P5 versus Matrix

[Coqui258]

I KNOW that some of us have considered getting the Matrix before getting our P5's, so here's a forum to bash the Matrix and tell us why you picked P5!!!

I'll start... WAY MORE STANDARD FEATURES ON P5 THAN MATRIX!!!

 

[unwrittenLaw]

My wife has a matrix...she likes it, so I can't argue w/ her..oh well...let the matrix bashing continue...lol

 

[Stealth5]

feels like youre sitting in a minivan...i dont like trucks because i like to be close to the road im driving on...also it can be mistaken for a minivan by some...i dunno, i just liked the p5 way better

 

[REMillers]

Looks and feel of the car other than that they are nice cars. So mostly just personal choice.

 

[Glauconite]

for me.. the window and and body is not of proportion... i mean comon... the damn windows in the back are so small... althought their HP is what made me think twice about the p5's...

 

[Volley2six]

The Matrix looks like a pregnant P5. I think the p5 is borderline "station wagonish" but the Matrix is a station wagon that's borderline "mini vanish" Definitely the P5. Shorter, slimmer...just better.

 

[Dimitrios]

I agree with most on here; I took an XRS Matrix and Vibe (blech!) GT out for test drives during my "hunt". They both felt way too "tall" and mini-vanish, though had power. I didn't like the clutch in either of them though - it didn't feel "part" of you, you know? Like the Pro5, when you drive, you become like part of the car. Everything feels so much better - the shifter is where it should be, the feel is right, steering is tight.......

besides, the P5 is just bad ass looking. I think people would laugh at the Matrix/Vibe in other countries (part of the reason why they're only North American cars, where-as the Protege is truly a global car) Besides, Matrix's look like the illigimate love child of a Corolla and a Saturn Vue IMO.

 

[Stealth5]

this thing is drivin me craaaaZy!!!

 

[InitialDMP5]

Well considering the Vibe and the MAtrix are the same car, you only needed to test drive one of them. Yeah what drew me to the P5 was the Matrix, but seeing it in person, made me look elsewhere, and that was right to the P5. It is more agressive looking while also looking subtle. The matrix almost looks like a van with a body kit on it. And what really threw me off the shifter in the dash. I mean, come on....but I do love that name. I think it would sound better MAZDA MatriX
^_^y

 

[Logan]

If the 180HP version of the matrix was available with AWD, I might have gone that way.... But the AWD only has 140 or 150hp...
Plus, it looks like ASS.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

Honestly, I was thinking about getting Matrix when I just saw the advertisement, but When I saw in person.. i couldn't figure out if this was suv or wagon.. too tall...
However, I like it's power though

 

[cbcbd]

Many things just started turning me off to the Matrix. First I liked the look and interior was nice and seats comfy. But then as I got 2nd, 3rd + looks I didn't like the way it looked. The back is just way too high for my taste.

Also, I think the dealer had something to do with it. It was a Saturday and it was one of those sales rep mobbing days, so as I got out of my car I had some guy right there on my ass. He blabbered for so long about everything there was to blabber about.

What pissed me off was that when it was time to get a real price from him he kept having to go back to his manager and coming back with a different price, never had a straight answer. Plus, there is so much stuff that got added to it the car ended up being $25K+ (before negotiation, but still).

Also the fact that no freakin' Toyota dealers had a manual Matrix for me to test drive and no one wanted to say that they had no clue when they were getting one - they'd say "Test drive the Corolla, it's the same engine, it'll be the same":wtf: These guys just didn't get it.

In the end it was just the fact that it was love at first sight and drive with my P5
Just like Dimitrios said

Like the Pro5, when you drive, you become like part of the car. Everything feels so much better - the shifter is where it should be, the feel is right, steering is tight.......

The P5 is a driver's car.

I mean, look at the forum. I understand seeing such interest from enthusiasts here for limited edition cars like the MSP and MP3, but the P5 is not a limited car and just look at how many threads there are on it compared to MSP and MP3 (ok, maybe #s are a little off since there are less than 4K MSPs and MP3 but still)

We are all here because we like driving and got the P5 because of that love. I don't think the same type of people are going for the Matrix, just a hunch.

 

[Dimitrios]

Agreed; I think the mindset of MP5 (hell, Protege) owners (at least the enthusiasts) are wired a little different.

Also, somone made the comment of the Vibe and Matrix being the same car: true. But I test drove an AWD Vibe GT with 180HP and a Matrix XRS with FWD only with the 180HP 1.8L....yes, same car, but the drivetrains made a difference.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

I think toyota will be making Matrix relifted next year's model lol

 

[Coqui258]

I think toyota will be making Matrix relifted next year's model lol

Hahahaha... (silly)

Yeah, the price for the Matrix is sooooo high, and that's only the base model! I fell in love with the P5, AND, it was the first car I test drove! Didn't even plan on driving it, but the dealer handed me the keys and told me to have fun! 2 Puerto Rican guys in a white neighborhood at 7pm on a rainy night... now that's a dealer!

And I agree with you all... when I finally saw the Matrix, it was TOO HUGE for my taste!

 

[shawnthemonster]

i thought the matrix was a nice car, doesnt look bad, decent performance, but i my p5 for 3 reasons 1.) i got it in june 2001 a half a year or so before the matrix came out 2.) price, matrix was too pricey for what you got and 3.) p5 is a way better looking car!
i might of got the matrix's japanese counterpart though (the carolla fielder)

 

[AGR]

Protege 5. All Toyotas are over priced.

 

[mp5]

Agreed; I think the mindset of MP5 (hell, Protege) owners (at least the enthusiasts) are wired a little different.

Also, somone made the comment of the Vibe and Matrix being the same car: true. But I test drove an AWD Vibe GT with 180HP and a Matrix XRS with FWD only with the 180HP 1.8L....yes, same car, but the drivetrains made a difference.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the AWD versions of both the Vibe and Matrix are available only with automatics and 123hp. The base fwd versions can be stick or auto with 130hp and the Vibe GT and Matrix XRS are fwd, stick and 180hp. I personally don't care for them but my wife really wanted awd this winter. I was looking at all awd cars since I didn't want a suv. The awd version of the Matrix/Vibe are so underpowered as to be scary. It was just me and the salesman in the car and we couldn't keep up with traffic going up a 10% incline on rt7.

 

[bazooka joe]

1. p5 has more style
2. p5 handles better
3. p5 feels better sitting in the drivers seat
4. i liked the overall look way better

 

[jjac28]

the p5 looks really great, it reflects on me and my lifestyle -20 something guy, fun and sporty.
it handles really great, very responsive engine,has excellent interior....what else can i say...this car is really great.
my friend drives an echo so i went with him to look at toyotas and the the matrix.
the matrix is too much of a van, ugly instrument cluster,weak engines, small windows at the back and the xrs has a really stupid engine where your really have to rev it above 6k to get any power.
also the position with the shifter just doesnt cut it for me.

the protege is an excellent all around fun to drive sporty car!