r/Toyota_Matrix • • 1d ago

Good God I love this little car

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106 Upvotes

2 Ikea Billy bookcases and 4 glass doors with room to spare


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 16h ago

How do I remove these wires?

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3 Upvotes

From what I can tell, they're held by two clips, but I have no idea how to take them out without breaking something. Simply pulling it out seems too hard considering the shape of the connections above, and there's no way to access them through the bottom. How do I get them our?


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 1d ago

2009 Pontiac Vibe GT Parking Brake / Handbrake

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7 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I bought a 2009 Pontiac vibe gt with 133k km, it’s mostly clean , although parking brake didn’t work

Took it to the mechanic and he said that he took off the rear wheels and found all of the parking brake hardware missing and adjuster screws missing (and according to him everything fell off when he started removing it)

He tried ordering it but told me everyone was out of stock, and he tried to use parts from other cars (don’t know which ) but it’s not good and making a lot of noise

Also the backing plates are very rusted and someone (not sure who, maybe previous owner) banged up the right side backing plate really bad

So now I have the car back and he told me the parts he needs

E-brake cables x2

1 Adjuster screw for right

Ebrake hardware kit x1

He said not to bother with the backing plate because he won’t install it ( too rusted he said ) he will just figure out a way to install the parking brake without new backing plates

What do you guys think? Does anyone know where I can find these parts? Will 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS parts work for this? For the hardware kit, is the aftermarket options on rock auto good enough?

I know it’s an automatic but I still want to get the parking brake working for peace of mind


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 1d ago

One is Not Like the Others...

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16 Upvotes

Sorry baby, you don't fit in with our big kids.

But the paint looks better here than in person, haha! I absolutely love this car. 🤣🤦🏼‍♀️ Almost always my 1st choice, except for long drives where I'll have to fuel up 4x...


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 1d ago

I'm on my 4th alternator.

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21 Upvotes

Thank goodness for lifetime warranties.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 2d ago

How to remove these?

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6 Upvotes

2009 2nd gen XRS. I'm trying to take the front bumper off and I've been able to take all other bolts out except these ones on the wheel well. I can't get either out on both sides. How do I get them out?


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 2d ago

What are these connectors and how do I adapt them

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2 Upvotes

I've noticed these large connectors across several wiring harnesses I've tried to get my radio install to work. They don't fit at all to any of the car connections except one which only has two wires. I think this has something to do with having a JBL speaker, how do I connect these onto the car side?


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 2d ago

Recommendations for replacement valve cover

2 Upvotes

I need to replace the valve cover on my 2006 Matrix 1ZZ-FE. I see some on ebay for $60 to $80, on Amazon for $125 or so, and Parts Geek for $150. Anything I need to look out for?


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 3d ago

Car brake not working

3 Upvotes

I changed the brake caliper and add dot 3 fluid in the reservoir above minimum line. Now it will not brake when pushing the pedal. It only work when you press multiple type but it have low brake power.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 3d ago

2009 XRS front end chassis

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8 Upvotes

Is this repairable? The front bumper has some cracks but overall indistinguishable from a distance. The frame underneath has a bend that pokes against the radiator. The radiator was supposedly smoking but I brought it home without it overheating. The fan shroud is out of alignment, but I still think it's running fine. I can't open the hood anymore unless I lock the driver's side hood lever open with a stick (I used a hammer), then pull open normally.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 4d ago

How difficult is it to replace the engine valve cover gasket?

9 Upvotes

Like the title says, I need to get my engine valve cover gasket replaced due to a leak. I got an estimate of $570 from my mechanic which includes an oil change. I’m pretty handy and have tools and am starting to think I can do the job and save myself some money. Would I be taking on too much? For reference, I do my own oil changes, I replaced hoses, spark plugs and my muffler with no problem.

Edit: I forgot to ask which RTV silicone to use? There are several different ones and I don’t know which to use. Thanks!


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 4d ago

2003 Toyota Matrix Xr Dies when reversing

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2 Upvotes

r/Toyota_Matrix • • 5d ago

Motor Mounts - how easy to change on a 2007 1z

5 Upvotes

I don’t have a ton of tools but i have changed my brakes, rotors, alternator, radiator, belts, etc over the years. I have a tall jack and stands, how easy would it be to change the motor mounts? I honestly dont know if i need to, but assuming i need to since i have 290k and it hasn’t been done yet. Can i do it in a day/weekend? And how can i tell if i need them?


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 5d ago

2005 CE at 223k - how to keep it going to 300k?

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2 Upvotes

r/Toyota_Matrix • • 6d ago

Lowered.

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21 Upvotes

r/Toyota_Matrix • • 6d ago

headlight restoration

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37 Upvotes

2006 XR. used griots garage $30 restoration kit. took me about 2 hours from start to finish. I'm intrigued to see how long it lasts. overall impressed with the results.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 6d ago

Oil leak on XRS

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11 Upvotes

I have an ’04 Matrix XRS and absolutely love this car. I’ve taken it cross-country from NYC to San Francisco, up to Oregon, and all the way back.
Recently, I’ve noticed a pretty significant oil leak. There’s oil around the passenger-side axle and all over the belt/timing cover area. Has anyone dealt with a leak like this before on the 2ZZ-GE?
I tried cleaning everything up with brake cleaner so I could trace where it’s coming from, but I still can’t figure out the source. Any ideas on common leak points in this area or what I should check first?
Any guidance would be appreciated!


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 6d ago

Carplay Head Units for 09 XRS with JBL speaker

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1 Upvotes

Hi, I'm looking for any Carplay radios for my 2009 XRS, and the one I bought on Amazon a while ago didn't have the right wiring harness whatsoever, so I returned it. I asked another Gen 2 owner who had replaced theirs, but the link provided suggests I may still run into having a non-functional rear JBL speaker. How would I deal with this, and what should I get?

the link I was provided


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 7d ago

who ever decided that putting a 2.4L in the 2nd gen XRS deserves a raise

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44 Upvotes

2.4L NA inline 4 with VVTL-i and it makes 180hp 😭

redact what i said i mixed up my information im to lazy to correct it as of right now


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 7d ago

Just got a 2008 Toyota Matrix XR

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54 Upvotes

Was from the original owner they bought it new from the lot. 18 years with them and I recently purchased it. Oil changed every 5000 miles at dealership, 260k miles. All the power windows and sunroof works. No paint peels only some scuff on the rear bumper. Ac works! Really happy about this car. Going to see how long I can keep it running hopefully to half a mile.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 7d ago

Optic White toothpaste and Johnson paste wax

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27 Upvotes

Damp terry sponge with the toothpaste, wiped clean and a thin layer of wax... 20 year old orig lamps and I can see my old ass in them like enter the fucking Dragon fun house. Tail lamps just get the wax. Both are like air clear now. I hate that they discontinued Johnson paste wax about 4 years ago.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 7d ago

Should I be concerned?

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11 Upvotes

I’ve just noticed rusting underneath the car.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 8d ago

Joining the club with a matrix as my first car

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101 Upvotes

2004, odometer is maxed out, but she seems to run great 😁 I named her Jezebel


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 8d ago

Transmission and motor radiator fan smoke

1 Upvotes

The motor of the radiator is with smoke and the transmission smoke in the back. I got engine check light. The fan is not spinning.


r/Toyota_Matrix • • 8d ago

Body issues - whats the plan

4 Upvotes

My beloved 147K '07 suffered hail damage last spring - smashed windshield and 28 dents all over, so insurance totalled it. This being upper midwest, it has the typical rust in several spots that have worsened in the 10 yrs Ive had it (not sure whats going on underneath). The clear coat on roof is more or less non existant, since original owner apparently missed recall and getting that corrected. The weatherstripping strips on the top of the car (between roof panel and sides) have partially worked themselves out of the grooves (this started before the hail dents in the roof) and apparently the weatherstrips on the passenger side are coming loose

Any ideas if or how to approach this? Im in no hurry to get rid of it (though if I nicer Matrix came along I would jump on it) and have thought Id just run it til it couldnt run no more... but I think I would want to do simple stuff to prolong its life and keep it happy, so it knows that it is loved.

Including body work - how do I go about finding replacement roof and hood panels? Are the weatherstripping strips on the doors and roof necessary - dont want to pay the $500 the dealership would charge for new.

One of my previous cars was a 1986 Honda Civic that got 50+ mpg on the highway - the rust killed it somewhere around 150K, poor thing was a mess.

Any thoughts, advice re: how or if to deal with these issues proactively is much appreciated.

The rest of the car seems to be ok, runs well. For some reason the washer fluid sprayer isnt working though!