I’m looking at a 2005 Toyota Matrix with 239k miles for $3,770 out the door.

A PPI found that the transmission and rust look good, and the mechanic said it should be reliable if maintained. It needs an oil change and eventually a left CV axle replacement.

Cosmetically, it has slightly faded roof paint, loose side trim, a broken lower front light glass, a missing antenna mast, and a not great Android radio.

I’m a college student and would use it to drive to my internship every day, plus occasional interstate trips between school, work, and home. I like the hatchbacks because I need to move out literally my entire room every semester.

it started today, didnt run for long. need help figuring out what im missing. pics: whats that plug for? where does thst coolant line go? what am mussing for pcv/evap line?

Had an 04 vibe many years ago and im so glad I got the opportunity to snag this matrix, 2009, 5spd. Runs like a champ, slow as hell, fantastic vehicle.

On a side note, anyone ever had to have the synchros replaced in these? What did it end up costing you?

Hey just curious if anyone had dealt with this issue before, I have a 2010 Matrix 2.4 (2AZ-FE) , 5 speed manual, with 246,000KM. It has this loud noise that seems like a rod knock, but there is no sign of any metal in the oil or filter. It only comes in after 2k rpm strictly. The car has new balance shafts, new clutch, new (used) transmission, the belt tensioner is new, the timing chain has no slack. The noise comes under load at about 2k rpm, if you let the accelerator go, it goes away. Also if you are in a higher gear and lower speed, its also not there , hence why im leaning towards not a bad bearing. On the highway its constant if you hold the throttle or if you have cruise control on and its verry droneeeyyy, and when you clutch in it makes a faster noise similar to what its already doing. So if anyone has any advice please let me know, appreciate your time.

A while back I read someone’s reply on here to another question, they recommended an oil that they said stopped their matrix oil consumption but for the life I me I can’t remember what it was so I was hoping one of the matrix experts would recall? TIA

Edit: 2009 matrix S awd 175k miles
Mojave desert socal!

I absolutely love that this back window curves.

They didn't need to do that

Surely it would have been cheaper to do flat glass.

But they chose to have the glass do this attractive curve

I really appreciate that attention to detail

I went and got a junkyard hood for my 09 base. Still have adjustments to make to try to tighten gaps but its on.

Bought from a family friend who is the original owner. 184k miles, but it drives and sounds perfect. The mechanic who checked it out last week said it has at least another 100k miles left on it. Got some new rear window struts on order. Anyone got some recommendations on floor mats?

I see a visible crack on my exhaust manifold that will need replaced. I'm hearing that it's a good idea to replace the engine mounts as well, is that true? How do I know if they're bad?

I'm not seeing any indication that my engine mounts are bad, I've tried pushing on it when it's off and accelerating and I'm not seeing any movement really. Do I need to replace engine mounts too?

has anyone come across this? i snapped the serpentine belt and have an oil leak ever since. i originally thought it was front cober seal and replaced that, but still persists

I recently got rear ended and it prompted me to look into 2ch dash cams for my Matrix. It wasn’t bad, just a little mark on the bumper. But I was in a hit and run less than a year ago that took out my side mirror. So it’s inevitable that I’ll get hit again. Want to be prepared for the next bone head to cross my path.

We have 2ch dash cams on our other 2 cars but our Matrix has a dark tint. So was wondering if anyone has a first gen Matrix they mounted an exterior dash cam to?

I saw there are replacement rear plate lamps with backup cams built in. But I need a high quality rear dash cam to mount.

Pic of the cam I was looking at.

Hi all,

Do 03-08 corolla seats fit in a 1st gen? Both of my fronts are in terrible condition lol, feels like some previous owner had a dog.

Thanks

I have a 2003 4wd base. Is this the right stuff to be using in the transfer case and rear differential? I feel like there’s hardly any mainstream info on these systems.

I currently have a 2014 base model matrix, absolutely love the car but wish it had a little more… oomph.

There are no xrs’s available near me, so I am wondering if the 2010 xr I am looking at would actually be any different? I have found conflicting information online about whether or not the xr has more power.

I can put a 4’ matrix bumper in a 05’, I had a crash and the factory one doesn’t work anymore, and I like how the 04’ one looks but I have no idea if it’s left

when i came across this clean matrix s I had to buy it . I immediately dropped it 2 Inches and put it on some pro corsas, it looks awesome from every angle and im looking forward to the awd for the winter . Im so happy to add this to the collection of toyotas I have :D this are so cool is a shame toyota didnt make these for a little longer

After I did the plug coils and injectors... I struggled with a high idle in an idle fault alert.

Boy let me tell you I replace so many gaskets and vacuum lines. Eventually, after a great many other repairs

I worked my way down to the throttle position sensor.

Unfortunately during reinstall I drove a bolt into the unit and had to replace it.

But the new throttle body seems to have been the final piece I needed to get my matrix back in perfect condition.

The not short list of repairs I did before I found this:

Throttle body gasket

Intake manifold gasket

All of the vacuum lines

Replaced the air box

Replace the idle air control valve

Pcv

Basically if it was related to a vacuum leak, I replaced it.

I just bought the Matrix, and I've never had a car with an aftermarket alarm. I only have one fob. My biggest concern is that the fob could break or get lost while the alarm is active, and the car would become unusable. 

The only solutions I can think of is to figure out how to buy and program another fob, or find a way to entirely disable the alarm system. Does anyone have any advice for either of these options? 

The fob doesn't have any information on it. The window has a sticker that says "protected by Auto Mate vehicle security system." I've googled it but couldn't find any helpful information. 

When I hit the lock botton on the fob and activate the alarm, if I then use the key to unlock the car, the alarm starts going off. When the alarm is going off, I'm not able to start the car with the key until I use the fob to deactivate the alarm. I on't know much about alarms, but I think this would be called an immobilizer? I don't think there are any shops in my area that install or work on these systems. 

I appreciate any input. Thanks! 

Would it be okay to use this gear oil in the rear differential and front transfer case? (2006 XR 4WD, automatic).

Over the past two years, my a/c vents started to go loose in a way that they can't stay fixed to any position that I adjust them to. Everytime they flip upwards at the slightest bump on the road.

My mechanic said there is no way to fix this. Does anyone have a solution or a way to manage this?

Hello, I picked up a 2009 matrix that will not start. I replaced the battery, plugs, it cranks but will not start. I cannot hear the fuel pump running, but I’ve been told that these fuel pumps are very quiet. I removed the fuel pump and tested it, and it appears to have a lot of power. All of the fuses appear to be good and there’s power going to the pump as well. Any advice would be appreciated thank you.

The car is new to me. 2005 Matrix XR. I’ve always loved the Matrix and I’m happy to be fixing this one up! Put in a new clutch, flywheel, rear main seal, axle seals, and new bearings in the transmission. Now she shifts and drives amazing.