Review of Toyota Matrix as a kitemobile?

Kmun · Since 05 Jul 2009 264 Posts Obsessed

I’m selling my silver Matrix…(Pontiac Vibe). Awsome car…even in snow.

I live in The Gorge area. 2dream1@gmail.com

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

mister_ed · Since 24 Jun 2009 12 Posts

there is no such thing as a kite mobile. any car can fit a kite and TT. and any car that the back seat folds down can also hold a wave board.

buy what you want to drive.

I had a jeep for a while convincing myself I needed it to reach remote kite spots and handle the sand mess. but what a waste of gas money and a super loud highway drive.

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Want something to get you going this morning.......Audi's been working on a disel for the R8 for about two years. It too will haul......and have a lot more off the corners. They have been killing it with disel in the Lemans series for ever. Twisted Evil

Kmun · Since 05 Jul 2009 264 Posts Obsessed

Almost bought the Audi Quatro wagon…until I obsessed on researching the subject.

Audi: Impeccable - design and ergonomics. Horrible - engineering, reliability. Laughable logical mechanical access repair convenience=expensive repairs, (After all, it’s a glorified VW). Good luck finding anyone in The Gorge who will work on an Audi.

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

THERE NOT VW'S!!!!!!!! Twisted Evil

And the Engineering isn't horrible, but the reliablity is not great. But all in all they are some of the best handling.

Sorry just a testy point. I'm a car geek.....

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat Aug 15, 09 3:51 pm

Thank YOU! Stevegriffen. I love when people think that because a car company owes several subsidiaries that all of a sudden, all the models are "glorified" versions of the other.

Find me a toyota Camry that is as comfortable and quiet as my wife's Lexus, I'll buy it.
Find me a Nissan that has the interior and power of an Infiniti, I'll but it.
And lastly, find me a VW that is as well appointed and rides like a Audi, I'll definitely buy it.

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

DAMN RIGHT MONKEY BOY!!!!

For some more examples.....
Just because the new audi S6 has the lamborghini V10 in it, doesn't make it a lambo.....just because in the late 70's porche 914 (the worst car they ever made) shared a engine for six months with a bettle, doesn't make it VW. Just because the porche 924 and the 944 shared the same engine doesn't mean they get around a track the same. Just because they use the same test track doesn't make Lambo, VW, AUDI, Porche the same car. Just because Fords cobra in the 60's was shaped like a brick and still kicked the shizzle out of ferrari, doesn't mean that when they made the ford GT and used the same engine doesn't make it the same car.....but they still kicked the shiz out of that italian loverboy.......then the loverboy was so upset he picked up his toys and left the lemans series because he was getting his arssss kicked by those damn americans......again and again and again and again.

I want you to show me my friends where audi and proshe or vw are sharing the same disel technology that audi has used for almost ten years to clean up on lemans racing and why for that matter hasn't VW made a car that will compete against the 911's in there class......and don't say that 911's have there own class.....because astin martain, ferrari, opel and others have been trying to compete with that car that is supose to have that engine in the wrong place (the back for those who aren't a geek like me) still can't beat up on a stock 911. For that matter, explain to me why prosches are seen with 300,000 miles on them and still run strong. I don't see audi's, lambos, italian playboys driving that far..... Hey why is the new ford GT kicking the crap of out races with a truck engine and a supercharger? Twisted Evil

Not that I own one of these cars, I drive a toyota pick up wiht 250k on it......

Come on my friends......Lets get it on! (spell check not included)

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

hey Kuum......numbers are number when it comes to audi.....if they are so poorly engineered, why where they and there AWD banned from Groub B ralley races in the 80's//////..........Awnser: BECAUSE NO ONE COULD BEAT THEM!!!!!! Twisted Evil

Back before women apparently knew how to drive according to the Euro's, they made a "sacrifice" and put a women who hardly had driven rally cars in the Audi ralley car and still kicked the shiz out of everyone elce. (that statement in no way shape or form was saying that women, can't or shouldn't drive so don't even go there.) If you would like me to go on I can cite several examples of women that are, have and currently kicking the shiz out of men and there inferior twig and berries.....

However facts are facts....although audi produces one of the finest handleing cars around.....its a wonder why they can't figure out the electronics in them so that they will start and so that the AC and the Heater don't run at the same time.

Just saying.....I'm fair and realistic.

My favorite car is still the 427 cobra.....Mark could you please post some pics of your replica.....which it is true that the only "Cool" and "acceptable" repli-car to own is a cobra. AND THATS A FACT! I hope to own one some day.....ahhhhhh I want to make motor sounds just thinking about them.

bob · Since 09 Mar 2007 139 Posts Madison, Wi Stoked

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

History lesson for AC and the relationship with ford so people understand it. Carol shelby was open minded till chevy said no.
(the following is a quote and wasn't written by me, notice the lack of gramatical errors)
ANy how: Like many British specialist manufacturers, AC Cars had been using the smooth, refined Bristol straight-6 engine in its small-volume production, including its AC Ace 2-seater roadster. This had a hand built body with a steel tube frame, and aluminium body panels that were made using English wheeling machines. The engine was a pre-World War II design of BMW which by the 1960s was considered dated. Bristol decided in 1961 to cease production of its engine and instead to use Chrysler 313cid (5.1 L) V8 engines. Although untrue, it is commonly believed that AC was left without a future source of power and that American ex-racing driver Carroll Shelby saved the company from bankruptcy. AC started using the 2.6 litre Ford Zephyr engine in its cars. In September 1961, Shelby airmailed AC a letter asking them if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. AC agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found. He first went to Chevrolet to see if they would provide him with engines, but not wanting to add competition to the Corvette they said no. Ford however, wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette and they happened to have a brand new thin-wall small-block engine which could be used in this endeavor. It was Ford's 260 in³ HiPo (4.2 L) engine - a new lightweight, thin-wall cast small-block V8 tuned for high performance. In January 1962 mechanics at AC Cars in Thames Ditton, Surrey fitted the prototype chassis CSX0001 with a 221ci Ford V8. After testing and modification, the engine and transmission were removed and the chassis was air-freighted to Shelby in Los Angeles on 2 February 1962.[1] His team fitted it with an engine and transmission in less than eight hours and began road-testing.

Production proved to be easy, since AC had already made most of the modifications needed for the small-block V8 when they installed the 2.6 litre Ford Zephyr engine, including the extensive rework of the AC Ace's front end. The most important modification was the fitting of a stronger rear differential to handle the increased engine power. A Salisbury 4HU unit with inboard disk brakes to reduce unsprung weight was chosen instead of the old ENV unit. It was the same unit used on the Jaguar E-Type. On the production version, the inboard brakes were moved outboard to reduce cost. The only modification of the front end of the first Cobra from that of the AC Ace 2.6 was the steering box, which had to be moved outward to clear the wider V8 motor.

Sorry guys, such a geek......And Yes the VW mega corp baught a part of ownership in porche......it would be like saying that be Mopar owned mercedes benz that a 300C is a MB.....sorta, but not the same.

(if you haven't figured it out, I love porches and the history behind them.)

sg

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

So if the AC was factory w/ the 260, who put the 427's in them? Is that a race mod?

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

427 was the race car, big block power was king back then. So thats what Carol shelby built as a lemans motor. It became popular and so the replicars thats we long for now wasn't acutally the same car that AC built for Carol shelby.

They came to the states with 289's, we built our replicars to look like 427s, but the reality of driving a big block around the streets proves to be quite the pain in the arsss. So most people put supercharged 351s, winsors, ect. One of the main differnces now in the replicars is also a change to a five speed transimission and fuel injection systems. Both of those makes the car a fairly reliable and smooth car to drive. If interested check out superformance.com.

If you have never been in one, and you get a chance to get a ride in one, then do it! It will make a gas consumer out of a prius driver for sure. The noise is insane and will give you quite the rush.

sg

SL8r · Sun Aug 16, 09 7:24 pm

Great clip: R8 vs. C2!!

I went for a ride in a friends tricked out Audi AWD up on Skyline. Scared the poo poo out of me. Good thing I was wearing my diaper… Man those things can corner. Tires barely made and sound even though I was sure we were about to lose traction and to fly off the road… Shocked

With the Dew Tour in town this weekend I got a chance to try out the new Subaru. Still the best kite-mobile for the money…. Thumb's Up

Thanks for the test drive Travis! ~Slate