Matrix owners bashing the P5

[digitalpro5]

In SportCompactCar '03 Jan. Issue they had an 8 car shootout: Here was their list from top to bottom.

1. Dodge (Neon) SRT-4
2. MazdaSpeed Protege
3. (tie) Ford SVT Focus
3. (tie) MiniCooperS
5. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
6. Hyundai Tiburon V6
7. VW GTI 1.8T

The Neon with 223 hp @ 5700 rpm won but not by much against the MSP.

Even with that much hp on the Neon, its still looks like a Neon, If they had simply changed the exterior with better style and just plain old called it the SRT-4, then maybe I'd take a 2nd look at it.

 

[md420]

God Neons are nasty as hell.

 

[ZG77_OzZ]

Apples to apples 130 HP to 130 HP

If you compare a car that has the same HP.
Like the Matrix 130hp car to our 130 hp car our cars win hands down.
But as below there are all diffrent hp cars.
So see the piont.

In SportCompactCar '03 Jan. Issue they had an 8 car shootout: Here was their list from top to bottom.

1. Dodge (Neon) SRT-4
2. MazdaSpeed Protege
3. (tie) Ford SVT Focus
3. (tie) MiniCooperS
5. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
6. Hyundai Tiburon V6
7. VW GTI 1.8T

The Neon with 223 hp @ 5700 rpm won but not by much against the MSP.

Even with that much hp on the Neon, its still looks like a Neon, If they had simply changed the exterior with better style and just plain old called it the SRT-4, then maybe I'd take a 2nd look at it.

 

[GNsPR5]

Re: Let me tell you this

I was going to buy that Matrix but when I did some test driving, the car had more rolls in than a bakery. I thought I was in a boat. Back and forth, plus it was 4,000 more with out the stuff that our car has.
So the bigger engine might have more power in the matrix but, it still looks like a pregnant turtle of a car.
:wtf:

I agree with this old post as I am coming in late to the discussion. I refer to the Matrix as "a pregnant guppy". The roof could use a blowhole at it's peak.

I checked out the Matrix when it arrived, yeah I was a longtime Toyota fan (until I drove the P5) I didn't like the ride, the interior sucked! It just doesn't make me think "zoom zoom". I drove into a deep corner and it felt like the car was going to roll off into a ditch. Drove that same corner in my P5......it was a non-event. I love my P5!!!

 

[GNsPR5]

Oh btw, The Matrix IS designed on the Toyota Corolla platform, NOT the Celica. Someone's been having a pipe dream?

(smoke) (hippy) (sun) (silly)

 

[AbbyVonNormal]

God Neons are nasty as hell.

According to the dictionary....

"dodge (doj)
verb

To avoid"

n'uff said!

 

[4DRMP5ATR]

actually guys according to an article wrote in HCI (hot compact import magazine) toyota is the first company to start the import scene and toyota corolla wuz the best car at the time then honda started competeing if anyone has more questions i would be glad to copy the article and post it in the forum and its states that corolla and many other to come toyotas were best of the class....and will probably reamain to be the best.....but its a tough fight cause w/mazda and honda and every other auto import trying to make a car better than that last one or the others company its constantly changing and cars get better in one area but then lack in another is a win/loose situation........

but still i think mazda is a kick as company and is improving well beyond what many people thought.....and i have no regrets at all i love my (silverP5) it kicks ass......and i get compliments all the time and how many people u see stoping to talk to a matrix none its a messed up mini van/suv.....same as the vibe.....so dont trip.....if u love ur car then get over it.....

 

[saided18]

well to give most of you a little history it was Dodge, yes dodge, that started the compact sports car thing. back in mid 1980's is when Dodge came out with the Omni GLH and the Omni GLH-S. Both of these cars were 4cyl Turbo 2.2L fuel injection (when it first came out). The diffrence between the GLH and the GLHS is that the GLH-S has a air to air intercooler and was desgined By by the GREAT ONE Shelby. also the GLHS was a limited eddition car. i think only 1500 were made.

So when we every one does talk about who started it. Think of dodge. And oh yeah the whole mazdaspeed thing..... done before. by who you ask?? you got it. DODGE the have MOPAR which is owned by dodge and make parts for the dodge that are warrantied!!

See the people at dodge are smart and know how to do business. they just lack the skills to make a good looking car. Hence the reason the new neon is the fastest car in it's class but looks so fugly!

 

[4DRMP5ATR]

i respect that notion but if u notice in my little blup i wuz referring to IMPORTS......dogde is not an import, but yes in the class of compacts it is the fastes and of course dodge wuz the first to get in to the developement because of all the earlier made muscle cars.....we all know that this is mostly in reguards to the fact of IMPORTS....not AMERICAN.......although pontiac vibe is american....the whole thing is just to broad...and its stupid to argue over drive what u like and enjoy......and move on.

 

[ARD MP5]

I have yet to see a Matrix in the speed challenge. I'd like to see them give the BMW's a run for their money. lol. Not only that but there's a slight difference in the center of gravity of a matrix and celica.

The matrix is like a low minivan. Reminds me of the MPV dropped. I will be intrigued by the AWD/SC model if it comes out.

Rishie

 

[Daemos]

My bro (HS8) told me about that post...I reged just to put down some facts. I hope I didn't take any sides...I tried to make it as unbaised as possible.

 

[sundevilMP5]

as for the posting on other forums i've found it's useless to argue with them...let them think whatever they think they'll never agree with you...remember when somebody came on this forum and started comparing the sentra spec V to our car?? it was pointless

as for the matrix...one parked next to me yesterday and it was...to put it lightly TALL the roof was at least a good 8 inches higher...that combined with the soft suspension will account for the body roll and more...

 

[GXL]

While I am a very proud owner or a Protege5, I totaly disagree with comments made by some of you about the Matrix being a Minivan!

I personally think it looks great! Look at this beautiful Indigo Blue:

How can anyone say it looks like a minivan?

To me it looks a little bit like a Rally car, the European Metro to be exact.

 

[Daemos]

as for the posting on other forums i've found it's useless to argue with them...let them think whatever they think they'll never agree with you...remember when somebody came on this forum and started comparing the sentra spec V to our car?? it was pointless

as for the matrix...one parked next to me yesterday and it was...to put it lightly TALL the roof was at least a good 8 inches higher...that combined with the soft suspension will account for the body roll and more...

agreed...that's it...I should start a new car forum about love and peace between all cars damned trigun...it's getting to me ^.^;

 

[md420]

According to the dictionary....

"dodge (doj)
verb

To avoid"

n'uff said!

lol i never thought of it that way

 

[APEXistud]

Here's a thought......."who give a s***." Both are great cars, but my personal preference is the P5. That post looks familiar, kinda reminds me of when the members of this board would get all worked up over a stupid american magazine review.

 

[Pro5OnSpeed]

people should take test drives before they rant. idiots. the celica is an excellent well handeling car, and i wanted to buy one before my pro5. as far as the rsx being the best handeling.... i dont know, the msp has some serious points t be considered.

 

[GundoP5]

Being someone who just bought a P5 after almost buying a Matrix/Vibe... I have a few opinions on this...

The Matrix/Vibe handles great... with 17 inch wheels... probably on par with our P5s in normal driving... I only drove a Vibe with 16s, all the Matrix's in LA have 17s it seems... the handling was a little less but still very good.

The Matrix/Vibe enterior is one of the most well thought out designs ever... you could easily live out of that car... it would be great for camping... I mean you can bring a blender! The only exception is the red guages... Red guages in the sun are kinda dumb... keep the red for night

The P5's interior is very driver focused... there's not even cup holders in the back... but its a comfortable car to drive in, just not live in...

Here's why I bought the P5...

1. TORQUE CURVE... yes there is only slightly more torque in the P5 but its available at a lot lower RPM and because the car ways less it gets movine faster... I had to get both the base and xrs up to 4M rpms to get it moving adequately...
2. Looks... its a better looking car... the doors are too long on the Materix due to the tall box design... I like the vibe but there aren't many Pontiac dealers in LA... the only one with even 20 on the lot was in Westminister.
3. 0% financing... couldn't get on the Matrix, could on the vibe in lew of rebate... but when I did the math a comparable equiped vibe would have cost $1500 more over 5 years and a Matrix $3500 more because of the rebate.
4. Santa Monica Mazda... is a great dealer... didn't screw around with me at alll... any car on the lot $150 over invoice... can not be said for the toyota and pontiac dealers around here.

Greg

 

[LazerBlueP5]

I have to disagree with some of the earlier posts on this thread. Don't get me wrong I don't like the Neon either, however with 1/4 mile times rivaling the Suby WRX and for only 20K it's definitly not a car to be overlooked. If it was available when I got my P5 and I could have gotten one with low insurance (which is probably impossible) I would have definitly considered it. Would prove to be a very fun car. Granted ugly as hell, but what's to look at as it's blowing by you with 200+ hp.

 

[ELEmental59437]

written on matrixvibe.net by Sub-Zero:

"6) it would be interesting to compare it to the new Mazda MP3 that's turbocharged , however. i'm glad to see all these new forced induction options being available. "

...... i thought that was a little funny. everyone acts like they know what they are talking about.

I didnt try any of the other cars in the category. I got my car in a 3 day period.

1st day, i decided i wanted a car
2nd day, i test drove a p5, it was too late to get the paperwork done so they said come back tomarro.
3rd day, first thing in the morning i drove it home.

everyone says they testdrove all the other cars, i dont like the looks of the other ones, simple as that.. im going to be driving mine more than im gunna be racing it. i couldnt get the same looks from driving a matrix/vibe that i could from my p5.. the p5 has a sportier look (stock) than all of those.. and its not a car u see a million times a day (until recently). plus we have the killer theme song ("zoom, zoom zoom" )

I have no regrets and i would only trade it for one car, (my dream car, 71 stingray) but id like to have both because i love my p5

what it all comes down to, as stated many times on this board:
"to each his own"