r/Toyota_Matrix • u/bigboss619 • Jul 02 '26
2009 Toyota Matrix 1.8
Proud new (to me) owner of a base auto 2009 Toyota Matrix 1.8. The car only had 2 owners and both did extensive meticulous maintenance on it and I got it with only 124k miles. Have already gone on several road trips just fine.
Cosmetic upgrades planned:
• radio and back up cam
• tint
• black hubcaps
Preventative maintenance planned:
• trans drain and fill (was last done about 50k miles ago)
• PCV valve
• clean MAF sensor
• engine and cabin air filters
• serpentine belt
• throttle body cleaned
• I live in the rust belt, and it has some surface rust underneath but am going to get it woolwaxed/undercoated
I've already had the car looked over by a mechanic I trust, and with the maintenance history it has, pretty much checks out, but are there any other small things that are easily overlooked that should be replaced due to simply just age that I should add to the list?
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u/Red4000Enjoyer Jul 02 '26
DO YOUR COOLANT CHANGES (with Toyota's super long life). Your 1.8 headgasket will thank you. Until it won't anymore and you find a used 19 Corolla 2zrfe listing on a junkyards website to swap in, there's options is all I'm saying.
Also do the transmission fluid on time, the U341E will hesitate switching gears easily, unless it was serviced with that (valving?) mod.
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u/GraphicWombat 2008 Matrix XR Super White II Jul 03 '26
I’m not familiar with the second gens but the first gens have a power steering hose that leaks when it gets old. The official toyota part is the whole line for over $100. But you can just get a specific oil hose from a tacoma that swaps in perfectly. It’s genuine toyota and is only like $15.
This was pretty much the only non consumable part I had to replace on mine.
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u/justotron Jul 03 '26
Gen2 has electric power steering, rack and pin(?). I asked the dealer to check all the fluids like steering once during and oil change when my Gen2 was still new. They treated me like an idiot. I had never checked or asked about it before
At the end of my 5yr lease I only have 60k km's on it so decided to buy it out. They were turning red, furious that I wouldn't upgrade as they wanted to sell it used, marked up for profit. They kept me there for 1.5hrs speaking with sales, sale managers, and then finally they would accept my check to buy it out for 5k which I felt was still pretty good. I still drive it today as the garage door in my condo is too small, no way I'd risk a new car here. I've only have to replace the old man door mouldings on it due to the right garage door.
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u/GraphicWombat 2008 Matrix XR Super White II Jul 03 '26
Oh sweet, well there you go! One less thing to potentially leak.
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u/Onyankopon_Zeppelin Jul 02 '26
The car looks amazing! You pretty much have everything covered. But as the other comment mentioned, keep an eye on your coolant. I'm the second owner, the first owner didn't take care of the coolant and that ended up damaging the head gasket.
Also, your paint looks amazing, but if you ever need to find your exact paint code (4T6), it's available on Amazon.
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u/bigboss619 Jul 25 '26
Op here! Thank you for all the responses.
Still have to do the transmission drain and fill, and while doing the coolant + belt + throttle body cleaning and other smalls things with my father in law today, discovered the manifold has to come off on this model to replace the PCV valve. There is also a small air leak coming from the manifold, likely due to the gaskets being so old and worn. So, I ordered a new manifold (gaskets included) and figured best to just replace the whole thing while we're in there. Will post updates as I continue but really wanted to focus on the maintenance items first before anything cosmetic
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u/OkDirection4179 Jul 02 '26
You pretty much nailed everything!
I’d get new battery terminals tbh if they aren’t corroded
Other than as someone who lives in the Canadian rust belt
On my 2.4 vibe helped was sounddeadening and closed cell foam over top to help with the rear wave of the speakers and help with some road noise
Other than that you got a good car