fix, you stop allowing your friends kids in it cause they melt candy into the leather seats Very Happy

I love my Subie wash it every few months and beat the crap out of it and it just keeps going and going.

View user's profile Send private message
Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4304 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey

CGKA Member


PostWed Jul 29, 09 7:06 am     Reply with quote

pdxmonkeyboy wrote:
Its hard to pinpoint the big problem with american cars but I think it has something to do with them being big piles of shit that fall apart at 80k


Not necessarily true man. My 1992 Chevy Blazer has over 200K reliable miles on it. Best rig I've ever owned, foriegn or domestic. Damn thing just runs and runs and runs. Still in nice shape too. Better than me! Very Happy

Got rid of my wife's '99 Honda Civic. Sorry, but that thing was a piece of crap. Replaced it with a Nissan Sentra, nice car.

Moto, it's amazing how much gear you can get in a car with seats that fold down. My Chevy Cobalt carries all the gear I'd ever want to carry, has decent zip, and gets 40 mpg on the highway. The Nissan Sentra doesn't have as big an opening back seat to the trunk, wouldn't carry as much. (Not that my wife would let me use it anyway! Very Happy )

Enough typing, time to RIDE!!! Woo Hoo!

View user's profile Send private message
pkh

Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder



PostWed Jul 29, 09 7:26 am     Reply with quote

Every time I feel like I am ready to get rid of my AWD Subbie, I find myself needing AWD... a couple of weeks ago it was launching our ski off the sand at Jones Beach.

The extra 8-10mpg of a FWD car would be nice though.

Come on diesel Subbie!!! High MPG and torquey AWD... that would probably be the last car I'd ever buy, unless they ever figure out the electric thing.

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostWed Jul 29, 09 9:11 am     Reply with quote

Moto:

http://www.quizilla.com/quizzes/1004282/what-kind-of-car-should-you-drive

take the quiz and see. If you want a car that runs forever, gets good mileage, but is slow and not all that exciting...the Matrix is one of the better cars out there.

However, since you are A. an attorney and B. Single if you buy a matrix I'm going to key it. Sad

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Moto

Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth



PostWed Jul 29, 09 10:55 am     Reply with quote

pdxmonkeyboy wrote:


However, since you are A. an attorney and B. Single if you buy a matrix I'm going to key it. Sad


LMFAO - at least I'll know where to go when it happens and I won't blame some unsuspecting pole jammer Laughing

So I think I'll go with a Honda Fit instead - much more slylish and what not - get all the ladies with that!!!!

_________________
Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights!

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostWed Jul 29, 09 11:01 am     Reply with quote

Shit man, you'll be slaying the ladies with a Honda fit. I think all the women that used to swoon over Pt cruises are now on the prowl for fits.

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 1 of 4

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum