I've owned my 03 xrs for just about a year now, 35mpg is doable. That transmission has you shifting for days no matter where you are, city or highway haha. Previous to this I was driving an 07 Corolla which I managed to write off. You are totally right about its town driving, it doesn't feel like much, but the trd exhaust helps. If you want to have fun with it you need a good stretch, passing.. Merging. It's a treat. Definitely a more spirited drive than my corolla! I get a kick out of it!
Also I feel I should mention the 180hp kicks in at 6200rpm and red line is 8200 I think I saw numbers like 6700 and 7600 at the beginning of your viewo. I believe the first generation had a different computer map, later cars had the 6700-7600 map. Gotta bless up for the first generation XRS
@@jsentana yes. I had totally overlooked that commitment prior to purchasing my car.. Until I popped the filler cap and saw the reminder of 91 octane. Nothing but Shell V-power for my 2zzzzzzz (I guess! Lol)
@@jsentana it definitely sucks on days when you only have 5 bucks to your name lol. But the car is practical in almost every other way. Spacious (enough) good ground clearance for back roads and can get good mileage if you mind the rpms. they certainly are not getting any younger .. Or cheaper for a clean first generation. I can't think of many others as versatile, reliable and fun for the class/current price point. I was torn between this or a Subaru forester but I'd just be more tempted to go try and get stuck somewhere stupid in a Subaru hahah.
The matrix isn’t like the Pontiac vibe. The vibe is like the toyota matrix. Gm borrowed the design. Had a 2003 matrix xrs! Ordered new in 2002, waited 6 months for it. Best car I’ve ever owned. Currently looking for one to daily it
Brandon Gomez got one a month ago! 1 owner, 90,000 miles, manual transmission. Full service records, new clutch and components, complete tune up done by toyota by the previous owner. Non Xrs though, needed a reliable non fast daily driver which is why i went with an xr with a 1zz
This car is actually fun AF in town. Its loves to rev and makes a good sound. It will also run past 200,000 miles easily with regular maintenance. I've seen them commonly in the 250k plus mile range (for sale online ) . The Matrix could be the best bang for your buck daily driver. And they still look decently current and not as dated as a Corolla from the same years.
I know im randomly asking but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me.
@Brixton Alijah i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
That’s the exact amount I’m buying a 2004 one exactly like this for in about a week and it’s already lowered with nice rims and tires and a good intake I literally can’t wait
Nice through honest review. Touched on all key issues and more. Very helpful on comparisons, and especially helpful with the still photo shots while explaining. Keep up the good work!
Good analysis, you will not ever get 30+ mpg with these, they are not for that. On the other hand, the Vibe GT is definitely a performance bargain, a defunct manufacturer combined with the fact that the Toyota is basically a mechanical twin, you can score them for less for the same car!
The XRS has a problem with high lateral G force. If you exceed 1 G of lateral force the car can lose oil pressure and kill itself. They both should handle the same in the corners. The XRS just can’t be pushed as much in the corners because the oil pan isn’t baffled. They did this so the oil could return to the sump quicker at high rpm’s.
They have timing chains with automatic tensioners so they can go over 200k miles with no problems and water pumps has never been a particular issue for toyota
@@mrsmith8436 ahh gotcha, I come from the Lexus side of Toyota, jus did timing belt/water pump, and head gaskets on 2002 IS300, jus hit 110k miles, so technically I was 8yrs and 20k miles past due on it.. So what MAJOR maintenance points are there for these Matrix's?
@@phabeondominguez5971 - Use full synthetic oil and quality oil filter (NOT FRAM)and change it every 10k miles religiously. Change the trans fluid 50k miles on automatics. Change the plugs 80k. Change the air filter and brakes when needed. Do this and expect to get over 200k miles on most any toyota or lexus.
@@mrsmith8436 SOLD!! thank you, I am looking for a winter beater, manual trans a must!! , Trying to decide between a 03' Matrix or a '11 Kia Seol. On the one hand a 2011 year car is only 8yrs old.. but it's a Kia. On the other side the 03' Matrix's are now 17yrs old.. but they are Toyotas, aka reliable...
@@the_tropical_bean You mean the 03 Matrix XRS was equipped with the 2ZZ-GE 180hp 6 Speed Manual Transmission. The 04-06 Matrix XRS had 170hp 6 Speed Manual Transmission. The 09-10 Matrix XRS had the 2AZ-FE
is it a corvette? no, but you are beating it down. make use of what you got, theyre pretty quick, some people dont know how to use the power, one doesnt need a supra, if uoure a normal driver
I've owned my 03 xrs for just about a year now, 35mpg is doable. That transmission has you shifting for days no matter where you are, city or highway haha. Previous to this I was driving an 07 Corolla which I managed to write off. You are totally right about its town driving, it doesn't feel like much, but the trd exhaust helps. If you want to have fun with it you need a good stretch, passing.. Merging. It's a treat. Definitely a more spirited drive than my corolla! I get a kick out of it!
Also I feel I should mention the 180hp kicks in at 6200rpm and red line is 8200 I think I saw numbers like 6700 and 7600 at the beginning of your viewo. I believe the first generation had a different computer map, later cars had the 6700-7600 map. Gotta bless up for the first generation XRS
Did you have to put premium gasoline in it?
@@jsentana yes. I had totally overlooked that commitment prior to purchasing my car.. Until I popped the filler cap and saw the reminder of 91 octane. Nothing but Shell V-power for my 2zzzzzzz (I guess! Lol)
Gotcha. I like the XRS, but not sure I like it more than putting 91 octane for as long as I have it
@@jsentana it definitely sucks on days when you only have 5 bucks to your name lol. But the car is practical in almost every other way. Spacious (enough) good ground clearance for back roads and can get good mileage if you mind the rpms. they certainly are not getting any younger .. Or cheaper for a clean first generation. I can't think of many others as versatile, reliable and fun for the class/current price point. I was torn between this or a Subaru forester but I'd just be more tempted to go try and get stuck somewhere stupid in a Subaru hahah.
The matrix isn’t like the Pontiac vibe. The vibe is like the toyota matrix. Gm borrowed the design. Had a 2003 matrix xrs! Ordered new in 2002, waited 6 months for it. Best car I’ve ever owned. Currently looking for one to daily it
They were both literally produced in the same production line. Just different finishing touches like badges.
dasspr and?? How’d the search go
Brandon Gomez got one a month ago! 1 owner, 90,000 miles, manual transmission. Full service records, new clutch and components, complete tune up done by toyota by the previous owner. Non Xrs though, needed a reliable non fast daily driver which is why i went with an xr with a 1zz
how are you liking it? im looking at an 03 xr with 61k miles tomorrow. Manual as well. Any issues?@@dasspr
This car is actually fun AF in town. Its loves to rev and makes a good sound. It will also run past 200,000 miles easily with regular maintenance. I've seen them commonly in the 250k plus mile range (for sale online ) . The Matrix could be the best bang for your buck daily driver. And they still look decently current and not as dated as a Corolla from the same years.
I know im randomly asking but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me.
@Phoenix Abram Instablaster ;)
@Brixton Alijah i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Brixton Alijah it worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thank you so much you really help me out :D
@Phoenix Abram glad I could help =)
I just picked up a super clean, all original, not modded 2003 XRS with 99,000 km's (60,000 miles) on it for $5000 Canadian (About $3700 US)
That's amazing
That’s the exact amount I’m buying a 2004 one exactly like this for in about a week and it’s already lowered with nice rims and tires and a good intake I literally can’t wait
Even with the almost non existent editing, I like the content. Thank you.
video starts at 1:22
Video starts at 0:00
Nice through honest review. Touched on all key issues and more. Very helpful on comparisons, and especially helpful with the still photo shots while explaining. Keep up the good work!
Best car I’ve ever owned!
Getting one tommorrow 6 speed xrs 2003
That's awesome. Glad you found one
What rpm does the second cam profile kick in?
Depending on the model year, my 2003 is at about 6,200rpm.
my 2003 kicks in at 6000
6200-8300
Well done.. gave me a good feel for what I should expect
You don’t need premium fuel for a corolla same thing applies here
Good thinking
I saw one in my area 03 for 2,500. Should I get it?
How many miles on it? That sounds like a fair price if it's under 200k miles and there is nothing terribly wrong with it.
@@DawnDimension it's got 217,000 and I think if I go there with 2,500 and say I've only got 2,000 then maybe I can strike a good deal?
@@DarynBrown sure, it's worth a shot
Good analysis, you will not ever get 30+ mpg with these, they are not for that.
On the other hand, the Vibe GT is definitely a performance bargain, a defunct manufacturer combined with the fact that the Toyota is basically a mechanical twin, you can score them for less for the same car!
would the matrix xr or xrs be good on corners? and whats the bodyroll on these things?
The XRS has a problem with high lateral G force. If you exceed 1 G of lateral force the car can lose oil pressure and kill itself. They both should handle the same in the corners. The XRS just can’t be pushed as much in the corners because the oil pan isn’t baffled. They did this so the oil could return to the sump quicker at high rpm’s.
What about timing belt and water pump on these? Is that a big deal or nah? See a lot of em for sale, 150k+ miles and no one ever mentions it....?
They have timing chains with automatic tensioners so they can go over 200k miles with no problems and water pumps has never been a particular issue for toyota
@@mrsmith8436 ahh gotcha, I come from the Lexus side of Toyota, jus did timing belt/water pump, and head gaskets on 2002 IS300, jus hit 110k miles, so technically I was 8yrs and 20k miles past due on it.. So what MAJOR maintenance points are there for these Matrix's?
@@phabeondominguez5971 - Use full synthetic oil and quality oil filter (NOT FRAM)and change it every 10k miles religiously. Change the trans fluid 50k miles on automatics. Change the plugs 80k. Change the air filter and brakes when needed. Do this and expect to get over 200k miles on most any toyota or lexus.
@@mrsmith8436 SOLD!! thank you, I am looking for a winter beater, manual trans a must!! , Trying to decide between a 03' Matrix or a '11 Kia Seol. On the one hand a 2011 year car is only 8yrs old.. but it's a Kia. On the other side the 03' Matrix's are now 17yrs old.. but they are Toyotas, aka reliable...
@@phabeondominguez5971 - FYI the matrix was also made in AWD as well if you can find one.
The XRS wants premium gas.
Why My Matrix no rear wiper? Can I install it?
Was it used when you got it? Try this: ua-cam.com/video/T0UInI-O9_A/v-deo.html
It's wheelbase?
102.4″
or 2.60096 meters
how much did it cost you bro
The car in the review is not mine, but you can pick one of these up for 2-4k
The xrs is hard to find in manual in my area.
What area are you in? This one may be for sale in the future
XRS only comes manual lol no automatic XRS was made
@@slammedcc I've never heard this, but a quick google search makes me think otherwise
Still for sale?
I have too 2003 matrix xrs so fast
I doubt they're fast I had a 2010 Corolla XRS 5 Speed Manual 2AZ-FE that was slow
Great little cars & looks nice
@@static_Tricolor_camry the 03-09 xrs came with a 2zz which has 180hp and lift (toyota vtec). It's quick for what it is.
@@the_tropical_bean You mean the 03 Matrix XRS was equipped with the 2ZZ-GE 180hp 6 Speed Manual Transmission. The 04-06 Matrix XRS had 170hp 6 Speed Manual Transmission. The 09-10 Matrix XRS had the 2AZ-FE
is it a corvette? no, but you are beating it down. make use of what you got, theyre pretty quick, some people dont know how to use the power, one doesnt need a supra, if uoure a normal driver
you think so?
Tomas Tylecek nah i need a supra bro im a fast boi 😂🥳
Take the music away please !!!!!!!!!!!
Some bs
Ok you make a video then